Hubby Dear's work situation. As a health care provider, his job gets more mired in bureaucracy by the day. He is tired of working long hours for "the man" while feeling unappreciated and missing time with his family.
The Bible. When I read through the book of Proverbs recently, there were a few verses that jumped out at me:
Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house. Proverbs 24:7
Like a bird that flees its nest is anyone who flees from home. Proverbs 27:8
Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.
When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants. Proverbs 27:23-27
Note that I completely skipped over Proverbs 27:15-16. I can assure you that verse isn't applicable in our house. Right, honey?
The joy and satisfaction we get from working outdoors and doing things ourselves. Even in the coldest weather, I always enjoy working with my poultry. I usually have a goofy grin on my face just from the pure joy I feel. I love to walk in the orchard, weed the garden, and formulate plans for the future. While he doesn't tend to rattle on about it like I do, I know that Hubby Dear feels the same way about the vegetable garden.
The Good Life. We recently watched "The Good Life", a British sitcom from the 1970s. It is a funny show, but more importantly, it struck a nerve with us. Episode one begins with Tom Good turning 40 and discovering that his life isn't satisfying. If you start the following video at about 16:25 and watch through 20:30, you'll see what transpires.
Watch The Good Life - S01E01 - Plough Your Own Furrow.avi in Comedy | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Tom and Barbara Good decide to live a self-sufficient lifestyle in the suburbs and comedy gold is born. But what if this scenario isn't just a made-for-TV gag? What if we could do it, too?
Of course there's a big difference between Tom and Barbara and Hubby Dear and The Harried Homemaker. Unlike them, we have a mortgage (which we are working diligently to pay off ASAP) and four kids to feed, clothe, and send to college.
We are not entirely sure what this will look like for us, but we have decided to pursue self-sufficiency to the extent we are able to at this point in our lives. We are saving to build a barn with a dairy cow, beef cattle, and possibly a pig to follow. You can bet that more poultry is also going to be part of that plan. Our garden and orchard will continue to expand along the way. When we turn 40, we don't want to have any of the regrets that Tom Good expresses in the above video. Maybe by then Hubby Dear will be able to work only part time and we can live off the fruit of our labor.
What do you think? Do you have the urge to live "The Good Life"?
Watch The Good Life - S01E01 - Plough Your Own Furrow.avi in Comedy | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
Tom and Barbara Good decide to live a self-sufficient lifestyle in the suburbs and comedy gold is born. But what if this scenario isn't just a made-for-TV gag? What if we could do it, too?
Of course there's a big difference between Tom and Barbara and Hubby Dear and The Harried Homemaker. Unlike them, we have a mortgage (which we are working diligently to pay off ASAP) and four kids to feed, clothe, and send to college.
We are not entirely sure what this will look like for us, but we have decided to pursue self-sufficiency to the extent we are able to at this point in our lives. We are saving to build a barn with a dairy cow, beef cattle, and possibly a pig to follow. You can bet that more poultry is also going to be part of that plan. Our garden and orchard will continue to expand along the way. When we turn 40, we don't want to have any of the regrets that Tom Good expresses in the above video. Maybe by then Hubby Dear will be able to work only part time and we can live off the fruit of our labor.
What do you think? Do you have the urge to live "The Good Life"?
Posts
Yes we feel the same way. I am 37 my hubby 35 and we very much feel that pull. we haven't even gotten the land yet but we are working toward it. I am guessing 40 will not see me there yet but soon there after!
ReplyDeletePhew I just turned 41 on groundhog's day! We were not always good with money and have quite a bit of debt. When I quit working I made it my "job" to save money, thus leading us into a frugal lifestyle. We've tackled alot of the debt, but little things like my hubby having three accidents where he was off work for 6 months at a time put us alittle off schedule of the timeframe I wanted to have things paid off in. Most people think I'm nutty, but i think one is alot happier without all of the excess and I appreciate the simple things so much, like when I have a new layer and she lays that itty bitty first egg. And now we figure out if we want somethings how many hours of work does it require to get it and is it worth it? My goal no matter what is to get the house paid off. I enjoy the challenges and creativity of finding ways to do things or to save instead of having to work 60-70 hours a week. I see the smallest things as God's blessings and found that if I just wait most times what we need or even want comes along. For example My hubby wanted a new TV in the bedroom since the speakers on ours was not good. Long story short I thought we should just make do for awhile and awhile later a free TV that works great was at the end of someone's yard because they upgraded to flat screen. They are taking so much more of the hubby's check each week that to try and be self sufficient is the best thing we could be doing. Many still have no clue. I think that you will reach your goals, you can do it! I will enjoy reading every post along the way! Vicky S.
ReplyDeleteI'm a single guy, 34, and also feeling dissatisfied with life; I've got a well paying secure job and a nice home on a bunch of acreage - but I feel I'm not where I should be in life and am looking at what I could change. While I got a good price on my property and it offers alot, it also has a large mortgage. I've thought about selling it and moving to a smaller place that needs work that I could buy with the proceeds of this place. Decisions, decisions!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, Rebecca, Vicky, and Anonymous Single Guy! I'm glad to know that we are not alone in our feelings.
ReplyDeleteEmily
Emily,
ReplyDeleteDid you and your husband crawl into our heads!? LOL While we love our 15 acres we aren't doing what we want to on it yet. My husband works 40 hours a week and sometimes is gone for a week. I am not ready to take on larger animals without my husband being home full time! Especially since our littles are still little All under 6 I have enough stress with the animals we do have! We are however finally doing Financial Peace which is SOO exciting! My husbands goal is to be able to work the farm as that is where he gets his greatest pride and since of well being. Such a blessing but it is so hard in today's society you feel like you have to have money which is true to some degree but we have bought into the lie that we need 5 tv's, cable, 2 cell phones (or more) with internet, of course you need the internet! Sometimes I wish I was Amish to which my grandma says...They don't wear underwear you know! LOL Oh well we shall see what the future holds. I do however want to move somewhere a smidge warmer!
Mrs. W