"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Friday 4 May 2012

We're finally moving on...

Just over a week-and-a-half ago, our home was finally sold.  Today, the deposit was been paid and transfer is in progress.
I love it!  Instead of giving us cut flowers
the estate agent gave us a bunch of helium
filled balloons :)  Not madly eco-friendly,
but I prefer flowers to remain in soil -
either in the garden, or in a pot :)
 Transfer, and occupation, will be effected at the end of July.
Party time :)  A bunch of colour to lift our spirits
at an emotional time
Which means we will be on the farm to plant the first seeds of this years spring / summer crop... :)


So much to do - a house and business to pack up and move to two different locations - one for living and one for the business.  20-odd years of family stuff since we last moved home to sort through, some to ditch and the rest to be packed.
Our 40-odd year old record collection - when music was music :)
Some of the items will be sorely missed - such as our turntable and our 100+ vinyl record collection - so many memories locked up in those vinyls, but, as RMan says, how often have we listened to them recently...?  All my Beatles, Bassey, Streisand, Diana Ross and Readers Digest 9 LP collection called Million Dollar Memories released in the late 60's.  It contains songs going back to the 40's - way before my time LOL, but I have listened to them so many times over the years, that they feel like old friends.


All RMan's Al Jarreau, Grover Washington Jnr, Louis Armstrong, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Vias con Dias, Sergio Mendes, Bill Withers, George Benson, Dionne Warwick, Dire Straits, Foreplay...  just too many to mention.


Some sacrifices will have to be made - not only are we going to be living in a much smaller house but our (solar) power generated energy storage has to be reserved for the necessities, at least until we find out what excess, if any, we have to play with. And we still have all our CD's and the 12volt car radio to play them on, so we won't be music-less.  But, oh, the memories that those long playing records hold.  I bought my first one when I was 16.
A few of the many boxes we are recycling with
the help of our local supermarket
We've talked the talk, now we're going to walk the walk LOL   Our 100% eco-friendly life starts now!  Completely off-grid, we're hoping to be as close as possible to 94% self-sustainable (and I want my food forest, Mr H J ), finally getting our fascias and gutters up in order to harvest and store all that precious rain-water, phase 2 (the bedrooms) of the farmhouse to build and so much more...  I've also sourced a recycling facility close enough by so that is our recycling sorted.  And, finally, the move affords RMan and I the opportunity to spend some quality time together.  We've raised our family to the very best of our ability, owned two businesses, and paid our dues and taxes.


Life begins again.


A major step in the preparation for our future has just been achieved.  We're both so excited, and, truthfully, a little daunted at the enormity of the task ahead.  But, we can't wait... J
I've got boxes everywhere....
So last week I toddled down to our local supermarket and relieved them of some loads of boxes which I am recycling as moving boxes together with a few rolls of buff tape.  I have to de-clutter, be tough on useless, but familiar items, and pack everything that is left?


De-cluttering is therapeutic, but I also wonder how on earth we are going to leave behind treasured memories of our existence to the members of our future generations.  Inheriting doesn't seem to be in fashion these days... unless it's a financial inheritance.  So my personal (physical) legacy will probably consist of things like my spice / coffee grinders, etc.  Priceless reminders of how things worked before we polluted the earth with our demand for grid power and the electrical appliances we had to use...


I'm aiming on sorting out one room a week - that way it will be manageable. That will hopefully give me the time to sever the ties to a few precious items which we won't have space for, and which we have to recycle / pass onto someone else.  And, Tami, I know you're always on the hunt for cardboard, come help me unpack and they're yours :)  Actually, hold that thought - I'm keeping them - they'll come in very handy for my new veggie patches... J


So, now for the emotional roller coaster as I start to sort out more than 34-odd years of memories in total.  But it's ultimately all for the good - nothing like making breathing space to properly clear the path ahead.

36 comments:

  1. Congratulations. De-cluttering is good for the soul, even if it is hard work!

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    1. Frugal Living - LOL - and emotionally draining - I flit from box to box towards the end of packing the room!

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  2. Oh, congrats, Dani! I'm so happy for you. This is going to be an exciting (and EXHAUSTING) time. But yay! A whole NEW adventure!
    :D

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    1. Sue - Thanks. Yup - a new adventure - can't wait!

