The Move has Come

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.