We've had a number of "newcomers", some posting just one or two times, others more frequently. I thought I'd invite you all to introduce yourselves here, tell us how you found the forum, what your homesteading interests and/or goals are, etc.

Many of the "regulars" or "old-timers" here (this board started up on April Fools Day, so it isn't VERY old) met over on the Countryside forum and still post over there fairly often. One of our earliest threads was "reintroducing" ourselves. If newcomers want to check that out, go to: Getting to Know You and there are other introductions here and there. Scroll down to the Older Messages and check out the Forum Related and Introduce Yourself categories and check those out.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Answers

Hi all,

I found this forum and the CS forum a few months ago and just love reading and posting. I've already found a wealth of information on so many subjects. I'm a long-time subscriber to Countryside Magazine. Used to read Mother Earth but it's changed so much you'd hardly recognize it as the same mag.

My husband, Russ and I live about 25 miles Northwest of Boston. I'm originally from VA. We have two grown children, Eric, 32 who lives near us and has one son, Alex who is 10 years old. Amy is 26 and lives in VA on a beautiful 80 farm. She and husband, Jason have one son, Ethan who is almost two.

My ultimate dream is to be somewhere away from the city on at least 10 acres of quiet country land. But, Russ really loves his job as an engineer and has no desire to retire. Our "homestead" consists of a 3/4 acre lot where we raise chickens and garden. I can, freeze and dry everything I can get my hands on, keep a fully stocked pantry and plan my meals for the entire month based on what I have on hand. My grocery bill averages between $25 and $30 per week. Fortunately, we're both conservative and enjoy simple living.

I used to be very involved with the social/political scene here in town but no more. Those people now seem so phony. I enjoy my quiet solitude and can keep myself occupied reading and gardening.

I absolutely love these forums. I've already learned so much and really enjoy "meeting" so many new friends.

Thanks for reading and here's wishing you enough.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Well, since I didn't do it on the other thread, I'll put it here.

Steve and I have been married 4 years. I was the homesteader with all the animals and garden, and he sorta just moved in. he he

We have a farmhouse we saved, was vacant 10 years, with 12 acres pasture up on top of this hill. We are isolated except one neighbor who is a policeman, nice guy. We have goats, 10 does, reg. Alpines and 1/2 Alpines and Saanens, and quite a few reg. bucks. I milk the goats and use the milk for everything, mostly chocolate milk.

We raise Border Collies, have 6 adults and 2 new pups. We have allot of large rabbits, probably a Checkered Giant mix breed. Rosco, the donkey, and Spirit, the bottle fed pony live here too. No chickens, just 2 roosters who can stay too. Ginger, the guernsey cow and 4 bottle calves. We have a very large organic garden.

We make crafts if and when we have the time! Or if someone wants one. Steve and I like to go to barn dances, western music, livestock auctions, flea markets, livestock shows and the like. We are very funny people really, always cuttin up, lovin to laugh and be silly.

I've gotten Countryside for 10 years, love it and still chat over there too. I love this forum cuz we can be our silly selves and giggle allot, which we all need! And I love the deep thinking we do too.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Thanks for the invitation. I am a 48 year old Native American wife, mother and grandmother. I live up North in the beautiful Chequamegon Bay area. I also live on a Federal Indian Reservation. I come from a family that has been raised in the country and due to hardships,had to rely on gardening, hunting, fishing and gathering. I grew up hauling water from the neighbor's pump and from the nearby creek for washing. The 'outhouse' was the most undesirable event. So I am a little familiar with some homesteading. I am a licensed practical nurse and have done Home Health Nursing for many years. Home Health Nursing has been in our family for five generations. My great grandfather was considered a Medicine Man, but unfortunately his knowledge of herbal medicines was lost due to our ignorance and faith in modern medicine. I wish now that I had listened to Gramma when she tried teaching this. We grew up going to Catholic school in the Indian Mission nearby so we lost our identity and culture. It was forbidden to speak the Ojibway language.

