"Work" is in the mind

I am in the process of reading John Seymour's Self-sufficient Living and he said he was talking to an old woman at some point, that took care of herself and this is what it said...

I knew an old lady who lived by herself in the Golden Valley of England. She was one of the happiest people I have met. She described to me all the work she and her mother use to do when she was a child: washing on Monday, butter-making on Tuesday, market on Wednesday, and so on. "It all sounds like a lot of hard work," I said to her. "Yes, but nobody ever told us then," she said. "Told you what?" "Told us there was anything wrong with work."
Today "work" has become a dirty word, and most peoplke would do anything to get out of it. To say that an invention is labor-saving is the highest praise, bit it never seems to occur that the work might have been enjoyable. I have plowed all day behind a good set of horses and been sad when the day came to an end! .....
It is when "profit" becomes the dominant motive that the cycle of disaster begins. (speaking of debt, and enriching the banks)


Today, they'd rather turn on the tv than entertain. They'd rather not do work to save their backs...for what is their reason for saving it? To sit to watch tv or some other effortless task? If people would do physical labor as in old they'd sit less, move more, and probably enjoy life more.

Anyway...this book has been really neat. I don't want Bekah to grow seeing work as "work". People of old had more of the camaraderie, socialization, and satisfaction in their lives because they didn't (for the most part) have the money to have others do their jobs while they...hmmm watched tv?

What is classified as work anyway? just a couple definitions:
1.exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.
2.productive or operative activity.

I might happen to like feeding my chickens, experiencing their personalities and beauty, collecting warm eggs in their soft straw nests, going in to prepare eggs that have not been contaminated in anyway, and are rich in vitamins. In fact, that's one of the things I'm looking forward to! But to others it'd be work...The chickens for example are less-work that working an hour at a monotonous job, tiredly driving to the grocer's, grabbing an ugly carton of eggs from a cold cooler, placing them in a cart and then having to smile at people just because. Then after getting home, throwing them in the fridge and hope you don't get salmonella. I think I'd prefer the real thing.

What is work? A plague? Or a misconstrued idea of something we need. :)

Reasons

I thought this blog was a great one, after discussing with my mother different people's perspectives on "work".

Just some things I've been thinking about as I learn more about the Amish way of life...
Has technology really helped us? Or made us worse as a whole? Is it better to buy an exercise video, or actually go on a walk to look over our property? Or clean house for that matter?
Is it better to spray our foods with harmful chemicals or to learn to plant things so that one crop discourages another's predator?
Is it better to email a hug or actually deliver one in person.
Or what about having our babies?
Or teaching our children? We've handed over rights and aren't better for it because it seems that the less we know about things the more we'll have to learn later or our children will have to learn. And what have been the motives for all this? We seem to have progressed as a nation, yet we have less family time, healthy foods, less time, and think more of ourselves.
I'm not sure how to put this into a coherent paragraph, so please bare with me as I'm thinking "aloud".

I've just been thinking about the state of our culture, and even our Christian culture. The information on growing gardens and self-sufficiency has been forgotten and by whom? When did that happen? When did information stop getting passed down that now people don't even know what to do if a mouse gets in the house? We seem so educated, yet most women haven't even been "present" at their own children's births. We have been made to think that education is God and everything else doesn't matter, but does it? How come most women know how to compete with men, yet they aren't comfortable with their own bodies and having babies? Just wondering...

What are our priorities?
Do we work toward self-gratification or self-preservation?



Update on real estate:
Oh yeah! The people that are interested in our house are coming back on Sunday! yay!
They are hoping to give us a purchase agreement next week.

Simplification

Obviously I have a lot to ponder. And while I've been pondering, we received our mail and low and behold a Burgess Seed and Plant Co. catalog came! Nothing like one of my goals staring me in the face...interesting.

I think I see moving to this house as a challenge to simplify even our materialistic nature. I just figured out the house is about 900 sq. ft. smaller than our current home (that's w/o doing the basement and finishing the walk-up attic. At first that seems tiny. However, I have to admit that the 3 of us really don't use the space we have. We are very spoiled. Have you noticed that the more space you have the more you find "stuff" to fill it? Kind of like the more money you have the more you need? I think I'm liking the idea of having to simplify and fill my home with meaning full treasures, and not stuff that takes more of my time to clean. I'm not a minimalist...but how much do I really NEED? What are some things that I smile at when I see? Books. Piano. Photo Albums. And everything else I like hidden. I of course like some art on the walls, but even not much at that. I'd rather one special piece than more of things that aren't so special.

