| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Oct 17 2005 : 4:02:02 PM
Just had to share some thoughts I've been having today. I was so inspired by Kay in Kentucky's tale of acquiring her farm that I've just been thinking about it for a couple of days.
As a person reaches a certain age, mine being 53, you start to think about the not so many years to retirement. My mindset being that I'm getting too old to entertain the idea of having a farm, animals, etc. That I need to be thinking of acquring something where I won't have to work so hard as I get older (actually that's my husband's idea that I have let invade my thoughts). But after reading of the gals that are getting a farm to enjoy in their retirement I thought -- I can do that too.
Missy and I have talked on a few occasions about how great it would be if we could get a piece of property that we could both have homes on. We'd live far enough apart to have our privacy but share the responsibilities of the animals, gardens, etc.
Today I started looking on the internet for properties in our area. Needless to say I found nothing under $200,000, most were at least $250,000. But then I thought of how much we pay for rent, how much Missy and her family pay, and we could make a payment on a place of our own for the the amount we pay in rent each month. I would love to move to an area where the properties are less expensive but my hubby won't go and Missy's hubby doesn't want to move away from his daughter until she's through with school (another 5 years).
I started checking into rural loans and found out that my husband and I could meet the income guidelines for a zero down loan. So I'm going to do some further checking on the loan and see exactly what is involved. But at least I'm doing something toward pursuing the dream instead of just sitting here telling myself it won't happen. If I'm going to have to move from here it might as well be to something I own. I'll keep you posted on the progress.
I'm still hot...it just comes in flashes. |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| connio |
Posted - Oct 19 2005 : 10:33:39 AM
Hey Farm Girls!!!
I just moved out to the country 2 years ago, but I am already experiencing much of what Mary Ann described. I am much stronger, am much more in touch with nature (I can look out the window and tell you what time it is by looking at the sky-something I could never do when I lived in Dallas in the "heart of complete frenzy") and my shopping for entertainment days are long gone since I do have to drive so far. When I shop now it is for the staples that I need to manage my household, and I always feel so serene after doing this necessary shopping rather than feeling that I never had enough as I did in Dallas. The quiet has also been marvelous as compared to the traffic and sirens that are so pervasive in Dallas. I am finding that I don't even listen to my cd's much any more because I just love the sounds of nature.
My advice is: "head to the country just as fast as you can"!!!
Connie
cozycottage |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Oct 19 2005 : 09:00:07 AM
Mary Ann -- you are so sweet! Your words are so encouraging. Where do you live in IL? That's where I am fron -- moved out to WA 20 years ago. My ideal would be to find a farm in IL but my hubby won't go and I won't leave my daughter and the grandkids. I talked to a friend yesterday that has her own farm. She gave me some tips and is going to help with the looking process. I get so excited thinking about it I can hardly sleep at night. I have no idea where the money will come from but God does. And if he truly wants us to have a farm then He will provide the right place and the financing.
GO WHITE SOX!!!! |
| Horseyrider |
Posted - Oct 19 2005 : 04:37:57 AM
Kay, there are lots of good reasons to move to the country for retirement. I do believe that you'll live longer. When we moved to our country home 22 years ago, I was 28 years old, and climbing up into the hayloft made me breathe hard. Now, at 50, I have far more strength and physical stamina than I did at half my age. I can stack hay for half a day and then go school a frisky horse, and barely be tired. I can unload my own truckload of feed in 50# bags and not even breathe hard. I can walk in the woods with my dog all afternoon, and not bother to sit down and rest before starting dinner.
If you garden, you'll also have a better diet. Fresh veggies, fresh fruits, grown with your own loving care, will probably lead to a greater consumption of produce than you would have in town. Exposure to farm animals helps keep your immune system strong, and pets help keep your blood pressure down. You'll consume less frivolous junk food and buy less silly stuff for your home, because most of us who live in the country have to go a loooong ways to the next town! Your air will be cleaner. I'd suggest a water test though; surrounded by farm fields, we must be vigilant about nitrates and pollution in the water from years gone by.
You'll also get a sense of continuity, of history, and connectedness with generations that came before you. I live in a piece of ground that was given as a grant for service to a physician in the Civil War, and the house was built around 1866-1870. I think of these first folks often, and those that came after. I think of their hopes and dreams, how they lived their lives in my house, and I wonder what they would think about the world their house is in today. I find remnants of their past in patent medicine bottles, bits of china, square nails, and ceramic waterers found broken around in the soil, the names written in the barn, and the chicken footprint that messed up somebody's good work in the cement path to where the outhouse was. We found a clock face in the cement base of a shed built around 1900. I wonder why....
It's a contemplative life, one that allows you to stop and think, to see tasks with beginnings, middles, and ends, to allow your body and not just your brain do work, to be self-sufficient to some degree, and to live a little closer to the natural rhythms and cycles of life. And personally, I think it'll make closure more possible at the end of my life, because I've seen for so long how life turns like a wheel, with beginnings and endings and beginnings again, with birth and death natural and organic parts of our experience here.
