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I posted at the cafe today about my desire to always "hop the fence" to greener pastures. True to form, this post will keep on the same track!
I have been pining for a simpler life. We have been cutting corners, pinching pennies, trimming the budget and it has felt really good. I have realized that we don't have to live with so much or spend what we spend. I have recently cut my grocery bill in half! That still amazes me as I think about it. My hubby actually likes the way I'm cooking better now than before. And I have always loved to cook, and do so most nights, so that's really saying something! I have been exclusively making my own bread, using my crockpot more, avoiding convenience foods, shopping the circulars even more diligently than normal, baking more and overall paying a lot more attention to simplifying our meals. We now have a weekly breakfast and lunch menu as well as our regular dinner menu. The kids go with the flow and love the structure and predictability.
With all of these changes (which were for a specific reason by the way), I have decided I want to live in the country on a homestead and get away from the ratrace. I have been scouring the web for blogs and websites that explain how and why people live off of the land. I feel done with suburbia. It doesn't fit me anymore; I'm not sure if it ever did.
I didn't grow up on a farm but I did grow up on a couple of acres in rural New Jersey. We had a dairy farm across the street growing up and my sister and I would spend our free time there climbing in the hayloft, naming the calfs, and chatting with the farmhands. Why, oh, why, did I feel like I needed to situate our family in the typical cookie cutter development with a small rectangular plot of land, regulated by a homeowner's association and populated by snooty neighbors that basically live now like they did in highschool, cliques and all? Darned if I know.
It would sound silly for me to say that I'd love to be a family of hermits for a while. But it's the truth. I'm a little soured on human nature at the moment- others' as well as my own- and would love to just escape. Jason is a serious introvert by nature, so he has always said that he'd love to live on enough land to not have to see another person unless he chooses to. I have come to the point where I agree how tempting that sounds!!
And you know, I bet some people are feeling the same way about me. I've had my share of conflicts in the past year or two and some I've handled well, some I have botched. I guess that's aging for you. You come face to face with your failings as well as the failings of those around you whether you like it or not.
Maddy, in all of her flaky 5-year-old wisdom, said the other day,
"I love getting older...I get to grow up and learn things!"
Yes, I'm still working on that too, Maddy!! I wish I had the same sunny perspective on it as you do!
Christine.... I know exactly how you feel. We have just moved from the busiest city in South Africa(Johannesburg) to a small village called Hillcrest. Hubby still comutes to and frow..... but we LOVE it. We don't have a farm, but there are many around us.
I think as you get older your priorities change... perhaps for the better too!
We live in a wonderful suburb....but...I prefer the mountains/woods. The problem is: there are no businesses up there in that part of NYS that my hubby could be employed in and it costs exorbitant prices to own even an acre of land where I would most want to live to be away from it all!
I think as Christians we need to pray about where the Lord would have us and learn to be content in our situations.
That's too bad, though that you have a snobby development. Ours is great...most moms stay home or work part time, children play...we have big backyards, safe streets....and an awesome school district! I hope you get your heart's desire!
At 8:21 PM, 
Mike Zemack
I’m with Eliot. HAIR! BACK! Just kidding. Actually, as you know, I am partial to long hair…on women, anyway. But you always manage to look good in any style, and this cut is no different. Anyway, there’s something to be said for practicality.
"I love getting older...I get to grow up and learn things!"
That’s my Maddy. And what a testament to her parents…and to Maria Montessori. That childhood spirit of anticipation and discovery should be hung on to…or retrieved, as the case may be…throughout one’s life. It’s key, I think. That’s a quote for my blog.
Dad
At 5:53 PM, Homemanager
Christine,
We live in a pretty isolated place, lots of woods around us, my elderly folks live next door and an elderly Aunt and Uncle live down just past us. We have no neighborhood. If I could choose, I think I would like a little neighborhood. It can get lonely.
My folks gave us a couple of acres to build on and it has been a blessing overall. I believe we are here for them. That I wouldn't change... :-)
how on earth did you cut your grocery bill in half
id like to be able to do that
I am so pleased I moved to the Hawkes Bay so much quieter than Auckland.
good on Maddie I believe learning is a life long experience
Jen