The Evolution of Atlas: A Breeding (and Chat) Thread

[speckledhen]

wow, way to learn the menu where you work, right?

I say keep looking at houses, eventually you may come across exactly what you want, even if it takes a few years to find it, and definitely don't settle. If you don't love it, keep moving. The right house is out there.

I checked out land around here. Everything I saw was restricted in some way, part of a subdivision. It's a disturbing trend in this area. At least here, the only no-no is pigs. Well, no mobile homes allowed either, unless they are a construction trailer that's temporary. I just need to somehow fix this steps issue. I'm not sure how it will work out. DH thinks moving will kill him. But, if we build a small house on the adjacent lot, we could manage the process. The issue is I'd have to build another barn. I can't leave chickens in the current one, not if I don't own it. I'd need to get rid of some of them, too. Dang old ladies just keep holding on, too! May just have to muddle along until one of us is gone.

 

[1muttsfan]

ETA: Funny, but true story from today Maybe I should have asked her what the change was for a $20 bill without looking at her computer! Bet she couldn't do it!

To be honest I would have a hard time doing that unless I used my fingers. And maybe my toes too

 

[speckledhen]

To be honest I would have a hard time doing that unless I used my fingers. And maybe my toes too

Oh, I don't believe that at all. It just struck me as funny that she didn't know their Alaskan Cod was fish. As we say in the South, bless her heart! LOL.

I was thinking this a.m., watching Texas struggle with Harvey, and I was thinking about the same thing last night as I was trying to go to sleep. A house on a slab, especially a fairly small house, has no really great storage. Sure, you can get creative, make hidden areas, etc, but not to the degree we have in this house. And we are homesteaders and preppers, to a degree. We prepare for stuff like Harvey. Where do we put our supplies in a small house? The big upright freezer that's fairly new? Where does someone go in a bad storm in a slab house? We have that here- though the basement is not all underground, I know what wall to go against where the walls begin to sink under the earth or under the basement stairs. Not only would we have to build a house, we'd also have to build another chicken barn, a big added expense.

Adding a lift and making the "front yard" around the house lower maintenance, even if we had to hire someone, will be cheaper and less of a hassle than building or buying another house. And we can still look for a good set up in a house on the market as time goes on, too, but it's looking not so great for finding exactly what is needed plus with the things I don't want to compromise.

ETA: I know I may seem wishy-washy on this subject, but unless I talk all the scenarios out to their logical conclusions, explore all aspects of each one, I can't really make a good decision. You are really helping me with this! Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have always wondered how people live without a basement too. Mine is well stocked with canned good, we hoard food too, you just never know.

I never understood why people in hurricane areas are always running to the store the day before to get food. Don't people keep food around anymore? We still only do our shopping twice a month after payday. I call it going to town for supplies.

I think I would look into a lift or a long ramp and stay where you are until you no longer can. I see on the commercials that those chair lifts can be installed outside too, so maybe that's an option too.

 

[speckledhen]

I have always wondered how people live without a basement too. Mine is well stocked with canned good, we hoard food too, you just never know.

I never understood why people in hurricane areas are always running to the store the day before to get food. Don't people keep food around anymore? We still only do our shopping twice a month after payday. I call it going to town for supplies.

I think I would look into a lift or a long ramp and stay where you are until you no longer can. I see on the commercials that those chair lifts can be installed outside too, so maybe that's an option too.

I agree with you on the food hoarding. Used to be it was just common sense. Maybe that's the problem, no more common sense.

A ramp won't work here, deck is just too high. A lift would be the best way to go. DH just cut the pasture and that just begs for a little house. I'll have to take pictures or a video to show you. I wish I could build one and keep this one, but not sure that's feasible. It would mean more debt, not less. I thought that the way the lot slopes at one certain point, a partial basement that was accessed only from outside, sort of a storm shelter and root cellar combined, would be a great idea. That way, you have your extra food storage, plus safety in bad weather, but no steps inside the house to take up valuable room. And it would basically only be a square room with outside lockable entrance, not a true basement, so not as expensive.

ETA: Made a video trying to upload now, but here are two pics of the area from different angles that I am thinking a small house might go. There is a more level meadow area further up, but it's in full view of our house and less shade.The spot I mean is directly in front of that group of trees in the center top.

 

[speckledhen]

Finally, it uploaded.

 

[speckledhen]

Dear God what now? My older son, the one with the cheating wife and the never-ending workday as a restaurant manager was just fired. At the end of the shift, they pink-slipped him. He's out of a job now. What the heck is going to happen to him? He made too much money for this new owner, who put his own 27 yr old son with no experience in charge instead of mine. But, I have to breathe. I cannot stress over his life. He did some of this to himself.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That is a wonderful lot. Figuring out how to get it done is a bit tricky, but I can envision it..

That's too bad about your son. Maybe it's an opportunity for something better for him.

 

[speckledhen]

That is a wonderful lot. Figuring out how to get it done is a bit tricky, but I can envision it..

That's too bad about your son. Maybe it's an opportunity for something better for him.

I hope he can get another job. It will be less money, but the benefits are what he really needs. He was making 60K after 12 years at that place, but he'll have to take a big pay cut somewhere else. He has a couple of leads, but this can't be good for his stress level. If his skanky wife is going to leave, this would be the time, when he can't support her and pay for her playtimes (she is a rock band groupie). I hope he doesn't ask to borrow $$. I can't give it to him. He borrowed $1000 years ago when they bought that house, but never saw a dime back. We don't have that kind of money to lend and we always got ourselves out of money jams. He needs to man up and just figure it out. Maybe dumping some baggage would be good (wife).

One good thing about the lot is that it's already had stumps and root systems pulled and is more ready than just a raw lot would be. I'm still not sure what we're going to do, if anything.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Keep pondering the house situation, something will eventually feel right.

Never lend money to anyone and expect it back, especially family. I watch enough Judge Judy's.