All About Us: Welcome to my story. Some of my happiest memories didn’t happen in front of a computer. They happened on a little Nebraska farm that had been in my family for more than one hundred years. Long before websites, smartphones, or the internet, my parents were teaching my brother, my sister, and me lessons that still guide my life today. We didn’t learn those lessons from books alone. We learnt them while feeding cattle before sunrise, caring for hogs and sheep, stacking hay in the summer heat, and working together as a family. Looking back now, I realise that little farm shaped every part of the person I’ve become.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to learn more about me, my family, and why this website means so much to me. Every page you read here has been written from my heart. I hope that you’ll leave with a little more knowledge, a little more encouragement, and maybe even a smile.
This website isn’t just another place on the internet. It’s a gathering place where people can learn, grow, share ideas, and discover opportunities they may never have known existed. Whether you’re looking for helpful information, new technology, personal growth, or simply a friendly place to visit, you’ve found a community that welcomes everyone. A place where there is always a place at our table for another who might need a simple meal or just needs a lending ear.
But before I tell you about this website, I think it’s only fair that I tell you about the people who made me who I am.
Welcome to my story
It All Started on a Nebraska Century Farm
I was born into a small farming family in Nebraska. I was the third child, growing up alongside my brother and sister on a farm that had been in our family for well over one hundred years.
When I say “family farm”, I don’t mean a hobby farm with a few animals. This was a real working farm where every member of the family had responsibilities. The land had been cared for by generations before us, and every generation left it a little better for the next.
Even today, that farm continues to tell our family’s story because my nephew still farms the same land. I love knowing that another generation is caring for the fields, raising livestock, and continuing a tradition that has lasted for more than a century. That means more to me than words can express.
Growing up there wasn’t always easy, but looking back now, I wouldn’t trade those years for anything.
My Parents Were My Greatest Teachers
People often ask where my work ethic came from. The answer is simple. My parents.
My mom and dad weren’t famous. They didn’t have fancy titles or expensive lifestyles. They were simply hard-working people who believed that if something needed to be done, you got up and did it.
There weren’t many shortcuts on the farm. The cattle still needed feeding. The hogs still needed to be cared for. The sheep depended on us every single day. The garden had to be planted, weeded, and harvested. The hay had to be baled before the weather changed.
The tractors needed maintenance. The fences always seemed to need fixing. There was always another chore waiting. My parents never complained about hard work. They simply did what needed to be done, and we learned by watching them. Looking back, I realise they were teaching us lessons that no classroom ever could.
They taught us honesty. They taught us responsibility. They taught us respect for other people. They taught us to finish what we started. Most importantly, they taught us that character is built one day at a time.
Those lessons have stayed with me my entire life.
Growing Up in 4-H
One of the greatest blessings of growing up on the farm was being involved in 4-H. My brother, my sister, and I all participated, and looking back, I can honestly say it shaped much of who we became. Many people think 4-H is only about showing animals at the county fair. That was always fun, but OH, the work that went along with it.
It certainly included that, but it was so much more. The preparation that went along with that. Washing the animals and curry-combing the sheep and brushing the cattle. It taught us responsibility because animals depended on us every day. We discovered patience because nothing worthwhile happens overnight. We acquired confidence because standing in front of judges wasn’t always easy. We quickly realised teamwork was very important because families worked together not only as a family but also as a team of fellow 4-H’ers. I remember one year when we were in our 4-H club’s sheep showmanship class. There were 12 of us, and we all made it to the showmanship championship. What fun that was. The big reward was having that picture in the local paper with all of us together. A real sense of pride.
It taught us leadership because everyone had opportunities to serve. It taught us that success comes from preparation, not luck. We learned how to properly care for livestock. We acquired the art of showing an animal. We learned about agriculture. We had to do some record-keeping. We learned how to set goals and work toward them. Plan for the next show. Those experiences helped prepare us for life long before we realised it. Even today, I still use many of those lessons.
4-H did not only mean caring for the livestock. There was another side to that. There was the side that was a seamstress. Yes, we also learnt to sew and make our own clothes. And of course we were judged for that at the fair. Being the tomboy I was, my parents also made sure that I had a hand in that. Their rule was you can’t be in livestock if you were not in sewing and cooking. Looking back, sometimes you have to do things that you really don’t care for. You can still excel at one or more things.
Life on the Farm Was Our Classroom
Our school day didn’t end when classes were over. When we got home, there was work waiting. Some evenings we helped feed the cattle. Other days we worked with the hogs or the sheep.
During hay season, everyone pitched in. Harvest time meant long hours.
Spring brought planting.
Summer brought mowing and baling.
Fall brought harvest.
Winter brought feeding livestock in freezing temperatures.
Every season had its own responsibilities. Back then, we didn’t think much about it. It was simply our way of life. Looking back now, I realise how fortunate we were. We learned that food doesn’t magically appear in grocery stores. We understood where it came from. We respected the animals we raised because they helped provide for our family and for others. Farm life teaches respect for life itself. Yes, some were more special, better known as pets, but at the end of the day, they still needed the same attention.
