Well, I suppose I should have introduced myself. I've been reading Countryside for 2 years now, and have subscribed for one. We bought our little e-machine about a month ago, and I couldn't wait to check out the forum. The reason we are trying to have a self-sufficient homestead is for quality of life. We want to spend our time where we enjoy it best and with the ones we love the most. We also have a deep seated respect for life, especially innocents. As for entering a room full of strangers, if I'm wearing a name tag, I usually just jump in. That's part of a person's style, sometimes. I'm sorry if I offended. I hope you don't mind if I stick around; my husband and I are under 30, and all our friends live differently from us. We can use advice now and then.

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), December 01, 2001

Answers

Welcome to the forum, Dawn. I guess I don't think that introducing yourself is strictly NECESSARY -- but it's nice! :-)

-- Joy F (S.Central Wisc) (CatFlunky@excite.com), December 01, 2001.

Hi Dawn. You got me to thinking I should probably introduce myself too. I've been lurking around for the last few weeks. I found the site and got addicted!!! My husband and I had 33 acres in texas. We had chickens, goats, rabbits, dogs, cats and five kids(human). We had to sell a few months ago and move to the city. I miss my chickens so much! We were hoping to buy some land in Oklahoma but it looks like that won't happen for a while. It's so nice to be able to come here and get my fix.

-- buffy (buffyannjones@hotmail.com), December 01, 2001.

My husband and I both had childhoods in the country and then ended up moving to the city as teens for financial reasons. Getting back has always been our goal. We are putting up the chicken coop and rabbit hutch in the spring, then we're getting started on fencing for the sheep and pigs. We just sold off 29 acres, so we are finally debt-free and still have 40 to live on. We had a hard patch for a while with a bankruptcy, but some friends and good fortune got us through that, and here we are, lucky. Where in Texas did you live? I grew up in central TX, near a tiny tiny town called Blanco. It's a different world compared to MN!!!

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), December 01, 2001.

Hi, guess I should intoduce myself too.My dh and I have been lurking for awhile now and are truly addicted.We live in sw Arkansas on about four acres. Was timbered til last years ice storm took so much down we had it logged out. Just about broke my heart but now we have some space to plant and so forth. He's really into chickens and I'm doing the goat thing. We are in our 50's and have 2 grown Daughters and 3 truly grand grandaughters. Males are pretty out numbered around here. Have already found some good advice here and are looking forward to more.

-- Vicki P. (countrymous@webtv.net), December 01, 2001.

Okay, so maybe I should have introduced myself instead of just reading, answering, junping in, etc. Have been reading the mag for years and just found the website. As you can see from my addy tho, I've been here long enough to decide I don't want direct emails from the likes of some of the lurkers. We farm and do a lot of homesteady- type activities like butchering, spinning, weaving, canning, soap making, etc, etc. Love the forum and it has been very helpful. Thanks for that and sincerely hope the trolls leave so I can again post under my real addy.

-- Rosalie (notrollspls@sorry.net), December 02, 2001.

Hi Dawn, Sorry it took Me so long to answer. That .com company that went offline took me off with it. Weird though since we use At&t@home. Anyway we live in Dallas now. It's Ok I guess since I have 3 sisters, my parents and inlaws within 3 miles of us now. We had 33 acres but had to sell to pay off medical bills and other debts incurred when I had to stop working to take care of one of the kids (human). We lived in WI for a couple of years. Icky cold, don't miss it!!

-- buffy (buffyannjones@hotmail.com), December 03, 2001.

Yes, it can be pretty cold, but it's really weird this year. We had a huge snowstorm last Monday, and today it hit 50! My kids were about to cry when they saw their snowman was melting, until I told them we'd get more... I've lived here almost 8 years, now, and I'm addicted to the winters. I do miss the nice warm weather, though. Don't miss the scorpions!

-- Dawn (olsoncln@ecenet.com), December 03, 2001.