Today the lumberjack and I had several really good laughs. This is important to do since the stress in this house is thick like butter. As I was in the office shredding paper like Watergate, hubs kept bringing different things to me, asking if we need them still or not.
Now, bless his heart, he seriously keeps everything. No honey, we don't need to keep our bank statements from accounts we closed 20 years ago. No dear, those notes on the car repair (that we no longer own) don't matter. I am sure that person no longer works there. Nope, I am pretty sure you can throw that number away (He calls the number and get frustrated that the person doesn't have their own voice on the recording) cause the stranger that lent you that CD 14 years ago probably doesn't want the bootlegged copy back...
And it went on and on. Good thing the Lumberjack is pretty cute.
However, the one that sent me into almost a giggling fit after numerous reminders that he is a packrat & to just let this stuff go, was the Ricola cough drop. Here I am, deep in thought trying to find some information for the underwriters and I hear "Hey Honey!" I patiently look up, expecting to either grab another handful of papers to be shredded or have to look at some slip of paper to determine it's worth. "Yes, dear?" I responded. Smiling he walks up to me with this cough drop in his hand. "You want this Ricola? I think it's only about 10 years old"..." Are you possessed?" I asked. And that my friends had me laughing my stress away. He was just joking around of course. Which leads me to point out something about our lifestyle.
We have been conditioned by our parents to be pack rats and save things. The lumberjack was born to older parents. I was born to thirty-something parents. They were raised by parents who lived through the great depression. We naturally emulated what we saw our parents do.
This multiplied itself because as our parents aged and went into independent living, they dumped all their earthly treasures on us. When we started working through their things we were overwhelmed. Repeatedly we asked why in the world did they keep this or that. Here we are, putting ourselves in the same situation with our kids.
Being business owners means we have a ton of paperwork we must keep. Some a year, some for three, some for five, some for seven, some for ten and some forever. Because we have no really good system of when we should purge these items, we just keep everything. This has flowed into our home life. I recently read an article about how this younger generation are choosing to say "no thanks!" to their parents hand me downs and generations of antiques and heirlooms. While I think it is so very sad that some traditions and family keepsakes are being ditched at the local thrift stores, I totally get why. There is no room in their lives for things they don't value.
About two years ago I was introduced to the Minimalist Movement. This helped me tremendously to shake off the guilt of getting rid of things well meaning family members had saddled me with. I literally purged 2015 things TWICE in 2015 and after 4,030 items I stopped counting. Guess what? I've still got a ton of stuff I don't know WHAT to do with so I keep it, store it, shuffle it around from one place to another and ultimately packed it into a box to take with me so I could deal with it later. While my accomplishment in purging is great, I still have work to do. I also fight against my very nature to keep this or that for "someday".
We devised a plan for the farm. We are actually gaining 4 times the space that we have here. We both want to enjoy the open space without visual clutter. The current plan is to unpack what I want to use right now. If I don't want it, it immediately gets packed into a thrift store box and we will donate twice a week if need be. If it's trashed and has no resale value it will be sent to the trash cart for pick up, if I want it but not now, we will repack it into a box clearly marked with the contents and grouped with like kind objects. These boxes will be placed on one side of the basement. If in 6 months we have not revisted those boxes, desired the contents, then they will be sent to charity. Most of these items are actually things that have a use. Office supplies, baking dishes, seasonal clothing, hunting gear, camping gear. Collectively we have very few knick knacks. A majority of the stuff in storage are things like linens, since we always have so many house guests and seasonal items. I'm confidant that we will be able to purge another 1/3 of our belongings. Why let it take up precious space if you don't love it?
Until tomorrow~ I'm packing, taping, purging!
18 days to go!
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Baby Lumberjack's New Lair
One of the best things about moving to the farm is that baby lumberjack will be transitioning to his own bed, in his own room. Roughly 2 years ago, when I was about 5 months pregnant we set up the nursery. The nursery had a beautiful crib and a full sized bed in which I could crash during those first few months of nursing every couple of hours. About this time, I came down with something that resembled whooping cough. I simply could not kick it and being pregnant I couldn't take anything for it. I ended up loosing about 13 weeks of my summer. I was miserable. As a consideration to the Lumberjack, who works in one of the most dangerous industries in the world, I moved out of the master bedroom so he could rest at night.
