Crafting Homestead

Category: Camping

Gosh do we enjoy camping! In fact, we just bought ourselves a motorhome on June 29, 2016.

We started camping shortly after visiting friends at their seasonal campsite on the day my oldest daughter took her first steps. She was an early walker, only 8 and a half months old. I will post the picture of us doing the limbo that day. Her tiny hands gripping my fingers then. She is a talented and beautiful dancer now.

We bought our first camper in 2005 and went seasonal two years later. This year we sold our second trailer and bought a 31′ class A motorhome. WOOHOO! Our dreams are coming true! With hard work and determination.

Follow along here on our journeys!

  • Way back when…

    Once upon a time I was good at things. Fun things, smart things, things other people didn’t know much about. Sigh…the good old days.

    Now, I know some stuff, some of it’s fun. I used to feel like I had some special edge, relevant stuff. It’s only mediocre now, just enough that I could get myself in trouble, screw things up.

    OH! You want an example? Well, I guess that’s the point, huh? So, I graduated high school in 1987 when home computers were starting to be a thing. My dad was into it so we had a computer at home, did the whole dial up thing, had a separate phone number for it and everything. America Online (AOL), yep, that was our thing. It was SO much fun, you could get wrapped up for HOURS and not even have a clue. It was something I stuck with, using the computer. I learned so much, mostly about Microsoft Windows: Word. I dabbled in Excel, LOVED Access, setting up databases for whatever I needed, trying to learn how to make it look just right. Through all that I worked at a bank and towards the end of that career created a link to tie one of their databases to a form they needed to process all the loans. It was a perfect challenge, SO satisfying. That was in 1994 when small town banks were going under so fast, being bought up by the bigger ones who only got bigger. Yup, I got that push out the door.

    Managed to continue my career with office jobs and stay up-to-date with all the upgrades and improvements computers had along the way. Even had a traveling training job. Teaching our clients how to use the medical software that the company made. When it was time to stop traveling, I stayed in office and did customer service calls. Assisted with some easy issues (“did you turn the printer on?”) and some where it was well above my knowledge and had to call in the big dogs: programmers.

    Then after all those computer-rich positions, hubby and I thought we should try for another baby. About three weeks after we began, I arrived to work and the boss was there (VERY odd, he didn’t show up until 10:00am on a good day, if at all) and my supervisor (slightly more frequently than him), but no one else. What? Has hell frozen over? Well, no, but I did get laid off. Huh…did NOT see that coming. Wait a minute, ohhhh, yes I did.

    My wonderful husband said, “So, you’ll be a stay at home mom.” GREAT! I thought, since I am pretty sure I’m pregnant. Now I can get house things done and enjoy the whole process and be around for the school age kids we already have.

    Fast forward another year and a half, time to get back to work. What will I do now? I did NOT have this baby to put her in day care! We talk about getting a motorhome and tour the country for our retirement. My husband will NEVER let me drive it. I still have the other kids who need someone home when they aren’t in school. Then we drive past the school bus yard with the banner flapping in the wind: “NOW HIRING, we train!”

    Fast forward 9 years, I drive a school bus, have for the past 9 years. I still love computers, but do you know what I don’t get to do everyday and get paid for it? Use a computer. 🙁 I still know some stuff, but I have missed SOOO much. And now, just to make it worse, I have a Mac. UGH! I know stuff that doesn’t work on a Mac. I know nothing about Macs.

    So guess what happens when you start a blog, drive a school bus and have kids, love to craft and switch to a Mac instead of sticking with MS? You muddle through and have grand plans but no idea now to get your web page going. There are all these weird terms, I think I am adding a link for Pinterest so you can tag all these great things I have, but no. It doesn’t show up, or it does but the link doesn’t go anywhere.

    I’m going to try this again. Computers are SO much more user friendly than in the 90’s, I can do this. If I do, maybe I will be back soon…if not, it may be next summer before I return.

  • It’s been a long time.

    Posting here has been limited, ok ok, VERY limited. Not forgotten, merely placed far on the back burner. Summertime is when I have far more flexibility to accomplish things that are less than home related. Getting things organized and ticking off those pesky items on the ever growing to-do list has been the grand focus of my attention. Progress has been made, except toward our homestead plans.

    My husband called me out the other day for not delving deeper into our homestead plans. This was no surprise to me, I knew I wasn’t, but by actually saying it made me consider “why” I hadn’t pursued further action. What I realized, to my surprise, was that I was feeling more positive and didn’t have the SHTF concerns. Why? Our financial situation has improved and our President speaks so positively about our country that I felt uplifted rather than the swirling downward spiral of being sucked dry with tax expenses.

    The other reason (which I am certain my husband would say is a result of my lack of action) is he has strongly considered, instead of buying a few acres for a homestead, would choose to buy ourselves a larger motorhome and just travel everywhere, maybe even live full-time in our RV.

