The Tough Get Going

Alone

2011-03-09T11:19:00.005-06:00

I spend most of my time, on the farm, alone. My husband leaves at 5 in the morning for work and gets home late. We don't live on the road, so I don't see people nor cars. We are in a very isolated location.

When we lived in town, the county out here gave out address so 911 could find you. They forgot to give us and address...so, we don't exist. I kinda like that. We did, however, invest in a cell booster and now can get on line and receive phone calls. Now, I'm in touch with the world. This helps with my isolation.

We were snowed in twice this winter. There were some frightening moments. My husband made it home from work during a blizzard, but he could not get down the driveway. So he left the car and walked the one tenth of a mile. He said, "I didn't think I was going to make it." He was froze.

We could not get out for days. Finally, a man about 2 miles away came by with his tractor and got us out. Luckily we store food and have plenty of wood.

Best part. I was not alone for 3 days.

The House

2011-03-02T07:02:00.006-06:00

We had a mess to clean and repaired before we could move in. The house was destroyed.

It took months and help to clean it up. But, it is livable now.

We still have a lot to do like running water, refrigeration, and a toilet would be nice. But, I have learned to be patient. We see little improvements every day. Soon things will be better.

On the Farm

2011-03-01T06:48:00.001-06:00

It has been so long since I have updated this blog that I am not sure where to even start. So, I will give an overview and in the next few days try to bring you up to date.

The layoff did not happen. My husband was transferred to tooling.

We have moved back to the farm. We have been here since August. In that time we have created electricity, made the house livable, and been through a lot of problems. Problems like, not having enough electricity, snowed in twice, water problems, chicken problems, broken ribs, house falling apart and more.

Things are getting better but it is incredibly slow. We have been waiting for this layoff for 3 years now. God has blessed us with more time and with that more money to get this place in shape and to acquire enough food supply to keep us going. Rumor has it he will be laid of by the end of July. Everything at Hawker Beechcraft will by then be in Mexico. But, we have been through a lot of rumors and all I know is that God will keep the money flowing until He decides we are ready to be self sufficient.

It is very windy today which is awesome because we are on wind power, solar power and gas power. Wind means we may not need gas today. We need the wind to blow at least 10 miles an hour for it to produce electricity. We have that today. I will go into the power sources later.

It is good to be back on line and to write again. Looking forward to getting this blog back up to snuff.

The Move has Come

2010-02-01T10:15:00.002-06:00

So, we are leaving the city soon and returning to the farm. It has been 13 months of waiting for lay offs and it has finally happened. My husbands last day is Friday.

We have continued to work on the farm, but it has been slow. We have planted lost of fruit trees and bushes. The house is a continued mess and more work than I would like, but it will be done. So, I am ready and willing. It is about to happen and I hate it.

Joy

2009-02-04T07:50:00.003-06:00

News, is not good. Layoff notices go out this Friday.

We are busy thinking and doing. Thinking of all the things we need to get done and then doing...whatever.

Yesterday, I began looking for information on how to get the belt connected on my treadle sewing machine. You cut the belt to fit but, how to you get the belt to stay together and work. I have no idea and am having trouble finding the answer.

After, I failed at that, I began looking for cheap ways to get my medicine. One of my medicines cost $400.00 a month. No way, we will be able to afford that. Did find some overseas places where I can get it for $39.00. But, then I found a generic brand. So, maybe I will be able to get it for $4.00 here in the States. Don't know.

Today, my daughter and I will hit the thrift stores to see what we can find. We need work gloves, rain gear, and lots of other stuff. What a mess.

I need to find joy in all this but, am finding that to be a struggle. Watching my world collapse around me is hard. My God says, I should find joy in all things. So, today I will laugh and I will find my joy.

Jobs.

2009-02-02T07:50:00.002-06:00

This weekend my family met to watch the Superbowl and to talk about plans for the farm.

My son-in-law has declared himself keeper of the windmill. It needs to get up and running so we can have water to the corals.

Speaking of corals, my daughter, A Homesteading Neophyte, has decided she is in charge of that. I came up with a design that I think will work. We have to shelters for the animals, but one is falling down. This will have to be fixed first. She has lots of animals to be moved and with our goal for move in being this fall, we need to get this done asap.

