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A Farm of My Own:  Our new place  |
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bec414
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
becky
saginaw
mi
USA
25 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 06 2008 : 09:52:55 AM
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We sold our house, finally. And have to be today. We have decided to live on the property--20 mostly wooded acres--while our new house is being built. Now that doesn't sound too impressive, but check out my signature--yes, six children from almost 2 to almost 12 years old. We are finishing (note in progress) part of our 40' x 40' barn as living quarters. So we will go from our 1600 sq ft home with a big basement and sun room to 700 sg ft with 20 acres to roam. We also bought a trailer/camper for bathroom and kitchen needs until we get water and electric to the barn--6 weeks at best.
I thought maybe here I would find some support other than "You are nuts, or you will be soon".
We also need a name for our place. We have been calling it "the property". It has been suggested that we need a better name. Our school is Olive Branch Academy, but we will have no olive trees so we can't use a take off from that.
I found Mary Jane through a post on the Sense and Sensibility web site. I ordered her book and was thrilled. I never thought I would find someone who could write a book about gardening, cooking, sewing and how to pee , among other things, in the woods.
Becky,
In the heart of Todd's home with my olive branches (Josie 11/96, Gabbi 9/98, Natalie 5/00, Daniel 9/02, Mary 9/04, and Tabitha 7/06) around my table. Ps 128:3
www.hillbilliesinabarn.com |
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electricdunce
True Blue Farmgirl
2544 Posts
Karin
Belmont
ME
USA
2544 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2008 : 11:44:48 AM
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Sounds like a wonderful adventure...I couldn't get to your blog, but I'll try again later. Family, children, new house, barn and twenty acres sounds brilliant to me. Sometimes you just have to trust in things, don't let the no sayers get you down....Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
Edited by - electricdunce on Jul 22 2008 01:46:12 AM |
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Canadian farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Lori
Ontario
Canada
482 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2008 : 2:08:16 PM
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Becky,
A fun way to look at this chapter in your life would be to consider it like a "pioneer" adventure. You should keep a journal and write down your experience (if you have time). Maybe you could get some of the children to keep a journal, too. These would be great memories years from now. Remember those PBS shows, where families went back in time for several months and had to live according to the period? It sounds like you could have the new summer reality show!
When you feel like you're losing it, just post here on the forum--lots of great farmgirl support here!
Good luck,
Lori
Farmgirl Sister #183 |
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idcityrose
True Blue Farmgirl
202 Posts
Rose
Idaho City
Idaho
USA
202 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2008 : 3:28:24 PM
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Hi Becky, If you can find a book called "The House That Jill Built" is has the story of the construction of her home, plus wonderful ideas that are very inexpensive, and chronicles her time building the house. It really is worth finding to see how she handled living on her property and she didn't even have a barn to live in.
Hope this helps, but you can do it and good luck on your "adventure".
Some people look for happiness, others create it.
idcityrose
We are never alone in the forest of Sisters! We "Mountain Farmgirls" are outstanding in our field! |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1403 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1403 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2008 : 4:11:14 PM
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| Meanwhile, what are you and the family living in until the house gets built? I have a dear friend and her hubby that bought (many years ago) 20 acres outside San Francisco. They lived in a small travel trailer until the house was ready to be moved into. I've been on that property and it is wonderful, rustic in every sense but the house. They don't do much with the "yard" because the deer and turkeys eat everything, so have planted things they don't bother with. She is a quilter and her husband has just completed her loft for quilting. It is huge and everything she ever wanted. I certainly hope you enjoy your adventure. Sounds like the perfect thing to have the kids involved in! |
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farmgirl blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
777 Posts
Lea
TN
777 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2008 : 7:55:33 PM
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Becky, I too see your journey as a wonderful adventure. How exciting! The children will never forget their special time as long as you keep your positive outlook.
One of my dearest friends has lived in a small 10 ft camper with her husband and son since November. She tells me that during that time, she has discovered simplicity and found how little it really takes to create a happy life! I have even learned alot through her experience as well. They have just broken ground and are looking forward to their new home, but the lessons they've learned during their "pioneer" experience will be with them forever.
As for me, I always say I would rather have my tiny home with 16 acres to roam than lots of square footage and no "green room" to play in!
I'm looking forward to visiting your blog and reading about your adventure! Have fun!
Blessings, Lea
www.farmhouseblessings.blogspot.com
www.farmhouseblessings.etsy.com
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4739 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4739 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2008 : 8:37:11 PM
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I think you are embarking on a great family adventure! Enjoy the journey, all the ups and downs. Your property sounds like the perfect place to raise your family. You may want to have the kids read the "Little House on the Prairie" series this summer. They will probably be able to identify with it! Good luck on building your new home!
Dawn in IL |
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bec414
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
becky
saginaw
mi
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2008 : 6:33:00 PM
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oops my blog address wasn't correct.
I corrected it in my signature.
