From Brett.
I've discovered a couple of things over the last few weeks that apparently occupy way too much of my time. Auctions and GarageJournal.com.
Auctions. Through a relative, I discovered a local auction last month from a plumbing supply business that closed their doors. Sad, but I hear tell that customer service wasn't their strong suit. Anyway, we had not lost the deal on our coveted 13 acres at the time of the auction and thought that some of the purchases could be used towards the construction of living quarters out on the land.
I had watched a few items go for the cheap and with Jenn's encouragement through Google Chat, I started bidding on a few items. Lost a few and noticed that I was a head on some others. I started to get anxious during the online bidding in hopes that someone would not outbid me. Darn! Bid Again....wait....wait...YES! It's mine! Wow, what a rush, I was really getting into this whole auction thing.
I walked away with three brand new sinks, one was a surprise as it wasn't listed in the lot but yet it was apart of it. I started searching these items and their worth only to realize just what a bargain I had made. I saved hundreds of dollars. Hmmm! I think I'm on to something.
Fast forward to last week and another auction I'd been watching since the last. There were some cabinets that were intended for medical purposes but thought one or two would be ideal for the garage and storing some of those odds and ends or any of the homeless tools I might have. The day came, I was settled in, had a budget limit, and my mouse was ready to start clicking!
Bid1, bid2, bid3....wait, no sir that's mine...bid1 higher, now where was I...bid4....and so on.
A couple hours later and I was the proud owner of not a couple, but 5 carts, a tall cabinet, and 2 used microwave ovens! YIPEEE!!! <Jenn rolls eyes>
Once again, I started researching more on these items and was completely astounded on what I paid versus their actual value. I'm hooked!
Do what...Jenn, what's that??? You want me to do what!?!? Sell some! But these are my treasures...my...my...precious treasures....precious, my preeeciouuuus!!
GarageJournal. I'm a guy, I like tools, and my tools are housed in the garage, like most. So, I stumbled onto this site while looking for some cool storage ideas, just before that last auction. Holy cow, this site is full of garage ideas, layouts, tips, and tools! Tools are a big downfall of mine, and most anything with blinky lights and lots of buttons, too!
I started reading this guy's thread about his garage and all he's done to fix it up. Over 70 pages in his thread of pure garage coolness and almost a week of reading and I've just recently caught up! Jack Olsen is a husband, a dad, and a screen/playwriter/editor kinda guy out in L.A. who built up his old garage with cabinets, tools, and other items he bought for cheap, I mean CHEAP. Those lights that hang down just inside the garage are cake pans hanging from a bracket he welded and mounted to the wall. Yes, cake pans!
Just Google his name and you'll see all the write ups about his 12-Gauge Garage, not to mention his Porsche. You'll have to read it to learn why he named it the 12-Gauge Garage, and no, it does not involve a gun.
Ah, auctions and garages. So many auctions and so many threads to read, and yet so little time!
Besides reading this, what's your waste of time these days?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Sometimes Things Just Don't Work Out The Way We Plan!
Hard to believe it's already been a month and a half since our last post! Lots happening around our household lately, LOTS. Most of the time has slipped away with kids, their activities, court, work, vehicular maintenance, auctions, open houses, and just plain ol' exhaustion.
Well, the deal we had on the property is gone. <insert sniffing and boo-hooing here> We had a contingency on the property knowing that the owners could take other offers...however...we didn't really expect it to happen. I mean, it sat idle for over 6 months and the price had dropped twice before we made an offer!
Since we have to sell our place before we could buy the property, there's a lot of time, waiting...and waiting. Meanwhile, the owners of the property did receive an offer and decided to accept, but not without giving us a fair chance to move ahead with the purchase immediately. Remember when I said we had to sell our place first? Yeah, it stinks, but right now, I do NOT want to get caught with 2 mortgage payments whether I can do it or not.
That said, the other offer was accepted, we still have our home on the market, and we're back to looking for land. <heavy sigh!>
I know, it probably just wasn't meant to be and that there's something better around the corner. An adage that's been played out twice in our lives, both of which occurred when looking for our last two homes. So, not all hope is gone, it's just not visible at this time.
Well, the deal we had on the property is gone. <insert sniffing and boo-hooing here> We had a contingency on the property knowing that the owners could take other offers...however...we didn't really expect it to happen. I mean, it sat idle for over 6 months and the price had dropped twice before we made an offer!
Since we have to sell our place before we could buy the property, there's a lot of time, waiting...and waiting. Meanwhile, the owners of the property did receive an offer and decided to accept, but not without giving us a fair chance to move ahead with the purchase immediately. Remember when I said we had to sell our place first? Yeah, it stinks, but right now, I do NOT want to get caught with 2 mortgage payments whether I can do it or not.
