Hi I am still fairly new to the forum but I check it every day is is so informative and uplifting thanks everyone. I was just curious if anyone has something they indulge in that seems opposite of the homestead lifestyle. As for me I tend to be drawn toward Martha Stewart style living and collecting. The other opposite is my little house dog I grew up on a large family farm and as children were always present when the vet arrived and during butchering. On the farm if it didnt have a purpose or function we didnt feed it, we never had animals in the house and all animals had a use or purpose. I operated under that mind set until july when my son gave me a house puppy I fell in love and now better understand the term pet. every once in a while I look at my little dog curled up on my decorative pillow that I wont let the kids touch and scratch my head? Just wondering if anyone else has an indulgence that caught them by surprise. ( p.s. PLEASE LIFT MY FAMILY UP IN PRAYERS RIGHT NOW I HAVE A JOB OPPORTUNITY I FEEL I REALLY NEED PRAYER PARTNERS ON THIS ONE) Thanks Ronda

-- Ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), November 01, 2000

Answers

Chocolate and Brie cheese. Can't make chocolate,lol! But someday I'd like to try making the brie out of goat's milk.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), November 01, 2000.

MOUNTAIN DEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Lenore (archambo@winco.net), November 01, 2000.

God, books, gardening, my wife.

-- Ed Weaver (edzreal@postmaster.co.uk), November 01, 2000.

How sweet Ed .I hope she knows how lucky she is . Pepsi, books and animals .

-- Patty (fodfarms@slic.com), November 01, 2000.

Christmas!!!Anything Christmas. I think I love the "Spirit" of this time of year! I love the "MAKING" of Christmas. It's not the presents but something much , much more!!!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), November 01, 2000.

Artist supplies and sewing goodies, and BOOKS, on history or how-tos. Ronda, What kind of job? Make sure it leaves you lots of time for family!

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), November 01, 2000.

Chocolate, my two ancient house cats (they're 20 and 21 yrs.old!), and our two Harleys, a 1960 panhead chopper,and a 1998 Heritage Softail Classic. Now you know, we're those awfull "bike people", just kidding!!! We don't even smoke or drink, so I guess we don't qualify, but we did go to Sturgis this year, and Daytona. I guess that is our biggest indulgence, the bikes. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 01, 2000.

Cracklin's! After rendering the lard. Kinda strange for a Maine- iac, but I did spend some time in the deep south (Maryland)! I know they are not low in fat, but they are sooooo good, and I will probably die by being shot by a jealous husband when I am in my 90's, so why worry?! GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), November 01, 2000.

golf. ham radio. chocolate. reading. critters. ex-wives...oops

-- gene ward (gward34847@aol.com), November 01, 2000.

Alright,May as well tell y'all.I love a good,clean,christian romance book.[Grace Livingston Hill,etc.] God Bless,~~~Tracy~~~

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), November 01, 2000.

Coffee and a good book.

-- renee oneill (oneillsr@home.com), November 01, 2000.

Dogs, cats, and cookbooks, but my number one indulgence is my neice Maria, who turned six today. Cathy in NY

-- Cathy Horn (hrnofplnty@webtv.net), November 01, 2000.

Art supplies, seeds, fabrics for qults and,lately,Ebay!!!

Ada

-- Aagje Franken (Backyardy2k@aol.com), November 01, 2000.

Several, actually: This forum, all my animals, our hot tub, the occasional very dry Tanqueray martini (shaken, not stirred) travel just about anywhere, and if I don't get a job in January, school!!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), November 01, 2000.

a corgi dog, flowers

-- Terry (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), November 01, 2000.

Hazlenut coffee, going to booksales, and an occasional eBay purchase

-- Christina W. (introibo@address.com), November 01, 2000.

If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need. So, two of my major activities I can't view as indulgences.But ,I suppose,sweets,and great old junk from auctions probably are.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), November 01, 2000.

peppermints dogs and books

-- Roxanne (hmstdlady@webtv.net), November 01, 2000.

peppermints dogs books

-- Roxanne (hmstdlady@webtv.net), November 01, 2000.

Good grief how you people disgust me!!!!! Where is the purity? Hee Hee.....Kirk.....P.S. Annie, Those are the oldest cats I've ever heard of! Is that some sort of a record?

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), November 01, 2000.

This computer!!!!!!!!!!!(LOL) I can't get away from it for over a few waking hours, and then I find myself checking all my fav places.

Beth (NC)

-- Beth (NC) (craig@icu2.net), November 01, 2000.

Kirk, one more year and they will be the oldest cats our country vet has ever personally dealt with, when we travel, he boards them at the vet office for us. He says they are in good shape for their age, they have some arthritis, and are about completely deaf, but other than sleeping 95% of the time, are fine. Annie in SE OH.

-- Annie Miller (annie@1st.net), November 02, 2000.

Goats :) Books, good candy, weekend sports on the tube, and I am always guilty of indulging my kids! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), November 02, 2000.

Candy. I have to have some candy every single day.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), November 02, 2000.

Besides all th h"homestead stuff": Listening to my husband sing contemporary Christian music, playing Scrabble, Celtic and bluegrass music, carob peanut butter cups, watching pioneer and family movies, prophecy books and movies. and Gilbert Morris and other such books. Maybe I indulge too much {:~}

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), November 02, 2000.