    Honestly, I would be happy to travel down either road. What is our best option?  At this point, who knows. However, I feel that BOTH would result in the most amazing journey. When will this happen? I imagine the first step would to create a micro-homestead. That can happen sooner, I can plant some seeds, have a little garden. Implement my solar heater to save a speck of energy. Reduce waste in other areas, such as disposable paper products (paper towels, which we rarely use anyway, napkins, TP, tissues), sewing is almost at the top of my to-do list. I’m no expert, but I can sew almost straight lines. 😉

    To prepare for the traveling portion I am *forced* to downsize. This brings anxiety. There are many things that I love. One of my most prized possessions that would not be able to make that trip is my dining room set. THIS is why I feel maintaining a modest (tiny) homestead would be good…so I can keep my table. <3 Would it be unreasonable to build a home around a table??

    I am not a minimalist by nature, but I am willing to part with things that don’t make me joyful. Many things though are not suitable for the trash. I must connect with someone, anyone who sees the value and turn it over to them. Pinterest is no help what-so-ever! I had amassed quite a pile of TP rolls knowing they could have another life. One day I decided, nah, I don’t want to continue collecting them and tossed them into the recycle bin. Within a couple weeks I had stumbled across some amazing ideas for them.  WHY?? Why did I ditch them?? UGH!  How about those flat plastic bread ties (not the twisties), the square/rectangle ones, mmmm-hmmmm, yeah, I save those now.  Geez!  All the power cords, chargers, ear buds, and plugs all have them indicating what their purpose is, or to whom they belong.

    (Yep, this is another draft hibernating in my draft folder…time to share.)

  • Summer, I love you!

    We have had such an amazing summer. Well, OK, *I* had an amazing summer.  My two teenagers and 8 year old will total cry about how bored they were. Most of the summer I did precisely what I set out to do, perhaps without the reward I was hoping for, but still enjoyable. There is one final week and back to the regular school routine.

    The highlights to my summer, related to this blog and crafting anyway, were a couple custom orders. They were fun and well received. Also I was invited to participate in a Farmer’s Market, yes I had also requested to be a vendor, but she had forgotten my name as she had sent it to “Crafting Homestead”…then she saw a Facebook post and invited me.  😀  That made me happy. Now, I just have to be sure I have enough items to bother attending. I know, I should just jump on it and DO IT. I *must* step out of my comfort zone. This is what I want…and it’s scaring me.  I can’t wait to share how this pans out.

    Until then, other things:

    The 16 year old got her permit

    The 16 year old got a job

    (…so this is what happens when you neglect your blog and post the draft you created a year and a half ago. Can we agree I am distracted?)

  • Summer is almost here!

    It’s quickly approaching one year since beginning my blog. I had hoped to already be moved, definitely further along with being self-sufficient, and having a thriving blog business. However, although it hasn’t happened yet, we are still proceeding in that direction.

    The school year is almost over, just 4 more days, then a wedding, a week to prepare for a little vacation, the vacation and BANG, serious time.

    Things have been going fairly well. The crafts I have been making are selling at Stacey’s shop. Well, actually, I hope, find out today as I pay her rent for the start of my 3rd month with her. Hopefully she has a generous check for me.  🙂  I am about to place a large order of supplies for my stock along with another piece of equipment to help with the process. My husband is always so agreeable. He sees my commitment much more than he has in the past, yes he never denies me whatever I look to pursue.

    The crafts are only a part of the plan. They will provide the fun and peace in my life…and maybe even some cash to pay for necessities.  😉

    Truly the most challenging thing is having teenage girls. The rough daily mental plan I make for myself each day generally gets tossed right out the window as soon as they wake up. Yesterday was the first day of high school finals. One child didn’t get to finish one test because of some issue which happened during the last class under the supervision of a substitute teacher. So, a make up test (??) involving staying after school seems to be in order. The other teen only has one exam so wishes to not remain at school the entire day. Meanwhile, I *am* still working, two schools are on half-day schedule, but the third is not. Both girls attend separate high schools, about 5 minute drive away from each other, but 30 minutes from our home. SO…do I go to work (driving) for 3 hours, drive 30 minutes to school #1, drive her home, go back to work and drive for 2 hours, drive to school #2, drive her back home, go back to work again for an hour to keep them happy? This means that the few moments I could accomplish *anything* would be gone AND I would be driving in the blistering heat of the third day in our heat wave. I hate sweating. Yes,my vehicle has AC, but my large yellow tin can does not. That’s assuming I have “my” bus as yesterday it was out of commission, having to borrow 2 others. Am I complaining? I kind of feel like I am complaining.  🙁 Have I mentioned that I don’t like to drive? I know, wacky that I am a bus driver, but remember, that was  means to an end. So I could drive the motor home coach.

    Sheesh! I have typed a book already and we haven’t even talked about dance. So much more to talk about, yet, no time. I’m going to get ready for the day – STAY COOL and enjoy yours. 🙂

  • Loving life

    Loving life

    Campfire in Virginia.

