So we're about to head into 2010

[Pressing-On]

Happy New Year AQP!

I'm not ignoring your thread. Just don't feel like thinking that deep today!

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

D4T - have you ever seen the Backwoods Home magazine? I love that magazine. That's the life my husband and I hope to have some day.

BHM is a great publication.

I love it.

That is also the life we hope to have some day.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

My wife and I have been talking a self sustaining lifestyle. We have a small place with some acreage in Northwest Wisconsin, but my job is in Louisiana and my youngest is a junior in High School this year and wants to graduate with his class.

Backwoods Home, Mother Earth News, Grit, The Backwoodsman, and other magazines are great.

I also like Mother Earth News. I will have to look into the others.

This sentence stood out... "My wife and I have been talking a self sustaining lifestyle."

Talk it.... when it doesn't happen... keep talking it.

We are seeing some successes but they came after years of talking. The talking shaped our mindset until we were able and ready to make a move.

Talk, talk & talk some more. It keeps the dream alive and makes us hungrier than ever.

Some say... that's all you do is talk... Yep... so far... but you just wait.

RevDWW... may you & yours realized your wildest dreams in this area.... in God's time.

[missourimary]

Lehman's is also interesting for off-grid or self-sustained living, among other things. (Anything "country" can be found there as well. They started out serving Amish in 1955.)

http://countrylife.lehmans.com/about/
http://www.lehmans.com/

[Neck]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

What has changed for you since 2000? How is life different? Better, worse? How have you changed and grown?

What are your hopes and dreams for the next 10 years?

Since 2000 my Son received a Non Related Bone Marrow Transplant (2004) (Fanconi Anemia) and has survived to go onto college. His first semester A's and B's.

Our married life and relationship with our kids is great, our son's went from elementary school to high school and college.

Changed Churches from the hardlined standards to a non-harlined standards church. I have not lost my salvation nor have my wife and I divorced.

I have made over a million dollars (not bragging - just the truth) and developed hundreds of friends and contacts in my business life.

I started out being very politically motivated, but now I am fed up with any of the politicians. My political views are Pro-life and take less of my money, Period!

I have lived in the same house the entire decade.

My goals for this next decade:

1. I will not borrow another cent.
2. My house and all non-expense related expenditures will be paid in full.
3. I plan on writing a book.
4. My marriage will remain strong.
5. I will direct and encourage the success of my son's into the field of their choice.

From here on out it is a road to be directed of the Lord and where that leads is faith filled and ready for any turn he directs...

[ILG]

In the year 2000, my husband and I took our second church. At the time, we were super-conservative UPC'ers with one goal in mind.......to have a thriving church and save souls.

Now, we no longer pastor at all, left the UPC and are much more liberal thinkers.

My, how things change in 10 years....

[Neck]

Originally Posted by RevDWW

My wife and I have been talking a self sustaining lifestyle. We have a small place with some acreage in Northwest Wisconsin, but my job is in Louisiana and my youngest is a junior in High School this year and wants to graduate with his class.

Backwoods Home, Mother Earth News, Grit, The Backwoodsman, and other magazines are great.

Northwest Wisconsin RevDWW that is great land and great place to live!!

[Neck]

Originally Posted by ILG

In the year 2000, my husband and I took our second church. At the time, we were super-conservative UPC'ers with one goal in mind.......to have a thriving church and save souls.

Now, we no longer pastor at all, left the UPC and are much more liberal thinkers.

My, how things change in 10 years....

ILG you are non the less saved or out of step for it! There are great things ahead for you both!

[Hoovie]

Wow! I have to think...

A decade ago I was in the rental biz but wanted out. I have sold nearly all and put my energies into making my chimney/fireplace company more profitable. That worked out very well and we are practically free of personal debt.

My wife was a Fulltime RN at the hosipital and went from that to part-time then quit in in 2004 to work full-time in our office and homeschool the kids.

OH - KIDS! at the end of the last decade we had one baby. Now have four - the newest baby - a boy!

Grandma Horst passed away at age 93. We had funerals in Indiana and in Pennsylvania. Her direct decendants and those they marriad number nearly a thousand.

My father passed away more than a decade ago... but, well... I think about him always when I reflect and remember.

I gave no serious thought about retirement ten years ago, but now have established IRAs and 529s (college plans) for the kids.

Spiritually, I believe we have shifted our focus a bit away from church and more towards our spirituality within the family and home.

Going on TV in 2007 was fun and proved to be inspirational to us and some others who saw the show. We were invited to share about the experience in churches of our own UPC denomination and others.

Enjoyed travels to Germany & Paris and swept chimneys in London England. Then in 2006 we attended an international festival for chimney sweeps in the Italian Alps - Raduno Spazzacamino Italia

It has been a good decade for the Hoover Family.

[SOUNWORTHY]

I gave up my Ordination with the UPCI and went to a Community Church where I was Ordained with their Organization.

Bought an office building for my business.

Bought a motor home and traveled whenever possible. 2 trips to the East Coast plus several trips to the Midwest and Oregon.

Youngest Daughter and SIL both earned their masters, had two children and moved to Germany.

Have had three grandkids marry and added great grandchildren to the family.


Sold our 2 story home and bought a single story because of my wife's health.

Lost my wife of 53 years. Almost killed me, still grieving.

Joined a couple of RV clubs.

My wife's sister introduced me to one of her friends, no romance intended.

Pastor at the Community Church resigned and I left.

No romance phase ended , romance phase began.

Because she was employed with UPCI headquarters I went back to UPC but kept license with other organization. mI really have no use for Ordination but it doesn't cost me and I might want to do a wedding sometime.

Started writing the story of my life, up to 140 pages and growing, I may even finish it before I die.

Remarried October 2007.

Dividing time between Ca. and Mo., love both states.

Joined AFF.

Didn't vote for Obama.