Fast forward to when baby lumberjack was born. He is a very light sleeper and would wake every 2 hours for feedings. Somewhere along the way, I ditched the crib because it was valuable real estate space. I remained in the room. When he turned 8 months old, desperate for a full night of sleep I attempted to move back into the master bed. Baby lumberjack was having none of that. So here I am, he is nearly 15 months old and I have decided that this child of my womb is getting his own space and I am going to get a full nights rest. I have not slept an entire night in exactly 24 months.
So, the Lumberjack, always swayed by my female charms agreed to a sleigh toddler bed. He promptly picked it up and it has been placed where the crib used to sit.
Now that baby Lumberjack is getting his own lair, I decided that maybe we should upgrade from his giraffe nursery, even though I absolutely adore his accessories, and get something a bit more toddler like. It just so happens that both myself and the beautiful one with healing hands bought this fantastic fabric at JoAnn's this Christmas. When I opened the fabric package up, it was a total confirmation that this was the direction the nursery was going. I should also add here that we are doing the Montessori method with little lumberjack. We encourage simplicity and experience. His little den will have his bed, some art work placed at eye level, an area for self care, and a toy shelf that contains 6-8 sturdy wooden toys/puzzles to encourage quiet play. He will also have a couple small shelves that hold his books. That is it. Nothing more. Baby lumberjacks den is the only room in the house that doesn't need painted once we move. It is a light sage green color and would really clash with the brown and cream/orange of the giraffes. However, this new fabric is going to look fantastic!
Reality says that I should go ahead and pack up all of my sewing supplies. Desire says I might actually eek out a little bit of time between now and then to work on this sewing project.
I love sewing. I taught myself how to do it this last year and have enjoyed every single minute. I just can't seem to find enough time in my days to do it as often as I would like. More than likely I won't see a single hour to even create a pattern between now and moving day.
The grand plan is to make a Duvet cover that fits over his very beautiful quilt that my best friend made him in celebration of his birth. It's nice and thick, cuddly sort of blanket. This fabric is flannel. Warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Most importantly... It's lumberjacks! I am seriously considering one additional item in his room for decoration. It's a cast lumber truck that I found on the Hobby Lobby website. It matches this truck almost to perfection. This checkered flannel I will use on the back and will also use in the coordinating pillows. I probably will also make matching sheets.
One of the best stress relievers I have found so far has been dreaming about what could be. Remember, the Lord spoke to me about how this home was a blank canvas on which I can write my life.
It's so good to dream again.
19 more days to go!~
Fast forward to when baby lumberjack was born. He is a very light sleeper and would wake every 2 hours for feedings. Somewhere along the way, I ditched the crib because it was valuable real estate space. I remained in the room. When he turned 8 months old, desperate for a full night of sleep I attempted to move back into the master bed. Baby lumberjack was having none of that. So here I am, he is nearly 15 months old and I have decided that this child of my womb is getting his own space and I am going to get a full nights rest. I have not slept an entire night in exactly 24 months.
So, the Lumberjack, always swayed by my female charms agreed to a sleigh toddler bed. He promptly picked it up and it has been placed where the crib used to sit.
Now that baby Lumberjack is getting his own lair, I decided that maybe we should upgrade from his giraffe nursery, even though I absolutely adore his accessories, and get something a bit more toddler like. It just so happens that both myself and the beautiful one with healing hands bought this fantastic fabric at JoAnn's this Christmas. When I opened the fabric package up, it was a total confirmation that this was the direction the nursery was going. I should also add here that we are doing the Montessori method with little lumberjack. We encourage simplicity and experience. His little den will have his bed, some art work placed at eye level, an area for self care, and a toy shelf that contains 6-8 sturdy wooden toys/puzzles to encourage quiet play. He will also have a couple small shelves that hold his books. That is it. Nothing more. Baby lumberjacks den is the only room in the house that doesn't need painted once we move. It is a light sage green color and would really clash with the brown and cream/orange of the giraffes. However, this new fabric is going to look fantastic!
Reality says that I should go ahead and pack up all of my sewing supplies. Desire says I might actually eek out a little bit of time between now and then to work on this sewing project.
I love sewing. I taught myself how to do it this last year and have enjoyed every single minute. I just can't seem to find enough time in my days to do it as often as I would like. More than likely I won't see a single hour to even create a pattern between now and moving day.
