Time for an Update!

Posted on 18-Jun-2008 at 11:37

Howdy, homesteaders!

I just realized it's been a while since I popped by HomesteadBlogger and let y'all know what I'm up to and where you can find me.  There's been a bunch of busy little bees in our hive lately, I tell ya.  *phew!*

So here's the skinny, short-story form:

• We recently learned we'll be moving overseas for our next duty station.  Yippee!  It wasn't exactly where we wanted to go, to be honest, but it should be an interesting experience to say the least.  Guess my definition of suburban homesteading is about to change even more!  (I really need to coin a phrase for homesteading in military quarters - "suburban homesteading" just doesn't tell the full story.)  Anywho, that means certain plans will be put on hold for several years, but it could be worse.  I hear the weather there is awesome, which should mean good things for my little container gardening efforts.  *cross your fingers!*
  
• Chatty turned 7 back in April and Winky's first birthday is only a few weeks away.  Both of 'em are growing like weeds, most especially HIM.  Scary....just SCARY how fast this one has grown up.  I swear Manly must be sneaking him beef jerky and protein shakes when I'm not looking.   
  
• I'm still helping my super great buddy Lisa with Notes from the Homestead, the e-news for her *fantastic, if you ask me*  business.  If you're not already familiar with Lisa's products, head over to her website ASAP.  I've got a Tranquility aromatherapy candle burning right now.  It's been burning all week - trust me, I need the Tranquility right now.  LOL
• You can still find me blogging on the Momma (and More) blog, and you can also check out my new endeavor: The Prepared Family.  Pop on by today and say hello!

Greetings, Homesteaders!

Posted on 19-Feb-2008 at 13:19

It's been a while, hasn't it?

I just thought I'd pop in and tell you where to find me these days if you'd like to catch up on some slightly more day-to-day news!

I'm still blogging at Workerette, and you can also find me at Momma (and More).  I'm also editing the e-newsletter Notes from the Homestead for Homestead Originals - you can sign up for the e-news and read not only what I've edited, but also what I've written in a given month.  The next issue will be out 1 March, so sign up today!

On the slate for 2008: e-books (editing 'em and writing 'em), articles about military homeschooling in The Griffon, and a small business column in Seasons at Home.  And who knows?  Hopefully there will be more submissions accepted and more to read.  *grin*

Thanks for stopping by to see me - come visit me at my new homes as well!
~Melonie

Come Visit My New Home!

Posted on 5-Apr-2007 at 15:47

I finally did it!!!  I've created a new home in the blogosphere for documenting my favorite tips, tricks, products, and resources for "going green"!

Please come visit me soon at This Organic House.  Be sure to leave me a comment and a link to your blog or green website as well!

Howdy, Y'all! Long Time, No See!

Posted on 19-Sep-2006 at 22:06

Well, as much as some of you may have suspected it, I have not actually fallen off the face of the earth just yet.  (Or felleded off, as my Little would say. heh heh)

Nope, actually I've been trying to sort, donate, pack and move just about everything in the house to a new home.  Less than two weeks ago the Man found out that we'd been assigned housing...and the real fun began.  I had been sorting things out here and there, in fits and spurts, but I am loathe to move anything that I will end up donating or trashing anyway -- so it all had to be done right away.  One donation run and several extra Hefty sacks out for the trash pick-up days, and things were ready to roll.  We were accepting this house without seeing the inside, which made for some excitement, but also plenty of stress.  Would there be enough room?  Would there be anything icky, like a former resident's leftover secondhand smoke or pet odor?  Would there be horrid cabinets or totally ugly flooring?

Well, we got our keys Friday and everything's jussssst fine.  No odors (thank you, Lord!), tons of storage (so much that I almost don't know what to do with it all -- I feel like I could rent out two of the storage areas as rooms!), and while the kitchen cabinetry is definitely not new or happening, it's totally livable and I'm adjusting to it. 

I have to admit, I was pretty freaked out at first by having a galley kitchen.  Then we got here and found out that there's not a laundry room -- the washer and dryer hookups are in the kitchen.  OH MY WORD was my first thought.  I bit my lip though and I think I hid my shock somewhat well.  Maybe not super well, because the Man made a comment that he should have realized they'd be there as every base house he's been in has had them there.  I must've had that "deer in the headlights" look.  But you know what?  Once I got used to it, I actually was sold on the idea.  After all, there's a big wide counterspace right next to where they go that can be used for folding.  And there's plenty of cabinets up above that will more than hold my laundry supplies.  In fact, I went through and unpacked the entire kitchen yesterday and got it all set up.  Since the linen closet outside the upstairs bathroom is HUGE, I will only need one shelf for my laundry supplies.  (Probably a half a shelf, frankly, but we'll see.)  So the rest of the cabinets now hold my fine china and stemware, supplies like paper napkins, paper plates, and plastic cups and utensils, and all the Man's lunchware, including several Thermoses [or would that be Thermosi?  *chuckle*] and the like.) 

