So the problem with finally getting a smartphone which allows us internet access from home is that I no longer find somewhere with wifi to use the laptop. And since the internet on said phone is way too sketchy to do something as apparently complicated as update the blog, well, it was easy to get a *little* behind.
Here's the pictoral overview:
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Our hen Penny had gone broody over some eggs that we're pretty sure her nephew Clem wasn't old enough to have fertilized (though goodness knows he was trying!) so our neighbor Theresa gave Lance 11 eggs (Cochins and Rhode Island Reds, I believe) that none of her hens were trying to hatch on Sunday the 6th. Last night we could hear some peeping and sure enough this morning two were out already, both Cochins. Darned cutest thing you ever did see (those fluffy feet!).
Lance has been working on a bathroom remodel in town (usually taking Isaac or Gideon) and putting a torque converter on the minibike so it has enough power to make it up our hill at slower speeds. I've been busy keeping up with daily chores without them and planning for the upcoming school year. We've been working on preparing a floor pad and consolidating firewood on the spot where we'll eventually finish a woodshed as well plans for an outdoor screened kitchen pavilion. And we've been coming along on getting Dan's house prepared for plastering, moving all the junk we've been storing under his roof to the sheds, insulating the roof, and putting in windows. We had a great visit with friends and family during our CO vacation (well, mostly vacation for me, mostly “business trip” for Lance). We celebrated Havi's 3rd birthday; went to the Denver Zoo, the Circus Millibo, tons of parkdays/slacro jams, and several community events; caught up with our home church and attempted to prepare two dear members for a lifetime of matrimony; got in our yearly quota of thrift store shopping; and returned home around midnight on June 21. The jungle that is our property went a little wild while we were away. The boys could hardly distinguish the bike path they spent so many hours digging out (it should “reappear” when fall rolls around...or they can do a *lot* of weeding). The herb garden and berries I had planted have grown tenfold but the native plants are doing their best to crowd out the newcomers. Mold and spiders and a little mouse had decided that our abandoned house must belong to them – after a week-long fight it seems we have prevailed. but the humidity is relentless. It's been really hot too, which isn't so bad when we're working outside but in-the-house work is pretty miserable. I've been trying to cook as much as possible over the campfire but it seems like the weather knows when someone is starting a fire and sends a quick storm just to spite us. We have enjoyed that shower-taking can be far more spur-of-the-moment as we don't need to heat any water first, as well as the opportunity to spend more time down at the Little Sequatchie River. The older boys have taken to fishing and have been working on filling out their tackle box. Lance installed an exhaust fan above our loft bed that moves the hot stuffy air out of the house while we sleep, which has helped incredibly, and he has plans for a jury-rigged air conditioner involving an underground intake tube. Very much looking forward to the completion of that project. The last couple days have stayed in the 80s instead of 90s, and today at lunchtime it's only 72, which feels heavenly. Sadly it's been raining most of the day and the 4th of July celebrations in the area have all been canceled. We had plenty of fireworks of our own to set off during a brief break in the weather so the kids still got their KA-BOOM fix.
Several personal/relationship issues have made the past few months incredibly stressful and relatively unproductive. Lance, Dan, and I have been emotionally strained and exhausted. I am so grateful for waves of inspiration such as this: Beautiful ZoĆ« in her beautiful new home Late last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting a homeschooling mom of 2 darling girls. As I told her about our plans for a Tennessee homestead, Zoë wistfully spoke of her "crazy" dream of rebelling against conventional American housing expectations and living instead in an RV. She desired the financial/material freedom as well as the family closeness (her husband's job induces extended separation) such a change would bring. I of course encouraged her to go for it and was more than thrilled when she sent me this email in April: Dear Elyssa, You may not remember me. I met you through HOPES [our homeschool group] right before you moved away. First off, I wanted to thank you for two different things. You introduced me to Cambio. Since going there, I've learned to do a headstand w/o any support, which in turn has strengthened my abs to totally new degrees. Lol. Not only that, but I've been more balanced, stronger & more centered. I haven't had the time to buy & play around on a slackline, yet however, because of my next thank you. My husband works remotely, currently in Virginia. He'll be there a year next month. We had been contemplating buying an RV, but were reluctant because we didn't think our family of 4 could share & live in just 200ish sq ft. After hearing your incredibly motivating story & meeting your beautiful family, I knew we could do it. My husband came back for a week visit in March & we bought our RV. He left 7 days later, leaving me to homeschool, chase a toddler, whittle down/pack/move our 1200 sq ft apt & remodel/makeover our new rv...by myself...but everytime it gets hard, I think of you, & ur FIVE kiddos you did that with & suddenly I find new strength. I've been ridiculously busy, pretty much since you left...gearing up for our new lifestyle, but I wanted you to know that I think of you & your family often & you're always in my prayers & I hope you all are well. I try to check your blog once a month & I just wanted to say your new home kicks butt! Keep up the good work, thank you for subconsciously giving me the courage to embark on an "alternative lifestyle" & Blessed Be! I, also, started a blog if you're interested in seeing what you sparked. ;) It's: boho-hobos.blogspot.com. Once again, thank you so much. You are one of the coolest, most amazing people I have ever met & I'm so glad I did! Sincerely, Zoë Thank you, Zoë, for your kind words (and permission to share).
We get asked a LOT, with an air of incredulity, why on earth we would move from Colorado to Tennessee. Not that Colorado doesn't have its perks, but it's really not as if we left heaven-on-earth. Still unconvinced?
We were very fortunate to be able to find seemingly great homes for all of the puppies. They were awfully adorable but it is a huge relief to be free of the responsibility. Though I was worried it would be hard on them, the kids felt the same way, and loved telling the new families about the special qualities of each one. Even Dingo has a spring in her step that we haven't seen for awhile. We celebrated with a firework show.
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LyssI plan to use this blog to keep track of ideas and information, to hold myself accountable to my goals, and to give others the opportunity to observe the challenges and triumphs that ensue. Archives
April 2016
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