The grand plan is to make a Duvet cover that fits over his very beautiful quilt that my best friend made him in celebration of his birth. It's nice and thick, cuddly sort of blanket. This fabric is flannel. Warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Most importantly... It's lumberjacks! I am seriously considering one additional item in his room for decoration. It's a cast lumber truck that I found on the Hobby Lobby website. It matches this truck almost to perfection. This checkered flannel I will use on the back and will also use in the coordinating pillows. I probably will also make matching sheets.
It's so good to dream again.
19 more days to go!~
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
First Holidays
Today I got sucked into an article that was titled "How to cozy up your front porch". I took time to read the article and look at the pictures, all the while thinking about the opportunity to decorate my own front porch for each holiday season. Thinking of how I could make others feel welcome the minute they walk up those steps to my front door. Granted, my first few holidays at the farm will not be warm enough to spend much time, if any outdoors. Let alone worrying about how to cozy up the porch.
My mind still drifted to Valentines Day & St. Patrick's Day. My first two special days. If I am being at all honest, I will disclose that I haven't had the desire to decorate for any of the minor holidays in a long, long time. I don't know if it's because I have baby lumberjack or because I am just simply excited. Either way, I plan to full embrace it. I have one very small box of decorations. Once again, I assume that Pinterest will save me at the very last moment. While I would love to have something as festive and darling as this picture, I am a realist. Maybe I can find some cute Valentines Day fabric to wrap around some pillows and make a coordinating swag. Simple, easy and festive. After all, I will still be unboxing my earthly treasures.
Along the road of life I've let some of the small things that used to bring me joy and satisfaction slip to the way side. I have some how, in the busyness of life forgotten how to fully live.
Fully live.
I'm not really sure when I got burned out, but I did and my heart hasn't been in any holidays. One thing I am really counting on, living on the farm is a much slower pace to life. A pace in which I can fully live. When a lumberjacks wife and mommy to 5 birth children and 2 grafted in kids gets stressed out, it's not a pretty site. I owe my entire family the gift of a peaceful woman. I'm banking on the quietness of life ministering to my very soul. The breath of God bringing new life into these old bones and weary mind.
I am beginning to think there is a big deception about modern life. I am learning that my kids don't really have to be involved in every single activity under the sun. I bought into how it would make them well rounded people. Surely there is a way to be well rounded without being so weighed down with activities and obligations that you forget how to fully live.
I will have roughly 9 days from the sale of the little house till Valentines Day. In that span of time I will have to create a care package for the man cub that serves our country and make some decorations for the front porch. I see a great deal of construction paper in my future.
20 days to go!
My mind still drifted to Valentines Day & St. Patrick's Day. My first two special days. If I am being at all honest, I will disclose that I haven't had the desire to decorate for any of the minor holidays in a long, long time. I don't know if it's because I have baby lumberjack or because I am just simply excited. Either way, I plan to full embrace it. I have one very small box of decorations. Once again, I assume that Pinterest will save me at the very last moment. While I would love to have something as festive and darling as this picture, I am a realist. Maybe I can find some cute Valentines Day fabric to wrap around some pillows and make a coordinating swag. Simple, easy and festive. After all, I will still be unboxing my earthly treasures.
Along the road of life I've let some of the small things that used to bring me joy and satisfaction slip to the way side. I have some how, in the busyness of life forgotten how to fully live.
Fully live.
I'm not really sure when I got burned out, but I did and my heart hasn't been in any holidays. One thing I am really counting on, living on the farm is a much slower pace to life. A pace in which I can fully live. When a lumberjacks wife and mommy to 5 birth children and 2 grafted in kids gets stressed out, it's not a pretty site. I owe my entire family the gift of a peaceful woman. I'm banking on the quietness of life ministering to my very soul. The breath of God bringing new life into these old bones and weary mind.
I am beginning to think there is a big deception about modern life. I am learning that my kids don't really have to be involved in every single activity under the sun. I bought into how it would make them well rounded people. Surely there is a way to be well rounded without being so weighed down with activities and obligations that you forget how to fully live.
I will have roughly 9 days from the sale of the little house till Valentines Day. In that span of time I will have to create a care package for the man cub that serves our country and make some decorations for the front porch. I see a great deal of construction paper in my future.