Becky,
In the heart of Todd's home with my olive branches (Josie 11/96, Gabbi 9/98, Natalie 5/00, Daniel 9/02, Mary 9/04, and Tabitha 7/06) around my table. Ps 128:3
www.hillbilliesinabarn.blogspot.com |
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farmgirl blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
777 Posts
Lea
TN
777 Posts |
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farmgirl blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
777 Posts
Lea
TN
777 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2008 : 7:08:21 PM
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Becky, I just stopped by your blog and since there was no place for comments, I just had to come back and tell you that your family is just darling! You are a blessed woman indeed. Wishing you the very best as you continue your move to the country.
Blessings, Lea
www.farmhouseblessings.blogspot.com
www.farmhouseblessings.etsy.com
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Sarahpauline
True Blue Farmgirl
672 Posts
sarah
Ringgold
GA
USA
672 Posts |
Posted - Jun 07 2008 : 8:40:26 PM
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You arent crazy! Youre smart. What a wonderful learning experience for your kids! And not just day to day skills but how to think outside the proverbial box. There are lots of ways of getting what you want in life, and they dont all include the usual ways. Good for you!
Not all those who wander are lost... |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
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bec414
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
becky
saginaw
mi
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2008 : 6:42:14 PM
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http://forums.sensibility.com/index.php is the forum. There is also a a website that sells patterns and gives help in creating things from them.
Becky,
In the heart of Todd's home with my olive branches (Josie 11/96, Gabbi 9/98, Natalie 5/00, Daniel 9/02, Mary 9/04, and Tabitha 7/06) around my table. Ps 128:3
www.hillbilliesinabarn.blogspot.com |
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iloveprims
True Blue Farmgirl
154 Posts
TRACY
Phillipsburg
NJ
USA
154 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2008 : 3:21:47 PM
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Becky-
What a wonderful adventure! It's great that it is summer time and you have the property to roam. That will certainly keep you and the kiddos busy for sure! I am stuck on a really crowded piece of real estate in town and am finding myself longing for the privacy and freedom of our own property. Sure there will be challenges I am sure, but I think they will be the kind of challenges that great family stories are made out of!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Alseafarmgal
Farmgirl in Training
38 Posts
Rebecca
Alsea
OR
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2008 : 07:07:59 AM
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Hi Becky,
What an adventure you'll be having. When my children we're small, we homesteaded 100 acres back in the 70's. It was one of the best times of our lives. My kids, now in there 30's, still talk about the good ol' days on the farm.
Good luck on finding a name for your farm. I'm also trying to name our new 10 acres.
Keep us posted...
Have a great day1
Becky
"Live your Dreams"
www.renfrophotography.com |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2008 : 07:25:36 AM
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Hey Becky - I've had a similar adventure with only 2 kids for a 7-month campout on our property while we built a house...needless to say, I haven't enjoyed camping quite as much ever since. But we had no 40 x 40 ft barn to take refuge in either...that's a nice perk.
It was an adventure and yes we had a lot of fun sleeping out under the stars and playing around on the property but I had 2 kids in school (public) and 2 work schedules to work around with a porta potty (pumped weekly for the guys working on the house and us to share--oh joy) for a bathroom that would occasionally blow over in the wind...talk about an adventure. We had a hose hookup for water (had our well and power in first thing thank goodness) in our little camp trailer but the wind would blow so hard it would blow out the pilot light frequently so many mornings the 2 minutes allowed to each in the shower would be a chilly adventure as well. Ah yes, the good 'ol days...I do think of that time fondly. You'll have fun but might be a teensy bit glad when it's a done deal and you've got a house. But enjoy the ride.
Jami in WA
Okay, so now I have a blog. http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Jul 15 2008 : 07:29:50 AM
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And Becky...I had to keep thinking of how fortunate I was to have a brand spankin' new home in the works and remain thankful at heart to get my dreamy farm and have the life I had been striving to have...out there trying to light that pilot light in the 60 mph wind in my PJ's with a blanket around my back to make a windbreak...sometimes I would forget my fortune but sleeping out there with no one around but the coyotes was very sweet.
Jami in WA
Okay, so now I have a blog. http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
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farmgirlkate
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
kate
bryan
TX
USA
167 Posts |
Posted - Jul 21 2008 : 12:42:59 PM
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Hi Becky-I don't think you're nuts at all-it sounds like a great pioneering adventure to me and your family is adorable! It may get a little tough in the going, but I'll bet it turns out to be a wonderful time in everyone's life that they'll always remember.
And I love your dress!
~kate
"You only have what you give...""
www.xanga.com/k8tthelate |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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Moonsanity
True Blue Farmgirl
107 Posts
Brenda
Michigan
USA
107 Posts |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jul 22 2008 : 10:29:14 AM
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Becky - you could name your farm Olive Branch Farm......no need to have real olive trees to do that, just think that you would be extending the olive branch of hospitality to everyone who visits! Have fun doing this as a family - it sounds great!
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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Buffalomary
True Blue Farmgirl
199 Posts
Mary
Caldwell
ID
USA
199 Posts |
Posted - Jul 22 2008 : 8:08:55 PM
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Congrats on getting to live your dream. Doing something similar is what I have always wanted to do but it just hasn't worked out that way for me, but I haven't given up completely, just may have to make a few adjustments. Have fun!
You can take the farmer's daughter off the farm but you can't take the farm out of the farmer's daughter!! |
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A Farm of My Own: Our new place |
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Our new place
