While I enjoy reading the every day activities of several bloggers, I find that I just don't have the time to fully commit to such an endeavor. I would love to see huge numbers on my stat page, but maybe I'm being a bit narcissistic. Anyways, I'll just keep punching away at the keyboard and see what happens in the stat department. I'm a bit competitive for those that know me, such as my classmates, and our class has some really, really smart people. Hence, I rarely find myself on winning the gold, so to speak. I just have to work harder than most of my classmates is what it boils down to.
On the house front, we are in the final stages of purchasing a newer house in the school zone for the boys. The repair addendum should be resolved this Monday, and the closing is on the 28th of this month. The money that is leaving our hands has been a source of stress for me, and I've lost a few nights of sleep over it. I've always wanted to keep our cost of living low, but it is time to move on to another home. The boy's education is a high priority, and Sweetheart has wanted a newer house for several years. She has been very patient with me, and it has all worked out for the best. I probably wouldn't be able to devote as much time to school if we had a higher house payment.
The housing market in our current neighborhood has a lot of houses for sale, but the demographics are solid. In two years, the school district will have remodeled and rebuild a number of the district's elementary schools, and it should help our property values. So, we will hold onto our "starter home", and use it as a rental property. We have two options for renters, both wanting to rent for at least a year. One group is a few classmates that want rent to save money, and have more space. I've agreed to rent it for a reasonable amount, and don't plan on raising their rent, as long as they pay on time. Seems like a symbiotic relationship to me. The second option is a close friends study mate, and he'll be an RN within a month or two.
The Christmas holidays brought out the usual conversation, and I was outed as a survivalist. It was an uncomfortable situation since I didn't know how it was presented. The term usually has a negative connotation, and I really didn't want the attention for being prepared. I know that my nuclear family reads this blog, and I can't really be too upset. (laughing) I know I'm not gonna be on Doomsday preppers. Anyways, if making sure that my family is warm, fed and safe, then I guess that you can label me a survivalist. I'm sure not gonna lay down and die if things get tough!
My Aunt asked me what she needed to be doing. I asked her about her medication, and if she was doing the three months at a time. I also recommended storing water, a couple of cases of water is an easy fix for the short term. My Grandmother always had a full pantry of food. I wasn't because she thought something bad was gonna happen, it was because she got it for a good price. Frugality before it was in vogue! These are just some of the things our Grandparents did before the preparedness movement. I guess it all boils down to that I don't wanna be labeled as the family wack job for liking guns, being full, and comfortable in any situation. Who knows, maybe they'll take a look at their own situation before the lights go out during the next winter storm.
I would love to hear your comments and Keep Right On Prepping - K
I would call you more of a prepper but everyone seems to have a different take on the terms.
ReplyDeletePreppers while we are in the burbs, then homesteaders once we get a rural property.
DeleteI do consider there to be a difference between 'preppers' and 'survivalists'. It may be more of a sliding scale, but my interpretation is that one end is about readiness for externally driven events (prepper) and the other end is about making events happen (survivalist), at least on a local level. I don't consider myself to be a survivalist, but strive to be a good, solid prepper. If the trucks stop rolling, I'm good for a while. If there's global thermonuclear war, it's been a nice 60 years and sayonara. Of course, Given the nature of a precipitating event, a person's role on the sliding scale can change.
ReplyDeleteAs for your posts, you've been remarkable these last few years. You have a lot going on. It would still be a privilege to hear from you once a week or a couple times a month. Don't stress over your followers! Enjoy your family, finish school, move to the new digs, LIVE!
Big hugs, MM
Prepping can be a serious hobby. I think it should be more mental than acquiring "the goods", meaning that it should be practiced. It's reassuring to be able to use your preps and skills when they are needed.
DeleteThe blog will continue, and I might cut some of the fluff out of it. Which means that tomorrow I'll have a photo collection with witty commentary :-) For the really sharp eyed, they will notice that a few posts have been deleted, such as the followers welcoming post. Pure fluff.
Thanks for your kind words, it's nice to get some positive feedback for the blog. It seems to require an extra effort, at times, to force the words onto the keyboard. I'll have a ton of new projects as the house gets ready, so material shouldn't be lacking. Take care my friend.
I think you are the smart one in the family, no matter what it is called. Stay the way you are because we love you just the way you are! MOM
ReplyDeleteI would think you are more in the prepper range than the survivalist. You've got a lot to juggle and a lot to take care of, so there's nothing wrong with that. I don't use the term disparagingly (unusual for me, I admit) in this case.
ReplyDeleteThanks Harry.
Delete