20 days to go!
Monday, January 4, 2016
What do you see yourself doing out there?
Several weeks ago while driving around looking at different properties the lumberjack posted a question to me. At first, it rather caught me off guard. I stammered out some kind of answer at the time that I can't believe I even said. "What do you see yourself doing out there?" the lumberjack asked. "Nothing! Absolutely nothing!" I replied.
Wishful thinking? Quite possibly. You see the differences between where we are now and where we are moving are almost night and day. When we first went to look at this property, neither of us really liked it much. It was short on the amount of acres we wanted. There was no pond, no forest and no huge Morton building. It was at the very edge of acceptable distance to drive to town on a daily basis. Most importantly, it lacks personality. There was not one single attribute of the house or land that stood out. She's just kinda plain Jane. A rose bud that hasn't blossomed. Not ugly, just impersonal.
Our very picky check list looked similar to a short story. Unless we decided to build, I doubt we ever found the perfect home.
Funny how God knows what you need better than we do. When I was praying for direction the Lord spoke to my heart that this new house was a blank canvas in which I could lovingly create into my home. So, taking that approach I started looking at what I had to work with.
I found a house with an open floor plan that would allow me to still be part of the family while taking care of their food needs. I hated being stuck in the other room for hours a day by myself while everyone else spent time together talking and playing or watching something in the living room.
For this I am thankful.
I found a house that is relatively new. The house was built just shy of 8 years ago. The little house we live in now is 60 years old.
For this I am thankful.
I found a house with a kitchen that didn't have painted cupboards. In fact, they have a beautiful oak ceiling to floor set up with a fantastic working triangle. The sink and dishwasher are in the center island.
For this I am thankful.
I found a Master Bedroom located at the OTHER end of the house. The furthermost possible placement. The lumberjack and baby lumberjack are ridiculously light sleepers. I can now work quietly in the kitchen, dining or livingroom after 8 PM.
For this I am abundantly thankful.
I found first floor laundry, a mud room and office all on the main floor. Here in the little house I would have to go down stairs in order to access paperwork or do laundry. I have always dreamed of a mud room.
For this I am thankful.
I found a 400 sq ft covered porch that looks to the south west, so at night I can watch to sunset across our land. I also found an 800 sq ft concrete patio that looks to the North east so I can watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee each morning.
For this I am so very thankful.
There is one last treasure I am so very thankful that I found. You see, the older two man cubs are in pursuit of very lovely young ladies. If all goes well, we should be looking at some wedding bells ringing. Imagine my joy when we opened the doors to a 40x60 stable. Pinterest doesn't lie. Country barn weddings are all the rage these days. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the man cubs and beautiful ones didn't have to pay a small fortune to get married? I can see hay bales & mason jars. Aside from this little epiphany there is also a very good use for stables. The one thing that sends the lumberjacks wife to shaking her head, the one thing that the children would like most. Horses.
And yes, even for this I am so very, very thankful.
21 more days to go!
Wishful thinking? Quite possibly. You see the differences between where we are now and where we are moving are almost night and day. When we first went to look at this property, neither of us really liked it much. It was short on the amount of acres we wanted. There was no pond, no forest and no huge Morton building. It was at the very edge of acceptable distance to drive to town on a daily basis. Most importantly, it lacks personality. There was not one single attribute of the house or land that stood out. She's just kinda plain Jane. A rose bud that hasn't blossomed. Not ugly, just impersonal.
Our very picky check list looked similar to a short story. Unless we decided to build, I doubt we ever found the perfect home.
Funny how God knows what you need better than we do. When I was praying for direction the Lord spoke to my heart that this new house was a blank canvas in which I could lovingly create into my home. So, taking that approach I started looking at what I had to work with.
I found a house with an open floor plan that would allow me to still be part of the family while taking care of their food needs. I hated being stuck in the other room for hours a day by myself while everyone else spent time together talking and playing or watching something in the living room.
For this I am thankful.
I found a house that is relatively new. The house was built just shy of 8 years ago. The little house we live in now is 60 years old.
For this I am thankful.
I found a house with a kitchen that didn't have painted cupboards. In fact, they have a beautiful oak ceiling to floor set up with a fantastic working triangle. The sink and dishwasher are in the center island.
