Well, I'm back! I don't know if that excites you or not but here I am. At least I am sort of here - I still live off grid and have no computer but my daughter has moved home for a while and she has a computer that she is graciously let me use when we find a place with free wifi.
Things are going well in some respect and we are struggling in some respects. For example, lighting - we have chosen to go with battery operated lanterns which cost $4 a week to run instead of the oil lamps. We used oil lamps for a long while but after having the cats knock them down in the middle of the night, spilling all the oil, and having to buy new wicks all the time, we chose a different way. The Coleman lanterns are $22 at Walmart on the camping aisle and they give off more light for less money then the oil lanterns.
We are cooking on propane more then the woodburning stove for the fact that it is just easier.
The woodburning stove is fantastic for heat if you get seasoned wood and don't get lied to by the man who sells it to you. We have remedied that.
Storage remains a problem, after all, we are eight people living in 450 square feet. We are using Rubbermaid bins for blankets and toys and we pared down our library to just our favorites so that only one bookcase was needed. Some tough decisions there! We are sitting on our barrels of wheat that we as preppers have put away. They make fine dining table stools.
We are using two ice chests to keep our food cold and yes, the ice is an extra expense but for now it is a must.
We are still warming water and pouring it into a Rubbermaid bin for a bathtub but when the income tax check comes in, we will buy a propane shower. That is until we drill a well and use a water catchment system - we are saving up for both.
We charge dd's computer when we can and then are able to watch some dvds at night. This has been great for decompressing.
We do laundry at the laundromat once a week.
We have our cell phones and I check my email every few days from there. We have bought lots of board games and crafting items for everyone and we have joined a new church that has lots of activities for the kids and mom!
Now for the struggles - I would love to take a hot shower!
I miss my computer.
The lanterns take some getting used to - I am used to brighter lights.
Since I don't have a dutch oven yet I can't bake and I miss that.
Storage!!!
Right now we have no grass around the cabin, only dirt and it gets tracked into the house very easily. I sweep about a hundred times a day.
My "coffee maker" only makes 2.5 cups and I would like to drink more without having to get up and make more.
All in all, it has been a wonderful family adventure - we even cut down a tree from our property for Christmas - and we are enjoying our new life but there are a few things I would change if I could.
I am not sure when I can update but now that I have access to a pc maybe I can be more regular.
Linked with
Barn Hop
FarmGirl Friday
Things are going well in some respect and we are struggling in some respects. For example, lighting - we have chosen to go with battery operated lanterns which cost $4 a week to run instead of the oil lamps. We used oil lamps for a long while but after having the cats knock them down in the middle of the night, spilling all the oil, and having to buy new wicks all the time, we chose a different way. The Coleman lanterns are $22 at Walmart on the camping aisle and they give off more light for less money then the oil lanterns.
We are cooking on propane more then the woodburning stove for the fact that it is just easier.
The woodburning stove is fantastic for heat if you get seasoned wood and don't get lied to by the man who sells it to you. We have remedied that.
Storage remains a problem, after all, we are eight people living in 450 square feet. We are using Rubbermaid bins for blankets and toys and we pared down our library to just our favorites so that only one bookcase was needed. Some tough decisions there! We are sitting on our barrels of wheat that we as preppers have put away. They make fine dining table stools.
We are using two ice chests to keep our food cold and yes, the ice is an extra expense but for now it is a must.
We are still warming water and pouring it into a Rubbermaid bin for a bathtub but when the income tax check comes in, we will buy a propane shower. That is until we drill a well and use a water catchment system - we are saving up for both.
We charge dd's computer when we can and then are able to watch some dvds at night. This has been great for decompressing.
We do laundry at the laundromat once a week.
We have our cell phones and I check my email every few days from there. We have bought lots of board games and crafting items for everyone and we have joined a new church that has lots of activities for the kids and mom!
Now for the struggles - I would love to take a hot shower!
I miss my computer.
The lanterns take some getting used to - I am used to brighter lights.
Since I don't have a dutch oven yet I can't bake and I miss that.
Storage!!!
Right now we have no grass around the cabin, only dirt and it gets tracked into the house very easily. I sweep about a hundred times a day.
My "coffee maker" only makes 2.5 cups and I would like to drink more without having to get up and make more.
All in all, it has been a wonderful family adventure - we even cut down a tree from our property for Christmas - and we are enjoying our new life but there are a few things I would change if I could.
I am not sure when I can update but now that I have access to a pc maybe I can be more regular.
Linked with
Barn Hop
FarmGirl Friday