My husband will continue to work on his alternate energy plan. I would very much like electricity. But, we want to stay off the grid. So, we are leaving him to that job.

For myself, I will work on the house. The roof needs fixing and just general cleaning.

We went to the farm this weekend. I were surprised by the Armadillo. These are new to Kansas and if I did not know what it was, I would have died of fright. What an ugly creature. It is living under my house, which I did not like at all and tearing up the year. I hear Armadillo is good eating. Maybe, I will be hungry next time I go to the farm.

Chickens

2009-01-29T07:51:00.003-06:00

It has been a long time since I posted on this site. Now, we are facing even more problems so my husband and I are digging in to get back to the farm.

We are facing layoffs now. So, our plan is to dig into the 401K and pay off the farm. We can not live there and pay for it. The farm is a long way from any town or work. So, we will pay it off and pay on the houses in town while we look for work.

We will try and keep the rentals and home we live in for as long as possible but realized that work will be in short demand and that we will probably have to give everything up. We really, do not live above our means, but can not keep up all payments without an outside income.

Right now, we are picking out the style of chicken coop I want. My husband keeps asking me what animals I want. I just want chickens. I am getting older and do not want to be chasing animals everywhere especially in the winter. He wants a pig and maybe cattle. That's ok, but not for me.

So, do I want a portable chicken coop for a stationary? A small coop or large? Still thinking on this. I am kind of leaning towards a stationary. Because, I would like a fence to keep them in when I want to. I like free range chickens but, again do not want to chase them. I figure on the days I do not feel well, I will keep them behind a fence and days where I feel well, I will let them range.

So, at least, I have settled on stationary. I will keep looking at sizes.

My Dead Goat

2008-07-30T08:08:00.004-05:00

I have ignored this site for long enough. I have been upset and did not want to face the truth. My daughters dogs killed my pregnant goat.

It was horrible. The dogs killed eight animals in all. They went on a rampage. Total chaos.

It has been difficult for me. I went over to the farm and helped to clean up, but afterwards just wanted to have my goat back.

So, I suppose, I will be looking to replace her. We are all looking around but, no luck yet.

Our fruit tress are doing well, but rabbits have eaten my blueberries and grapes.

I'll be doing very little canning this year.

A friend gave me her jars and caner. That was wonderful. So, together my daughter and I have three caners now.

This next weekend, my daughter, daughter in law and myself are having an open house. I will be selling my crochet, my daughter in law, her die dye baby blankets and my daughter her, from scratch bake goods. I hope we have a good sale.

Wool

2008-07-09T07:54:00.004-05:00

One of the things that I need to learn is to spin. With having an Angora goat, I need to do something with all that wool. I am a crocheter and always need yarn. So, my daughter and I went to the opening of a new fiber store in Wamego Kansas.

It took two and a half hours to get there, but it was worth it. The fibers were all natural and the shop was awesome.

I learned to spin on a spindle. The owner told me this was what I needed to learn first. Not an easy thing to do. I continue to practice, but not doing very well.

She showed us various types of spinning wheels, which was real interesting. Especially, the one made out of PVC pipe.

I, of, course bought some wool to use and just really enjoyed the trip. Now to making or spinning wool. What a task. I will just keep on keeping on, till I figure it out.

Green House

2008-07-07T08:09:00.004-05:00

I have been so busy with every thing that I have neglected this blog. Time to get going.

My husband has been building a greenhouse. He wants to be able to have food growing all year round. So, he has started building one out of PVC pipe.

The doors were designed an added by my brother, Only In His Service. They have worked hard and made several designs, but at last, it is on its way to completion.

The greenhouse will be heated in the winter with alternative fuels. My husband is working on that now as well. More on that later.

Our trees are doing well. Lots of fruit. I will be canning soon. A friend is giving me her cans and another pressure cooker. Can not have to many cans nor pressure cookers.

More about Trees

2008-06-20T05:44:00.002-05:00

These tress have been a real problem.