My husband and I live close to the old homestead I grew up on. We have a total of 53 acres. 13 of these acres are in Tribal Trust status, meaning I do not pay taxes on this. The other 40 are taxable. We pay $1,400 a year in taxes. We have a 1 1/2 story home with an attached garage. There is also another garage in back of the house that is attached to the front by a breezeway. We also have a barn and lean-to. We have all the modern conviences. We have planted fruit trees, have a garden and have in the past tried our luck with chickens, turkeys, two Nubian goats and a dairy cow. I do alot of canning and some dehydrating. We tried smoking fish and making venison jerkey. We pick lots of wild berries and nuts.

My dream is to become even more self-sufficient. Hubby doesn't like the idea of going off the grid. He thinks that I can't do it either because I moan to much when the washer goes on the bum or if I have to haul water to the garden. I'm trying! I did it before I met him. I consider myself to have Christian values and like helping people. That's why I can't quit nursing right now. I would like to start a home business but just can't think of what my talents are. I'm too critical of myself. I like to read Christian books, Countryside, the encyclopedias and history. I have always wanted to live on a big farm since little. I'm happy where I am now and will never leave this county. So several years ago an elderly homesteader woman gave me some back issues of Countryside magazine. I fell in love with immediately and sent in for my own subscription. I'm also into prophecy, so when Y2K came up I started planning ahead (hubby was nervous about this time too). I figured this was going to be the turning point in our lives. Well, when Y2K didn't happen, I went into a depression and figured I was rooked. As time went by, I searched inside myself and came to conclusion that I was on the right track. This is a very slow process for me but I'll work at being a true homesteader until the day I pass on. I also plan on getting knowledge of healing medicines from my elders while they are still living.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Hi everyone! I found the forum almost 2 yrs ago, but was too intimidated to post at that time. I started posting about 8 mos. ago and have received good advice which helped me make some difficult choices. Mostly I just read everyone elses posts. I learn something everytime I come to the forum. I'm not comfortable with most people I meet (most don't agree with the way I think or raise my kids), and have never been quite comfortable on the forum--always waiting for some nasty remark. When things started to go "bad" on the CS forum, I left for several mos. Glad I came back and found you guys again.

I am 35 yrs old, my husband is 36. We have 4 teenage boys. Stanley, 17--he's in Las Vegas right now at the Martial Arts World Championships. Martial arts are his life at this time, although he does have a girlfriend (also named Amber--creepy LOL) that he makes time for once in a while. Says he doesn't have time for a job, so we'll be making him run all his brothers around next year as his "job" to earn his insurance. He'll be a senior next year and is planning to go to college to be an engineer.

Next, we have William, 16, who will be a sophmore next year. He was diagnosed with ADHD at about 6, and has been struggling ever since. He does all the typical teenage things, but is always the one who gets in trouble. At about 12, he decided he didn't have ADHD any longer and stopped taking his medicine. We encouraged him, since this meant he now had to be responsible for his behavior and actions. We've had some rough years, but he is finally maturing and is becoming pretty responsible. Anyone who has older siblings know how hard it is to follow in their footsteps, always being compared and always coming up short. Sometimes it amazes how cruel adults can be (especially those who should know better--like teachers!). He has attended a vocational school this past year (usually reserved for juniors and seniors, while he's a freshman). We figured it was the last resort before he quite school. He has been working in Computer Engineer Manufacturing, which he really likes, and hopes to get a job with Boeing in a few years. He's like me in the fact that most of the courses seem to have no relevance to life once you're out of school. He has been trying very hard to get a job this summer, with no success.

Next is Lucas, 15 (July 2nd), who will also be a sophmore next year. Lucas loves sports and is one of those kids I always hated in school-- seems to be good at everyting he does. As a freshman, he lettered in cross country (long distance running on trails) and wrestling. He participated in track also, but they had a new coach this year and some of the events he wanted to try, they didn't do. He's a very well mannered boy, likes those kids others tease and is always rooting for the underdog. He tried very hard the last quarter of school and got all A's. He wants to be a scientist, and is already looking at scholarships.

Last we have Aaron, 13 and in 7th grade next yr. He had a teacher a few years ago that did not like him and wouldn't help him with the math he had trouble with. He decided he would like to take 5th grade again, so we encouraged him to do that. He loves to die his hair different colors--always that shock factor. He also likes the girls. He plans to join football and track next year. We're trying to get him to try wrestling also.

