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Saturday, January 02, 2010

The 2nd day of the rest of your

year.

Usually I am here, telling you what to expect on the Neophyte homestead this year. Unfortunately I can't tell you much. It is all still up in the air.

We will be butchering our bull, but if we will be doing it or if we will be taking it to a locker is still unknown. It all depends on money and the weather.

We will be moving to the farmstead. And all the wonders that come along with that. We found our MASH tent. GP Medium. My brother lived in one is all sorts of conditions while in the military. He gave us a few tips on how to keep the water out, and to berm it a bit to help with insulation. He says they are cozy and plenty of room for my family.

Then you have everything that has to do with living off grid. Solar showers, clothes washing, entertainment and all the jazz.

I will tell you that I will probably hurt myself over this next year. It happens.

Husband will be staying at the Neophyte Homestead with some chickens, a cow and the garden. So there will be some updates for you from there.

Also what kind of strain our relationship will end up going through living like this.

Homeschooling is on the agenda.

as is a plethora of new to me skills, like soap making, lye making, hunting, smoking meats, ice house, sewing (I am taking an online course for it)

We can expect more births this year as well. And training new moms to the milking stanchion.

2010 should be filled with new adventure and stories to pass along.

However I am disappointed, according to my textbooks as a kid, I should have my own jet pack, moving sidewalks in front ofm y house, a car that drives itself with me only telling it where I want to go. And pills for food (though we are really close to the cloned meat on market)

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have a question....however, you have probably already addressed it in another post that I missed..
If husband is staying at homestead, why wouldn't you and the boys stay also? (just wondering).
Say Hi to your mom for me.

Aunt D.

Phelan said...

Sure I will answer ( and yes I did mention it awhile back)

Husband is staying here because it is closer to work. He would have to drive almost 2 hours one way every day.

Our plan is to make a living on the farm, but until then, I need to be able to grow what we already have invested in, and we can't do that here on 5 acres. Husband will be looking for work closer to the farm, unless his boss gives him a great reason to stay. :D

We don't want to separate, but to make our goals become reality, we will have to for a short time.

HermitJim said...

I can only wish all of the best for you and the family!

Getting to the point we want to be often means a little sacrifice, without a doubt!

You have my support in spirit...and that's a fact!

Ryan said...

Good goals, I am interested in how it all works out. On the tent be sure to toss down some pallets for a floor. If you are going to be in it long term find some cheap plywood/ osb/ chip board to put on top of them.

Unknown said...

What an amazing year you have before you! I am really looking forward to seeing where your journey takes you this year! Ilove reading your blog! Good luck!

Bug said...

Happy New Year dear! Sounds like you have quite the full plate this year :)

Anonymous said...

Yea, where are those jet packs anyway
! Phelan, you have your work cut out for you yet you are the only person I know that can do it! You inspire me.
Definately post, when you can. Those army tents are the best. Please share about how to keep the rain out and to insulate. Never know when we will have to live in our kodaik 12 man canvas tent/house.

Carol Anne said...

I admire your bravery and determination. Good luck! I hope 2010 is good to you.

SkippyMom said...

I am curious to whether you can put a heat source in a tent like that? I have never experienced staying in something of that magnitude or make up - so is there a way to install a wood stove? [I think that would be awesome :)]

I can imagine you wouldn't want to revisit the problems having heat that you did last winter in a home with actual walls.

Wishing you all the best and by the end of the year it will no longer be "neophyte" but "pro" :)

Good luck!

Phelan said...

Skippy mom, it does indeed have a place for your wood stove. Smack dab in the middle. I'm also in an old mobile home, walls not any thicker than a tents. HA!

I did a lot of research into this, and it is similar to a yurt, just shaped differently and a lot cheaper. :D

kath said...

I give you so much credit for doing this. I'll be rooting for you! My prayers are with you and your family.

Donna said...

Good luck,Phelan! I'm rooting for you!

Janet said...

Best Wishes for the New Year: families have survived worse and with a heat source you can do it!
Many families are seperated for work reasons and if you can continue to communicate you will be ok.
I will read whatever posts you can get out there with interrst. Good luck and be careful.
If I can help you with the sewing just ask!
Janet in snowy Nova Scotia

alrescate said...

Hey Lady! I haven't been coming to this site because I thought it fed to Facebook. I was worried you feel off the planet! I never mailed you a holiday picture of the boys because I wasn't sure where to send it. If you want one I'll send it to the Homestead.

This may be a silly question but is there any chance of putting some straw or hay bales around the tent to help hold in heat?

Phelan said...

Alrescate, I would say you aren't getting my emails. Did you change it without telling me?

It should still be feeding through. hhmmm. . .

I did to get a card with the boys on it! They are too cute. Husband keeps pointing out that only one looks like you, the other must be what the husband looks like.

Anonymous said...

I lived in a tent during the cold months with my daughter when she was small. It is all about getting up off the ground. I did feel wonderfully close to the earth, though. It's funny how much nesting goes on even in a tent. When you said births, you didn't mean you, right? Best of luck.

Phelan said...

no, I will not be having anymore children, nor training myself to the milking stanchion. :D Goats and cows.

We have plenty of things to keep us off the ground. We have indeed thought of all of that. As well as wind blocks and the like. I appreciate your advice, I don't blame you for wanting to make sure I am thinking about it all.

alrescate said...

Phelan, I don't think I changed my email but I know I haven't gotten one from you recently. I'll send it to you though.

I'm glad you got the picture. I forgot I decided to take a chance and mail it.

Dan's right...except many folks say both boys look like my husband. ;p

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