That said, the other offer was accepted, we still have our home on the market, and we're back to looking for land. <heavy sigh!>
I know, it probably just wasn't meant to be and that there's something better around the corner. An adage that's been played out twice in our lives, both of which occurred when looking for our last two homes. So, not all hope is gone, it's just not visible at this time.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Just A Small Taste Of Homesteading
Saturday was Jenn's birthday. It was also the day we went to Star Creek Country for our milking class.
We met up with Kimberly and two other "trainees" out in Spicewood, in an area just behind her home. They have a very nice place, some open pastures, rolling landscape, lots of trees, goats, chickens and several cows. The weather was comfortable in the shaded areas in and around the feed barn. We learned the ins and outs of raising, milking, and caring for goats and cows. She has a mix of Alpine and Nubian goats and specifically Irish Dexter cows. Dexter cows are smaller than your typical cow, but require less to maintain, feed, and milk. They're also very well tempered, kid-friendly, and seem rather lovable. Yes, I said lovable, get over it!
Kimberly had all sorts of insight and knowledge about these animals. It was obvious she has a passion for what she's doing. We left with loads of information, she had included most everything she discussed in handouts along with designs for building your own goat-milking platform.
We had a blast, although Jess decided she'd just rather observe than participate, so she took care of the dog while we learned to milk.
Here's a shot of me giving it a try.
Now, it's Jenn's turn!
Overall, I would rate this experience as one I won't forget, as I'm sure Jenn and Jess won't either. If you're interested in Dexter cows or Alpine/Nubian goats, I HIGHLY recommend giving Preston and Kimberly a call at Star Creek Country.
We met up with Kimberly and two other "trainees" out in Spicewood, in an area just behind her home. They have a very nice place, some open pastures, rolling landscape, lots of trees, goats, chickens and several cows. The weather was comfortable in the shaded areas in and around the feed barn. We learned the ins and outs of raising, milking, and caring for goats and cows. She has a mix of Alpine and Nubian goats and specifically Irish Dexter cows. Dexter cows are smaller than your typical cow, but require less to maintain, feed, and milk. They're also very well tempered, kid-friendly, and seem rather lovable. Yes, I said lovable, get over it!
Kimberly had all sorts of insight and knowledge about these animals. It was obvious she has a passion for what she's doing. We left with loads of information, she had included most everything she discussed in handouts along with designs for building your own goat-milking platform.
We had a blast, although Jess decided she'd just rather observe than participate, so she took care of the dog while we learned to milk.
Here's a shot of me giving it a try.
Now, it's Jenn's turn!
Overall, I would rate this experience as one I won't forget, as I'm sure Jenn and Jess won't either. If you're interested in Dexter cows or Alpine/Nubian goats, I HIGHLY recommend giving Preston and Kimberly a call at Star Creek Country.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
A Few Updates
I stumbled onto a blog less than a month ago that started with looking up "barndo" and has actually inspired the birth of this one, Jeremy and Jenna's No Name Farm/Ranch blog. After reading a few of their posts I was quick to tell (my) Jenn about it and that they're already in the process of doing what we want to do, and they're just down the road, and their stories are absolutely hilarious! The stories and photos of their miniature donkeys and Irish Dexter cattle were only too adorable for Jenn and Jess, our 13 year old. Now THEY want some too!
So a thanks to Jeremy and Jenna!
I was checking out some of the links they follow I came across the Star Creek Country website and read about their miniature Dexter cattle. Seems they offer a milking class. I jokingly sent Jenn chat message about it and how the next class happened to be on her birthday. How funny is that! She immediately wrote back, "Sign us up!!!" Say wha?!?!? You seriously want to learn how to milk cows for your birthday? So we're rising up bright and early this Saturday morning, driving to the other side of the lake, to learn how to milk a cow/goat at 9am!
Moving to the country, farming, milking, leaving a comfy home for a barn? I'm seriously beginning to question my lot in life!
Now, I'm not sure just how in tune you are with the news around Central Texas lately, but fires have broken out around the area and as of right now, the Bastrop fire is burning just south of Jeremy and Jenna's place, the Steiner Ranch fire is about 15 miles down the road from us, the Leander fire is about 10 miles north of us, and one sparked up in Spicewood the other day, which is where we're going to milk cows on Saturday. Just a l i t t l e scary!
With all these fires sparking up so quickly, we're all a little on edge these days, so if you get a chance, say a prayer for the safety of all and that we get some rain, soon!
As for the property, the agreements are in and signed, we have 10 days to get samples, appraisals, and estimates. Oh and sell our house! Unlike Jeremy and Jenna, we've decided to just dive in, head first. At least they get a chance to test the waters!
More to come!
So a thanks to Jeremy and Jenna!