My husband is a plumber. Drives about 60 miles to get to the shop where he works, then drives some more--I don't know how he does it. He thinks he would like homesteading, but I'm not sure if he really would, or just the idea of it. He always helped with the kids when they were small. He lets me do anything I want to do and even supports me whether he agrees or not.

I have wanted to homestead for as long as I can remember. Over the years, we have had chickens and rabbits. Don't have any animals at this time, but am getting my husband ready for chickens. We have 7 cats. All the strays seem to find our house, and my husband is a sucker for malnourished animals. We try to get them all spayed or neutered. I have always raised a garden one way or another. Sometimes it was in my flowerbeds. I can the produce, we buy fruit and I can that and make jams. Am still trying to find a really good pickle recipe that we all like. Probalbly never. In the last few years I have developed a passion for flowers. My favorite after daffodils and tulips are nasturtiums. We have a honeysuckle right outside our front door--wonderful to walk outside in the early morning (or coming home late) to that smell. I am a table games dealer (cards-blackjack, pai gow, let it ride, etc.), and work at a casino about 16 miles from our home. We live in Washington, a small town called Bucoda--population about 500. Lots of drugs and child molesters. We figured the town won't change until the quality of people moving in change. Things are starting to look better here. We hope to make a difference, however small, here before we move on. I love hearing about everyone else, and how they're doing and where they're going--no matter how long it takes them.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Hi Amber! I wondered where you went! I actually kind of know where Bucoda is.

Welcome and let me know if you ever want to get started in sheep. I'm thinking of reducing my flock a bit.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Oh, and where's my manners?!! Welcome to ALL of you!

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Yes, a big welcome to you all! I am enjoying reading your stories. But I do want to say that anyone else who doesn't want to share lots of details, short posts are okay too! We just want to get to know folks better!

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Hi to All,

W have subscribed to Countryside Mag. for about ten years now and I found this site through the Countrysidemag. forum.

Our family (husband,three sons and myself) live on two acres in NW Ohio near the Indiana and Michigan state lines. Our property consists of a 100 year old (or older) farmhouse that we are constantly working on (but love), an old equipment barn that we use as a regular barn and one other outbuilding that has multiple uses. I love the area because of the friendly people and I like snowy winters but the flatness and the WIND are hard for me to get use to. We have only lived here two years (orginally from OK (Mid-south east with hills) and then lived for eight years in Maryland.

We have always raised a few animals at different places we've lived - Nubian and Alpine goats, sheep, ducks, chickens and of course the dogs and cats. At present we only have Light Brahma chickens, our family corgi dog and have just started raising meat rabbits. I am wanting (and making plans) to get either dairy goats or a Jersey cow for milk. We always have vegetable, herb and flower gardens and I can, freeze and dehydrate as much of the produce and meat as I am able and buy in bulk through a food coop in our area.

We love country life and don't ever want to live away from it. It is a pleasure for me to keep working towards becoming more self- sufficient each year that goes by. At times I am discouraged at how much I do not know until I sit down and look at what I have already learned and am now putting to use.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Welcome Terry, we must be almost neighbors!!! I am in Michigan about 20 miles from where the Mich, Indiana and Ohio borders meet. Cora vee is at the Mich. Indiana border and we have met. I have a nubian milking herd. We should try and meet sometime.

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2001

Hi, again, everyone! I have been a subscriber of C/S for better than eleven years, and enjoying/watching/observing (and wondering about) the forum for the better part of a year and a half. What changes! How different! Well, after seeing this site mentioned on several threads back there, I figured I'd check this one out. As you can see, I've learned plenty already!

-- Anonymous, June 30, 2001

Hi! I am Mark in live in North Central Florida. I am 39 years old and have never married, I have one "foster" Son that I helped raise for a few years. He just married a few weeks ago and I had the honor of being his Best Man. I am origionaly from Massachusetts (Dianne sounds like we might have been neighbors) and have lived in Florida for the last 17 years. I have 2 wooded acres. I currently have 2 goats and a handful of chickens. I usally raise a few hogs every year. Not enough sun peeks through the the trees for a garden, well at least the excuse I use.

I bought my current home a few years ago from a morgage company that had foreclosed on it. It was in pretty rough shape but I have slowly been fixing it up and hope to sell it in a few years for a hefty profit.

