But I have hit a milestone of sorts. I started writing this blog when I was 28 years old. Lots have changed over the years. I think I have managed to find my voice in the homestead blogger world. I have watched bloggers come and go, some I still miss deeply.
This year seems to have been filled with absolute failures. I can't remember a time that I made more mistakes. I know that not everything was in my control. However it sure does feel like I made the decisions that placed me square in front of the samsqanched feet of The Lord of Failure.
I need a happy birthday to keep my sanity.
Yes, today I turn the old fogey age of 35.
I know, I know, the horror!!!
This year I have been broken and beaten, dragged through the mud, suffered drama from the hands of a 30 something little girl, death of close friends, drought, money hardship, the death of Bobdole (name of a ram you googling fools) and more electrocutions.
Today I meet my mother at my favorite Greek restaurant, looking toward to that, and I get to tell her about the property we are looking at. She will cry on my birthday. Wouldn't be the first time. We have the deposit to hold the land for us. We sold our tractor for it. That means soon I will be able to tell you all about it, and the flip out stress that is coming along with all the things we must do to move. Fun times.
Husband is 40, and today I am 35, and we are starting a new life from scratch. I am scared yet thrilled. Starting a new life at 24, like I did here at the Neophyte Homestead, is much different than now. More children and more chances of complete failure. But Husband and I have nothing to lose. It is clear to us that staying will only guarantee absolute and utter failure.
A new life to flounder through is just what we need.
29 comments:
I hope you have a very happy birthday!! And I wish you the best of luck in your new adventures.
Happy Birthday,Phalen..from one Sagittarius to another!
Donna
Ya'll will pull through - homesteading types always do some way or the other. Happy birthday! Also, that's how my mom looked in pictures of my brother and me being born...similar hair color/style and very similar glasses...I thought I was looking at a picture of my mom at first. Gave me a bit of a double take there. :P
Happy birthday either way!
You can do it! You're taking what would be seen as a misfortune and turning it into an opportunity; this means you've got great success to look forward to!
Happy Birthday! I've had years like you are talking about, so I can sympathize; they do get better. I wish ya'll the best of luck on your new place.
Happy Birthday Phelan!!!!
We all can't wait to hear more about this property, and we are providing you with wings......angel wings to see you through to your success.
Happy Birthday! Now we can fail togeather!!!!! :)
Happy Birthday Phelan! I for one, am glad to know you & am hear to listen (read) when you need to talk. At 35 you are still a kid to me with a lot of adventure in front of you.
Can't wait to read all about your new life!
Ah 35, you are just a young chick. I turned 55 this year :-)
All the best, and may a guardian angel guide your way to a great future!!
Happy Birthday, Phelan.
Barb from Canada
My friend, I hope you have a very happy birthday!
I just turned 68 and so I think of you "youngsters" as having so much to look forward to!
I firmly believe that having some rough times now and then makes us appreciate the good things even more when they come along!
Happy Birthday and good luck on the new adventures ahead!
Happy Birthday to you!
I hope you, Husband and the boys have lots of fun on this new adventure.
happy bday sweet girl. the rat
Have a good one. Life is nothing but mountain tops and valleys. Sometimes more valleys than we want. Make sure you always learn from the experiences, may they be good or bad.
Happy birthday, Phelan! Sorry I haven't been around much, but I've thought about you a lot in the past few months. Glad to hear you'll be setting out for new property soon. Sounds like the Neophyte Homestead got surrounded by hostiles.. :(
Happy Birthday!!! Here's to new beginnings and new adventures!
Happy Birthday, Phelan, have a wonderful day!
I am looking forward to hearing all about the new adventures you and yours will be taking on. I know whatever they are you all are going to be just fine.
Hugs
~Fel~
(p.s. 35 is just a number) ;)
Happy birthday, Marcy!!!!!!!!! And congrats on new beginnings. It's never too late for new starts, and your wisdom from your other starts will see you through...may God BLESS you so much this year with everything GOOD :-D !!!!!!!!!!!!
A very Happy Birthday to you, young lady, and many, many more happy returns. I hope your entire year is a wonderful thing. You and your family deserve it!
Happy birthday to you. I am sure you will succeed this time. The failures of the past and especially this year have made you stronger and wiser. I'll be continuing to read your blog.
Hope you have had a wonderful birthday Phalen. Ya'll hang tough and good times will come on down your way. A little prayer doesn't hurt either! :)
Happy Birthday!
Try to look at this new move as an adventure, by this time next year you'll be all settled in your new life. BTW, 35?? just a child! Oh the joys of being young!
Aunt D.
Happy B-Day Phelan, Though, I've never posted in the past I do foolow your blog on a regular basis.
My wife turned the double nickle today, so you are just a youngster, especially since I'm five years my wife's senior.
The best to you and your's and I'm praying and pulling for you and your family.
When I was 35 I had the world by the ass, now I'm almost 70 and I think you young ones are fucked. But there is nothing for you to do but keep plugging along.
Happy Birthday Phelan, from yet another Sagittarius. (I'll be 40 by the end of the year) I hope this coming year is full of adventure and plentiful success. :-)
Thank you guys!
Happy birthday. :)
I'm 53 and my husband is 50 and we're starting over, too. It's an exciting adventure!
Happiest of Birthdays Phelan! Don't sweat turning 35. Flip those numbers and you have my age, and trust me, It gets better. I'm thinking back on what my life was like when I was your age. I just had my 4th child (first girl of the bunch), my house had burned down, the IRS decided to audit my husbands general contracting business because we had no income when he was rebuilding our house (using insurance payments for materials and living expenses), they kept freezing our checking account and we were in serious financial trouble because of it, we had a blizzard and the worst weather which delayed rebuilding even more, we were living in the house that was barely livable - 4 walls and a roof and rebuilding while we were living here, which was completely insane but we had nowhere else to go. One of my kids was struggling in school pretty badly and being bullied on top of it - by a teacher, all the stress was causing my husband and I to just argue nonstop and life seemed pretty bleak at that time. Now I'm 53, the house is mostly rebuilt (it's like a hobby for the hubby now, it will never be finished) and starting to actually look kind of nice, and the kids (even the baby girl!) are grown up, the youngest is off to college and we now have grandchildren. The business supports us again but we'll never be rich. Yes, life has thrown us a whole bunch of new challenges, but after dealing with the worst of it back then, I feel like as long as we have our health, we can handle anything. You can too. This is why I like your blog. You don't sugar coat anything and I can definitely relate on some level to everything you're going through right now. I'm excited for you and your family. The future is going to be awesome!
Happy birthday, Phelan. I know 35 might feel old where you're sitting, and with the aches and pains you've got, I can understand that. But girlfriend - you've got SO much ahead of you! I'm thrilled that you're moving forward on a better piece of land, better employment for your husband, away from Creepy Neighbors... I didn't start my big journey until I was 40+. You're doing great - you're getting the hard mistakes out of the way while you're young enough to rebound from them :)
Happy birthday. May it be the best ever!
I was being playful about my decrepit age. :)
Thank you guys! It was a good day! So much happening so quickly!
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