Mackay's Back To The Land Project- The Fruits of Our Labor

[Mackay]

Seems DH might be feeling that way too! He never came home as excited after a drive in the beamer as he is after plowing the field.

Seems tractors are a good investment. they seem to hold their value for a long time. We looked at ones that were up to 30 years old and there wasn't a whole lot of depreciation there. We figure we will keep it about 5 years then pass it on, after the pastures are done and the fences put in I don't know if we will have much use for it unless we can figure some way to make it pay for its upkeep. We wont be growing hay or any big crops I don't think so aside from spreading manure I don't know what its use will be. I think we could spread manure with our ATV for 3 to 4 acres don't you think?

I'm up really early this am, can't sleep. Having anxiety about all that needs to be done to make this move I'm feeling overwhelmed. Have to work 2, 16 hour shifts in a row this weekend so I won't get anything done here, and guess I'll just be making lists and fretting at work.

 

[lorihadams]

Sounds like everything is falling into place!!! Congrats,everything looks like its going great. Good deal on the tractor!!! I would take a tractor over a bmw too!

 

[FarmerChick]

you'll never part wtih the tractor...LOL...it is a great piece of machinery to have around. just the bucket alone does wonders to help with work.
Tony would tie beams to the bucket and hoist into place etc. It is so useful it is crazy great!!!!! It does the work of alot of men. And if you sell it, replacing it is going to cost more later. If you got a good one, paid for, maintain and be happy and smile....LOL

fill the bucket with feed bags or hay and cart around...etc.
if you don't have paved driveway etc. that scrape will be invaluable. we hardly ever sell a tractor and we have many. different sizes for different work.


life is fun isn't it? LOL


nice pics!

 

[lorihadams]

My dad butchers his deer with the tractor.....ties them to the boom and raises them up to skin them. It's amazing what you'll figure out to do with it!

 

[Ldychef2k]

I would imagine that once a person makes the switch from urban living to country living, they learn a whole lot about the creativity of life ! Living in the city, some folks have to be concerned about how much space things take up, etc. I bet that on a farm you think "How can I use this thing to make my life easier in other than the obvious ways."

 

[Mackay]

Just a quick update....lots of chaos and hard work and we are now living in Mackay camping in the 11 foot camper as we continue to progress on the 500studio above the garage. Taping and texture is about done, started intalling the wood stove today. We are hoping to be in come Thanksgiving.... Folks have been very friendly and helpful. A close neighbor who went to New Zealand for a few weeks opened her house to us so I am catching up on laundry and preparing for my first jewelry sale here... really, I just can't say enough on how friendly and helpful people are here.... We have been invited in to many neighbors houses so far and I have a collection of canned goods to show for it!

Meanwhile I have connected with an arts cooperative that works. together to sell their crafts..a group of very neat women, ..much as I have visualized many of you! and very skilled in many areas.

I make jewelry. No great art just simple bead stringing. But as just as a bead stringer have some neat peices, I think anyway. Just a way to make pin money. Someday I might learn silver and copper casting but frankly, it took a lot of money just to get fully set up to string beads!

The ponds now have water in them but still need some more work to get them all level at the edges and DH remains happy as a clam driving the tractor around.

Sorry, no photos today. Mac is still in his box and I have no internet for him yet..

 

[dragonlaurel]

Just a quick update....lots of chaos and hard work and we are now living in Mackay camping in the 11 foot camper as we continue to progress on the 500studio above the garage. Taping and texture is about done, started intalling the wood stove today. We are hoping to be in come Thanksgiving.... Folks have been very friendly and helpful. A close neighbor who went to New Zealand for a few weeks opened her house to us so I am catching up on laundry and preparing for my first jewelry sale here... really, I just can't say enough on how friendly and helpful people are here.... We have been invited in to many neighbors houses so far and I have a collection of canned goods to show for it!

Meanwhile I have connected with an arts cooperative that works. together to sell their crafts..a group of very neat women, ..much as I have visualized many of you! and very skilled in many areas.

I make jewelry. No great art just simple bead stringing. But as just as a bead stringer have some neat pieces, I think anyway. Just a way to make pin money. Someday I might learn silver and copper casting but frankly, it took a lot of money just to get fully set up to string beads!

The ponds now have water in them but still need some more work to get them all level at the edges and DH remains happy as a clam driving the tractor around.

Sorry, no photos today. Mac is still in his box and I have no internet for him yet..

Hope you're very happy in your new home. We spent a while in Hotchkiss, Colo. many years ago. Lots of beautiful places around there. The people were really nice to us too. We left before winter got really started.

I don't know if you usually name your vehicles- but you could always call the tractor "Beamer". The BMW did help you get it.

 

[TanksHill]

Congratulations on your accomplishments. I would be bursting with joy and pride if I was in your shoes.

Keep up all the great work. I can see it will be a wonderful Thanksgiving for you both.

gina

 

[lorihadams]

Sooooo glad to hear that things are progressing nicely for you both! I know it will be a great relief when you guys can get settled.

 

[Mackay]

Just a little update. Still hanging in the camper. Temp this morning was 10 degrees when we got up! and I know the worst is yet to come. We still have a couple of months before that 30 below stuff hits.

Drove to the big city this week to get building supplies. DH and I bickered for two days on everything from color of paint to how the bathroom counter should be designed.d The bathroom counter design has been handed to me along with the ceramic for the shower.... yet I see his little sketches around on how he thinks the ceramic s hould go in the shower...:/

Now back home I have put down my foot. The bathroom sink counter will be natural cherry wood even if it takes a life time of maintenance... so there!

Today I am just doing laundry (a neighbor lets me do it at her house, bless her heart!) and making soap in the camper... experimenting with making liquid hand soap, while the electrician is busy installing outlets and such....

DH thinks he will escape all this come mid december to travel south. but I think not..... knowing this guy as I do, if he says it will take two months I will count on 5 or 6. If he says it will take 2 years I will count on 4 or 5. ... so with this studio, I want it nearly done before any travel....cause who wants to return to a mess with the next project needing to start?

Such is my new life in Mackay this week. The mountains are snow frosted and just glorious!