I was checking out some of the links they follow I came across the Star Creek Country website and read about their miniature Dexter cattle. Seems they offer a milking class. I jokingly sent Jenn chat message about it and how the next class happened to be on her birthday. How funny is that! She immediately wrote back, "Sign us up!!!" Say wha?!?!? You seriously want to learn how to milk cows for your birthday? So we're rising up bright and early this Saturday morning, driving to the other side of the lake, to learn how to milk a cow/goat at 9am!
Moving to the country, farming, milking, leaving a comfy home for a barn? I'm seriously beginning to question my lot in life!
Now, I'm not sure just how in tune you are with the news around Central Texas lately, but fires have broken out around the area and as of right now, the Bastrop fire is burning just south of Jeremy and Jenna's place, the Steiner Ranch fire is about 15 miles down the road from us, the Leander fire is about 10 miles north of us, and one sparked up in Spicewood the other day, which is where we're going to milk cows on Saturday. Just a l i t t l e scary!
With all these fires sparking up so quickly, we're all a little on edge these days, so if you get a chance, say a prayer for the safety of all and that we get some rain, soon!
As for the property, the agreements are in and signed, we have 10 days to get samples, appraisals, and estimates. Oh and sell our house! Unlike Jeremy and Jenna, we've decided to just dive in, head first. At least they get a chance to test the waters!
More to come!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Baby Steps
We're one step closer! Okay, it's probably more like several, but who's counting.
We decided to go ahead and put a contract on a 13-acre parcel of land. Yay!!! There is a catch though, we have to sell our house first, oh yeah and have the financing available for the property. No biggie huh? Once the offer is accepted we have 15 days to get the financing, 10 days to have everything inspected, and approximately 3 months to sell our house AND finalize the purchase of the land. Afterwards, I believe all that's left is to install the septic, have temporary living quarters brought in, find a place for all our stuff! I'm sure I've left something out.
Heh, no biggie! Anyone need a home?!?!
I feel like we're tripping while we're running, our feet are trying to get ahead of us. Cross your fingers and say a prayer...or two!
We decided to go ahead and put a contract on a 13-acre parcel of land. Yay!!! There is a catch though, we have to sell our house first, oh yeah and have the financing available for the property. No biggie huh? Once the offer is accepted we have 15 days to get the financing, 10 days to have everything inspected, and approximately 3 months to sell our house AND finalize the purchase of the land. Afterwards, I believe all that's left is to install the septic, have temporary living quarters brought in, find a place for all our stuff! I'm sure I've left something out.
Heh, no biggie! Anyone need a home?!?!
I feel like we're tripping while we're running, our feet are trying to get ahead of us. Cross your fingers and say a prayer...or two!
Monday, August 22, 2011
And So It Begins
This is the first posting on what will hopefully be the diary-of-process as we work towards our current dream. Leaving the city and becoming homesteaders. We've loved the suburbs for many years now, but after awhile, we started really longing for a little more elbow room. The past year has been a rather rough one for the whole family, so Jenn and I both decided it was time for a change. Apparently a drastic one. We really began our search about 6 months ago looking for land, 10 acres or more. Our families have been supportive but remain a little skeptical at times. Our oldest teen wants nothing to do with the move while our youngest teen is practically packed and waiting at the door. So now with our house on the market, it's a only a matter of selling the house and finding THE place.
Jenn found a place to start with and was the first of several properties our realtor showed us. We both liked it and decided to keep it in mind. Since then we've looked at several more properties but continue to go back to the first one. Now by the way we talk, you'd think we already owned the place! Sometimes we'll drive out during the week just to check on the place or see what it's like at different times of the week or weekend, or to see if anything has developed, such as a "Sold" sign.
I tend analyze things (Jenn thinks I tend to over-analyze things) and wanted to be a b s o l u t e l y sure we don't miss out on something else, so we trucked out once again yesterday to look at two more properties. Where did we end up afterwards? Yep. Right back at place number one. That's it. Let's do this. We decided to officially open the gates of conversation with the current owners in an effort to stake our claim.
And so it begins!
Jenn found a place to start with and was the first of several properties our realtor showed us. We both liked it and decided to keep it in mind. Since then we've looked at several more properties but continue to go back to the first one. Now by the way we talk, you'd think we already owned the place! Sometimes we'll drive out during the week just to check on the place or see what it's like at different times of the week or weekend, or to see if anything has developed, such as a "Sold" sign.
I tend analyze things (Jenn thinks I tend to over-analyze things) and wanted to be a b s o l u t e l y sure we don't miss out on something else, so we trucked out once again yesterday to look at two more properties. Where did we end up afterwards? Yep. Right back at place number one. That's it. Let's do this. We decided to officially open the gates of conversation with the current owners in an effort to stake our claim.
And so it begins!
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