Another of lifes' twists and turns... I am saddened by your loss and yet happy for your little treasure, Braedon. Thoughts and prayers for you all.
Calling all experienced homesteaders - input needed!
Isn't he absolutely a little cutie!
My heart goes out to you for your loss. You have your faith in God, and the love and support of family and friends to help you through. (((Huggs)))
my word - what a thread!
Hineni - Im a tad late in years but would LOVE to do what you are doing!
Born and raised in very inner city areas and am in one now - grrr
Have little to share except - prayers and words of encouragement.
the word is . . . 'Vicariously'. yes!
Reading this permitted me to live My Dream (that is also your dream) through your experience.
Thank you So Much for sharing.
I've been away and am crushed to get this news. Please accept my hand of sympathy and help. Having met your sweet DH when he dropped by our home to pick up plants last year (but never having met you), I'm at a loss. He was a kind and special man.
The translation of Hineni, that I know is, "I am here". We used to yell that as kids. Like, "I'm hiding...no I'm here!". It wasn't really meant to be that, but we thought it worked at that moment. Indeed you are here.
Many congratulations are in order for the mitzvah of your new grandchild. Life has taken you in several directions since you left the Georgia forum. I'd like to suggest that you journal, in every way possible, your experience.
Laurel
Howdy folks,
I just wanted to let everyone know that I am back at home; my oldest daughter came home with me, but she flies back out tomorrow. Has to be back in college for tests this week. We had wonderful road trip and it gave my heart some time to prepare for the return home.
Thanks for the baby glee :) Braedon had his first pediatric visit today; gained 6 ozs and is now 21.5 inches long. My daughter is continuing to nurse him, which I am SO happy about. Hard enough to be a single teen mom, but I am proud of her for doing the best for her son.
I cannot thank all of you enough for your thoughts and prayers and kind words. Although I've only met a few of you face to face, it means an awful lot.
50glee: Please enjoy the vicarious activities :) It will probably be much easier on your body than mine...haha!
Laurel: Yes, hineni is what Moshe and Avraham answered when G-d called them and you have the meaning absolutely correct. I AM here, and my faith teaches me that it all means something, even loss. Baruch dayan emet. I have been journaling already, and may possibly turn to a blog format because it's getting kind of out of the range of Homesteading, although it will run parallel to that as well.
A few friends have offered me the opportunity to purchase acreage or a home and acreage on their properties. The support and love I have received has made each day very precious, and has taught me a lot. I still have so much to do in regards to his passing, and so much to do in regards to my future that it is sometimes pretty overwhelming. But I am doing what I can, and working, so that keeps my mind and hands busy.
One thing I would like to pass on, is please never hesitate to say something to someone who is grieving. Even just.."I'm sorry" is good; we don't have any expectations of what is right or wrong, because often it is our first close experience with death. Just having someone acknowledge the loss soothes me - and it also makes something that feels unreal more real.
Thank you again for everything :)
I remember in your other thread when you moved. Your DH was working in the city and bringing you supplies as often as he could. Did you ever both live at that place?
Cajun: Yes, but very briefly, like two weeks. We moved here together in December of last year.
taynors: She's still keeping with it too, even though she is back to school now.
Update on life matters:
Made an offer on the house that hubby loved today. Six acres, two story w/basement, well, deck, covered front porch and small barn. Lots of trees, great garden space. I decided I need to get over my fears, as G-d can watch over me wherever I am, it's not like He doesn't do rural :) It was my favorite house and property, but I was just scared. If I get it, I'll learn to be stronger and less scaredy.
There is an incredible amount of paperwork related to dying. And you have to pay for it all. It's insane. I handled the bank, the mortuary, the courthouse all pretty well, but then I went grocery shopping. We did our shopping together normally, and it hit me hard. I stocked up so I don't have to go back any time soon :/ I'm sure people wondered what there was to cry over by the mac & cheese, but I don't care. Little things sneak up and smack ya, not the big things that you expect will hit you.
I'm talking to friends or family, or both, each day. Still prefer being here alone though; random grief outbursts are easier when no one is around.
Braedon is doing smashing, and I await new photos to share with you all.
Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers, they are appreciated.
The offer was accepted! So, whew, now I have more paperwork...what was I thinking?!?!?
I am cautiously excited. I think the actions and work required to get moved and then make a homestead will give my heart some breathing room and my mind something else to focus on. I don't think it will stop the grieving, but it might give me some better outlets than I have right now.
Here's a peek at the place I'm buying:
http://www.navica2.net/displays/show_additionals.asp?n=355&mlsn=101821&ptype=R&status=A
Edited to say: Hmmm, the link works when I click on it on my pc, but not posted here. Shucks. Not sure why. It seems to be truncated in the posting and I'm not sure how to fix that. Any hints?
This message was edited Sep 17, 2009 12:50 AM
Well, here is a picture at least.....
Really cute house. Looks like a good choice. Congratulations!
Meddling here... but I hope you are not letting your emotions rule your common sense
Quoting:
. That said, it is a comfortable looking home. If it is meant to be, it will work out for you. You will make it home by putting your mark on it. The setting looks like homes in the southern Missouri area. the house that hubby loved
When you said you were scared (?) was that because it was rural? I grew up in farmland ~ nearest neighbors were a mile or two away. Then, lived a few years in LARGE cities and when we moved back to the country, I was nervous bigtime. DH said I was safer there than I had ever been in town. What difference did neighbors make ~ I didn't even know our city neighbors. He was right and it just took me an adjustment period.
In general, country folk are more helpful but less meddlesome. An example... we fool with older cars. I was having trouble with my favorite dying on me so DH followed me to town and when it died, he had the hood up and was working on it. Ten cars came by. Nine (locals) stopped to help. The tenth one didn't but they just moved here from a large northern city.
When you get situated, do get out and sort thru the people in the community. You will be amazed at their generousity and goodness. Unfortunately, you will have to work at it. Your type of employment will keep you out of circulation socially.
Off to check your link.
You are right ~ the link didn't deliver. This is the message I found...
" This emailed link appears to be invalid. Please contact your agent if this problem persists.
© 2009 Systems Engineering, Inc. - All Rights Reserved "
I got the same message, but going by that picture, it looks lovely! Best of luck, and take it from someone who just made the same jump. (suburbs to very rural) It may seem a bit scary at first but the kindness of your neighbors will surprise you. The whole first week that I was here, I woke up to fresh eggs or veggies, or home baked goods on the door step with various welcome cards. all the people on my road (and even some from the next road over) had coordinated which days who would leave what on our doorstep so that our first week would bring us new gifts every day. A bunch of them offered to help with the renovations we are doing to and one offered to care for my fields until I could purchase a tractor. Where else would you get that kind of hospitality :-)
I could open the link.
What a cute little place. Just right for you. But I did look at that BIG yard and think how much mowing you will have. LOL I am lucky and don't have to do mine. But he keeps expanding it so why should I !
Good luck!
Not in my rural area!
Advice welcomed on my decision. I am a 60 yrs old single woman who currently lives outside a large city. About 10 years ago I had the opportunity to live on a 240 acre farm in WI for almost 15 years, and I loved it. My heart has always wanted to return to the country and live on a small acre homestead (10 acres or more) just to raise my own vegetables and have a large flower garden. Now my question: Would I be making a mistake to return to the country at this point in my life since I'm single? I'm in very good health and have been on my own for the past 15 years.
Not if you don't go too big and have the time to take care of it. Working outside the home for your income can take up a big chunk of your time. I pretty much do all the gardens. DH does the yard and his other projects in his spare time. He does help with the corn patch as we'll sell a bit of it to pay for seeds the next year.
Here is his latest project with the bulldozer. It is very dry here and the top soil is just dust and that is a low area here.
Just thought you would like to hear from Wi. I pass some land for sale on the way! LOL It is not cheap anymore. No buildings just land.
Adding to say that DH is the workhorse in our family. He is finally learning to sit and rest once in awhile.
