| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Apr 22 2008 : 10:05:58 AM
gas prices. I was watching a clip on how people are choosing between gas and food. While I personally know how hard it is to stretch a dollar nowadays, I cannot honestly feel bad for some of the people profiled. Most were driving HUGE Suv's, live in 2000+ square foot homes, complaining that little Sally couldn't go to one of several after school activities (imagine actually playing outside after school..the horror!!!) or that they had to WALK somewhere (even more horror) or that they had to buy real food and cook from scratch instead of take out or pre-packaged. I am sorry and this sounds really horrible of me but are people really this..ummm..how can I be nice...dense??? It just frustrates me to no end because if the gas prices were not so high, no one would give a rats patoey about all of this.
Vent done....
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Linder |
Posted - Apr 26 2008 : 07:19:30 AM
Even worse Miss Wilma, I was talking to a man who wanted to date me at the time and he was flying down there with cash in his pocket and buying the deeds to peoples home's outright for a fraction of what they were worth. He was completely capitalizing off of others misfortune. He then turned around and double the price of the homes and sold them to the govt. Jerk. Obviously we never went out.
Thanks for the good wishes, Allison is FINALLY doing really well. Seems over the past month or so she's turned around. It's been tough.
Do you know that there are still areas that aren't functioning down there? It just my opinion but it should be a huge source of shame for the powers that be that americans were not and still are not receiving the aid and assistance that they should. Ugh.
I'm just thrilled that we could do our part. And I love people like Brad Pitt who saw a need and just rallied the troops and went to work. He's making a big difference in helping put people's lives back together!
We knew he wasn't just another pretty face, right?!
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" |
| miss wilma |
Posted - Apr 25 2008 : 10:47:42 PM
Linda, my husband has a bandsaw mill and sometimes sells lumber, When the Katrina hit and work began he was told to sell it down south that he could get any price he wanted for it , No deal with my husband, Can you believe any one wanting to make money on someones bad luck, So sorry about your sister
Farm Girl #96
http://www.picturetrail.com/misswilmasplace
http://misswilma.blogspot.com/ |
| Linder |
Posted - Apr 25 2008 : 7:53:42 PM
Grace, what beautiful musings.
And Heather, my little sister lost her home in Hurricane Katrina and I cannot even begin to tell you the horrors she went through! It's been over 2 years now and I remember very well pulling a u-haul up to her home in New Orleans at 10 p.m. and within 5 minutes being met by the National Guard and their rifles. My God it was scary. And yet as soon as they knew we weren't there to harm anyone, they came over to my sister and wished her good luck and God speed. It was a defining, surreal moment.
She was lucky. She had a place to go and family that loved her. She received little help from FEMA and close to none from the Red Cross.
She's a animal lover and we came across country with whatever we could salvage in a u-haul and a little station wagon holding 3 dogs and 4 cats. All of them survived. We got through 10 states in 11 days. Thank God for the KOA's! LOL!
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Apr 25 2008 : 09:59:44 AM
i've bookmarked the writing site and will go back and visit when i can 'sit a spell' .. i'm not a NOVEL writer .. but love memoirs and such .. is there a place for that type of writing in this program .. i'm guessing it's strictly NOVELS .. that might be fun to try in my NEXT lifetime. thanks meg!
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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| sweetproserpina |
Posted - Apr 25 2008 : 08:57:32 AM
Check it out Frannie - http://nanowrimo.org The goal is to write a 50 000 word novel in the month of November. It's a totally fun and wild time- and there are about 100 000 other novelists writing along and supporting each other along the way. It also raises funds to build libraries in third world and developing countries, and gets young writers programs into schools in the US.
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Apr 25 2008 : 12:33:52 AM
ha meg .. sounds like 'i' would be pretty successful at NaNoWriMo .. i sure love to write! do you belong to this?
tell us more about it!
AND .. thanks for the info about Tommy Douglas. I adimire immensely people who see a problem that bothers them .. and goes out and makes a difference.
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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| grace gerber |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 9:32:22 PM
I agree with leading by example - I have been doing so since 1976 when I started the first ever ECO club in High School. I have spent my adult life teaching alternative ways to just about everything I do but it does stick in my craw when I wake up in the morning to see the parade of Hummers coming from my neighbor's McMansion which is everyday lite up like a christmas tree and they put in Kentucky Bluegrass turf so he could practice his golf game when he is home only one week out of four - yet I am recyling my gray water, never use any types of chemicals on my farm, raise me animals completely organic and grass fed while trying to get neighbors to just cut back a little
and their response is why do they have to give up anything? I am usually very upbeat and have over come great odds to be here - I just wished I was not having to pay the piper for other folks mistakes. Anytime I get down I just go outside and hug my furry family members, go to the spinning wheel and create something wonderful and remind myself the only footsteps I am in charge of is my own..... My path is true, rocks and all..