A One-Room Schoolhouse
I also had the privilege of attending a one-room country school for grades one through eight. Imagine one teacher teaching every grade. Older students helped younger students. Everyone knew everyone. If one student struggled, someone else stepped in to help.
It was a different world from today’s classrooms. The lessons weren’t only found in textbooks. They were found in kindness, patience, respect, and helping one another. Those values have stayed with me ever since.
Family Always Came First
One thing our parents taught us was that family comes before almost everything else. We celebrated together. We worked together. Sometimes we struggled together. But we always stood together. Those values carried over into my adult life.
Years later, my husband and I raised four wonderful children of our own. We experienced many of the same joys and challenges every family faces. We celebrated birthdays, graduations, weddings, and grandchildren. Best of all are the great-grandchildren.
We also experienced heartache, including the unexpected loss of a son-in-law. Life doesn’t always follow the plans we make. But the lessons my parents taught me gave me strength to keep moving forward.
From Nebraska to Missouri
In 1984, our family moved from Nebraska to Missouri.
Moving wasn’t easy. Our children had to make new friends and also start in new schools. We had to build new lives.
Every move brings uncertainty. But once again, those farm values helped us adapt. Hard work, faith, and determination. But most of all, family. Those four things helped us through every challenge.
Retirement Wasn’t the End
After many years of working and raising a family, retirement finally arrived. Some people dream about slowing down. But that wasn’t me.
I enjoy staying busy. I enjoy learning. I enjoy helping people. On October 31, 2023, I walked into work and realised it was time for a new chapter. Yes, it was Halloween, and it was no trick or treat. Instead of stopping, I started my next chapter. That’s how this website began.
Discovering the Online World
When I first started exploring the online world, it felt very overwhelming. New technology seemed to appear every day. There were websites. Training programmes. Digital tools. Affiliate marketing. Online learning. AI. Artificial intelligence. Video meetings. Learning management systems.
At first, I wondered if I was simply too old to learn all of it. Then I remembered something my parents taught me. You never stop learning. That simple lesson gave me the confidence to keep going. Little by little, I learnt. And today I still learn something new almost every day. It is fun and sometimes frustrating.
Why This Website Exists
This website exists because I realised there were thousands of people just like me. Some are retired. Some are approaching retirement. Others simply want to learn new skills. Many feel overwhelmed by technology. Others want to earn additional income. Some just want a friendly community. I understand all of those feelings because I’ve experienced many of them myself. That’s why every article is written in simple language. If I can understand it, I believe most people can too. Just keep believing in yourself.
What You’ll Find Here
You’ll discover educational articles, technology tips, product reviews, health information, recipes, inspirational stories, online opportunities, community updates, and personal experiences from my own life. Whenever I recommend something, it’s because I genuinely believe it may help someone. I’m not interested in hype. I’m interested in helping people make informed decisions. I will just suggest something to you when it works for me.
A Community That Feels Like Family
One of my favourite things about this community is that we help each other. Some members are parents. Some are grandparents. Some are farmers. Some are teachers. Some are business owners. Some are just beginning their online journey. No matter where someone starts, everyone deserves encouragement. Nobody knows everything. We’re all still learning. That’s what makes this community feel like family.
Continuing to Learn
As this community continues to grow, I occasionally share online learning opportunities, educational meetings, and resources that have helped me. If they can make your journey a little easier too, then this website has accomplished exactly what I hoped it would.
How This Website Is Supported
Keeping a website running takes time, education, and ongoing investment. Some pages may include Google AdSense advertising.
Some contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through one of those links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. That support helps keep this website growing while allowing me to continue creating free educational content. Honesty and transparency have always been important to me, and they always will be.
A Few Important Words
Everything shared on this website is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing here should be considered legal, financial, tax, or medical advice. Please consult qualified professionals before making important decisions involving your health, finances, or legal matters.
Thank you for visiting. And welcome to my story
If you’ve read this far, thank you. You now know that this website isn’t simply about articles, products, or technology. It’s about a little girl who grew up on a Nebraska century farm, learning from hard-working parents who believed that honesty mattered, hard work built character, and helping your neighbour was simply the right thing to do. Those lessons followed me through raising four children, moving to Missouri, working for many years, becoming a grandmother, retiring, and beginning this new adventure.
This website is my way of giving back. I hope something you read here encourages you to keep learning, keep growing, and never believe you’re too old to begin something new. Life has always reminded me of the farm where I grew up.
First, you prepare the ground. Then you plant the seed. Next, you care for it every single day, even when progress is hard to see. Finally, with patience, faith, and plenty of hard work, you enjoy the harvest.
This website is one of the seeds I planted after retirement. Every article, every story, every lesson, and every person who becomes part of this community is another sign that good things can still grow when we are willing to keep planting. From my family to yours, thank you for stopping by. Pull up a chair, stay awhile, and come back often. There’s always room for one more around our table, and I’d be honoured to have you as part of our growing family.
I’d love to hear your story too. Feel free to explore the website, leave a comment on an article, or simply stop by again. Around here, there’s always room for another friend.