Sometimes we focus on the bad choices we make, but today let's think about the good decisions we have made. I think I have made several but the most important one was who I married. All the rest of it goes from there.

Like choosing to live in the country, having children at a young age, deciding to remain as debt free as possible. We have never had a mortgage and paid cash as much as possible. When we did take out loans, we kept them small and paid them off early, usually in half the time.

Reading the Tightwad Gazette, ranks high, in how I handle money, and my attitude towards having and not having it. Teaching my children to work hard and the value of time and money.

So when I think of bad decisions I have made I will also think of these good ones!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 13, 2002

Answers

The best decision I ever made was to give my heart/life to Jesus. Sometimes I lose site of Him, but He's always waiting for me when I come back.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), January 13, 2002.

Amen Cindy!!! I agree that was the best decision that I ever made. The next would be to marry my husband 23 years ago. The next would be to adopt my son almost 18 years ago. Then comes living the homesteading life!!! All of the above are awesome gifts from God!! I am SO blessed!!!

-- Marci (Marci@amazingrazefarm.com), January 13, 2002.

I have to agree With Cindy--- the best decision I ever made was accepting Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life & my salvation-----& all the other wonderful things you receive in life by asking Him into your heart.

And then realizeing I could never be accepted by my mother ---& quit trying to live my life to please her---& live my life to please God & then who ever doesn't like it----it is a problem between God & them & not any longier my problem!!!!!

Realizeing all things in the Bible/ DO pretain to me/ at one time or another!!!! ha!!

Marring my hubby & raiseing my daughter---as a family unit---with God & no one else's business!!

Realizeing if I don't have my quiet time & prayer time with God on a regular basis---- it leads to problems for me & no matter what is going on-- I have to take that time!!

Our family lifestyle is a simple one--full of old time basics & liveing debt free---

Decideing to look at life with a warped sense of humor /is right for me---I laugh a lot!!!!!

Decideing to enjoy life more & to slow down more & enjoy family & friends more---adjusting my priorities.

When I have a business & work/ to do what I enjoy/ instead of dread doing---some things that have to be done-------hire more help to do things I dread -&-others can do---keeping the jobs only I can do--- for myself---realizeing I'm no wonderwoman -- & I can't really do all things!!! No matter how hard I try--- It is ok to accept help---or even hire it!!

If I do what is pleasing to God & it is usually pleaseing to the people who matter the most to me--- & the rest it didn't really matter any way!

I stop & feed the chickens more often-----(instead of smelling the roses) --as this works for me!!!

Grow more herbs each year---as I can never have toooo many herbs!!!

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), January 13, 2002.

to quit letting others use me up, as I was trained, and take control of my own life.

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002.

Oh! Totally what Sonda said!

-- Laura (Ladybugwrangler@hotmail.com), January 13, 2002.

Moving down here to the boonies and away from the crazy city people in NE Ohio, the "rat race" is not for me!!!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 13, 2002.

The best decision I ever made was to post a question in countryside forum about whether I should give up on hubby and homestead or to try again. I'm trying again! Harmony

-- Harmony (harmonyfarm57@hotmail.com), January 13, 2002.

The best decision I ever made?

1. To follow Jesus and obey him in all things.

2. To ask a special woman to marry me who made the same Decision #1.

3. To have three kids and grow up with them.

4. To move to Brazil.

5. To work on my writing skills and insist on poetry.

6. To strive at honesty, transparency, integrity, and sincerity.

7. To give up power struggles.

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), January 13, 2002.

This is on a more serious note, but the best decision I ever made was not listening to the doctors concerning my daughter when she was born, going with my gut instinct as a mother, and knowing that she had alot more potential than anyone ever gave her credit for. If it wasn't for my stubborness and decisions, she would not be where she is today. And on a lighter note, marrying Dave and moving to the mountains where I find the most happiness.

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), January 13, 2002.

Deciding to NEVER say "That could never happen to me"...it's amazing how much a little thing like that can change your viewpoint!

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), January 13, 2002.