I think we are getting there...

[Alice Abbott]

As I mentioned before, we are living in a very dilapidated house and have only just managed to repair the roof and windows, now have a lovely tiled floor in the kitchen and a new oak floor in the dining room and hall but still have bare earth in the living room, no upstairs floors, no running water so no inside loo, no electricity, no kitchen to speak of and so on.

However I got up early today, it was dark, pouring with rain and pretty cold. But the house is warm inside (although I imagine most of the heat is hovering somewhere just below the roof tiles) no leaks, we have several lovely oil lamps, the oak floor is warm to the feet, the woodburning range is throwing out piles of heat, I probably have jars and pots and packages of food we have grown and preserved to last until spring, we have great neighbours and no need to step out into the rat race unless we want to - and I realised how blessed we are.

I suppose the down sides are that I'm going to have to pick up a bucket of water from the well on the way back to make some coffee, it takes an hour to heat up enough water to give the kids a bath (we are still managing with the outdoor shower but I can't see that lasting much longer, the water will be pretty cold today after all this rain), I have to be constantly on the alert that the kids or dog don't dash in from outside and into the living room and turning the earth floor into a quagmire (hard as all the doors are off at the moment) and I now have to juggle the budget to buy them some winter shoes, their current options being wellington boots or sandals.

But all in all I think we might be getting somewhere with this crazy project!

[Green Aura]

Oh Alice, I don't think it's crazy at all. You're doing fantastic things for you and your family.

Moments like this are brilliant though aren't they - they keep you going when things are not so great.

So here's a from Blighty - for the good and especially for the not so good times.

[grahoom]

But all in all I think we might be getting somewhere with this crazy project!

“Of course I'm crazy, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong.” - Robert Anton Wilson.

It sounds like a great project! And I can imagine it's a real struggle at times... but it's those moments of realisation and wonder that make it all worth it!

I currently live on a boat, and it winter when it is raining outside, and I've had to lug a load of wood to the boat for the stove, and gotten inside and realised the toilet needs emptying and that I've ran out of water, I wonder what the hell am I doing... but then you get the times when it's so magical that it all makes total sense.

Sounds like you're doing something very positive!

[red]

yup - it does sound like you are getting there- what is the next part of the plan?

[MuddyWitch]

An other one who loves your updates & installments here. I really admire you, and wish you all the luck in the world.

MW

[Biscombe]

Not crazy Alice! The most boring time of my life was living in a house on the coast that had all major appliances! Before that I lived on a narrowboat in the UK, after, now, a farmhouse in the Alpujarras that still after 5 years needs loads of work! Keep going chuck, live real life!

[Martina]

Alice,

You sound like you are making tremendous progress. I really admire how you are keeping your spirits up. I also love your updates. I am quite envious.

Keep at it, girl.

Martina

[anarchistinslippers]

"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."

Depending on who you believe it was either Steve Jobs or Jack Kerouac who came up with that gem.

[Graye]

I shall read that post again next time I'm feeling annoyed with all our various mod cons when they throw a wobbly. It will make me remember how lucky we are. It sounds as if you are getting along very well now though, well done!

[Martina]

"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do."

Depending on who you believe it was either Steve Jobs or Jack Kerouac who came up with that gem.

Thanks for that AIS! What an inspirational quote. I will make it my screensaver.

Martina

[Milims]

Alice - reading your posts makes me feel so much better that it's not only us who live in a house that's falling around our ears. We really must replace the ceilings we've pulled down! At least you are in the process of building your's back up, and by the sounds of it doing a mighty fine job of living and working towards the dream! In fact I'm quite envious!

AIS - love the quote - I think I'd like to frame it for my kitchen wall!

[pumpy]

There are those who are quite happy with their 2.4 children & 1.7 cars ( which must be polished religiously, every Sunday), & then there are people who have a dream, coupled with drive/ambition, & will bloody well give it a damn good go. I salute these people. Why not live the dream? ......... if i had my time again then i would do the same "outlandish" things, only sooner!

[Milims]

There are those who are quite happy with their 2.4 children & 1.7 cars ( which must be polished religiously, every Sunday),

I was once married to one of those and hated it!

& then there are people who have a dream, coupled with drive/ambition, & will bloody well give it a damn good go. I salute these people. Why not live the dream? ......... if i had my time again then i would do the same "outlandish" things, only sooner!

And a salute from me too!
I have the dream and the ambition but sadly not the wherewithall (sp?)! Hey ho - we'll take it slow and see what happens. Like you Pumpy - just wish we'd stared sooner!

[MuddyWitch]

We will be doing something very similar next year, Goddess willing, and I wish we'd been in a position to do it years ago too. I truly envy you!

MW