Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

A new Beginning

Today was the first day of our new beginning.  Instead of waiting until next payday to make the decision, Joe asked me to buy the oil lamps & oil that we needed today.  After returning home and getting all the lamps filled and wick's in the previous lamps trimmed, Joe went around the house unplugging all lights and removing light bulbs from the ceiling fixtures.  As of tonight, we are using oil lamps only for lighting.

This change in our lifestyle has been going easier than one would imagine.   We have been realizing that using electric lights is a habit, not a necessity.  Yesterday while visiting some dear friends, they gave me their old washboard to use until I am able to get one of my own.  What a blessing!  This will make my laundry much easier to do than the way I had done it before - all scrubbing with my knuckles!  Now, I can use the washboard to get the soiled clothing clean.  What a blessing!

We now only have the essential things plugged into outlets - refrigerator, stove, etc.  I am looking forward to seeing the difference it will make in our electric bill.  Since June, our electric bill had tripled!  This should knock the bill down really well.  We expect it to go up a little bit in the winter when the dryer will have to be used, but since the dryer vent has an attachment that allows the heat from the dryer to heat the room, we see the dryer as a heat source also in the winter.

I am still on the look out for a working wringer washer or even a hand crank wringer that I can use with wash tubs.  Anything that will make it easier to wring out the clothing.  Having arthritis in my hands, I have trouble wringing out the water from the clothing.  I am finding that I love it whenever I am able to do the laundry by hand though.  It is very labor intensive, but to me that is also what makes it relaxing.

I am so grateful that the Lord is showing us ways to become less reliant on the utilities.  It is such a peace to know that with each step we make in this area, we are becoming less reliant on public utilities.  I am looking forward to the day when we are able to get a wind power system built to supply what we need so that we are not dependent on the power companies.

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12:32, Monday, September 8, 2008 .. Posted by MrsScribbles

I enjoy reading about your choices and the way you are taking changes in your life. I read your blog with interest.

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09:00, Monday, September 8, 2008 .. Posted by Sara

I saw on another blog, the lentils and rice blog, I believe, where she used a commercial mop bucket with the hand crank wringer for her laundry and it is working really well. I commend you on working towards more self sufficiency. We are right now working on being more economically and enviromentally friendly, and switching our needed lights to compact fluorescent. I love using oil lamps in the evening, not only helping on electricity, but also the ambiance that it provides. It actually makes my home feel so much calmer. I would love to begin taking some of the steps you all are taking, but I don't think my honey is quite ready to make so many changes at once, but I'm sure we'll get there eventually. If not out of want, then possibly out of need with costs still on the rise. Have a blessed day!

Sara

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11:20, Monday, September 8, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427

I love reading your blog, and seeing what changes your family is making to save money and become mor self-sufficient.

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

laundry wringer

09:26, Tuesday, September 9, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Enjoy reading your blog about becoming more self-s ufficient. Have you heard of Lehman's Hardware? Their catalog is on the web. Lehmans.com.They have all types of nonelectric items!