For this I am thankful.
I found a Master Bedroom located at the OTHER end of the house. The furthermost possible placement. The lumberjack and baby lumberjack are ridiculously light sleepers. I can now work quietly in the kitchen, dining or livingroom after 8 PM.
For this I am abundantly thankful.
I found first floor laundry, a mud room and office all on the main floor. Here in the little house I would have to go down stairs in order to access paperwork or do laundry. I have always dreamed of a mud room.
For this I am thankful.
I found a 400 sq ft covered porch that looks to the south west, so at night I can watch to sunset across our land. I also found an 800 sq ft concrete patio that looks to the North east so I can watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee each morning.
For this I am so very thankful.
There is one last treasure I am so very thankful that I found. You see, the older two man cubs are in pursuit of very lovely young ladies. If all goes well, we should be looking at some wedding bells ringing. Imagine my joy when we opened the doors to a 40x60 stable. Pinterest doesn't lie. Country barn weddings are all the rage these days. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the man cubs and beautiful ones didn't have to pay a small fortune to get married? I can see hay bales & mason jars. Aside from this little epiphany there is also a very good use for stables. The one thing that sends the lumberjacks wife to shaking her head, the one thing that the children would like most. Horses.
And yes, even for this I am so very, very thankful.
21 more days to go!
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Underwriting conditions...
It's pretty typical to have some bumps in the road when dealing with financing a loan. Today I feel like I hit potholes. Since the majority of the loan progression has happened over the Christmas and New Years Holiday, we haven't had much communication with underwriting. We have been through the loan underwriting from company number one, now it's time to go to USDA underwriting for Rural loans.
Silly me thought this was going to be a walk in the park. Even more so since I have filled out all kinds of information and given every document just short of a blood sample.
I was emailed a list of 10 more hoops to jump through. Some are pretty in depth and some should be relatively simple. All of it takes time. I was given one big curve ball I didn't expect. Hopefully, I don't have to write about it in the future. I should know by the end of next week. Just another difficulty owning a business causes.
The process of buying and selling a house is really stressful. Even though our current mortgage is virtually paid off, it doesn't matter. We are just another consumer on paper. Good news though! I am not just somebody. I am the daughter of a God who loves and cares for me. HE really is compassionate about the desires of my heart. He will help if only I will cast my cares on Him. Sometimes that isn't as easy as one might think. The doorbell rings, the dog barks, the baby wakes, chaos ensues and somehow you just never get back to that point you were at a few moments before. Pouring your heart out and listening in the quiet for His voice takes time. I need peace that passes all understanding.
They really should make this process easier for people who have excellent credit, never miss payments and have proven themselves over the years to be trustworthy.
Just like in spring, when the city crews get out the big equipment and work diligently to fill in the holes created by weather, I too will get to work on these bumps so things might progress smoothly.
Until tomorrow I will be packing, taping, labeling and praying.
22 more days till close!
Silly me thought this was going to be a walk in the park. Even more so since I have filled out all kinds of information and given every document just short of a blood sample.
I was emailed a list of 10 more hoops to jump through. Some are pretty in depth and some should be relatively simple. All of it takes time. I was given one big curve ball I didn't expect. Hopefully, I don't have to write about it in the future. I should know by the end of next week. Just another difficulty owning a business causes.
The process of buying and selling a house is really stressful. Even though our current mortgage is virtually paid off, it doesn't matter. We are just another consumer on paper. Good news though! I am not just somebody. I am the daughter of a God who loves and cares for me. HE really is compassionate about the desires of my heart. He will help if only I will cast my cares on Him. Sometimes that isn't as easy as one might think. The doorbell rings, the dog barks, the baby wakes, chaos ensues and somehow you just never get back to that point you were at a few moments before. Pouring your heart out and listening in the quiet for His voice takes time. I need peace that passes all understanding.
They really should make this process easier for people who have excellent credit, never miss payments and have proven themselves over the years to be trustworthy.
Just like in spring, when the city crews get out the big equipment and work diligently to fill in the holes created by weather, I too will get to work on these bumps so things might progress smoothly.
Until tomorrow I will be packing, taping, labeling and praying.
22 more days till close!
Saturday, January 2, 2016
I'm Packing my life away!
