[J.T.]

Most people think if they go to a job, they don’t have to do anything else. It’s lazy, disgusting , & simple selfish like a teenager.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  J.T..

[Wylde-Recluse]

I didn’t mean to imply that my husband was lazy or selfish. He is disabled yet he works full time so we can live this lifestyle. He is far from selfish or lazy. Our son and grandson, that’s a different story.

[Grams56]

You can do it. It is tiring but rewarding. I’m a 66yo single grandma, just finished raising 2 granddaughters( my daughter passed 2011). Though my ex lives a few miles down the road and helps. I’ve learned to run a tractor. Work 3 days a week. Garden, chickens, tractor work etc. Getting 2 pigs to raise. This is all first time for me. Not getting any younger. Love challenges. Squeezing in all I can at my age. Thank God every night for getting me through another day. I know you can do it. God bless

[cloudy]

Yup I’m 72 and it’s just me. The hardest thing for me is that it’s for just me. Everyone has grown up and moved away. However I love this life my chicns make me laugh except that arnery little rooster who keeps trying to flog me. I love to garden, can even butchering my meat birds gave me a feeling of accomplishment. I’m canning everything. Dehydrating as much as I can. I do as much as I can and that’s enough.

[DebinAZ]

Yep, me too. I don’t have a large homestead like yours. Nonetheless, it takes a lot of physical and emotional energy to do it alone. So, upon self evaluation and realization I am able to set goals and limits that won’t be self-destructive. I’m never going to get my arthritic, younger husband to join me in the labors unless there’s something this 5-foot, 60-year-old just can’t do. I have to let some things go and choose to do the things I can, and those will be the things that bring me the most value and pleasure. Hmmm, there is the option of finding like minded people to learn the skills I have in exchange for assistance. Just maybe I can find that someone. Best of luck to you, my friend.

[Wylde-Recluse]

Thank you for that insight DebinAZ. My husband is 60-ish and disabled yet he still works sometimes 60 hours a week. I know he is exhausted and in pain, yet he believes in what we are doing. And I have great respect and admiration for him. I try to set goals and get done what I can, but it never seems to be enough in my eyes. We are headed into terrifying times, and I’m not sure I will ever feel ready. I feel as if I’ve failed every dang day.

[Hayseeds-Worm-Farm]

The only time you fail is when you lay down and give up. Every other time is a success. There may be days when you are more successful than others. But every day you wake up on this side of the garden is a success. So, keep your chin up. And keep going. God is there with you every step of the way.

[Wylde-Recluse]

@J.T. Really?? Wow!! I didn’t mean to imply that my husband was lazy or selfish. He is 60-ish and disabled yet he works full time so we can live this lifestyle. He comes home every day in horrific pain. But he keeps working so that we can eat and have a roof over our heads. He had a retirement, but the company stole t. He is FAR from selfish or lazy. Our son and grandson, that’s a different story.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  Wylde-Recluse.

[Unknown Member]

I did not even think anything of the sort from your story, personally. You were simply expressing your circumstances, you did not advise why. I could do the same but have disability issues here too and my husband passed in 2019…today is his birthday in fact. So, I have learned to read or listen to what the person writes or states, not weave my projections into their story.

[DebinAZ]

So, my definition of success is looking back on my day and feeling satisfied with what I did accomplish that day, and that it IS good enough for today. Yes, my goals are lofty, but realistically, I’m not going to get it all done, that’s why there’s tomorrow. If I can go to sleep tonight with a heart of satisfaction, I can start tomorrow with a light heart.

[Wylde-Recluse]

I envy you. When I go to bed at night, I have anxiety attacks over what I didn’t get done and how we are not ready (in my opinion) if things go sideways. I’m lucky if I get two hours sleep a night. I guess I’m just tired. I’m sure it will pass.

[Unknown Member]

Praying for you. I have found that making lists helps. Even put brushing your teeth and making your bed of you must. Check off each thing you do. Your subconscious will be able to see all of the things you do not see based upon your ego’s focus. This shifts your attention to that was is and off of the future. You do sooo much more than you can imagine, and I promise you it is always your very best, or you would do more. Big hugs!

