Humble Beginnings

And yet, more canning + going a little slower

I did more canning yesterday and put up 9 quarts of cranberry juice (using all the frozen cranberries I had left) and 2 pints, 6 half-pints + 3 itty bitty jars of orange marmalade.  I've never made marmalade before so I hope it turns out well.  We had a lot of oranges in the refrigerator and I just hated the idea of them going bad before we could use them, so I just canned them. 

On a side note, I have been feeling rather *blah* lately...nothing I can put my finger on, just run down and peevish - about everything.  I think I've overloaded myself lately and am burned out.  I work 5 hours a day (from the house), homeschool James & Lauren, try to keep the house picked up, laundry (which I do about every 2-3 days) + canning, making bread (which is seldom now), etc.  I want to quit my job so bad.  It's always in the back of my mind that I have to get my hours in.  Hubby is doing all he can right now but the real estate market is just pitiful.  He had one closing in January which was awesome as it helped us pay off our Tahoe.  So, hubby's looking for something more stable (instability drives him nuts!) + working night jobs or whatever he can find.  For part of my work, I do a portion of the hiring process (reviewing resumes, making initial phone calls, etc.) and we are now getting tons of resumes from people in the real estate and mortgage industries.  It's truly a wakeup call about what's going on out there.  So, in the meantime, I'm plugging away and so is Johnny.  We would both love it if I didn't have to work and one day that'll happen.  I just know it.

The other thing is, the cost of living around here is expensive.  Milk is $6 a gallon and we go through about 1½ gallons a week.  Granted, it's organic milk, but still.  Chicken breats are close to $9 for three (JUST 3!!).  We have it in our hearts to be homesteaders and are really pulled towards that lifestyle.  However, we're not where we think we should be ... if that makes sense.  We keep mulling over the idea of moving out of the area, so hubby's looking for work out of state (the kids still want to move to Alaska, but we're still considering Missouri).  I think my bosses will allow me to work from out of state since I work mainly from the house anyway (but then again, maybe I won't have to!).

Okay, I'm going to quit whining.  I really don't intend to (just have these feelings on my heart and this is my "release").  I know that God is leading us somewhere.  His plan for us is so much more than I could ever imagine.  I know that and I understand that and I truly believe that.  He has helped us through so many valleys in life that I have no doubt about His master plan.  So, we'll keep on keeping on.

And, hubby's given me "strict orders" (that's a joke) to slow down and not try to do it all ... every day.  But, do you ever feel like you have something pressing on you that needs to get done and you don't know why but you feel like you have to do it?  I have those feelings lately (which is probably why I keep putting up all the food I can).  I feel like I have to.  I can't explain it any better than that.  It's weird, but ... anyway, have a great day!

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{ 09:11 , Thursday, January 31, 2008 } { Posted by homesteadinthemaking }

Orange marmelade, I haven't even thought of that one.
I know what you mean about the instability. My hubby built houses before going to Iraq with the National Guard in 2004/2005. When he got back he didn't want to have to start the business all over. So he went fulltime National Guard. This has been the first time in years that we have had a stable check every 2 weeks. It has been nice. Now, granted he may have to go back to Iraq, but he says the lack of stress from worrying about houses selling, is worth it.
You and your family could always come over here to Mississippi, we would welcome you.
Blessings,
Trixi

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{ 11:04 , Thursday, January 31, 2008 } { Posted by schatzila }

I cannot believe the price of your milk...here in Canada we pay $3.34/4 litres or one gallon.....I have been hearing that the housing market in the US is really bad right now....is it that way all over or just in some States?

I will pray right now that God will open up doors for you and dh and show you His will for your life and where you are to live and work....being in the hands of our Lord is the best place to be...now we just need to make sure that we trust Him to make the right decisions for us....and He always does...

Blessings,

Connie