  • Motorhome news

    Winter is the perfect time to get work done on the motorhome. Instead of taking up so much space in our driveway, it’s away getting some TLC. We needed  to get some caulking done and a few frivolous things, like gutters. Had them check out the belts, hoses and brakes…all fine. PHEW! But we learned that the tires were beginning to show some dry rot…UGH! We had been planning to take a lengthy trip and what a horrible surprise it would have been to discover that away from home.  We have AAA and Good Sam, but replacing 6 tires is no joke! $310/tire. 😛 So, since it’s having an extended stay at the dealers,may as well do a few other things. The sink is horrible, stainless steel, but rusted (hmmmm), not to mention the drain was higher than the bottom of the sink, meaning water sat in the sink. The faucet also crowed the sink so the large corn pot just wasn’t getting washed inside. So, new faucets all around (kitchen, bathroom and shower), I’m not a primadonna (promise), but my DH wants them to match.

    We can hardly wait to try it all out. For now we are just going to chill out waiting for the blizzard on Tuesday…THEN we’ll starting dreaming of our vacations!

  • I got to drive it!

    It’s amazing! I’m shocked, dear hubby allowed me to drive the motorhome today. I never asked, knowing that when he was mentally ready for me to drive his dream down the road it would happen. YAY!

    It wasn’t a long trip, but it was fun. Driving generally is something I don’t enjoy anymore, I’m a much better passenger. Once in a while though it feels good. Maybe when we start heading out to parts of the country we haven’t seen before. Then perhaps my adventurous spirit from being 16-years-old will return.  😉

    Hurricane

  • Where have i been?

    Whoa! Life got a little crazy and this got away from me. When I began to set up this blog I would do it in the evening after hubby went to bed. With the house nice and quiet, not to mention my tendency to be a night owl, I stayed up too late for too many days and burnt out. Man, getting old is rough!

    So. What’s been happening? We’ve taken the motorhome camping. We bought season passes to an amusement park. We’ve continued our moving and packing process. The bathroom will be painted this morning. We have our grandson, Domenik, visiting since Saturday. He is such a good boy. I can’t believe he will be eight in just a few months.

    This afternoon when my honey gets home we are going to pile into the truck and go to the water park…again. We have definitely gotten our money’s worth out of these tickets.

    So, although I am on summer shutdown with work and hoping to make some money here, I would really enjoy making crafts. Trouble is, I don’t know where to focus all my crafting desires. I love working with paper, wood, fabric, painting…yeah, those are the big ones. I’m open to anything… but those draw me in. So, what do I do? Make signs? It seems I need a catch. Perhaps I just need to actually do it. Because of all the moving plans, my craft room is overcome. That settles it. I must clear out my niche and get the butt in gear. Alright, see you tomorrow and let’s see how close I am to taking another step closer to my crafting dreams.

  • Happy 4th of July!

    This morning my honey went to his friend’s house to get them to take our pellet stove.  Ahhh, something else gone from the house to make our move easier!  Our friend brought his friend who may be interested in our motorcycle. He is! Just has to clear it with his wife.

    By the time my honey got back it was getting a little late, Delia was supposed to have a play date at 1:00. But we had to get to Lake Compounce to get our Season Pass ID cards and clear up our reservation for the RV and cabin sites. They didn’t give us our discount. Of course, we didn’t think about everyone else who would be there to enjoy the park.  UGH. So we had a nice long walk to the park, bag search, wait in line, get pictures taken and another reason for the visit was to get Delia some water shoes for her visit on Wednesday. All other stores we attempted to buy them from were sold out. Of course, once we made it through the gate – try to keep 2 teenagers off the rides… We had some fried dough, the kids went on a few rides, we bought water shoes and finally, headed home.  Only two hours late for her playdate. Bummer, I haven’t met the family yet so I’m sure that didn’t sit well.

    Get back home and try to finish getting this blog set up.  I think it may be published, but not sure. I need to alter the home page, but it won’t allow me to edit the link. Think it needs to be junked then start it over. Maybe I should have the teenagers set it up for me.

    Delia starts her Playground Camp in the morning and Alexandra goes to her high school program, not summer school. Once again it’s late, past my bedtime, but at least it’s not tomorrow yet!

  • I’m finally ready to start a blog.

    I have been tossing around the idea of starting a blog for at least a year.

    What should I write about? Who would actually read it? Would anybody read it?

    ARE YOU CRAZY? When do you have time to write a *blog*???

    Yeah, there is *no* time to write a blog. However, this little life of mine is whizzing right past me and my memory has proven over and over again to not be able to keep up.

    I want to document all these happenings. Someone might find something useful about my life (hahahaha, yeah right…more like a warning).

    Anyway, somewhere in between all the craziness that never seems to stop I am determined to create this journal of stuff. So bear with me while I learn to navigate creating a blog while also attempting to keep the kids entertained and stay on top of their chores, my chores, a new motorhome, preparing the house to sell, moving, birthdays, summer camp, and starting new schools in 2 months.

    Thanks for coming along for the ride!

     

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