As the summer comes to a close, I wanted to share some of the unexpected twists, turns, and exciting new ventures that have defined the past few months for us.
It feels like I’ve been living in the middle of a country western song, complete with bees, back injuries, and a truck that just wouldn’t quit, thank goodness!
But amidst the chaos, there have also been some incredible professional opportunities that I’m thrilled to update you on. Here’s a look back at the rollercoaster ride that has been my life since May.
Adventures in Beekeeping
This summer, I took the plunge and became a beekeeper. I was excited to start, but the journey wasn’t as smooth as I’d hoped. My first three bee colonies absconded—yes, they just up and left!
I was left feeling a bit defeated until I tried a trick I’d heard about: placing a bit of lemongrass oil at the entrance of the hive. To my surprise, it worked! I ended up acquiring a random swarm that decided my hive was a good place to settle down. It was a small victory in the midst of what had been a challenging start to my beekeeping adventure./>
Tom’s Back Injury
While I was busy with the bees, Tom was busy hurting his back—by moving one of the hives, no less! What followed was months of navigating the healthcare system, getting referrals for tests like MRIs, x-rays, and blood work, and finally getting approval for surgery. The good news is that Tom’s surgery was successful, and he’s healing well. The not-so-good news is that he’s been stubborn about taking his pain medications, so we’re having some "discussions" about that.
Saying Goodbye to Mom
Amidst everything else, I had to say goodbye to my mom, who passed away at the age of 91. She had been living with dementia, and while her passing wasn’t unexpected, it was still incredibly hard. I then had to navigate the process of closing all her accounts, which was a learning experience in itself. It’s been a bittersweet time, filled with both grief and reflection on the memories we shared.
Truck Troubles
If that wasn’t enough, my trusty truck decided to give me a few headaches as well. It started with faulty aftermarket headlights. The Dodge dealership tried to hit me with a $4,000 repair bill, but I wasn’t having it. I took it to our neighborhood mechanic, who fixed the problem for under $400. Not long after, the truck refused to start, and I had to have it towed. The dealership was quick to diagnose a bad starter and quoted me another $2,000. Thankfully, my mechanic found the real issue: a malfunctioning aftermarket alarm system that I didn’t even know was installed. He removed it, and the truck was back on the road for just $250 in labor.
Professional Updates: New Ventures and Exciting Opportunities
Despite the personal challenges, this summer has also brought some incredible professional opportunities that I’m excited to share:Speaking Engagements
Despite the personal challenges, this summer has also brought some incredible professional opportunities that I’m excited to share.4-H Club
I am very honored to be invited to speak at the local robotics 4-H club, "Awkward Silence." Following that discussion, I was asked to start my own 4-H club based on my life skills business, *Life After 18*. I’m currently in the fingerprint and background check part of the process, and everything should be ready to go by the time I hold our first club meeting on November 18, 2024. This is a fantastic opportunity to expand the reach of my life skills teachings to younger audiences.
Community Involvement
I’ve also been invited to read Dr. Seuss books to first-grade students at one of our local elementary schools. This opportunity brings back fond memories of reading these same books to my own kids, and I’m thrilled to be able to share the joy of these stories with a new generation.
Writing and Media
Earlier this year, I was honored to become a featured writer for our local magazine, "Pahrump Life." My column, titled "Life After 18," is based on the materials I share in my classes. While the magazine doesn’t have an online version, I make sure to share all my articles on my blog page on this site.
In the most recent issue, I tackled the question, “Are You Too Young to Start Saving for Retirement?” It’s been a rewarding experience to reach out to the community in this way.
KPFF TV Pahrump Nevada
This summer the radio station for whom I was recording a one-hour “Life After 18” show decided to switch over to recording video with audio. It’s been a challenging transition for the station as well as for me. I’ve generally always believed I have a face for radio, but now I have to make sure I “put my face on” before we hit the record button.
If you’d like to see how that’s working out, look for my recordings on the new Facebook page: K P F F TV Pahrump Nevada. (Yes, there are spaces between those first four letters.) Most recordings are also shared on my “LifeAfter18" Facebook page as well as on YouTube (@mrsjancarter).
Social Media Expansion
Finally, I bit the bullet and started a TikTok account. Yes, it’s a little weird, but I have to go where my customer base hangs out. My account is @janetmnast. It’s been a little short on content this summer, but now that the dust has settled in my world, I’ll be ramping up on that.
Wrapping Up the Summer
So here we are, finally on the other side of a summer filled with more than its fair share of challenges and triumphs. Despite everything, I’m grateful for the small victories, the support of friends and family, and the lessons learned along the way.
Tom is on the mend, the bees are happy in their hive, and the truck is running smoothly—at least for now. I’m also excited about the new professional opportunities on the horizon and look forward to what the fall will bring.
Here’s to hoping that the fall brings a bit more peace and a lot fewer surprises. Thanks for sticking with us through it all.
With love and gratitude,
Jan