[GrowinVeggiesInMS]

YOu’ll be in my prayers too. None of us can ever get everything done every day; I guess I am grateful I recognized that early on. All you can do is your best. Sometimes it helps to remind myself of what I did accomplish, instead of what I couldn’t get to.

[NanaKK]

Howdy y’all Love this group. Love the inspirational stories. I’m married, hubby and I both 65 and disabled. I’m kind of a late bloomer to prepping but think I am managing well enough. between my walker and cane I think I do very well. Grew up lil ole country gal in Tx. had to spread my wings now back to living peaceful country life again.

If I want anything I do it myself. thankfully our son lives with us and is a huge help for me. I wanted chickens he helped me make a chicken coop. I want to get a greenhouse built and get a garden in next year. Can’t believe my husband and him are actually excited to see what we can come up with. Our son is so awesome, great hunter, fills our freezer every year. I’m old fashion my Nana taught me how to can and preserve food, and I never forgot it. Pork, Beef, Chicken, and Venison. But I am learning alot still, never too old to learn.

For those that feel overwhelmed, stop breath, and give it over to the Father, God is listening and will show the way if you stop, be still and listen. Talk to him as your talking to a friend, not all those prayers with meaningless words. Your words, Your Heart, Your thoughts. You are never truly alone for the Father and Son are with you. While you are working , resting, they are with you. Talk to the Father as your Father. If you have no control over things, ask for him to take those burdens. Remember YOU ARE GOD’S CHILD!

[coyotech]

Many days I don’t do what I could have done or what I meant to do, and I’ll wish I’d gotten moving and done more. But each day I at least try to get something done, even if it’s small. Today I painted the old broken fridge behind my house, that I use to store herbs, because it always bothered me that you could see that big white appliance outside, all the down the road! And who cares, except I like that it doesn’t stand out any more, and it was a low ambition but satisfying project that I could do in a short time. Other days I’ll clean up some mess and sort stuff, or do some serious house cleaning … something! And sometimes it’s surprising what an improvement some little thing turns out to be.

[DebinAZ]

Praying for you.

[Wylde-Recluse]

Thank you for your kindness DebinAZ. I can’t tell you what that means to me. Praying for your family as well.

[DebinAZ]

It you don’t minded, I recommend reading the comments in “Crazy Dazes”. Just read them myself and they are quite insightful and inspiring.

[Tobetrue23]

Sustainability should includes happiness. We do what we are able, thank God, and enjoy knowing we can do it. Let’s make this a community. I’m willing to help if I can.

[GrowinVeggiesInMS]

Amen to that!!!

[Wolfcreek]

Stay at home momma here! Nearly 5 years ago We decided it was best for me to stay home when our 2nd kid was born (daycare is expensive). After working 50hr weeks 6 days a week, 10+ hours a day, I desperately needed something to do besides being a milk machine lol. So I started a veggie garden and found my love for plants again after losing it during my high school years. Everything snowballed after that lol and I’m in love with it. I love the work but it does get tiring for sure. Especially when your kids wanna be turds or you just don’t feel good or when the kids are sick. I have 3 daughters, 6, 4, 2 and I babysit several ages. Some days I have 7 kids in the house. Naptime is usually when most things get done. Of course i love to make things harder for myself lol (kidding) cause i’m going to be homeschooling them after this year in public school.

We got a milk cow who is due in feb so I will have to milk her every morning and evening is the plan, meat rabbits, chickens. 12 raised beds, 3 in ground garden plots. Getting some things ready for fall planting. I’m gonna try and grow wheat this year and garlic. Looking back I can see why I was lead down this path and why I have such a strong urge for self sufficiency. My whole life i was fascinated by it. (i was the weird quiet kid.) But regardless of how much joy it brings me it never fails there are those i don’t want to days. Last year my cow ate my WHOLE garden down…4 TIMES. Lessons where learned. Wanted to throw in the towel several times. I melted our wheel burrow to just the rims and frame, wanted to throw the towel to. But I had a friend tell me something that changed my outlook of it all. She said, “You must be doing something right!” Yes, we are doing something right! YOU are doing something right. The enemy knows how to push buttons so stay strong! We are fighting for more then just out way of life. We are teaching our kids how to fight the enemy! Stay tough mommas, we are momma bears.