I enjoy reading the fourms and learning about other folks Homesteads. I don't post often but I usally check in every few days. I still spend some time lurking over at Countryside.

Good Luck!!!

-- Anonymous, July 01, 2001

Hi all from Florida!! I'm a 33 year old soon to be married (July 21,2001) country girl. I live on my parents property and will have use of 1 1/2 acres. My fiance had no clue what he was in too!!! He knew I had animals and garden but didn't think much about until he started "finding" my countryside magazines that I would lay around. Now he can't wait till our friend has some pigs to get and the chickens start laying. He is from Mass. and said this is so very new to him and loves every minute we spend getting our homestead together. We will be setting up a mobile home in the next 6 months. I love this site and lurk often!!!

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2001

Hi 'yall:

I am a 38 year old architectural draftsman, married to a 37 year old junior high school teacher, who are both possessed by a nearly three year old boy. We are both Catholic, live in a 40,000 populated city down in deep south Texas (how deep? Look at an atlas and where the Rio Grande River reaches the Gulf of Mexico; we're about 60 miles upriver). We own a home of about 1800 sq. ft. (self contracted - some owner built)on a city lot of 60' x 150'. My family owns a 900+ acre ranch of southern brush country (everything sticks, stings or bites!), where when I was young and single spent every opportunity to roam and hunt. It is about 65 miles away from the town I live in now. I was raised in a town of 35,000 (now 105,000) with opportunities to hunt hike and fish.

My wife was raised on a 10 ac. lot, with red brangus cattle, rabbits, and a large garden tended by her family. She was (and is) a tomboy - loves construction duties, fishing, hiking, and gardening. She is a very good cook(just look at my waistline!). I am very lucky to have found her.

Our area used to be pretty rural; NAFTA has changed that greatly and last time I heard our area is the fourth fastest growing area (progress ? ?). I hope to live in the country one day; she does also, both with some reservations. We have both become a little spoiled with in town ammenities, and our three year old will hopefully have a little brother or sister soon. But one day, I am hopeful that both of us will move out, maybe to a more tolerable climate (wonderful snow free winters - damn damn DAMN hot summers here); maybe not.

Both of us abhor debt and own everything we own free and clear. I am the reader of the family and try to learn all the information I can on homesteading; one of wife's complaints about me is my BOOKS! Thanks to all of you, my learning curve has gone way up. God Bless to all of you.

Bye 'yall

-- Anonymous, July 02, 2001

Well, let's see. I've been posting off and on from almost the beginning of BTS, but have never formally introduced myself, so here goes. Jim and I were married almost 5 years ago on our land just a few months after buying it. We moved an old trailer on it to live in while we got the garden and orchard going, put in a root cellar using a new but cracked septic tank (we'd waterproof the outside before covering with dirt next time, as it leaks), and built a pole shed which we sided with slabwood. We have about 1000 sq ft of raised beds for the garden, and 20-something assorted fruit trees (heirloom apples, pears, peaches, plum, paw-paws, persimmon, figs, bush cherries). Also grapes and berries. We have a Manx kitten and a Lab/Great Dane dog, both strays that wandered up. We have 8 chickens for eggs. I'm an RN working prn for a Cardiology group, at 3 of their offices. I'm also a massage therapist, which I do one day a week. We're going to be building a cordwood house, and have recently started cutting the logs for this. We've got about a 1/2 cord stacked and drying, and will be cutting and peeling again this weekend. That's our main project right now, other than the garden. Jim goes to school, and is also a massage therapist. We hope to eventually live off-the-grid; already have a woodstove, wood cookstove, Aladdin lamps, and one solar panel with battery, etc. for our house. I'd love to hear about anyone living off the grid- tips, challenges, etc. I've read most things I can find, but would love to hear from others who are doing it. BTW, I hope to have 3 or 4 solar panels at some point. We got this first one to "play" with and experience it a bit. We hope to get a light, music, and maybe power the laptop with it. I know one won't go far. I'm also interested in learning more about hayboxes and solar cookers. We've had that on our to-do list for a couple years now. We don't have television and live pretty simply. I'll end here, cause I think I hear some snoring!!

-- Anonymous, July 06, 2001