If you have a chance I have posted new info on my blog today - Hugs all
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 6:45:20 PM
Ok.... So I have been sick today... so reading posts but not really writing any... Here is my question...girlfriends to girlfriends.... what would be the TOP 5 List you would give to each other for making choices to conserve, or to be more earth friendly? Here is the list I made this year:
1). Buy more from bulk bins - (using less packaging) & Invested in re-usable bags for shopping
2). Set the heat in the house lower - winter 66- watch the lights in the house
3). Walk/ride bike more places
4). Shop Local as much as possible
5). Stopped buying bottled water & bought a home system
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl
" Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. Hosea 10:12 |
| Annika |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 3:49:34 PM
We are not throw-away type minded women, we are self sufficient and bounce back type women. No matter what comes, we'll all be standing with our aprons on saying "What's next ?"  We are great! Alee said it. And the world isn't so doomed. Sun still rises and crickets still chirp. We'll all be ok , it's just gonna take tightening our apron strings and using some elbow grease and horse sense!
Annika
Farmgirl sister #13
Mud Hen Queen
http://innermountainmudhens.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoon.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoonsgarden.blogspot.com/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 3:35:58 PM
I have decided the best way to get my point across to others who I see being wasteful is by leading by example. And by "Paying it Forward" even if just a smile. I figure if I can make one person smile who wouldn't have- I have lightened that person's burden for just an instant and I have made an impact. And if someone sees my tubs of recycling and realizes it isn't that hard for us here to recycle- then that is even better!!
Grace- It sounds like you are doing a great job! Those who burn their candle at both ends will fizzle out and us Farmgirls at Heart will be there to sweep up and then turn around to make Banana bread! LOL
Let's not get too down about what others are doing. Instead- let's take pride in all that we do for ourselves. Let's take pride in every ounce of self sufficiency in a world of dependency! And all the farmgirls who like to live it up still know the value in that which they surround themselves. I don't think anyone on this forum believes this is a throw-away world. Aren't Farmgirls great?! :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 2:31:21 PM
I thought it was just me - for years I have tried to explain what I was reading and seeing in the world to my over the top consumer friends. I never want folks to learn things the hard way but I think we all are going to go thru the wringer in this economy thing. I must say it is hard to keep the spirits up when you hear the horror that is happening in the world. I only go off the farm once a week if that and plan all the stops for food, postal, library and animal needs to make a complete circle ending back at the farm. My 1994 Ford Truck get great gas mileage - better then some small cars does it's job but my heart stops when I have to fill up the tank. I am extremely eco hearted - some might think I am a nut about it but I can sleep at night. What really concerns me is we are having our eight year of droughts - hay is now $13.00 a bale, propane is triple what is was last year and milk has risen 60% since January of this year. I am not sure if working as hard as I do is worth it ? I am concerning packing it all up and moving on. How can we keep our heart in the country when most folks just want fast processed food, 1,000 different cable shows that are not worth taking up airwaves and mindless spending, building and wasting that has turned into the American Dream - have we lost too much in the human mind set? Hate to sound so negative - it is not in my nature but I feel like I am pushing a boulder up Pike's Peak.
Thanks for letting me vent - would like to hear from you farmgal's as to how to stay positive when I feel like we might have gone too far in the wrong direction....
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| sweetproserpina |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 1:59:53 PM
Frannie, you asked earlier about healthcare up north here, well, it hasn't always been universal but it all started thanks to a guy named Tommy Douglas. He was a socialist prairie politician who introduced the idea of universal medicare to Canada in the 1940's. It all stemmed from a time when he was ten years old and was very ill, the doctor was going to have to amputate his leg if he couldn't afford a costly operation. Luckily another doctor volunteered to do it for free and his leg was saved. From then on he decided to champion the cause that everyone, no matter their job, income etc. should have access to healthcare- free-of-charge. In 2004 he was voted in a contest on CBC (kinda like american idol-style, lol) "The Greatest Canadian" ever. I know sometimes we complain about wait times, but it's so nice to know that any time you're feeling poorly, you can go to the clinic or hospital and not have to pay a dime.
Now as to your other questions! I think it'd be real nice to have a pajama party with you girls! Boy, would it be fun :) I doubt we'd get much sleep though, lol. This thread has had some real interesting opinions, but it sure is hard sometimes to make yourself understood on the screen- it's so much easier in real person, isn't it? I always hope I don't write anything that can be taken the wrong way.(Which of course, I don't mean at all!)
Now if I had 3 million dollars to give away right quick, split three ways as Frannie says, I'd send a million over to NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), because they encourage everyone to write their little hearts out. I'd send a million over to the Haldimand Historical Society for building and cemetery restoration, and the last million I'd give to my old University in order to set up an ongoing scholarship fund for students majoring in history/museum studies.