Does this mean that a moving/garage sale is in the future??? Hmmmmm......

Do we or Don't we?

Yesterday was spent enjoying time together. Chris and I went out to the property and went over as many details as we could to see what we'd be getting into. It will be a huge undertaking, nothing as pretty as Eclectic Culture's home. We were much more hesitant about this place after going through it, climbing through the barns/buildings, etc. We were so overwhelmed after our 3 hour exploration that neither of us did much talking. It's definitely not the place you'd walk into and gasp with delight at how beautiful it is, unless of course you can see past the piles of bugs and dirt from years of neglect.

At this time in our lives, Chris and I are feeling that our family's goals are changing. We would like to get out in the country and move on with our lives, except that in order to do that anywhere else, we'd owe so much more than the owners want for this place, and would have less land, organic pastures and fields around us, and trees. I say the trees because both Chris and I come from areas that there are more trees than people...not the other way around. So, it feels more cozy to us than other places we've looked at. The organic neighboring properties are a huge benefit to both of us, as well. There will be 13.3 acres of land, and that will be ample space for us to set up our lives, especially after walking it! Neither of us are interested in the whole 80 unless we build a commune...anyone interested? hee-hee

The house will be work, but fortunately I can clean and paint and Chris can demo and build. Whether it's worth it or not? That's the question. Part of me thinks that we could just live in the house for awhile and do the demo at a later date, however both of us dread the idea of getting furniture upstairs just to have to haul it down later. Plus the bathrooms need desperate help. Not painting and such, more like walls redone and plumbing fixed.

I won't have the whole album on here, because there's 70+ pictures, but if you are interested in seeing the whole thing I'd be fine emailing it to you. :)

So, I'm trying to think...why do we want to move from our house that's almost done?

1. To have more opportunities to have pets.
2. More space to roam, recreation vehicles
3. Animals (goats) for self-sufficiency
4. Larger garden spaces
5. Peace and Quiet - from sirens, kids walking by - bullies
6. Peace from neighboring people when we home school
7. bonfires and camp outs
8. seeing nature in action - there's so many tracks that go through the property
9. CHICKENS!!!
10. closer to Fremont - so although we are out in the country, it's close to town
11. space outside
12. nature, and lots of trees
13. privacy
14. organic living
15. wood heat - not quite so dependent on others for necessities
16. ....Is there more?
17. I want to be able to climb through the barns and explore
18. have cats!
19. find warm eggs in nests
20. milk goats and have food that came from our acreage
21. be out of debt - which selling and getting this place affords
22.hmmmm....

Am I missing something? Is there something I'm not thinking about?

When we sell our place, Lord-willing, we'll be almost debt free and the terms of this potential place is a land contract that will be paid in 10 years (anything else we've looked at would be at least $30K more, and still need work). We'll have money to put on the new place plus pay off things we owe after selling our place now.

A bit closer to financial freedom is peaceful. To have our food come from our land, gratifying.

Any thoughts?

Saturday the 10th of July

Today the party interested in our home was back. Chris and I think they'll make an offer, but probably not 7 hours after they came! It's really difficult to not get excited. We have been discussing what we need to get onto the acreage, like a chainsaw for the wood we'll need to cut up for the heat, etc. It's fun having a prospect.

It's also interesting to me that once we've thoroughly cleaned the house, I'm talking organized, uncluttered (for the most part), and fixed almost everything there is to do, how I'm bored. Ok, not really bored, as I'm enjoying doing things that I don't generally get to, but it's so much easier to keep a house clean and in order once it's already like that! I seem to have way more time on my hands.

My parents were down yesterday and took Bekah back until Wednesday. This of course helps a bit, but she's so low-maintenance anyway. I am hoping to get some more aprons sewn and then of course put all the stuff back where it belongs. We are hoping for some direction by next weekend, so we can start packing etc.

The picture above is of the house we'll be moving into. It needs alot of work, and cleaning, but the agreement so far is that it'll be paid off in 10 years, makes it worth it. Plus there's 13 acres that will come with it. Sorry for the terrible angle and all. I had a much better one, except that I was drawing all over it with the paint shop program and ended up saving my drawing rather than keeping the original..silly me. This will have to do. :(

I don't have inside pictures, but will get some the next time we go to look at it.

We may be moooooving! We may be mooooooving! whoo-hoo!

New Thrift Store Finds

Ok, I know these aren't a staple in life, but they make it more cozy! :)

1. Candy dish was 2.50. I wouldn't have bought this except that I was in need of one with a lid and it matches one my mom gave me.

