This blog is a journal of the simple living on a small 2 and a half acre farm. The ups and downs. The good and the not so good. Adventures of Hidden Haven animals and some of my own. The sharing of our frugal, hardworking, attempt to be as self sufficient as possible. Please stop by often as we love company!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Just A Simple Homesteader
Years ago I lived in Florida for 5 years. I was a city girl and the only gardens I had were flower ones. I didn't have a single pet believe it or not. I was too busy. I had the perfect job. I traveled around Brevard County doing labwork for the nursing homes and drug treatment centers. I was driving down the highways at 4:30AM to get all my early morning labs done and was back home by 9AM or 10AM at the latest. Unless I was paged I was done for the day. The pay was fantastic. The job wonderful and I got to spend most of my free time on a boat or in the water scuba diving. During this time I had 15 different foreign exchange students stay with me. Sometimes there was only one and others as many as 3. I traveled to Cancun with my dive club. I was either at West Palm Beach diving or spending the weekend on a houseboat relaxing down one of Florida's many rivers. I had a beautiful home, a convertible, and lots of fun hobbies. It was a good 5 years. Now I am a country girl with a few flower gardens, lots of veggie and herb gardens. I have way too many animals though I am still too busy. I don't have a job per say but I work way more hours and every weekend. I don't do much traveling. I don't spend anytime on a boat except for the occasional canoe ride. I haven't been scuba diving in forever. Haven't had any exchange students though we do have Kuma staying with us till her owners come back from Germany. My home is now a small 3 bedroom farm cottage. The convertible is now a pickup truck and my hobbies are down to sewing and reading. Yes, I liked my life in Florida but I love my homesteading life. There are days when one of my animal family is sick, hurt, or even dies. It breaks my heart and makes me feel like I failed in someway. There are days when I wish I could sleep in and not take care of the animals or anything relating to homesteading for the day. Those days are far and few between and all I have to do is get out of bed. The dogs are ready to greet me. The cats are waiting on the porch for their breakfast and time with me. The other animals are calling good morning to me. With the sad or bad days that happen I still wouldn't trade this life for city fun life ever. There are far too many good days. Never being caught up on chores around here is just something to look forward to the next day.I'll take raking and shoveling animal poo over scuba diving any day. I am a homesteader and proud of it!
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11 comments:
Oh my gosh Peggy, how well I can relate! If you had of told me 10 years ago that I would have CHICKENS running around in my backyard, I would have tried to have you committed (after I had a good laugh for 10 mins)! I too had a life of travel, dinners at expensive restaurants, plays, partying until the wee hours and sleeping until the afternoon and you know what? it was great and exciting as I look back on it because I can say I never missed a thing, but I wouldn't go back to that life if you paid me to! My quiet life with my husband and animals on my little plot of land makes me feel like the richest, most content woman in the world. Not that my life is perfect by any means, but it is happy. Thank you for sharing this part of your life.
Hi Peggy, Funny how life takes us on journeys we never expected, huh? I know how much you love your life there on the farm. The joy is very evident in your posting. I did not know that you were a scuba diver. I can't even swim!!! Just as the Lord blesses us with the changing of the seasons in nature, I think He gives us variety in life that gives us a deeper appreciation of our daily walk. Thank you for sharing your days at Hidden Haven with us!
I understand just what you are saying. The home we live in now is much nicer than the little shack we had when we lived in the mountains. We had to haul all our water and lived 45 miles from the nearest grocery store but it was heaven to me.
Enjoyed reading about your past life , it's amazing how life can take us to different places and change us forever.
I've been reading your blogpost from the last few days , so sorry to hear about Sister. And that Henny Penny pulled a sneaky one on you , the little chickies are so cute.
The livingroom makeover looks so good , love the new couch and loveseat.
~ Peaceful Autumn Blessings ~
I was a city girl too! I have lived in the country for almost 12 years now!
Amy
I never thought my life would end up this way either. But, I'm glad it did. I really seems like I found the REAL me.
Its funny how things work out. I was raised with animals swore I would never have a house dog... I have 2! Never in a million years thought I would be raising goats..But I sure would not be with out them now.
It's so nice to read things about you that you share! I'm sure there's a lot that you don't share too!!! LOL
Your animals love you, need you and totally rely on you and they know you won't let them down even when you have 'one of those days'!!
It's funny, but I tell people too that I find poo picking very relaxing! Just me and the dogs trolling the property for poo, no phones so mother can't reach me either, another benefit!
Isn't it great when you realize how happy the "simple" things in life can make you. In the past few years I have truly realized just how happy my seemingly boring life is, I have what I need and can do things I enjoy doing, who could ask for more:0)
Sis, I just can't picture you in that other life! It really is amazing how different your life is from back then but I truly feel that where you are now is where you want to be:-) Your heart belongs on the homestead and all of those animals...oh how they love you too:-) xoxo
Dear Peggy,
Our lives seem to travel many paths as the months turn into years. I so enjoy reading about your adventures each day. Glad you are happy and I hear you about when we lose one of our pets.
DH and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on the 28th of August and treated ourselves to a trip out West. Missed reading your blog - wi-fi wasn't always available.
So sorry to hear about sister.
Hugs,
Connie
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