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Across the Fence:  Can I please get off the grid now?  |
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TeaPriestess
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Dionne
Duluth
Georgia
USA
76 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 15 2010 : 9:47:56 PM
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So tonight a huge storm blows in...thunder, lightening, hardcore winds..the works. I run out to my garden because I heard my picnic table umbrella fly out of it's holder and knock one of my trellis down. I get all that secured then the power goes out my whole neighborhood is effected. So I wait for the city back up power to kick in and think to myself how great it is that I live in a place with a gas stove right? Wrong! Gas stove...electric starter. This thing won't even start with a match. So after waiting for the power to come back on for 45 minutes I pack up the kids and head out to eat. Good thing I did because after being gone from home for 1 1/2 hours the power still didn't come back on until after we had been home walking around with flashlights and candles for 30 more minutes. *Sigh*
Farmgirl Sister #1690 "Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world."
- Tien Yiheng |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 06:08:43 AM
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We must have gotten some of that storm, Dionne. We had very strong winds and some rain but lots of thunder and lightening. The worst of it missed up. We could see it to the east of us but it was heading to Chattanooga. It got Chickamauga pretty good too.
I would love to be off grid. But I would have to have AC! I could do without all the rest but that. Or at least lots of high powered fans. We need to check into solar panels. I would really like to have a wind turbine here but we don't get enough wind here for one. I hope you are able to get off grid some day.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 08:13:35 AM
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...that sure was a doozy yesterday and last night. Lately when we been hit with a "flash" flood type of weather, I'd go out and survey my place to see if any poor box turtles have been washed out from the woods beside us. I saw one this morning near the road and collected it , to place it back toward the woods. Poor things have their homes floatin away!
I pray that no serious damage has caused anyone to be harmed.
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My Blog: ...following my heart, dreams and Jesus
...http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/
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TeaPriestess
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Dionne
Duluth
Georgia
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 08:53:49 AM
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We've been having a lot of them in this area too Karrieann! Thankfully there was only minimal damage to the power lines down the street and they are back working on them again today. This morning we went for a walk around the neighborhood and found some turtles in near our cul-du-sac! So we took them back to the pond. Kristen I know I couldn't be without my air conditioner! We once lived in a house that was partially underground and even during the hotest part of the summer the temperature stayed an even 72 degrees! I loved it but my hubby was always cold. The house we're renting now is in a 'covenented' neighborhood and in the by-laws it specifically states 'no solar-panels'.
Farmgirl Sister #1690 "Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world."
- Tien Yiheng |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 09:00:38 AM
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We get those all the time. The power lines run through a forest of trees ( we wonder why they didn't do them underground) and when ever we have a wind storm the power goes out. Sigh.. We are really blessed to have just a wood stove to heat our house.
Glad you were all ok!!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 09:05:04 AM
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Dionne, that sounds like a great idea to have a house part way under ground. And to have a perfect 72! I would be loving that. We have a limestone house. You would think it would be cooler but it's not. It's got very thick walls. It's not very well insulated. And I am so glad we live way out here in the outback where we can do whatever we want! I am so thankful. I would not do well in a neighborhood like that.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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TeaPriestess
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Dionne
Duluth
Georgia
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 09:14:45 AM
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I'm struggling with all of the rules here as well but we wanted to be in a house so we could start putting down some roots and getting a feel of where we would want to buy a forever home! I've never liked neighborhoods that were all cookie cutter copies and the HOA is the worst! I was pulling weeds in the yard by hand but we had to give them proof we had a chemical service to get rid of the weeds.
"Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world."- Tien Yiheng
Yay I'm Farmgirl Sister #1690! |
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knead2garden
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Ashley
Spring City
TN
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 12:50:12 PM
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We have some friends that are off the grid. It is so nice to be at their place. I was really surprised when we took the boys up there they didn’t care to use the outhouse, didn’t ask why no lights at night, when they were hot never complained and asked about "going in to cool off". We are very very slowly working toward being grid free. I just got my wood cook stove yesterday (1940's Mealmaster)! I am so happy about it. We have a mason coming on Monday to look at the fireplace. I hope it goes really well.