2. This quilt would fit nicely on a full/double bed. It's pretty warm and I fell in love with it. I don't know if it's really old or just not new, but it was worth the $5 they were asking! I have an addiction to blankets. We always have so many people visiting and many occasions ALOT of people at once. Here in the North it's great to not be low on blankets!

3. This is a plastic sifter. It was $2 and I have been wanting one as I've started baking alot more. I was kind of disappointed that it faded alot after washing it in the dishwasher, but it is still usable...just not as vibrant. Oops!

4. We don't have many side tables and they are so handy. This one was $4! It has a shabby chic feel to it and was just eye-catching. I have a lamp on it in our guest room and that's it. There's no need to clutter b/c it's artsy itself.

5. The first picture is a stool much like the one at Happy at Home I found this "in need of TLC" stool for $6. I've been wanting one for awhile, and it's red!!! My favorite colors, yellow, red, and green. I plan on sanding it and repainting it. Then it'll look inviting. :)

The next post will show you the sitting room off our bedroom that Chris just finished. :)

Let Patience have her perfect work...James 1:3

(misc. pictures and)

Last Night...

Last night we had an interested lady come through the house and it really lifted our spirits. She reminded me of me, albeit not pregnant coming through...but her and her husband are a younger couple with a baby. He wasn't able to come, but I have a good feeling that she'll show him the pics, discuss it and they'll be back soon. I think the only thing stopping her from making an offer was that her hubby was home with the children - sick. God is good. And as long as we trust in Him, have patience, and trust that He knows what's going on and wants what's best for us then we have nothing to fear or fret over. I sometimes forget, but as I age...I believe it more and more. With aging comes more and more circumstances in which we must trust in the Lord, because things are out of our control and what is there to do but that? Who can add a foot to his height? Who can cause it to stop raining? Who can protect us from ourselves? My God can. My God can do that and exceedingly abundantly more than I could ever ask or think. Why? Because He made me and knows even the numbers of my hair. If that's not something to praise God for, I don't know what is.
I can not imagine going through life with all it's uncertainties, disappointments, and tragedies and not realizing that God is in control and keeping my frustrations, hopes and dreams, to myself. Lord knows that telling others (especially my husband on occasion) isn't the best idea, not including just asking for prayer...I'm referring more to complaining. And can't help. You know?

I don't know if these people will be our buyers, but it did give me reason to hope and see once again that I can just sit back do what I know needs to be done, and trust in the Lord. If He watches out and sees every sparrow that falls, or baby before they are born, then He's got His eye on us too.

Some other things going on in our lives: Now - April
Tomorrow my brother and parents will be coming here to work on a case (Looooong story not ready to share)A huge case to trust God in. Sometimes overwhelming, but where else would we go, but to the Lord? Who else cares about this situation more? Not even a mother or father.
This is one situation that takes precedence over our lives at this time. I'm not sure when it'll be over, but the Lord has His hand upon all of us. Please give us the knowledge we need to do what we should and the wisdom to do what we need when it's time.

After that my sister-in-love is having surgery and we'll probably help her with that and packing her stuff getting it ready to move to her fiance's house. She's moving out of her apt and into a friend's. She and Sam will be getting married April 4th and so we'll also be getting ready for a wedding. I forgot all the planning and preparation that goes into these things! Although they are having a very small intimate wedding, there's still stuff to reserve, and organize and it takes a very large amount of patience. It all comes together in the end. Lord please give Angela and Sam a peace through this process and an assurance that You have everything under control. From her surgery to her wedding. Thank you for being You.

We have the house pretty much finished. Except for the floors, which we'll just give a flooring allowance, and the one extra pantry area in the basement to finish. We have finished, cleaned and put everything away that I don't know what I'll do today! I have nothing more to clean, put away, paint, decorate, etc. and I feel so free! I do enjoy the daily housework and such, but it'll be nice to get some mending done, maybe organize my scrapbook a bit, plan the bridal shower and bachelorette party for Angela, (it'll be clean of course!!! ha-ha) and maybe even write a couple letters.

