Never thought the day would come...

We own a new car! And not just new to us. We're talking the thing had 20 miles on it when we bought it. TWENTY! I never thought I would see the day. We hadn't planned on buying anything right away, but a great deal was laid out in front of us, and we jumped on it! After driving the same problem-prone car for 9 years, I am still getting used to owning this beauty:

I've lost the other pictures I had on my computer, so a phone pic will have to be good enough for now. I've found myself being overly protective of her (is it a her?...who knows...). The night after we got her it hailed-of course! Brett was still at work, so I sat on our porch crying because I thought she would for sure be damaged. I called Brett and my dad multiple times and they both reassured me that cars are built to withstand a lot...Looking back on it now I think I may have been a little over-dramatic. Ha! She is still without a scratch and adding much happiness to my life :) 

I moved to the country and drive a John Deere.

I've been meaning to write a quick post about my job here in Hanover. I still haven't found something permanent, but one of Brett's coworkers set me up with a great part-time job!

I work a few days a week on an organic produce farm: Glenville Hollow Farms. They own approx. 1800 acres and grow various fruits and veggies. I pretty much do whatever needs to be done, but my job mostly involves helping with farmer's markets and picking tomatoes (lots of tomatoes). One day I spent close to 8 hrs. just picking tomatoes!

My boss, Cindy, sells at multiple markets during the week, but I help with one that is right outside of Baltimore. Here a few pictures from my first market!

Our tent- we had four large tables of produce to sell.

They grow so many different varieties. Some of them are so interesting looking (and yummy!).

When I'm just picking produce at the farm I get to cruise around in this:

That's right. Be jealous.

The markets run through Thanksgiving so I hope to keep working on the farm for the season. So far it has been really fun, but a ton of hard work! I come home covered in dirt and exhausted, but it feels good to be working outside, and I love interacting with the people at the market. There is a great program where government food checks for fruit and produce double in value if they spend them at farmer's markets. I love explaining what the produce is, how you cook it, what it will taste like, etc. I've even started recognizing "regulars". I love that the people know exactly where their food is coming from, and I can tell that they think it is really cool that they "know" the farmer.

I'm thankful for my job!

Lancaster and the lake

Last weekend Brett and I took a quick trip to Lancaster where I was way too excited to see Amish people. It was a rainy so we didn't get to do too much but it was fun to be out.

Known for their Shoo-fly Pie!

We also made a "quick" trip to Lowes where we made a deal: Brett could buy a table saw if I could get a plant. I think he probably got the better end of the deal, but I was pretty happy about my purchase! 

getting it home was challenging.

 

Last week we also spent an afternoon at the lake. Having such a beautiful place just 15 minutes from our house is wonderful!

the marina

We're having a lot of fun checking out all the neat places close to our new home! 

It's addition.

When we first moved to PA, I convinced myself that I didn't need to worry about making friends. I had friends, wonderful friends (I miss y'all!). Then as the weeks went on, I realized how hard it was to meet people when you work alone and your church is full of older folks-just like the town. Then a new phase set in. I decided I didn't need friends up here at all. I have Brett and I'm completely okay with spending all my time with him. He's so fun- why wouldn't I want to be with him! Fast forward another two weeks and I feel the need for a girlfriend to shop with, get coffee, lay by the pool, etc. Part of me was sad over this, because it made our move here seem very permanent. I felt like I would be replacing those dear to me. After a much needed convo with a wise friend from home (hi, Becca!), I was reminded that it was an addition of friends not subtraction or replacement.

Then God showed me that He really does care about friendship.

Last weekend we walked into church and for the first time, I recognized a face! At first, I couldn't place how I knew her. I started thinking maybe I didn't know her...then she waved. Brett and I continued walking to our seats and then the girl came over and said "Arkansas, right?!". That's when it hit me- she was on my plane from Little Rock to Baltimore! While in the airport, we had worked through switching schedules due to canceled flights and complained together about how late we would be getting in. We never discussed where we lived or really any particulars but chatted a bit while at the gate and wished each other a good flight when we boarded. It just can't be coincidence that two girls from the same small town in PA met while flying into one of the largest airports. I'm so thankful to have someone to call when I need some girl time! Friendship is a good thing.