I feel like singing a song. Not any old song. But a song that truly reflects how I am feeling in my heart of hearts. The Lumberjack just shakes his head when I randomly bust out into a tune. Probably because I choose the worst of times, like in the middle of a disagreement. Anyway, one song I am thinking of is "Hit the Road Jack and don't cha come back no more"... but that's not right. I tried "If you're happy and you know it", but that didn't seem right either. I think I have settle on "Some where over the rainbow"...
Did I mention to you that the new farm was previously an Alpaca farm? The awesome family that lives there now actually ran a farm for children with Autism to come out and do therapy. The wife will continue to sell alpaca textiles to benefit children with Autism.
I bet you didn't know that I ADORE alpacas? Llamas and Alpacas to be specific. The Lumberjack said that before I even THINK about getting one as a pet, I need to strap on my homesteading boots and get a handle on how things are supposed to run on a farm.
Last week I was combing through post after post on chickens, goats, feeder pigs, calves, rabbits, and even barn cats. Let me tell you something. There is a ton to be learned about homesteading and taking care of animals.
Here in the little cottage I had back yard chickens for a few years. I spent a lot of time with those little ladies. I thought getting new chicks would be a sure thing until hubs returned from seeing the eye doctor. It seems that he has a little spot of histoplasmosis on his eye. Nothing to worry about the doc said. He probably got it as a young child at his grandparents hen house. However, if you read my bio, you'd know that my oldest son was in ICU and almost died because of histo. So for now, until baby lumberjack gets a bit older, there will be no chicks.
The Lumberjack is such a realist sometimes. I was explaining how ALL THE HOMESTEADERS buy at least 3 pigs. One to eat, one to sell to a friend to cover the cost of feeding them, and one for profit to buy 3 more new pigs in the spring. You get ethically raised pork, no additives, hormones or chemicals for the cost of your time. They only have ONE bad day. The lumberjack thinks I really need to reconsider this idea. Not because of the work, nope, rather because you shouldn't name your dinner. He knows me well.
The good news is that there are still goats, a calf and horses on the table for negotiations. Along with the two barn cats I think we need and a puppy for princess #2.
Pinterest sure does make this homesteading thing look easy. However, nobody told me I would have to watch HOURS of youtube videos to learn how to hay my fields and also what tractor implements are called and why you need certain ones. I'm just over here asking the Lumberjack if my little Honda that sits low to the ground will be able to get down the long drive and back to the blacktop road without needing towed once the snow starts flying.
Each day we are packing boxes. Taping, labeling and stacking them together. Only 23 days to go!
Did I mention to you that the new farm was previously an Alpaca farm? The awesome family that lives there now actually ran a farm for children with Autism to come out and do therapy. The wife will continue to sell alpaca textiles to benefit children with Autism.
I bet you didn't know that I ADORE alpacas? Llamas and Alpacas to be specific. The Lumberjack said that before I even THINK about getting one as a pet, I need to strap on my homesteading boots and get a handle on how things are supposed to run on a farm.
Last week I was combing through post after post on chickens, goats, feeder pigs, calves, rabbits, and even barn cats. Let me tell you something. There is a ton to be learned about homesteading and taking care of animals.
Here in the little cottage I had back yard chickens for a few years. I spent a lot of time with those little ladies. I thought getting new chicks would be a sure thing until hubs returned from seeing the eye doctor. It seems that he has a little spot of histoplasmosis on his eye. Nothing to worry about the doc said. He probably got it as a young child at his grandparents hen house. However, if you read my bio, you'd know that my oldest son was in ICU and almost died because of histo. So for now, until baby lumberjack gets a bit older, there will be no chicks.
The Lumberjack is such a realist sometimes. I was explaining how ALL THE HOMESTEADERS buy at least 3 pigs. One to eat, one to sell to a friend to cover the cost of feeding them, and one for profit to buy 3 more new pigs in the spring. You get ethically raised pork, no additives, hormones or chemicals for the cost of your time. They only have ONE bad day. The lumberjack thinks I really need to reconsider this idea. Not because of the work, nope, rather because you shouldn't name your dinner. He knows me well.
The good news is that there are still goats, a calf and horses on the table for negotiations. Along with the two barn cats I think we need and a puppy for princess #2.