This message was edited Sep 17, 2009 8:07 AM
Greenwood, I know of several older gals who live on their own out in the country. It's doable, but takes quite of bit of work. A lot depends on your health and whether you have to work for a paycheck and how many hours. You can take advantage of some ideas to cut down on the gardening chores, though. Hineni and I have talked a lot about how much she (or any single person) can reasonably handle alone. There are several threads asking for advice on this subject and a lot of the responses don't sound very encouraging, but it's important that if a person is going to make the move, that they be aware of what they're getting into.
Podster, we didn't have the same welcoming as Batflower, when we moved to our place. I don't know if our town is just so small (pop.870) and they really don't like outsiders or what. But after 7 years, we really haven't made any local friends. Do you have any suggestions on how to do that? I suggested to Hineni that she frequent the local coffee shop on a regular basis. I think it's important, particularly for a single person to have a couple of friends nearby.
Hineni, I am SOOOOO HAPPPPPPY for you!
Greenwood, we are the same age. I could not manage our house, equipment, acres and garden alone. I drive the tractor, run the tiller, chain saw, plant, split wood, haul stone, do carpentry and tile work, can, etc. I used to take care of the ducks, rabbits and horses but retired from the animal business. :>) I would like to raise chickens. Since we are not here all the time, that is not possible.
Things are smoother with help. Our fantastic, never ending water supply, spring fouls several times a year in bad weather. I don't like climbing into the cistern to bail mud every time. Once a year is enough and then I glance in his direction. The water filters need to be changed, which requires crawling under the house. I can handle it on occasion. The hot water heater blew up a few months ago and flooded the crawl space portion of the basement. He re-wired the entire panel and installed a Bosch tankless heater he found on the internet. The drier died this week and he installed a new blower and thermostats. I was busy canning tomatoes, beans and okra, planting cabbage, collards, broccoli, fennel, leeks, arugula, dill, mustards and beets.
There are ways to partner with like-minded folks our age who want to live sustainably. It is a growing, if not tiny, movement. If I were alone I'd look for a community with independent housing and community gardens/land. There are also options for shared housing or independent housing with common (optional use) kitchen/dining and social facilities. If this idea interests you, check the internet for cohousing and ecohousing links.
Laurel
Greenwood ~ when you said
Quoting:
are you interested in remaining single? Are you content to live alone? To tackle projects alone, it would mean having no one to bounce ideas off of, no one for moral support, no one to give you an attagirl. When you enjoyed Wisconsin farm life, were you alone? What was the major pleasure for you in those days?Would I be making a mistake to return to the country at this point in my life since I'm single?
Dependent upon what you are asking or expecting of the balance of your life, I would say if you are inclined and physically able, by all means reach for it. If I can give a piece of advice, start small and keep your goals within reason. Small accomplishments are more confidence building than large failures. You will be far more content to try and fail than to have regretted never making the move.
Msrobin ~ our little community is larger than yours with 2,500 pop. I think the turning point here for me was going to work in town to meet people and let them measure my worth. Had I continued to work 50 miles from home or been a stay at home person they would have kept me at arms length. When we opened a small business, we were told it would fail as this community also rejects outsiders. Well, the majority of our business income comes from outside this area so the business has remained successful. We have supported select interests inside the community as school activities and other groups at the same time not forcing ourselves on the community. When our day is done, we go to the house and rarely socialize with locals. We patronize the local businesses regardless of their patronage with us. Granted that costs us more but it has also given us an empathy for the community as well as respect from the locals. I've seen others get wrapped up in the local Chambers, Rotaries and Lions clubs but we haven't. That seems to be more of a social status ladder and not our cup of tea. I know some that have broken the ice thru a local church of their choice also. I'm really not sure if there is a definitive answer but I think the first thing was to define what we wanted out of our community.
Tell me how your summer went ~ did you particpate in the local harvest or farmers markets successfully?
There I go again. Too verbose ~ sorry... pod
Verbose is good Pod (as one afflicted with it myself...haha)!
