grit.

March 8, 2012

grit.

amie and i were taught many things as kids…how to ride a bike, always say thank you, don’t skip school (oh wait, wrong family)…anywho, you get the point.

but probably definitely (you like that? “probably definitely”…yes, it is a correct form of speech…i just made it up..because i’m indecisive. probably definitely.) one of the most important things we were taught is how to work. we were taught the value of physical labor.

gettin’ down and dirty.

{loading trailers in the rain at BiG stATE fest.}

sweat-on-your-brow and dirt-under-your-fingernails type of work. muscles achin’, back-breakin’, baby-needs-a-new-pair-of-shoes kind of work.

GRIT.

we were raised with no gender limitations. in fact, my favorite shirt when i was a little girl said: “anything boys can do, girls can do better.”

{sportin my FAVE said glitter tee}

we were taught how to build fence, use power tools, how to properly go muddin’ on a 4-wheeler (i think we actually probably definitely figured that one out on our own)…

{amie rockin' the rotary sander at antiques week}

{yep, that's me...using an air nibbler}

we didn’t learn how to work by being FORCED….to do chores. to work in the restaurant. to ‘earn our keep’.

{preparing for JuNK-a-PaLOOZa...yes, it was about 1098 degrees that day}

{because this chandelier was just begggggging to be pink}

 

we learned from watching them. mom and dad, side by side. working. and laughing. and keeping the family together through those 2 things.

{mom and amie makin' on-location rustic chandeliers for miranda's wedding}

 

{mom, amie, t-smitty, dad...workin' hard to pull off miranda's reception}

which i believe now is the reason we love hard work. we appreciate and respect it. dare i say, we revere it.

{loading trailers in the rain (again) at FriDAY NiGHT LiGHTS episode}

and yes, we enjoy it.

{yep...loadin in the mud....again. GoD bless mother nature.}

there’s something about being out of your office. away from your desk. disconnected. and reconnecting with the value of manual labor. working with your hands. your head. and your muscles. there’s something great about accomplishing something concrete. something you can feel and see. and pat yourself on the back for.

{anything boys can do....}

and through hard work, all things seem to have more intrinsic value.

which i guess is why they call it sweat equity.

 

get out there. get some sweat equity in something. and be a real rebel….leave your cell phone in the car. it’ll make the sweat even sweeter.

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16 Comments

  • Reply Crystal B March 8, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    I was raised exactly the same and by all means our kids need to learn the same things we did!! Gott love some grit!! Y’all rock!!!

  • Reply Amy Lou March 8, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    Love it!

  • Reply Cathy Guess March 8, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    That is what makes you sooooo Successful…..Hard Work, and it has sure payed off for you!!!! I admire that!
    Junkin Hugs……Cathy

  • Reply Tonna March 8, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    I TOTALLY had a pair of those sneaker skates too!! LOVED ‘EM!!

  • Reply Cathy Sue March 8, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    Love this.. Hard working girls and women should be proud.. My Dad used to tell me ” Hunny, you are the best boy I got!!” Made me feel great..

  • Reply Cindi March 8, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    This post got me so in the mood to do somethin’ outside….diggin’ in the garden, power-washin’ the house (oh yes- in West Texas you HAVE to!), or maybe even get out my fav paint brush and hit the front door! Yep, that’s what I’d be doin’, if it didn’t just drop to a cool 15 degrees wind chill outside! Oh well…keep the inspirations comin’!
    Cheers!

  • Reply deb taylor March 8, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    Great story Jolie! I have seen it first hand…You are one hard working-successful-loving-hands-on-handful family!! xoxoxo

  • Reply Kim March 9, 2012 at 8:58 am

    Great inspiriation! I love ya’ll, and live viraciously through you!Keep up the good work, girls@

  • Reply Staci March 9, 2012 at 9:05 am

    This is how my parents raised my brother and I. It’s a great way to grow up and has made us the people we are today!! This is the way kids should be raised. Ya’ll are fabulous!

  • Reply Debbie York March 9, 2012 at 9:38 am

    Girls…y’all are legacies into your mama and daddy’s School of Life…and a well lived one at that!
    BTW…just how much is sweat worth on the Dow Jones? Some of us might be gazillionaires by now!
    Deb

  • Reply Heather Schoenst Kaspar March 9, 2012 at 11:26 am

    I grew up….very 1st job….punchin’ cattle in the back of Lee County Stockyards….and I was good at it. I did it every summer, every Monday we had off, any chance I got. I would come home completely covered in dust and cow crap. I know…sounds lovely, but I LOVED it & miss it as I sit here typing…avoiding computer work that I’m supposed to be doing. In fact I miss it so much I wrote a blog about it. Funny how you go through life and realize what you think is important isn’t….and you go to figurin’ out a way to get back to the GRIT ๐Ÿ™‚ of what made us who we are.

    BTW – I just picked up my dress for Junk Prom @ a rummage sale yesterday in Corpus!!! Can. Not. Wait!

  • Reply Amy L March 10, 2012 at 7:59 am

    Thank you for valuing, modeling, & appreciating true GRIT. From one griity girl to another…

  • Reply Jessica March 12, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    I love this! I was raised the same way, and I’m thankful for that every day!

  • Reply shani March 12, 2012 at 6:07 pm

    Yep, the harder I work, the luckier I get!! GOD Bless GIRLS!!!

  • Reply Michelle March 16, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    I wholeheartedly agree…ditto…amen…go girl! Raised the same way says the woman who can don a hazmat suit and high heels (although not at the same time)!

  • Reply Scarlett Fiona Reed March 17, 2012 at 4:52 pm

    You betcha! you girls are awesome, and do it so much better than boys (although they are nice too ๐Ÿ™‚ . See you soon!

  • Leave a Reply to Michelle Cancel Reply