If I had to spend 5 million quick on little old me?
I'd buy a stone cottage in Cornwall, England. Build my fella the bestest, coolest garage ever. Buy a few pretties from the antique stores, and invest the rest for the future so we would never have to worry about money again. :) Phew, wouldn't that be nice! Oh, and I'd buy a great big old iron soaker tub!
"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world."
http://theprimroseway.blogspot.com/ |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 12:28:03 PM
If I had to give it all to someone else, I would go an help the Katrina victims. They certainly cannot be forgotten about!!!
Selfish- I would pay off debt, pack just my favorite belongings, donate the rest to a local family that needs it and buy our house by the ocean, buying extra land for organic farming/flowers, open my own farmer's market, where locals can brings their goods, get the kids involved, return some land to its natural state or establish a preserve. Set some aside for the future and to play with, some for Charlie and buy hubby his Harley!!
Cheers,
Heather
FARMGIRL #90 |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 10:27:17 AM
Well, I have to say...I've been so very frightened these last weeks. My boss is the Master Commissioner who sells foreclosed properties on the court house steps and they've been busier each and every week. This Tuesday, there were 100 sales. 100 people without homes, and it's not just people who "over did it"...it's across the board, all different types of incomes. And in the end, regardless of what they've done or spent--they're still people, who feel and know loss. Who have to give up their pets, or live in a basement, or a weekly hotel because an apartment won't rent to them because of a credit check. I guess because I work in this business, I take this so very personally--and I often think of what would happen to Justin and I and our dogs and cats. Gas this morning was $3.59...and it's still less expensive for us to drive our car than take a bus (not by much but about $10.00)...
Overall, I'm just putting one foot forward the other foot everyday, and praying that it doesn't get worse for us. We do what we can do, right?
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 08:58:39 AM
Sending you an email
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| goneriding |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 08:54:21 AM
Alee, do you have a way to pick up an abused mare?? There is a mare on the Medford, OR craiglist for $50 who has only been used for breeding, no handling whatsoever. The guy will waive the $50 if someone will pick her up...what a guy (said sarcastically). I can't take on another horse due to my boarding and they wouldn't let her in anyway, as she'd need so much help the barn manager can't deal with it. I don't have enough money to bring back a horse at this time either but I read your post and thought of you. Or if you know someone who could take her or even get the word out?? She sounds like something I would LOVE to work on but just can't right now.
Winona :-)
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
http://goneriding.wordpress.com/
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| Alee |
Posted - Apr 24 2008 : 07:20:40 AM
If I had 5 million dollars I would do whatever my family needed- paying off houses, setting up retirement funds, contribute to cancer and diabetes research, and if I could- I would pay off my own debt, buy myself a ranch and buy my precious horses! :D Nora of course would have a college fund and money set aside in a fund as well as enough for future kids. I think I could make 5 million dollars go quite far! :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| Linder |
Posted - Apr 23 2008 : 11:20:43 PM
Oh a slumber party in Autumn, that sounds just wonderful!
Well girls it's official. I was reminded today about a charity benefit that I volunteered for AGES ago and guess what weekend it's happening? Uh hu, you guessed it, the weekend of May 18th. Sheesh!
So I'm in for the next round whether that's a pajama party in the fall or some other delicious thing you all cook up!
I'm so sorry I won't be able to make it. I was actually going to have a garage sale to raise the money for my ticket!
Faarm girls ALWAYS find a way!
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom" |
| goneriding |
Posted - Apr 23 2008 : 9:33:44 PM
Well, I'm pretty independent and if I had the lottery money, I think it's up to me to spend it however I would like. Personally, I would put most in the bank (I don't do investments and have stopped my 401K cuz it's just losing money right now, looka the stock market) and still drive a truck. I've been rich and I've been dirt poor and am always looking over my shoulder at what seems poverty...which I'm nowhere near but I could lose everything tomorrow and I want to be prepared, just in case. :-)
We have a whopping big pickup that is almost paid for next year but everything else is paid for, no bills excpet monthly stuff. I want a cabin with a bit of land, no more than 5 acres and only one more horse for my hubby. He wants to run some mama cows in the future.
I have insurance thru my job but I've gone most of my life without insurance and somehow the medical bills were paid, even when I had to spend my entire pregnancy in the hospital with my daughter, we were always 3 minutes from bleeding to death. But it got paid. I've paid for others thru taxation and call it even. From what I understand, we have the best health care system in the world, no waiting months for an appointment. I've heard that Canadians and English are coming here for their cancer treatments cuz it takes too long to get appointments in their respective countries. There is a reason Doctors from other parts of the world come here to practice. The best Doctors for every ailment is already here. I've dealt with a few when I didn't have insurance even.