When you feel the summer winds dry your sweat, when you taste a strawberry you grew that's still warm from the sun, when you dig a hole for a post or plant a seed on your own land, you become part of it, and are then larger than yourself.
Ya gotta do it. |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Oct 18 2005 : 5:03:45 PM
Hi Sher -- thanks for the info. I have actually already looked at the website and got the contact info for the person in our area. I did the income worksheet and we are under the max by quite a bit. I'm going to contact the local office this week. Even if we can't get approved now at least we will know what we need to do to make that happen in the future.
Thanks to everyone for your kind words and encouragement. You guys are the best!
GO WHITE SOX!!!! |
| hapyhrt |
Posted - Oct 18 2005 : 12:57:44 PM
Hi Kay, That's great that you're planning on following your dream of owning a farm! Have you checked out www.usda-rhs.com for an office in your area? Based on income and such they will give you a subsidized mortgage so your dream can come true and some cases the interests rate is a low 1%. It's a good program for those who need just a little help in securing a mortgage due to moderate income. Just thought I'd pass it along for what it's worth. Good luck to both you and Missy, and please keep us posted! Thanks! ;)
"Think happy thoughts...any others aren't worth your time!" Ü |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Oct 18 2005 : 10:18:49 AM
Kay...follow your dreams!!! (in my opinion a farm is the best dream!!)
I am pretty sure (I hope at this point) that we won't move again. I love this place, and although it isn't my dream farm I can do quite a little bit and I am satisfied. Getting my cow (tomorrow..woohoo!!) is the big dream that I have been waiting for. I hope I can have a milk cow for years and years but I know that even if I can't do it forever I need to do it. My husband has major back problems and will no doubt not be able to do all the helpful things he does right now as we get older. (of course there will be my sons getting older to help...heehee)I will have to scale back then so I plan to find ways to do the things I HAVE to do myself..meanwhile, while I can I am doing what I dream of as much as I can.
I will be excited to hear about your property search. Neat that you have Missy to join in your dream. My girls are still young but I know they will be like that as they get older. I just have this dream of as I get older all my kids staying (or moving here) here in our little town where they can all be around and we can do stuff together.
and hey Beth..congrats on your farm!!!
Jenny in Utah
Put all your eggs in one basket..and then watch that basket!! Mark Twain |
| quiltedess |
Posted - Oct 18 2005 : 09:01:33 AM
Kay you can do it!! If you think about it . . . you are really only about half-way through life. People can easily live to their 100s . . . so take care of your health and follow your heart!!
Nancy |
| LisaBee |
Posted - Oct 18 2005 : 07:56:58 AM
Kay, I found my home through the United Country website that Michele mentioned. The properties that can be found on there are amazing. And the prices will surprise you, too. Please, please don't give up on this dream...you will get lots of support from all of us!
"There is no teacup too large, nor book too long."
http://lisa222.blogspot.com |
| Linda Houston |
Posted - Oct 18 2005 : 06:27:28 AM
Kay, That sounds great. Please keep us posted.... |
| celebrate2727 |
Posted - Oct 18 2005 : 06:15:07 AM
Kay I too have had the dream of my own farm. This became a reality this month and we move in on Saturday. I looked and looked for months. I found a friend that is a real estate agent and she is the one who found it for me. I suggest you find an agent that understands what you are looking for. She said she had a meeting at her office and this property came up, she called me an hour later, I looked at it that night and made an offer. It helps to have someone who sees properties as they become available, they aren't on the market long. Good luck to you, I know you will find just the right place! I also like the idea of communal farming. It lessens the burden and makes it more fun to work as a team. Are there any other farm girls who have done this?
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
-Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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| BlueApple |
Posted - Oct 18 2005 : 06:01:00 AM
That sounds wonderful! Keep us posted and I'll send positive thoughts your way!
Julia
BlueApple Farm |
| asnedecor |
Posted - Oct 17 2005 : 6:38:05 PM
Wow! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and wish you lots of luck!!!
Anne
"Second star to the right, straight on till morning" Peter Pan
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| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Oct 17 2005 : 5:24:58 PM
Kay that sounds great. Also check magazines like the real estate sampler www.UnitedCountry.com also phone no. is 1-800-999-1020 ext. 351. They have alot of rural & country properties, tell them what part of the country your looking & they will send you a free issue. I was using them before my husband was ill. I will be 54 this Dec. & always wanted a small hobby farm. With my husbands health and other problems, it isnt in my future. I am fine about it though, now, I want a small cottage. I grow lots of herbs, old fashioned flowers & baby veggies. I have a huge dog and a very loud bird and it's all enough for me. I spin, weave & hook rugs. I like to get my wool from the girls on the forum, my soaps and whatever else I need. For me, I realized I didnt have to have it in my back yard. Like MaryJane say's "farmgirl is a state of mind". Good luck with everything. Go for it and dont look back! Michele
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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