I thought around the first of the month I would run a thread where anyone who has been lurking can have a chance to jump in. It is so much fun to learn about new people here. I am amazed at the number of people who read here. Even though you may feel your life is ordinary, we are all interested in knowing you, so join in the fun!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 04, 2002

Answers

Hi, all, I've been visiting this forum for only a few weeks, and I love it! I'm married to Jim for five years, have 2 sons and 2 daughters, Jeremy 21, Kasey 20, Kali 20, and Timothy 3. We live on 5 acres in SE NM for almost 2 years now, but are planning on moving somewhere else when daughters finish college. The soil and water are terrible here, but so far have raised beds for gardening, rabbits, chickens and ducks coming very soon, and lots of plans. I am an RN, and my spouse is a mechanic. Thanks for such a great forum!

-- Gina NM (inhock@pvtnetworks.net), February 04, 2002.

Welcome Gina!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 05, 2002.

Hello! I am 45 with an eleven and five year old son. I live in SE Vermont. My husband had a massive stroke eight months ago. He is in a nursing home in MA. He is not able to speak or move, care for himself,etc. We miss him, but are coping with the changes. I have so enjoyed this forum. It helps to check in every now and then, I feel like I am coming to know many of you! Terran

-- Terran in VT (homefire@sover.net), February 05, 2002.

Greetings,

Hi, my name is Marsha. We live in PA. My husband & I have been married for 22 years. We have 12 precious children.

We moved here to PA from my hometown of Marietta, OH 10 years ago, so, my husband could pastor a church. My husband is from Wheeling, WV, and, we lived for several years in that area as well.

I really do enjoy the rolling hills of PA. When I was a young teenage girl I used to read books by Agnes Sligh Turnball about the rolling hills of PA, and, I always hoped that I could go to PA someday and see it.

When we first moved here we lived in a small house in a small little village for 2 years. The folks in this village were so kind and friendly. They were mostly older folks who were always looking for ways to do something for others.

We then bought our own property--around 3/4 of an acre in another small coal mining town around 25 miles from where we lived before. We wanted to stay as debt free as possibe, so, we bought two used mobile homes to put on our property to add togeter. We cleared our land and planted a garden.

We have raised many children here, plus lots of anmimals. We are surrounded on three sides by state game lands, so, there is lots of woods to explore. We have black bears here in our area, and, it is not uncommon to see at least two right around our home here every year.

When we first moved here to the edge of this small village I heard some boys from the town walk past our place and call us a bunch of dirt farmers. At first it made me feel sad. I'm sure they ment it as a slam, but, around a few weeks later I started getting Countryside Magazine, and, I realized that we were "Homesteaders". I sure felt alot better about that after I read my first issue of Countryside.

We still live virtually debt free, and, we still live in two mobile homes added together. We sold the smaller older mobile a few years after we moved here and bought a very big 14X70 mobile with a 11X24 expanded room(which increases our living room and dining room area. We now have a home that has 2 living rooms, two kitchens, 5 bedrooms, and, 2 1/2 baths. I use the extra kitchen to store alot of my home canned goods. It is not uncommon for us to can as much as 500 or more quarts of food a year.

We are happy here, and, we thank the Lord for the way he has taken care of us.

Marsha-wife to Loren-mother to 12

-- Marsha Marshall (Thankful4Jesus@excite.com), February 05, 2002.

Hi Marsha, nice to "meet" you. I have noticed you posting a few times before and was amazed at the number of children. I hope you will tell us some stories as I'm sure you must have a lot to tell and much valuable informatin as well! I live across the river from Wheeling, actually about 10 miles from St. Clairsville near Centerville. So maybe you are familiar with the area too!

Terran, since I have read your story on Countryside, I have kept you in my prayers. What has happened to you is like everyone's worst nightmare. I can't even imagine the pain you must feel, but I am glad we can give you a small amount of help and maybe a little joy in your life. If you need to talk about anything, I know that many here are happy to help.