[TexasNana]

I did for nearly 10 years. He of course helped with building fences, a hay barn, etc. But I did the day to day chores. I’m now 64 and we retired 1400 miles to Texas. I only have chickens and quail which are manageable for me with my health. Hubs built me raised beds and manually filled each one….it took 30yds of mushroom compost. I’m grateful he’s still in excellent health at 76. We’re trying to keep things manageable for me as we age. No more livestock but more quail eggs are in the incubator!

[Missapplepie.]

Missapplepie here..I think we beat ourselves up when there is really no need to…spiritually I think we need to realize that we are are just doing our best ..and life is tough..enough as it is .so take heart give yourselves a break.only do what you really need todo .and if that’s rest for a week ….well go ahead .what are you waiting for…lol.

[Missapplepie.]

Dont forget to fence off your garden so as your lovely fur babys can’t eat all the produce .that would save you time..good luck..

[JerseyGiantChick]

Joining this group, husband has a full time job and I work to when our son is in school. Homeschooling is against the law here. After noon and evening gardening and work the weekends.

Work, a new project, household, child, family life, preparing and so on takes all energie. But mothers keep on going, never give up and do all they can.

Keep your head up mothers and all ladies, together we can and we are not alone.

[jeannie34]

Same here. Husband does tilling once twice a season. For the most part left to me even when I worked full time. Most days I’m ok with “I did what I could,Lord take care of the rest”

[Wolfcreek]

Lol we’ve tilled before but I just kinda threw my hands up with it cause it wakes up soooooo many sleeping weeds.

[jeannie34]

Hahaha on the upside our weeds hid the corn from all the wildlife

[Sandra]

I wanted a place in the country, my husband made that happen, I get to stay at home and basically do whatever I want, because he works hard to pay for everything we need. I knew when I started a garden it was something I wanted, I know when we get animals it will be me dealing with their needs and care. When he retires maybe he will become more interested in homesteading. For now am ok with doing what I can, our Great Great Grandmothers had to make it on their own when the men went to fight or off to hunt. If they could do it way back then I can handle it with all the new equipment we have now.

[Sherri]

I am a single mom running a small scale homestead (less than 1/2 acre) and work a full time job and care for my elderly mom 2-3 days of the week. I hope to move to a larger homestead after my daughter goes to college. I am soaking in a much knowledge as a I can once the sun goes down. It’s hard, but I am determined to feed my small family and live a healthy lifestyle. 😅

[GrowinVeggiesInMS]

Well I moved to central MS with my mom a little over a year ago. we were both incredibly blessed financially when we sold our homes to come here and we are on 8 acres in a large brick home. The whole plan was my idea and I’m incredibly thankful that my mom saw the necessity to move from CA and at 77 years old she was on board. She is overseeing work in the house, most importantly installing alternative power to keep the house livable when they cut the power. She does everything she can to the best of her ability such as running the freeze dryer every day and all the cooking. I’m responsible for growing the food, which involved turning a giant lawn in heavy clay into garden plots. It’s a partnership that we are totally invested in; our survival, preserving as much food as we can and sharing with friends we have made here. We also donate to a local food bank. I probably won’t be able to hold a “real” job as I am probably going to quadruple plantings next spring. I love working the land and growing food, although until about two years ago this was not a life I ever envisioned living. No matter how exhausting this work can be (I am 53 but some days I feel like I’m 90 and could fall asleep at the dinner table) each of us is blessed beyond measure to have been awakened to the importance of what we are doing. I don’t know any of you ladies, but I respect and admire you all for doing what you gotta do. It’s a lot of hard physical labor and all I can say is I know GOD is smiling on us for he knows our hearts and sees our efforts.🙏🤠