Maine

[superchemicalgirl]

Another thing about the housing around here...

If you're looking for a lot of land around the Augusta area, it'll be hard to find. I would find places that were 80 acres, but all the acreage was behind the property and it was narrow up front on the road, so you had a ton of neighbors. No, thanks.

...Or if you find a lot of land in a more reasonable configuration, the house was built in the 1800s. Now, I love the look, but the basements and foundation were pretty scary in a lot of them. One house I looked at had beehive ovens all over the basement (they are like an upside down U to build fires in, the top reaches the floor above to warm it). It was freaky.

I ended up buying a very private piece of property with only 4.4 acres on it, but a newer house. I love this place, although I still wish it had about 40 more acres.

We will move... eventually. I can stick it out here, for now.

 

[Chambertin]

Property is such a hard thing to find.
Kind of to be expected all the good land is too expensive and all the cheap land has a problem.
When will these rich people learn that good land is worthless! lol

I can just keep trying, the fun part starts after I get there. Maybe a month or less to being back home!
I sent out a LOT of applications, but I ran into a HUGE problem...

Most of my previous employers cant speak English,
But I guess that doesnt matter as most of the standard employment forms online wont take international phone numbers anyway.
I just hope I dont looke like some kinda strangeo trying to overinflate a resume by adding companies overseas with no phone numbers.
Oh well, such is life and that's why its a job search, not a job find.

 

[buckabucka]

Chickinpecker, I don't think the swaps will start up until April (maybe late March?). Hoppy is the go-to person for swap info.

I guess we were lucky to get a big parcel of land with no house. DH's parents bought it a long time ago, thinking they wanted to retire out here, but that never happened.
SCG, I've never seen the beehive ovens (that I know of). It makes me want to go around looking at old houses.

I kind of chuckled at Chambertin's comment about employers not speaking English. We both speak English exclusively here, but DH insists on having our answering machine message in Chinese. I've had people call back repeatedly thinking they have the wrong number, or call back with people giggling in the background. At least it is not in Arabic anymore....

 

[Chambertin]

I gotta hear that someday!

Speaking a second language makes conversations with telemarketers SO much more fun!

EDIT:
Just got confirmation that my automated applications were all verified and I will be contacted for an interview provided the government office that requested the ad hasnt filled it internally.
One step closer.

I wonder if you all can get a 1% tax break as a referral fee once I'm employed and paying property tax to boot.

 

[Widget]

Anyone interested in a skating party? The rain did a great job in getting rid of the snow in the driveway and pathways but now I have a very slippery ice skating area. Anyone who ignores the no trespassing sign and roped off area and dares to venture down my driveway will have a fun time stopping or, if walking, just staying upright. The drain at the bottom of the driveway is working overtime to get rid of the standing water so by the end of the day most of the water will be gone but enough will be left to keep the yard very very slippery.

The birds look a bit scruffy but their makeshift house is holding up well and is fairly dry. I think the ducks brought in most of the water that soaked the shavings. It was so nice to not have to chop ice this morning. I thought about scraping the horses yard but if I do that they will be walking around on ice. While it would look better it would also be a recipe for slips and falls that could lead to broken legs. I would rather have them walking around on a non slippery layer of muck right now.

 

[Widget]

I can testify as to how few jobs are available in the state right now. It seems that every one I apply for has at least fifty applicants. There have been many layoffs here, especially in southern Maine, so there are plenty of people looking for work. On the other hand if you have strong technical skills there are good jobs out there. I have another job interview tomorrow and will probably apply for another open position at the airport. This one isn't my dream job but it would be a job with benefits and right now that is the most important thing. I didn't get the job I wanted there but was told if there was another opening I would be a strong contender and that they would try their best to get me into a full-time position before the end of winter.

As others have said one doesn't have to get too far away from the major cities to find good deals on land and houses. I'm in Southern Maine. I have 3.5 acres and live in a town that has a gas station, post office and a really tiny grocery/convenience store. I am about a ten minute drive from a more substantial town that has a real grocery store, banks, a Subway and Dunkin Donuts. Thirty to forty-five minutes gets me to all Portland has to offer. So I'm far enough out to have privacy but close enough to be near anything I could need. Most of the places I shop at know me by name or at least know my vehicle (especially at the feed and grain stores) so it is often loaded before I even pay for my order.

 

[lazy gardener]

Anybody have word on poultry swaps this year?? Tractor supply's maybe? If anyone gets info let me know...I can't wait for spring time!!!

TSC Bangor second Sat April, don't know the time.

 

[lazy gardener]

Looking for reassurance: I set eggs last night. Lost power for about 3 hours after about 12 hours of incubation. At this early stage, I'm hoping that viability won't have been damaged?

 

[Widget]

Looking for reassurance: I set eggs last night. Lost power for about 3 hours after about 12 hours of incubation. At this early stage, I'm hoping that viability won't have been damaged?

It should be fine. I'm sure the temperature didn't drop too much. And being so early in the incubation process helps too.

 

[lazy gardener]

It should be fine. I'm sure the temperature didn't drop too much. And being so early in the incubation process helps too.

thanks.