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  3. Congratulations Dani!! I'm doing a little dance of joy for you right now :) It'll be sad to have to let your records go but I'm sure that once you're settled in your new place with CDs of all those same singers and bands you'll be more than content. Hugs! Xx

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    1. Tanya - LOL Thanks. Unfortunately I can't find our old favourite LP's on CD. But, yes, we will have music, an every now and then an old favourite will pop up on the radio, I'm sure!

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  4. That is amazing news Dani!!!!! You must be so relieved and so excited at the same time. Bring on new adventures.....

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    1. EB - Thanks - yes, I'm relieved, excited, scared, exhilarated - all rolled up into one LOL

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  5. Did a hear my "Whooop" from across the ocean? (I think I woke up the neighbors!) Yes! Big cyber hugs to you both. I can't imagine how happy and excited you are right now!

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    1. Tami - LOL. As long as you didn't wake up SM? Happy, excited and so much more... :)

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  6. Wow , congratulations! You sneaky girl, you never said the house sold. I wish you all the best of luck on your move.

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    1. Jane - LOL Thanks. I couldn't say anything until the details were finalized - didn't want to jeopardize the sale or jinx it...

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  7. A big congratulations to you and your husband, how exciting. Don't worry too much about that music, it will be playing in your head all day as you work in the gardens and especially in the early mornings when you step outside to admire your beautiful surroundings.:)

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    1. Too true, Mr H - too true :) Thanks!

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  8. I am reminded of this quote, I am loosley paraphrasing here..."There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind, but keep in mind that letting go and moving on isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of a new life.”

    Congrats to you, and I am SO excited to follow your adventure to being totally self sufficient. It will be an inspiration to everyone.

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    1. 1st Man -Very good saying - I'd better memorize it to see me through the "dark times" LOL Seriously, it's just the enormity of the task talking - we're both very excited :)

      Thank you - and thank you :) I'll try not to disappoint... and promise to give not only the good but the bad as well.

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  9. Congrats to you!.....You are a living example of the kind of future I hope to have...we still have a long ways to go, but seeing someone else get there is great motivation!

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    1. Amy - Thank you :) And thank you :) Hang in there - your mission is worth it!

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  10. Very happy, happy, happy for you all. Let the decluttering begin!

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  11. How wonderful. So many important things, off-grid living, finances, kids all coming together for this next stage of your life. We're very happy for you and Rman!

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    1. Jody - Thank you - yes, isn't it funny how one good thing leads to another and another - I am Blessed :)

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  12. Oh congratulations! I'm so relieved for you. But gee, 20 years is a long time to live in one place. I can imagine the mixed emotions. And I'd be no good to you! I would hang on to the records. Mine went missing somewhere over the years and I still miss them!

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    1. Linda - Thanks :) I am sooooooooo torn about the record collection...

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  13. Congrats!!! It's super that you've managed to sell the house and still have 3 months to move!

    If you've got or can get your hands on a record player with a headphone jack, you can cable the headphone output into the microphone jack of your computer sound card and make mp3 files of your vinyl. I sold all my vinyl when I moved then soon after found out that I had the capability to record them. At least I managed to save most of my old cassette tapes this way. The recording process was time consuming, but didn't take nearly as much time as finding replacements for many of my old LPs. Perhaps this is something Mkid would help you with.

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    1. Julianne - Many thanks - that's a brilliant idea :) Would that work through an amplifier as well?

      MKid, being only 8 years old and living 1500 kms away would not be able to help LOL But I will certainly investigate it :) Thanks again :)

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  14. Congratulations Dani! I'm looking forward to reading about your adventures in true off grid living.

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  15. I'm so pleased for you both. The best of luck - I'll be following your adventures. It's hard to let go but you have a wonderful future ahead of you.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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    1. Mum - Thanks :) Oh yes, a wonderful adventure :)

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  16. It's going to be a walk in the park. This is a good change. Man I can still remember when I left my 1000+ square foot home in town to come out here and live in a 192 square foot shack, oct 25 2009. I'm still in the shack and loving it. lol. Congrats to you guys. I know you'll love it. Sometimes change is a good thing.

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    1. FCM - Thanks - this change we can hardly wait for :)

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  17. Oh that is wonderful. Things are falling into place and that is wonderful for you all. Thinking of you. EMily

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    1. Emily - Thanks - yes, things have finally turned the corner :)

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