But, to me, if I want an SUV or a Prius, it's up to me to decide. I can tell everyone, that the price of fuel is not stopping anyone from being on the road. You should SEE the traffic jams I see every day!!
If I would like a big home (egads...) and can afford it, then that's what I should do. Probably, my having a large home (and money) fuels the local econmy thru taxes and the repair guys, etc. Money going 'round.
My wireless is acting up so I'm going to add this before I lose it!!
Winona :-)
When you lose, don't lose the lesson!!
http://goneriding.wordpress.com/
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| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Apr 23 2008 : 9:26:32 PM
 LOL
Stephanie
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.blogspot.com
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Apr 23 2008 : 9:04:15 PM
OH! I KNOW! I KNOW! (HALF A TANK OF GASOLINE FOR OUR CAR!)
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Apr 23 2008 : 9:03:03 PM
o.k. .. re-reading my answer above .. i gotta' win at least a FIVE MILLION DOLLAR lottery .. which ain't never gonna' happen cuz' i've never bought a lottery ticket in my life .. ohhhhhhhh .. except ONCE years ago .. about 20 of us in the office went together and put a dollar in .. and YESSSSSSSSS .. we won a BIG one .. but so did about half-of-america win that one .. i think i got my dollar back in my lottery pay-out!
o.k. we win the FIVE MILLION bucks .. now .. what are we going to spend it on?
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Apr 23 2008 : 8:59:45 PM
gurlz .. a fun question i often ask friends is this:
if you won a THREE MILLION DOLLAR LOTTERY .. and could NOT spend any on YOU or to your own financial benefit .. and cannot 'split' it .. it must be given away in THREE equal parts .. to whom or what cause would you give it to?
i have a few 'variations' on this question .. one is a tad more 'selfish' IF you were to win a MILLION DOLLAR LOTTERY .. and had to spend it all within a month .. what would you buy? (you can spend it on yourself or others).
I like the second question more than the first .. cuz' my family always benefits. College education funds for the grands .. homes AND furnishings ... and reliable cars for the daughters. Neither of them have any 'debt' .. HA! they sure didn't learn THAT lesson from ME .. but HANK is a very good teacher in financial responsibility .. (t'otherwise, i'd probably be livin' on a park bench and eating cat food outta' cans!)
If i have extra left over .. i have special precious friends that i would help make a little dream of theirs come true .. such as helping them start up a business .. sending them on a much-deserved vacation or to a health spa .. or even a 'shopping spree'.
how are you gurlz gonna' spend your million?
GOSH .. now haven't we gurlz jus' gone from poverty to being a millionaire for a month! (i think little games like this help us understand our 'priorities' in life).
Heather .. you sure started a fun and interesting topic for discussion!
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Apr 23 2008 : 8:51:02 PM
PAJAMA PARTY AT FREEDOM VALLEY FARM!!!! oh how i wish i could be joining the gurlz headed for maryjane's farm at the end of may! i'm thinkin' a BABY is due about that time! we have our 'art in the alley' that weekend .. and even though they told me last year to mark the date on my calendar .. and to NOT make any other plans .. i told them .. they shoulda' had that little talk with my little Wednesday last September! And STILL i have not heard from Kristen. Tomorrow is the day she goes for her biopsy! And if she needs me .. i will be there! I will have a life-time with that new little baby .. but a momma needs to be with her children when their need is the greatest!
a PJ party HERE .. i say let's plan one! mayhaps in the autumn .. but before those DANG asian ladybugs settle in .. cuz' they LOVE the stranger room .. and ya'll'd wake with a mouth-full of them!
now t'wixt and t'ween that time .. if any of you would like to come for a few day visit .. jus' let me know .. and we'll see if i can squeeze in a few days between running to the family. if a LOT of us can come in the fall .. we have 4 cabins in town .. and we can all stay down there .. and come back here for fun and crafting .. and run the roads to my fav antiques shoppes! and of course, tour my precious Green County!!!
True Friends * Frannie
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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| queenofdreamsz4u |
Posted - Apr 23 2008 : 8:42:11 PM
Frannie, you are great! I too have always just been me no matter how much $$$ is in the bank...some throw me in their spam folder, some love me...RITF But I'm always the same ole Stephanie...
Life's a journey and what we do on this journey defines who we really are...One of my biggest (dreaming to the stars) would be to have the $$$ to help all of my family and friends so they would not have to suffer unnecessarily for or about anything. I know that we can't protect everyone but I'd sure like to! So meanwhile, I do what I can for those that I choose to drop a happiness package to.
It's called love and gratitude and wanting to "pay it forward" for all the souls that have protected and helped me in my life so far.
All of you ladies are great!! I agree with Frannie that a PJ party is in order!
Stephanie
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.blogspot.com
www.dreamkingdomdesigns.com |
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