Welcome to all three of you, and I hope you continue to enjoy the forum. We value your input here at Country Families!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 05, 2002.

Hi Melissa,

Yes, I do know where Centerville is. My husbands brother used to date a girl who lived in that area. We when were home two weekends ago, we left Wheeling and went up Rt. 7 past Dillies Bottom to go home to Marietta. It was a beautiful drive up the river!!

We used to live in Bridgeport, Ohio-not right in town thank the Lord!!!

It is great to hear from folks who live close to our old stomping grounds. We are actually praying seriously about moving back to the area. Somewhere between Wheeling and Marietta, so, that we can help care for our aging parents.

Marsha in PA

-- Marsha Marshall (Thankful4Jesus@excite.com), February 05, 2002.

Hello All! I was on this post at 5:00 this morning and was going to reply, didn't want to be the first one. Silly right! Oh, well. I have only had my computer for 3 weeks now, but have been reading and contributing to the CS website ever since. I just love it! I feel like I'm part of the family. I live almost in the central part of PA. We have 48 acres that we just paid off yesterday. I have a wonderful husband that I've been married to for 25 years and have 5 children (only 3 at home). We have cows, pigs and chickens. Plan on getting turkeys this summer. I love to can, garden and do crafts. I work part- time at a greenhouse, sell my crafts at craft shows and to craft shops, and sell extra produce to make a little extra money. Would love to read about others, so please add to the list!

-- Jo in PA (farmerjo02@yahoo.com), February 05, 2002.

My name is Billie and I have been around here for several months, but have only posted 3 or 4 times. Right now I live in Western Colorado, but will be moving to Missouri sometime this summer. My mother has been diagnoised with inoperable cancer that has spread to her brain and other areas. So my husband, of 21 years, is very graciously moving us to MO so I can spend what ever quality time there is left. She is 61 and I'm not ready for her to go. I have a daughter who is 25 and a granddaughter who just turned one year. They also live in MO, so I will get to spoil that grandbaby. We have decided not to sell our home here , even tho it is in town, but will rent it to my sister-in-law. We are building a garage, as soon as the weather here gets warm, and most of our belongings will be stored there. We are only taking what ever we can fit into our truck and on our 18 foot flatbed trailer. A house has yet to be found there but wherever I am I will make do. My husband was in the Air Force for almost 23 years and we moved more times than I can count (4 times, one year). I like to garden and sew and quilt and crochet and I make 90% of my gifts for birthdays and Christmas. Since 1975 I have been on the move every year to 3 years. The longest was 5 years. I was hoping when Bill retired almost 3 years ago that this would be it, but alas, the Lord has other plans for us. I enjoy reading about everyone's triumphs and how they got there. Please keep us in your thoughts as we begin this unexpected journey.

-- Billie in W. CO (bbsowell@earthlink.net), February 06, 2002.

Will do billie, I can't even imagine moving that many times! You probably know a thing or two about packing!!! I do hope you can enjoy the time with your Mother.

HI Jo, we have another couple of Jo's here too. Must be a popular name. Hope you enjoy the forum,and have fun with that paid of land!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 06, 2002.

Hi, I have posted a few times on this forum and post some on CS. I live in SE New Mexico (like Gina, I guess). I am married, and have two daughters. One is away at college and the other is a freshman in HS. My husband works in the oil patch. I am a stay at home Mom for the last 10 years, but have started to tutor at our local college and do research for a friend who has a business. Both are (very) part- time.

I sew, cook from scratch, crochet,do crafts and am learning to quilt. I like to read and garden. I also go to a Bible Study (Precept) once a week. We live in town, so only have a dog and cat.

We are basically debt-free, house is paid. We do pay for college and have a small payment for a car. I try to keep food and plan for any emergencies that may arise, like the recent ice storms so many experienced.

I really enjoy the forum and try to check in everyday.

-- connie in nm (karrelandconnie@msn.com), February 06, 2002.