The big willow that broke and came down.
It was a big mess.
Thankful for friends with chainsaws.
Join us for our last installment of this series on downsizing our home and upsizing our family (at the same time!).
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This is the book that I referenced in the podcast. It is a very good read and I highly recommend it for pondering and as a tool for review during this new year: An Unhurried Life.
This was also a very good (and short!) read. Is “crazy busy” how you answer everyone that asks how you are? Is this really how you want to live your life? Crazy Busy
Blessings,
Kim says
Tom and Keri Mae,
Oh, I just love your podcasts! I laugh, cry, and reminisce the entire time.
Being from Ohio, I can relate to your dilemmas. They say, ” Necessity is the mother of invention!” We were without power many, many, times during the last 28 years. The best advice I can give is to have a great generator with some gasoline tucked away. Our generator will plug into our electric box and we alternate running the washer, refrigerator, blower on the wood furnace and pump. ( and on occasion the laptop ) A good chainsaw with several extra chains and even a sharpener are a must for living. Our son, Joshua 16, is really good at sharpening chains and has a side business.
We have oil lamps in every room along with a lot of large candles. I had an electric stove, but soon got rid of it in favor of a gas stove. When we have no power, I can still cook on the range to make soups, meats, stews, pastas, and my loved coffee and teas! I am so thankful for the gas stove! We also have gas wall heaters that we turn on. We went without electricity for 13 days once in blizzard like conditions. We did very well..
I have also invested in a porta-pot from a camping supply store. They hold quite a bit and can be taken apart and emptied in the woods or a gas station. Not ideal, but it gets us through. We also have 2 battery headlamps for the younger children who I don’t trust with candles. These are great for going outside, playing games, or making a midnight bathroom run. We use them sparingly because I don’t like buying batteries. The children actually wish for outages just so they can goof-off with the headlamps! Flashlights are great also…….just not as fun!
I also keep a supply of paper plates in an old ice cream bucket way back in storage. These are a life-saver when you don’t have a lot of water and you can feed the crew and burn them later.
A bucket of ash mix is also handy. Mix ashes with a little lamp oil or kerosene and toss a Tablespoon in your wood stove and it starts easily.
It is such a blessing to hear of your adventure. I know God has lead you to this place. It may be hard for awhile, but the memories and time together and closeness of a tight knit family, far outweigh the troubles that seem to weigh you down. HOPE in the LORD!! He is FAITHFUL!
Blessings,
Kim
kerimae says
He IS faithful and we have seen it so many times here it is ridiculously obvious to everyone except those who insist on suppressing the truth of the matter. We are still playing “whack a mole” with multiple problems that keep popping up but we’re thankful for our winter’s rest and that good wood stove! I keep thinking about replacing our electric stove as well; it definitely needs replacing and I’m not sure what with, yet. Thanks for leaving me a message; I always enjoy hearing from you!
Joann says
Thank you so much for all you share, Keri Mae. I have been abundantly blessed with clarity in my own life while listening to your podcast series on downsizing/upsizing. I love that you share photos of your precious dwelling. I see we are kindred souls in several ways. I now have 3 teens homeschooling high school (& 3 others younger plus 1 about to graduate college). It’s a big challenge! I actually have some quilt squares my grandmother made awaiting finishing by my talented daughter who I swear was born with a gift for sewing and quilting. I have many other projects from the past as well that are waiting for someone to finish them. I’m off now to share with my hubby one of the ah-ha moments (aka blessings) that I gleaned while listening to the last podcast. I give thanks for you in my prayers and sacrifices today.
kerimae says
How so very sweet that you have those quilt squares! What a blessing! Thank you for your kind comments.
Alice Birchfield says
Congratulations on your new baby!
So thankful that God protected you for that big tree falling on your house.
I always look forward to your podcasts.
kerimae says
Thank you, Alice.