Pinterest sure does make this homesteading thing look easy. However, nobody told me I would have to watch HOURS of youtube videos to learn how to hay my fields and also what tractor implements are called and why you need certain ones. I'm just over here asking the Lumberjack if my little Honda that sits low to the ground will be able to get down the long drive and back to the blacktop road without needing towed once the snow starts flying.
Each day we are packing boxes. Taping, labeling and stacking them together. Only 23 days to go!
Citified Family~ Going Country
I almost can't believe I am making this blog post. After taking several years off from blogging, I have been encouraged to start once again by project write365. Honestly, it couldn't have happened at a better time. Why? Because the Lumberjack's family is finally moving to the country!
I know for some, it might not be such a big deal. For us it is a HUGE deal. You see, we have been praying about moving to the country for almost 20 years. We pretty much sealed our fate as city dwellers when we opened the business 15 years ago. A new company and country life just didn't go hand in hand. It is rather unfortunate because I think our children would have been much better off not being raised in the city. They are rough and tumble kiddo's who really needed space to explore. At this time, it's a moot point. The boys are grown and out of the house, princess #1 graduates this year and princess #2~ Well, let's just say I hope she knows what fun it shall be! Let's not forget, our newest little blessing who is now a year old! I still shake my head when I think of having a baby in my 40's.
I often proclaim how I am God's favorite. In this season, I really feel like I am the apple of my Papa's eye. You see, HE has provided us with the opportunity to move to Rural America. In 24 short days, we will be sitting at the closing company signing papers on our new farm.
You should see my Pinterest activity this month! Part's of me are over the moon excited about a new place to call home. After all, I have lived in the same house my entire married life. I have raised my children here, heck I've even given birth to a child here! This is all I have known. The day the Lumberjack and I returned from our honeymoon, we made an offer on our little house. LIFE happened, love bloomed, children grew. I am afraid that somehow, part of me will become missing with this move.
My hope is that it will be replaced with something even better. That deep longing for quiet and stillness will be attainable.
I look forward to sitting on the covered porch, iced tea in my hand, watching the sun go down across our land. I dream of opening the windows and hearing the birds chirp, the crickets calling to each other, the frogs bellowing. Right now I hear interstate noise and lots of sirens.
Mostly, I long for a place our children can continue to grow in. A place where the older ones will find peace and yearn to come. A place to raise little grandchildren that can roam freely and explore the beauty that God has created. A place in which I can grow old with the Lumberjack. A place in which I can learn to see beauty again.
I know for some, it might not be such a big deal. For us it is a HUGE deal. You see, we have been praying about moving to the country for almost 20 years. We pretty much sealed our fate as city dwellers when we opened the business 15 years ago. A new company and country life just didn't go hand in hand. It is rather unfortunate because I think our children would have been much better off not being raised in the city. They are rough and tumble kiddo's who really needed space to explore. At this time, it's a moot point. The boys are grown and out of the house, princess #1 graduates this year and princess #2~ Well, let's just say I hope she knows what fun it shall be! Let's not forget, our newest little blessing who is now a year old! I still shake my head when I think of having a baby in my 40's.
I often proclaim how I am God's favorite. In this season, I really feel like I am the apple of my Papa's eye. You see, HE has provided us with the opportunity to move to Rural America. In 24 short days, we will be sitting at the closing company signing papers on our new farm.
You should see my Pinterest activity this month! Part's of me are over the moon excited about a new place to call home. After all, I have lived in the same house my entire married life. I have raised my children here, heck I've even given birth to a child here! This is all I have known. The day the Lumberjack and I returned from our honeymoon, we made an offer on our little house. LIFE happened, love bloomed, children grew. I am afraid that somehow, part of me will become missing with this move.
My hope is that it will be replaced with something even better. That deep longing for quiet and stillness will be attainable.
I look forward to sitting on the covered porch, iced tea in my hand, watching the sun go down across our land. I dream of opening the windows and hearing the birds chirp, the crickets calling to each other, the frogs bellowing. Right now I hear interstate noise and lots of sirens.
Mostly, I long for a place our children can continue to grow in. A place where the older ones will find peace and yearn to come. A place to raise little grandchildren that can roam freely and explore the beauty that God has created. A place in which I can grow old with the Lumberjack. A place in which I can learn to see beauty again.
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