Right now, with my job making my usual bedtime two or two-thirty in the morning, my biggest indulgence is sleep! My daughter (mentally handicapped and doesn't understand) almost always wakes me up by eight, and even if I lie back down, it seems like I can't really go back to sleep. Sigh. Normally, my indulgences would be books (I've read -- and own -- most of Grace Livingston Hill's, like Georgette Heyer and most of the other Regency writers), fresh fruit out of season, and occasionally ice cream. Oh, and fabric and patterns!!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 02, 2000.

Chocolate, cola drinks (it used to be Dr. Pepper but I have taken the homesteading philosophy to heart and it is now whatever is on sale) and books. Lots and lots of books.

-- Cheryl (bramblecottage@hotmail.com), November 02, 2000.

Chocolate, a good book, and some peace and quiet (what's that) to read and eat in.

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), November 02, 2000.

Books, books, and more books! And my dogs, who are treated better than most children!! - Julia

-- Julia in Tally (tofubiscuit@excite.com), November 02, 2000.

Books, used and cheap, or the library.

-- Sandy (smd2@netzero.net), November 02, 2000.

Making the time to watch Northern Exposure reruns every morning. I love that show!

-- Annie (mistletoe@earthlink.net), November 02, 2000.

My indulgences...books....my computer (although my internet is free)...books...educational CD-Roms...books....coffee...did I mention books?

-- Terri (tchr4hm@juno.com), November 02, 2000.

Nutella

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), November 02, 2000.

Brad if you are truly worried about being shot by a jealous husband at age of 90 you will have to change your e-mail from homefixer to homebreaker. But really mine is a good fire, a comfortable chair, a good cup of coffee and a good book. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef123@hotmail.com), November 02, 2000.

Herbal tea, my Chapters bookstore card, and REGULAR purchases for homeschooling from a local education store. I love books!!!

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), November 02, 2000.

Cinnamon rolls dripping with pecans, the finest oolong tea I can procure, sushi, books, long hot showers, a stoked fire built by my husband, and my husband's dancing.

-- snoozy (allen@oz.net), November 03, 2000.

Brad, wouldn't your wife get you before the jealous husband does?!?

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 03, 2000.

Books, sleep, books, coffee, books, fabric, books,solitude, books, crisp line dried sheets, books, cats; and Oh - did I mention, books?!

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), November 03, 2000.

My family,books,travel!!!!

-- nobrabbit (conlane@prodigy.net), November 03, 2000.

coffee, pets, books, fabric, seeds,POWER TOOLS: not necessarily in that order. Hope you get the job!

-- Peg (wildwoodfarms@hushmail.com), November 03, 2000.

Chocolate, books, and my kids (family), anything Amish. Carol, I see we have a few more things in common!! LOL P.S. Last time I checked, you owe me an email! =)

-- Greenthumbelina (sck8107@aol.com), November 03, 2000.

Books (How-to, livestock, history, Tom Clancy types, and Christian -yes, I also like Grace Livingston Hill!), goats, horses. Spending time with my husband when we don't have work to do (rare).

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), November 04, 2000.

Thanks everyone it was interesting to learn more about all of you. I dont know if I have the job yet they are still checking references. Its a teaching job, I couldnt start when the school year began because I had emergency surgery in august and there are very few permenent positions that open up mid year and the competition is tough so please continue to pray I appreciate this forum so much and wouldnt miss a day of checking on everyone. thanks Ronda

-- ronda (thejohnsons@localaccess.com), November 04, 2000.

My porch swing, a good book, a hand rolled cigar, a glass of homemade wine and a few hours to enjoy them without interruption.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 04, 2000.

In this order, Family,Farm,food,Farmall Tractors, animals,privacy

-- Tom (Calfarm@msn.com), November 04, 2000.

Family, baking, tootsie roll pops, reading (Beverly Lewis, Francine Rivers), our livestock & books about them, long walks, hot tea while reading the latest Countryside, hot cocoa with a large marshmallow melting in it, a nice fire crackling in the wood stove, except for family being #1, the rest aren't in order. Wish you all the best with the new job, Ronda! God bless!

-- Phyllis (almostafarm@yahoo.com), November 05, 2000.

indulgences....Walker's shortbread. Pepsi. occasional fancy dinner in a restaurant with dressing up and wine and cloth napkins and my handsome and handy husband-equivalent. :)

-- juno redleaf (gofish@presys.com), November 05, 2000.

I just learned how to play gin yesterday. Now I am dying to play gin but the oldest person in the house besides myself is 7, Ohe well, Lisa

-- Lisa in west TX. (hopplehomestead@safezone.net), November 05, 2000.

dear ronda -

do not feel ashamed of loving one of god's beautiful creatures! i have a one year old alsatian bitch (German Shepherd Dog)who was a rescue dog and she is just the best company in the whole world! pets and people have many different needs and uses - my dog was originally bred from timberwolves in germany to protect shepherds and their flocks - my girl makes a great guard dog - no one would ever break into my flat while she is there! so enjoy the dog is my advice! on another note does anyone have any advice for me? i am desperate to get out of my boring job and get into homesteading i have a small .5 acre garden and have been experimenting with different crops. but iwould really like to get into alternative technologies aswell - i want to go forward to a more greener way of life - please contact me with ideas - i send a wee prayer for ur job hopes ronda x

-- Paul C (polchavita@hotmail.com), September 11, 2001.