Greenwood, people have posed some good responses already. If I were just starting at your age, I would seriously consider an intentional community. You would get all the experiences you seek, but have plenty of help and community. I'm a few years younger and I'm going to need local help I am sure from time to time myself. It also depends on if you are big on socialization, or not. While I like people, I tend to be pretty private, so an IC wouldn't work for me at this time. I crave solitude, and have for a couple of years lately. Of course, the solitude of two is a different animal than of one, and I may need to socialize more in the future, I don't know yet. I do firmly believe that if we really want something, and we seek prayerful guidance, we can do it. I wish you the best in your search, as I continue along on my new path.
Maypop: Crawlspaces terrify me, I am in awe of your abilities :)
MsRobin: Thank you ma'am. I am sure I'll need your help lady, once we're nearly neighbors!
Thanks again for the support and encouragement all :)
Thanks for all the replies. It's given me alot to think about. When I live in WI, I was with someone, so I never had to do most difficult "male" jobs. I did drive tractor, bale round bales of hay, stack 50-70 # square bales tho. I just want to be back in the country to enjoy the peace and quiet, to see the birds and animals as I gaze out my kitchen window.
Hineni
Where is the new place?
Greenwood: think about Tennessee - it's half way to Wisconsin, the scenery is pretty, and the weather is mild. Just a thought.
Cajun, it's in Paris, TN. I joke with my family that I am moving to Au Paris :)
Greenwood, I know of a place in TN that will rent for cheap if I close on that house above ;) I also know of another place around here, a 1 room cabin, sharing space on 7 acres, that rents for cheaper. Must have 4 wheel drive to access the second one I mentioned.
Thanks Sue. During this time, I've come to really value my friends. They have listened to me, held me, hugged me, fed me, and laughed with me. I feel really blessed.
Appraisal paid for today, and should occur either Thursday or Friday per the Realtor. Sent in the earnest money. Still trying to get homeowners insurance coverage and forgot to call the two local offices today - moved to tomorrow's to-do list.
Did get fridge cleaned, floors washed, dog washed and most of the laundry folded and put away, and a couple of dinners made and put up. Neighbor dropped by to visit but I wasn't feeling very chatty today.
Offered to let the owner of a skinny horse graze his horse on my terribly overgrown lawn; then remembered that the landlord's hay is undefended. He'll have to tether the horse if he takes me up on the offer. My yard IS a former hayfield, so it should help me out and that starving horse out as well.
Located the weedeater under three feet of grass and water (more grass than water). Couldn't get it to start, so I have to try to find the handbook. Brought it in out of the rain and will take a look at it tomorrow when my trusty friend MsRobin is here (aka WeedEater Queen).
And Sue...Oui, oui, paris tres bon magnifique! :) I think your spelling is more fun tho...teehee!
Still no new photos of Braedon :( My kids take pictures of everything else, why can't they take more of him!
Wow, a real weed eater queen? Marry her! I can never get one to work more than minutes after the first run.
Ha! I'm pretty sure MrRobin would look askance highly at anyone taking his wonderful Robin away from him! He graciously shares her with me though; she has been a real lifesaver over the last few weeks. I might not still be sane if not for her available listening skills (oh wait, I'm not sure I AM sane, but...) She is a valued friend.
I'll be happy if I can get the darn weedeater to START. At least you can start 'em...
New grandbaby pictures! This was field trip day to the back yard at great grandma's house, sponsored by his aunt :)
Snuggles with Mommy
He's so alert. Looking right at the camera! Such a clever little guy.
LOL i new i would not spell any of that right on the french spelling sheesh.
what a cutie you got thar ! oh so cute i want to smooch his little cheeks and eat him up . I love babys as long as they aren't not mine LOL
souns like things are going smoothly for you Hineni
how are them dogs you got ? are they over the puppy stage yet ?
Missing updates on your adventures..
Larkie
How you doing, Hi? Did you get the place? Are you getting moved in?
Yes, update us, please.
=0)
Quick update: Loan has not cleared approval committee yet, and they keep asking for more $$ for tests, inspections, appraisals, etc., etc.
My grandmother died last week, so I'm flying down for her service this weekend. Not a good year at all.
I'll let ya'll know if anything else develops, good or bad :)
Fingers crossed for the loan approval!!!
Condolences on your g'ma... gone to a better place, hard for the ones left behind, though. Hugs and hot chocolate to you.