The one pear tree started to turn black. I was afraid it had fire blight. We called the nursery that sold them to us and the fellow said to put a screw driver down inside of the pots and see if they come out wet. He thought they may have to much water.

The screw driver came out drive. Then he says, it needs water.

Confused. He thought it was getting to much water, now not enough. So, we dug a small drench around the tops of the pots and bought a moisture gage.

Yea!! The trees are beginning to look healthy again.

We are buying the tiller this weekend. I will be planting potatoes for the fall. Our backyard is getting a bit crowded.

Lot's of Trees

2008-06-09T07:09:00.005-05:00

This weekend we went out and bought trees. We decided to buy them now because the price will only be going up with the price of gas.

So, we bought them and put them in the ground at our house in town. But, we left them in their buckets so we could move them in the fall. If we were to put them on the farm now, there would be no one there to take care of them, so they are now on the property line between my house and my son's house.

We now have plum, two apples, two pears, pecan and a walnut tree. Besides the trees we bought grapes, raspberry, gooseberry, blueberry and kiwi plants. All doing well and all planted between the houses.

We also bought heirloom seeds. These will keep for a while, but I must put potatoes in the ground now. So, I have picked out a spot in my backyard and now we have to go and buy that tiller.

My backyard is shared with my husbands inventions. He is, now, trying to find alternative fuels to run a greenhouse. So, I believe I will be planting my potatoes under the shell of his greenhouse.

I have tomatoes growing, and several varieties of peppers. Can't wait till it is harvested and I begin to can. I love to can just can't stand the heat.

Well, we are on our way. Much, much more to do. But, it is happening.

A few months back, on my Supernatural Christian blog, I asked folks to suggest names for my Angora goat. I chose Delilah, thank you Donna, and she is pregnant. Yea!!! Not Donna, the goat is pregnant.

Plans

2008-06-02T06:28:00.002-05:00

Have not been able to do much with the farm as of yet. To busy in town. Hopefully this weekend we will be able to go out and mow.

We are looking at buying a Troy rotor tiller. That will be very nice. So much easier than the old tillers we have had. We had thought about just using the tractor, but decided that we may need the smaller tiller to get into some of those small places on the farm.

We had planted several fruit trees a few years back. While we were out there the other day, we found that one had survived. Not really sure what it is. But, my son-in-law thinks it is a cherry tree. That would be great. The price for cherries at the market is outrageous. Cherries are also good for inflammation. Something I'm up for.

We are, also, still in the planning stages and are waiting for my daughters business plan for the farm. From there we will all look at our future good or bad for the farm.

Things Will Never Be The Same

2008-05-26T17:45:00.002-05:00

This is like the third time I have tried to post on this new blog. I don't know if it is me or blogger. Probably me. Sometimes, I just don't have what it takes.

This is my first in many blogs on mine and my families journey back to the farm. We moved from the farm to the city in 2002 and the farm has been abandoned every since. We moved because I was very ill and needed to be closer to the hospitals. The farm is very, very isolated and to get any kind of help takes way to long.

The farm is located in the Flint Hills of Kansas. An incredible place of beauty and peace. We have 120 acres there with ponds, rolling hills and chiggers.

I am well now... through the prayers of others. But, I really do not want to move back to the farm. I love my house in town and enjoy the company and comforts around me. But, I can see the signs of the times and I know that God's time is short for us. I can see that we need to leave the city and become self sufficient. The price of gas, shortages of food to come, political uncertainty, and the beginnings of religious persecution are all signs that society is falling apart. I believe that :

Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

I want my family safe from the uncertainty and I, personally, am tired of the violence, negativity and cruelty of society and have had enough. So, back to the farm we go.

We have homesteaded before, but not on the level that is needed this time. My daughter, A Homesteading Neophyte, has been homesteading for a few years now and has learned a lot. She and her family are on this journey with us.

We took the trip to the farm this weekend and found a mess. Animals and people have made a mess of the house. People have stolen the water heater, washer and dryer, lawn mower, parts off the tractor and other equipment and they have also, begun to use the land as a dump.

So, much work. But, I am up for the challenge. I love to be with my daughter and her family and our goals are the same. We will be self sufficient and make our money off the land.

Life will never be the same.