grit.

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.