| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| momshopalotta |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 1:27:07 PM
Hi from North Carolina. Living in the city all of my 51 years I have finally achived my goal of living in an old farmhouse in the country. Our little one acre is like the Pondarosa to me. We have a 1937 farmhouse with a big wrap around porch and unique molding, original hardware floors and a look and a feeling that only a country girl can appreciate. The trade off is that we have no ac or heat upstairs and I have spent my first year sleeping in a coat, socks and hat. We did get some window air conditioners and now have a $325.00 electric bill. We also have no closets in a home. None, zip, nonka. At some point someone converted the fourth bedroom into a giant walk in closet where everyone has their own wall. Not for everyone but I love it.
My husband has just bought his first riding lawn mower has just run over my beautiful rose bush (he claims it jumped out in front of the mower and committed suicide). I told him if he runs over any of my other flowers it will be a murder, suicide!!!!
My 22 year old daughter is mildly mentally retarded and is having a hard time adjusting to the new area. My 12 year old daughter is happy anywhere she can hook up to a computer.
One of the best things that has happened to us here in the country is that we are finally able to do something I have always dreamed about and that is being active with abused and neglected animals. I know this is a generalization but it seems that here in the South so many people think of pets as expendable items you can throw away your done with them. So many people do not have their pets spay/neutered or give them shots. There have been four cases of Rabies in my county so far just this summer including an associate of my from the SPCA who was scratched by a stray cat later found to be rabid. She is in the process of getting 14 shots in the butt. We are currently fostering two great mixed lab dogs, Dusty AKA digger dog (holes all over the yard) and Goldie. Both were heartworm positive. Our SPCA thankfully found the money to have them treated. Since the treatment for Heartworm contains Arsnic, all dogs become very ill after treatment and some die. Despite the conditions we found them in they have both survived and we are trying to aclimate them to being around people. We found them nailed into a pen approx. 6x12 foot with a dirt floor and a sideways piece of plywood as their only protection from the elements. Their owner, an old man had had a stroke and had been taken to a nursing facility. When he recoeved enough to tell someone about the dogs and we were notified Goldie and Dusty had been without food for way over a week, were eating their own poop (sorry to be gross) to survive and were drinking muddy rainwater that had collected in their bowls. Our county does not have the money or the pepople motivation to have a shelter so all animals are fostered by people who care.
Enough said, I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. Hug your dog or cat for me. Look forward to talking to anyone. Can it really be that I have to drive 98 miles round trip to get to a mall with more than 12 stores???? |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 8:36:59 PM
Welcome Connie!! I loved your intro..and what a fun person you sound like! I love animals too, and sure applaud you for all you do!! My house has very few closets too..old houses have neat stuff about them..but closets missing are one of the things to deal with. I need to get an armoire for my room..and havn't found just the right one yet.
Anyway..I am so glad you found us..you are so interesting! Just jump right on into the conversations..you will love it here!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Kelly43 |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 8:10:33 PM
Welcome Connie! I am fairly new too and am really finding this great fun. Your house sounds so wonderful. I too have the closet problem in my old house, your solution sounds like a winner to me! Keep helping those critters, I'm a vet tech. so I have that soft spot too. I like the shopping on line idea, who wants to drive to the mall anyway? Where in NC are you, my daughter is looking at Elon University in Elon (close to Greensboro) and really enjoyed her visit, I think she's sold on the south. Anyway, so glad you could join us. Watch that husband (the deer got my roses). Kiss Dusty and Goldie for us and thosr daughters too(I have 2 of them also). You are an angel.
Kelly |
| Mumof3 |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 8:08:08 PM
Connie- What a hero you are! I am sure that those dogs are very grateful to you for rescuing them.
I hope that your daughter will be able to adjust. I have a 20 year old son who is mild-moderate mi and is deaf as well. Change does not bring out the best in him. Maybe your local parks and recreation dept. has activities that your daughter can attend. Might be worth checking into. Where we are, it took forever, but we now have Circle of Friends and they are fabulous!
I wish you well in your new endeavor.
Karin |
| KellyA |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 8:05:43 PM
Connie,
Welcome! Today I took my 17 year old cat, Casey, to the vet. She's not been feeling too sprightly lately...I was afraid this was the end. The vet told me I didn't need to worry...she is showing signs of arthritis in her back, so he gave her a cortisone shot,and her 3 year rabies booster and said she was looking very healthy! I told him we probably wouldn't need the 3 year shot, but he said we probably would! Whew!!
Anyway, it is nice to hear from someone with such a love for animals. Again, welcome!
Kelly
When a cookbook is in hand, life is good! |
| cmandle |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 6:42:20 PM
What an enjoyable "welcome wagon" introduction! I feel like I know you already! Be careful of those rosebushes (and husbands!) and keep up the awesome work with the doggies and kitties. My kitty was put down just a month ago...I wish I could hug her!!! Welcome again, and I know you'll have fun here!
Catherine |
| Hideaway Farmgirl |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 6:20:04 PM
Welcome, Connie! Sounds like you are in exactly the right place for you and it's obvious that you are a very caring person. I commend you for your work with abused animals and hope that Dusty and Goldie find good loving homes soon. We're glad to have you here!
Jo |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 5:23:53 PM
Connie, you found the Welcome Wagon!!! 
Welcome and am so glad you found us! I am like Rebekah, I love animals, kids, and old folks...don't care much for us adults! lol  Anyway I am thrilled for you that you were able to find such a unique home and that you are able to live your country dream! I have a 10 year old son who is mentally challanged and 3 others who are not so I also know what that is like. And roses are my favorite..so keep a close eye on Hubbie!
I love to shop but since I am in Japan right now I use the internet all the time, it really is a life saver for me.
I hope you will enjoy all the livly conversations and wonderful gals we have here! Glad you found us and I look forward to seeing you "around"!! 
Hugz!
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 3:40:14 PM
connie,
Forgot to add, good job with the animals, with you all the way on that one!!
NANCY JO |
| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 3:38:43 PM
CONNIE,
You are very funny, guess you will have to shop online, works for me and I'am not far from stores. Sorry about your rose bush, you have to watch men every minute, I know it wears me out.
So anyway welcome to the site, glad you found us, don't go away, just keep posting and pretty soon you will get the feel of the place.
NANCY JO |
| verbina |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 2:27:42 PM
welcome conni, heaven has a special place for you . i am in a part of n.j the rest of the state fogot .i didnt even know jersey still had lots of farms and far cheaper than the other half of the state. yep know just what your are talking about mall with the 12 stores.lol.animals arent much better off either here. i have 10 house cats man the bills for them, are crazy! oh and 3 dogs. oh and chickens and 1 duck.( hawk got the others) i did hit one with a pvc pipe once.well your house sounds beautiful and wish you much luck.(hey i got a husband who cant drive a riding mower either!lolrandi |
| country lawyer |
Posted - Jul 18 2006 : 2:06:25 PM
Hi Connie! Welcome to this fantastic group. What part of NC are you in? I love NC! What city did you move from? It sounds like you have dreamed of this lifestyle for some time. Does it live up to your dreams? I think your house sounds wonderful, even with the loss of a rose bush. I admire you for the work you do with animals. I have such a soft spot for animals...well, also for children...well, also for old folks. Guess I'm full of soft spots. But, I do love animals and appreciate what you are doing for them. This is a great bunch of farmgirls. You'll enjoy it here!
"All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well."
Julian of Norwich |
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