How about a little update on everything . . well, most everything, in our life.
For any new readers, we went from a 3700 square foot house to one just under 1700 square feet. I know my parents thought I was nuts, as did many of my friends, but some understand that getting 45 acres in the country vs. almost an acre in the city was more important to us than most anything else when it came to finding a house. My biggest concern was the small kitchen but the gas stove was at the top of my “must have” list for the kitchen and I got that.
I did give up having a dishwasher and there’s really no place to put one.
So, we gave up the big kitchen, we gave up over half our square feet, we gave up having an attached garage. How are we doing? We love it! There’s still not a day that passes that one of us doesn’t look at the other and say “Can you believe we live here?” Every day is like vacation. In the evenings, it’s so quiet and peaceful.
The kitchen is actually easier to clean because since it’s so so small, I clean as I go and don’t end up with a monumental task of cleaning the kitchen. I’m also happy to say I haven’t unpacked a dishwasher in about 5 months. I do believe I’d rather wash dishes by hand than unpack the dishwasher.
About the animals – we are still debating on whether to keep the ag exemption which would mean getting 3 cows or 18 goats. The animals aren’t so much the problem . . it’s the cost of the fencing and we have to weigh out whether the savings in taxes is worth the cost of the fencing over however long we might live here. If we could have just a part of the acreage fenced and not have to do the whole 45 acres, that would be more feasible but we can’t so . . we’ll have to decide within the next month what we’re going to do.
About the Weight Watchers plan – we’re doing great. Haven’t been hungry and we’re losing weight. Vince is losing more than I am but I’m telling myself it’s because (1) he’s a man and (2) he has more to lose.
This weekend Vince will spend some time working on the garden and maybe some time working on the chicken coop. Normal is returning to our household. If only we could figure out a way to get Chad and Nicole jobs in this area so they could live not too far away. I’d be happy if they ended up five or less hours . . though I’d prefer five or less minutes!!
Roberta says
They do make portable dishwashers, I have one because the counter space in our kitchen is so low we can’t have one built in. It could go at the end of a counter and they make good places to cut up as they usually have wood tops.
Hugs!!!!
Patty says
Glad you two are so happy, I know it was a trying year for you.
Natalie L says
you’re living the dream, Judy! I love hearing about everything, but there’s just one thing missing: chicken stories! haha. I don’t need a big house with fancy counters (my old, Formica counters can take anything I throw at them!) or lots of useless rooms. but I do need a dishwasher. I find you very brave for choosing not to have one. I went 5 years without one and no matter what I did my hands would get so dry. even gloves didn’t help. I love it all, though. hooray for country life!
Julie L. says
So happy for you! Your place will be beautiful in a few weels when the trees bud and the wildflowers bloom. Send chad to my town to look for a job, that would be close and give us a reason to get together.
Michelle says
I’m so glad that y’all are loving Texas!
The thing about Vince losing weight faster is so unfair. I know when me & my husband had a personal trainer years ago, they told us men start seeing results in about 3 weeks and women in about 6! Lately, I’ve had big problems making it through those first 6 weeks without him so I bet you’re doing great doing it together.
If you want to move them closer I’d suggest them looking in DFW for work. We’ve weathered the recession very well and even if you do hear about some jobs being lost the economy still seems to be booming to me. I don’t know what they do but it’s a suggestion to get them a bit closer. If you’ve ever been on the highways in and out of any of the major cities in Texas, you’d see that a lot of people commute from one big city to the other every weekend and there’s lots of travel within the state. You should convince them that Texas is where they need to be.
Linda S says
I’m so happy for you and Vince, Judy. It does appear you have a big slice of heaven there. If anyone can figure out a way to get some jobs for those two wonderful young-uns, I’m pretty sure it’s you. I have a feeling it will work eventually.
Alycia says
If you do decided to do the fencing – it is easier to use a post hole digger, and the have attachments for your tractors…. and I KNOW how Vince likes to play with new toys – so it could keep him occupied for a while 😉 No beer tho – or the fence line will be crooked LOL
Glad you are enjoying your place!!
Elizabeth says
Your new kitchen is lovely! I do my dishes as I cook, after we eat I have the two plates and forks and I am done with that chore. Then you can take a drive around your acreage! Too bad you don’t have a pond to go fishing in but maybe if you get some rain one may show up. Have a great weekend….
