To everyone who helped catch my towel, today is a new day! I could not believe all the responses (70 as of today) that I got, when I was feeling pretty insecure about being a homesteader. Today the sun shined so brightly into our livingroom window it made me realize how "cozy" I have made our home in the past 20 years. When I went out to warm up my car to go to church, there was the most incredible evidence that Jack Frost had been on top of my car during the night. It was beautiful! When I went down a back street in town, there was a huge puddle in the middle of the road, with 10 - 12 birds splashing in it and loving every minute of it. TODAY IS A NEW DAY! I'm putting the chickens in the giveaway column of the local newspaper tomorrow. If they are gone I can clean and refurbish the chicken house and get ready for chicks in April. The rabbits are going in the giveaway column too. I can then repair the cages and get more later. Maybe a breed to raise for their fleece instead? We found someone who is willing to sell us a bull for our heifers. (Haven't worked out the cost yet. Since no emotional attachment, I won't have any qualms about eating him. Hubby traded our old 84 Ford for a nearly new self- propelled lawn mower, a submersible pump for our well, a weed eater that has a blade instead of the funky string, and a tiny little "mantis" size tiller, and two loads of firewood. I think he did pretty good. Maybe I'll keep him after all....I splurged today and bought 6 yards of material that feels so good. Wait till I make it into some "sexy" pajamas. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your support, you will never know what all the kind words have done to help me see my life in a new and different way. If you're ever in Rutland, Ohio, let me know. I'll at least pour you a cup of coffee. Love to you all! Harmony

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

Answers

Oh Harmony, It is so good to "hear" the laughter and joy in your voice (post, lol) again. Just goes to prove that the best way out of a rut is to DO SOMETHING! Glad things are looking up, and keep us posted on the progress at your place. And remember, the forum is full of friends when you need to chat, ask advice, or seek a little moral support- we're all here for you.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), January 13, 2002.

:>) thanks for sharing Harmony, you made my day. blessings and hugs

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002.

I'm glad the sun is shining for you again, Harmony.

Stacy in NY

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), January 13, 2002.

The next 45 will be easier.

-- paul (primrose@centex.net), January 13, 2002.

Your going to be okay ! Remember the best part of climbing out of a slump is that your looking up and forward, not down and back. just keep pitching. :>)

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), January 13, 2002.

I don't know where Rutland is, but tomorrows 1st cup will be with you. My prayers for you and yours.... Jim

-- Jim NE KY (jedeweese@earthlink.net), January 13, 2002.

I'm happy for you Harmony!

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 13, 2002.

Great news Harmony! Every day is a new day that is for sure.

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

Harmony, I'm just glad that you decided to ask our collective opinion! So, now you can really celebrate your birthday! Keep in mind that we all only have 2 choices: we can get older or not. If we don't get older, we die young. I firmly recommend and am quite happy to get older (and I hope wiser) every day!

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

Harmony, you've made my day too! If I was closer, I'd take you up on that cup of coffee, but it's nice to know we're all just a click away.

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. Ralph Waldo Emerson

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

Hi Harmony. I too am glad you feel renewed.

I have a little bit of sewing experience (pinning, cutting mainly, and would actually like to sew some breifs, and boxers some day. Ann has the major experience.

The mantis uses a oil/ gas mixture fuel (I believe it is 50 to 1 gas to oil ratio, but sometimes they change them when a new design is done). Try to start it now, but don't run it more than a minute as the gas may be old, unless you are certain the fuel mixture is fresh (the company says don't use after 30 days old).

If the fuel may be old, whether it starts or not empty the fuel out in to a container for disposal or cleaning use. At the this point run it til the remaining fuel in the lines is spent, and it stops running. Pull the cord several more times to clear it. If it won't start, pull it a few dozen times after removing the fuel.

The Mantis is a good tiller for it's size. The tines are installed one way to till, and the reverse- oposit wheel to cultivate. It will also get rocks stuck in the tines, trust me!

Good luck

Rick

-- Rick (Rick_122@hotmail.com), January 13, 2002.

Harmony, glad you found the inspiration to hang on and tough it out!!!

SAD is a serious disorder that affects many people, especially in the the winter, try getting out in the sun way more often in the winter, just bundle up and go for an hour walk or so, makes a tremendous difference.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), January 14, 2002.

Harmony - how good to hear that you are feeling so much better. I think those new sexy pj's might be of interest to your hubby as well! Might be just the thing for a new spark in your lives! Best Wishes!

-- Daisy (shaferd@msn.com), January 14, 2002.

Glad things are looking up for you! Thanks for sharing--you've uplifted my day! God bless.

-- Sharon (spangenberg@hovac.com), January 14, 2002.

Glad to see you're up and about and that the sun is shining on you again! I love my mantis tiller and now that I have just about worn it out, I am going to get another one. The main thing with a mantis is to keep the tines sharp and to keep the correct oil/gas mix in it. I buy my oil from Mantis, but you can get it from any hardware store, just make sure it is mixed correctly (50 to 1 I believe).

Just wait till you get some veggies going, but flowers are great too. Who was it said: Vegetables feed the body, but flowers feed the soul?

Good luck and glad you are better, Cindy

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), January 14, 2002.

Whoooooohooooo!

-- Sandie in Maine (peqbear@maine.rr.com), January 14, 2002.

dear Harmony, Just keep looking at the good first- so glad to hear you are finding life brighter and changing what hasn't worked. (I agree that nice jammies may be a treat for you both) I'll think of you while I drink my morning cup o' in the morning. love betty

-- betty modin (betty_m9@yahoo.com), January 16, 2002.