Please allow me to introduce you to Laurie.

Laurie is an extremely creative wife who once sold her custom designed cards on Etsy. We all know how life can get the better of us and our creative outlets sometimes fall to the wayside. While Laurie is no longer actively selling her custom (and beautiful) greeting cards, she still enjoys making special orders for her friends and family. Be sure the check out examples of some of the great designs Laurie has made at Jemily Designs.

Name - Laurie Mitchell

Kids? Names and ages?- We have two kids, Josh is 13½ and in 7^th grade and Emily is 9½ and in 4^th grade.  We also have a dog named Bogey that is 18 (no that’s not a typo!)

Location– We live in Maumee, Ohio which is a suburb of Toledo which is in Northwest Ohio.

Husband’s Course– My husband Ed Mitchell has been the Superintendent at The Legacy by Arthur Hills in Ottawa Lake, MI (Southeast Michigan) since 2000.

How do you make time for each other during the busy season?– Huh? It is easier now that the kids are a bit older because we can do stuff as a family.  I think living in a four season climate is beneficial because we all understand that although Dad may not be around a lot in the summer, we make up for it in the winter.  We are very fortunate because he really does make a lot of effort to be involved in family life.  He will come down for a soccer game and then go back up if he has to. He is really good about making sure the kids know that he tries to make them first the majority of the time.  As far as us…hhmmmm….that’s a tough one! We try, but not hard enough! I think date nights are important and so is time to ourselves, but sometimes it is just not possible.  We send love messages via text! Ha ha!

What is the most difficult part of being married to a man of turf?– Well, I actually met Ed on a golf course (I was young and working my way through college and was the summer beer cart girl and Ed was on the grounds crew!) so I guess in some respect I knew what I was getting myself into!  I would have to say the obnoxious hours, the people that complain but don’t understand everything involved in making the course great, the economy affecting staffing and budgets (as well as our own personal finances), the “emergency” calls about leaks, alarms going off, fallen trees, etc.

What is the best part of being married to a man of turf?– I really enjoy that he loves his job.  I think that makes him happy which even during the stress of the season, makes things better at home.  Knowing that this is something that he loves makes it worthwhile.  I am also very proud of him.  He works extremely hard and is very good at what he does.  He seems to be well respected among his peers and I admire his work ethic and passion.

Would you encourage your children to follow in their father’s footsteps? Why or why not?– If they want to I am fine with it.  I think they understand the demands of the job at this point.  But it has to be something that they love and are passionate about.  I get scared about the economy and this industry, but we stick with it and I would be ok if my kids did the same.  If they love and are passionate about turf like their Dad is then I would be happy if that is what they wanted to do.  If something else makes them happy and serves as their passion then that is what they should do instead!

Is the job ever a source of tension in your house?-  After 20 years together and 17 ½ married, I have to say that sometimes it still is! Mostly only when I cannot be at soccer and dance at the same time and need some help getting one kid from somewhere and the golf course gets in the way.  Otherwise…not that much really.  It was much more difficult when our kids were younger and I was at home with them 24/7 and he seemed to be at work 24/7.  That was exhausting! I have learned to be very independent and go a lot of places with just the kids and me and be ok with that arrangement!

What do you do for you? How do you make sure you’re taken care of?- I try to be creative…I like scrapbooking and making greeting cards for friends.  I also like girl’s nights out! I have also tried to take advantage and enjoy the time I have with my kids – 13 and 9 year olds provide a lot of fun and not much stress (unless I am trying to get a 13 year old out of bed! Ha ha!).  Unfortunately, like most Moms (and especially Wives of Turf Mom’s I bet), Mom’s needs come last…I am ok with that…someday I will miss having my needs put last I am sure!

If you’re a member of the Wives of Turf and would like to have your story of life on the course featured here please email wivesofturf@me.com for more information.

All of the spotlight posts are member written from a list of questions they were sent.