Patricia says
I am glad you and Vince have found “your” happy place! Isn’t that what life is suppose to be about!
HeideW says
Haven’t used a dishwasher since the early 80’s. As I get older, hands are aching more and more, so enjoy the respite from the pain when I wash the dishes in the hot water. Looking to downsize as well. Looking forward to the day when I don’t have to clean three bathrooms!
Karen says
I have heard that men loose weight at first faster than women so you are probably on track. Dishwashers? I have one at the house but I went without for years and years and finally got one about 10 years ago – we use our camper I do without for weeks at a time and it doesn’t bother me. Sometimes I wonder if I would rather do without one at the house and convert the area back to shelves for store pots and pans in and not have the area I have now for that so crowded.
Karen
Jennifer says
Love to hear the update! Have a great weekend. And men always lose weight faster!
Angie says
Love to hear about your new place in the country. Our house is small too. Compared to what most people require for a living space. I’m not sure how I would manage without a dishwasher though as I’m spoiled now, and being without one might bother me. Once upon a time we bought a car without power seats and power windows. We had been used to power options in a previous car. We never liked that car because of that missing features. I think that is how I would feel without my Bosch dishwasher.
Marlene says
I wash dishes by hand most of the time too Judy – and I have a dishwasher! I love the sameness of standing at the sink looking out the window wiping sudsy water across a plate. There’s something calming about it somehow. I’m so glad you are still loving your new home. We downsized several years ago and some time in the next couple of years will be doing that again. I wish we could be in the country with a garden but at this stage of life we have to think about being able to care for ourselves with ease and being close to children who can help. blessings, marlene
Pam says
Always enjoy a Yellow Jacket Ranch update. Keep ’em coming!
Rhonda says
I am so happy that you two are enjoying the peaceful life. I’ve lived on a farm most of my life and as you can see, it’s the way to go and adds years to your life and well-being. Just to sit out in the evening enjoying the sunset…… priceless!!!!!
lynne demeter says
I read your blog ALL the time, so I must have missed that you named the homestead Yellow Jacket Ranch…I love tha-t!
We love to cook also, and I have a dishwasher named hubby! He’s fantastic at kitchen clean-up. We’ve always lived in a small home and it just takes a little bit of organization to make it work.
Although I am a quilter, and that is my main reason for following your blog, I love hearing about Vince’s adventures…or should I say mis-adventures!!
patti says
not only do i love reading how happy you are, i know what it’s like. we actually moved into a bigger house with less room. i’m sure it’s because of the way the rooms are structured and that it’s all on one level, but the biggest plus is a smaller community and more acreage. i can’t hear my neighbor talking on the telephone, don’t see cars driving by, and for only the second time in 7 years did i hear a siren in the distance. we call it “living our dream” and often comment to each other that we should’ve done it sooner. lots of trees, lots of wildlife, four distinct seasons; now if we could only get our kids to move here too — another thing we have in common ;0)
Margaret says
I am glad you are loving your new home. Get some animals. They are so worth it. We live on two acres and we had two cows, two horses, three pigs, and four sheep. I really miss them now that my kids are grown and we don’t have them anymore. I love looking out the window and seeing them in the pasture. It is a very peaceful thing.
Melinda says
I too moved into a smaller house without a dishwasher. I don’t even miss it. Tom and I both just wash dishes as we cook and it is never a problem. I don’t think I would buy one even if I had more room.
Susan says
I am so glad that you found just the right place for you……. You sound as happy as Lem and I are……..
STAY AWAY FROM GOATS………. As I mentioned before they are difficult to keep in even with an electric fence. Frank (one of our goats) knew he would be shocked but felt it worth it to be free….. Free meant eating my Jackson Perkins Roses………
barbara woods says
we live in the country , i have a dish washer but when it tore up a year ago i didn’t even think about getting it fixed.i had been washing our dishes as we go, with just the 2 of us it was easier that way
CJ says
And now you know :). You’ll never got back to suburbia. Enjoy!
CJ says
And now you know :). You’ll never go back to suburbia. Enjoy!
CJ says
Oops sorry… was trying to correct a typo. 🙂