My brother and I were having a talk about the necessities of life and it'll be interesting when we move for we'll have to separate our necessities from our extras. I am thinking it'll be nice for a while. I'm definitely not a minimalist, but I love a clean house with things put it their proper place. We'll have to get a storage unit and live on the first floor for a time, but once the upstairs wiring and sheet rocking is done (The Lord married me to Superman...I think there's nothing Chris can't do. I tease him the only thing he can't do is birth a baby! ha) we'll move on upstairs and then slowly remodel the kitchen.
This next home needs alot of TLC, but it'll be interesting because we'll have to split our time this spring with doing the outside as well. There's 13+ acres and it's surrounded by a certified organic farmer's land. I fell in love with this fact since I'll have peace of mind that most of the land around us is free of harmful products. We'll buy more of the land as time goes by, but right now we only have money for this portion. The farmer is offering us the full 80 parcel.
There are lots of old buildings on the property, not many that seem to be in great shape, however for the time being they'll be fun to explore and access. The barns haven't been gone through in 15 + years and the present owner has only owned it that many years, approx. So I'm sure we'll do alot of treasure hunting! I'm so excited, as my aunt is too! She and I are alot a like, except for the fact that she lives in a new home, on a gold course, and can't have a garden, and we are moving out...

We are really hoping these people are interested as we'd like to get into the house prior to spring since that's when we'll be able to hit the TLC really hard. As well as I can get CHICKENS!!!!! My own chickens. I've always had a love for chickens and I have no idea why except that twice when I was younger I had pet roosters. Yes, kind of weird, except you just have to know the situation. I loved my roosters. And I'd have to say that is one of my favorite pastimes...wishing through the McMurray catalog. I am so excited to get chickens because they'll be so easy to take care of and give us wonderful eggs back. I am also excited about throwing my scrap foods to someone and not feeling guilty.

Once we go to the house again, I'll take my camera and snap some pics. I'm warning you that it's in need of help. But it's nothing that we can't live in while it's being worked on, and Chris is handy. They best part...he actually likes doing it!! ha-ha demented...jk

Well, lets see, other than that we are leaving for a trip to Branson the weekend after my sister-in-love's wedding. I'm looking forward to it, except all our extra vacation money we've saved is now going to help them with the wedding and finishing up the house. We are on an envelope system and it's been wonderful! At least we have paid everything to this point with cash.

I'm starting to babble, I'll put some pictures on for your enjoyment, and then I'm off to...well I guess to enjoy the day!


Blessings,

Misti :)

My Love Affair...Saving money?

(Picture above is Chris' step-sister and Rebekah)
Tonight found me, going through the Walgreen's ad checking the prices against the coupons I have, seeing if there's something I can't live without, that will be dirt cheap. Ok, so after spending the gas to get to WalGreen's; the money I'll spend while on the hunt for my "Great Buys"; and the lunch we'll probably eat out...my purchases won't be dirt cheap. Do I go anyway? Yeah...I have to go to the grocery store anyway.

I know couponing can be great for some people who diligently keep up to date on the specials, rebates, and sales, and some even make a profit (Grandma Ridenour, R.I.P.). However, I have found myself spending more money to use "what I would have spent" on things I don't really need. I haven't made a profit and although I do hit some really good deals, it's generally best for me to avoid temptation by occupying myself at home until it's too late to go shopping and then only go when I have my list of what I need assembled.

I have found that when it comes to buying groceries, generally it is not beneficial for me to use coupons. They are generally for the more expensive product, and a lot of times not necessities. The best way for me to save money when grocery shopping is to:

1. Take a complete inventory of what I have in the house.

2. Study the list to see what meals and desserts can be made.

3. What are some almost complete meals?

4. Make a list of the ingredients that I'll need to make #3 complete.

5. Make a list of the days we'll need what food...THEN check for sales and coupons.

6. Compose a list of all that's needed and stick to it.

I have found this to be the easiest way for me to maintain a certain amount spent when going to the store.

I really like knowing I'm saving money and finding a bargain lends a certain adrenaline rush that makes it worth it...as long as I don't have remorse once I've shown my purchase to my hubby.

Although I've not mastered it by any means, saving money is a goal of mine, the more I save the more I want to save. I'd like to eventually work to live and not have our family live to work.

How have you saved money? What are some tips we could start using?

We:

1. Very little box meals - maybe 1-2 month

2. Carpool to work

3. Keep our heat at 67' average

4. Trying to keep excess lights/electricity off

5. I tried heating and humidifying our basement with the dryer while doing laundry but my hubby didn't approve.

6. I am laying out blankets to dry instead of drying them

7. I have a friend cut our hair rather than have it done, in exchange for me watching her kids.

8. I've started mending! OMG it's so rewarding to just fix materials rather than give away - when we'll just have to buy more. - I didn't realize all that we'd have given away and then had to get more until this week! I didn't realize I was that wasteful. (Granted someone else could have used the items, but that's not the point. :)

9. I made 50% of our Christmas gifts this year.

Welcome to 2009 and my resolution to be less wasteful and more productive in saving, RRR, and being a better steward of what the Lord has blessed me with.

Misti