People ask me all the time, "how do you do it?" Namely, how do I juggle having 2 kids, a candle business to run, 4 farmer's Markets a week to attend, a farm to run, and I don't know what all else...all while battling fibromyalgia, CFS, and chronic migraines.

The truth is sometimes I really don't know HOW I do it...but from time to time I will try to share some thoughts that might help others business owners and moms survive.

The number one thing I know is with all that on my plate, I have no other life...sad but true, so if you want to be on the PTA, having hair appointments every week, or whatever, trust me, don't get into this lifestyle! Total commitment is definitely a must whatever you choose to do with your life.

So while wage earners can punch the clock and go home and forget about "work" 'till tomorrow, we have work as an organic part of our existence. It is not only what we do, it is who we are.

Another very valuable lesson is that whenever you say "yes" to anything, you invariably must say "no" to something else. I can't keep adding and adding to my plate, as then my kids would never see me, product would never get made, the house would be a pig pen... although sometimes it seems these things happen anyway... Limits are very valuable.

Thirdly, I need to have a plan for each and every day that is fairly iron clad. Even though it is a rare thing to actually finish everything I intend to do on any given day, I have a pretty good idea what I am going to be doing when I wake up in the morning. Naturally, stuff happens, so flexibility is required (as well as a sense of humor!)

Next, I can't do everything myself, so I have a support system in place. Luckily we live right next door to my husband's parents, so they gladly watch the kids for us, and are pressed into service from time to time to pick up the kids from school, or whatever we might need to get through a busy day.

Well, I've got to move on to something else now -- but more on this topic soon!

We've picked our first strawberries! YAY!!

Well, we just picked the first berries for 2009 on Monday and we sold out right away at the Ashland market! We will have more on Thursday in Medford but be sure to come early because they won't last long! They are super-sweet and yummy too!!