I have a garbage disposal, which I haven't had in many, many years; my fridge and stove are on one wall along with gobs of cabinets and drawers, so I got all of the food preparation appliances (microwave, CrockPot, toaster) on one nice long section along with all of the food and I saved a spot for the pots 'n pans.  Wowsers.  What was originally me making a happy face turned into an extreme satisfaction and an idea for creating the Pantry of Eden in the humongo-gigantor-sized storage area right out the kitchen door, in the entryway.  The thing is supposed to be a coat closet, but I'm telling ya, I could fit a pony in there.  Hmmm. 

No, seriously though, it's stimulated quite the thinking process for me, and I can't wait til the Man gets home from some training.  He's always looking for a project, and first on the list is building me a gazillion shelves in there, strong enough to hold canned goods, bottled water, and so on.  Bet you can't guess where our grab 'n go bags will be, can ya?  :-P

Speaking of grab 'n go bags and other such emergency prep materials: I realized last night that I never posted the second and third installments in my three-part series on those matters!  I'll be doing that post haste.  As in right after I hit save on this post.  I'm even going to fiddle with the posting times so that you can just keep scrolling down and read it all in proper order.  Isn't that just ever so helpful of me?  hahaha

Let me know what you think of 'em!  And you can expect at least one future article about creating your pantry/safe room as well.  Once I'm done creating mine, of course!

Call for Submissions: September HomesteadBlogger e-News

Posted on 21-Aug-2006 at 19:37

Just a quick reminder: September is the final Homestead e-news I will be guest editing for HomesteadBlogger/The Old Schoolhouse.  If you're interested in submitting an article, please leave me a comment here or email me at MELONIE[at]LIVELEARNWRITE[dot]COM.  A link to your blog or website is appreciated so that I can get an idea of your tone and style, of course.

Deadline for submissions is THIS FRIDAY, the 25th of August, so be sure to drop me a line if you'd like your thoughts, ideas, or recipes published in the Homestead e-News!

Get Packing!

Posted on 18-Aug-2006 at 08:48

There's a pretty serious case of short-timer's running through my veins these days.  I really want to get things sold off, donated, packed up and moved.  Never mind that our new home is not available yet (probably mid- to late September at the current rate) nor is our current home sold (wish me luck)!  I just want to get the heck out of Dodge.

That means this weekend will be spent cleaning the house and getting the rest of our "stuff" sorted out.  Anything that can be sold next weekend during a yard sale will go.  Anything that can't will be donated.  My poor new hubby is about to learn what it's really like when I get sick and tired of having too many material objects.  Time for this fresh, new family to start over in a fresh, new home.  I'm quite happy about the idea of leaving the old behind.  Yeahhhhhh, baby!

Welcome to "Going Green"!

Posted on 21-Jun-2006 at 18:11

Since I began my journey to green living about six years ago, I've sought out (and stumbled across!) a variety of great resources and products.  I've also seen changes in myself and my family, and come to some pretty heavy realizations about changes I decided not to make after all.

You'll see me posting here about everything from homeschooling to suburban homesteading, along with information about the products I've come to love and hate.  I'll also introduce you to options for going green one step at a time.  This blog is a way for me to document my own family's journey.  If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that it can be "easy being green"!

As for me and my house: I'm a divorced mom of one daughter.  Soon (very soon, actually!) you'll see my name and marital status change, though.  I'll be returning to my Army brat roots, as my soon-to-be husband is a soldier currently stationed here in Washington state.  Where we'll roam from here...well, only time and the Army know! 

Where I'm writing: I'm the author of several blogs, actually. 

• My other personal blog, Raven Writes, focuses more on the homeschooling aspects of my life. 
• I am the author of two blogs for the business blogging network Know More Media.  As the author of SmallBizMentor.com, I cover the small- and home-based business beat.  Over at Workerette.com, I discuss issues and resources of interest to women in business. 
• Later this week I'll be starting as a ClubMom MomBlogger.  I'll post that link as soon as I have it!  I'll be discussing homeschooling, working from home and single parent issues there.  (Hmm, methinks that'll soon be changing to newlywed and Army wife issues, eh?)
• Each Friday you'll be able to catch my contributions about "Going Green" on the HomesteadBlogger.com Front Porch.  Nancy Carter has asked me to offer up insight for folks who want to learn more about "green" issues, including shopping for "green" (nontoxic and/or organic) products, becoming educated about conservation of resources, renewable energy, and other topics that are cropping up in the news these days. 

To me, homesteading isn't just about being out on a farm or reminiscing about the pioneer days.  It's about being a good steward, no matter where you are, and learning how to make the most of what you have; it's about living lightly while living well!