I agree with Kris on the AC. Ours went out at the beginning of the summer and we are going to try to tough it out until next season to save the cash to replace it ($10K for a new unit!!!).
I think not having an AC to keep the house really cool helps me with the heat outside. Since it has been broken I don't get nearly as hot nearly as fast.
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 3:00:56 PM
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Dionne, you "HAVE TO" use a "POISEN" on "YOUR" property for weeds??? I don't know how they can force that on you?!?!? I can see them complaining if your yard is not cared for, but "HOW" you do it, is your business.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 4:11:56 PM
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Ashley, that is so true about not having AC and not getting as hot outside. I guess that's why older people don't use it. They didn't have it growing up so it's not that big a deal to them now. I am spoiled for sure though. I would definetely have to have enough power for the AC. Or some heavy duty fans. But actually we have not had AC our whole married lives. Just got central about 4 years ago here. So if I HAD to I guess I could live without it. But we'd need way more shade trees. Or at least move where it's not so darn humid. It's awful here.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
Edited by - kristin sherrill on Jun 16 2010 4:12:39 PM |
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Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
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TeaPriestess
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Dionne
Duluth
Georgia
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 5:18:22 PM
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Teresa they continually sent notices saying our yard was 'out of compliance with the covenants for weed violation' and informed us if we did not comply we would be fined. For 3 solid months they are pretty nasty about the harassment. So the guy my hubby hired to maintain the lawn for me gave me an invoice listing 'weed application, fertilizer treatment' so the next time they sent me the letter I showed up at the community meeting with it.
"Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world."- Tien Yiheng
Yay I'm Farmgirl Sister #1690! |
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Okie Farm Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
1674 Posts
Mary Beth
McLoud
Oklahoma
USA
1674 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 6:56:26 PM
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Here in Oklahoma, between tornadoes, hail storms, ice storms, blizzards and floods, no electricity is becoming a norm for us. I would love to be totally prepared to operate 'without' but it is so expensive! I have a lovely 1906 Monarch wood cookstove that I hope to have installed someday, but we checked two years ago and it was going to run around $5000 to do that. My dream is to cover our back patio and make a breakfast room/non electric kitchen and put it there. Then we wouldn't have to be tearing into walls and would be able to plan accordingly. We are on a well, but of course the pump is electric. Thinking about digging a second one and putting our hand pump on it. That takes money too!!! So many dreams. So few dollars. :-) However, I DO have antique kerosene lanterns in every room!
www.OklahomaPastryCloth.com
The Sovereign Lord is my strength - Habakkuk 3:19 |
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knead2garden
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Ashley
Spring City
TN
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2010 : 04:33:27 AM
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Dionne, I agree with Karrieann because you really ARE allergic to poison! We all are. Just yesterday I was going down the road and saw a state truck spraying a round up type chemical to eradicate the weeds on the side of the road.....I didn’t vote for that junk.
Mary Beth, with you 100% on few dollars and lots of dreams:)
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
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TeaPriestess
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Dionne
Duluth
Georgia
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2010 : 05:56:15 AM
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I was talking to my neighbor yesterday about saying I was allergic to the poison. She said she tried that and the HOA wanted her to submit a doctor's note to them! So so glad I'm only renting here! Hubby will be gone for 1 1/2 years (gotta love being a Military wife) but once he's back the search for our forever home is on!
"Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world."- Tien Yiheng
Yay I'm Farmgirl Sister #1690! |
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Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2010 : 07:03:01 AM
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...there was yet another doozy last night!.. I guess that is the forecast for the week... hang in there!
Dionne.. please thank your Hubby for his service for me please..
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My Blog: ...following my heart, dreams and Jesus
...http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/
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TeaPriestess
True Blue Farmgirl
76 Posts
Dionne
Duluth
Georgia
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2010 : 3:25:13 PM
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At least with this last one I was prepared. When the lights went out, I set up the camp stove in front of the gas fireplace (another electric starter!) and we had an indoor campout.
"Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world."- Tien Yiheng
Yay I'm Farmgirl Sister #1690! |
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Across the Fence: Can I please get off the grid now? |
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Can I please get off the grid now?
