Quail_Antwerp
Cold is on the Right, Hot is on The Left
*takes deep breath*
I don't tell too many people this because someone once made me feel ashamed about it but with the way the economy is going I don't think I should be ashamed about it BUT...
We haven't had running water in the house for 7 years!!
There, I said it, got it out...can breath now! lol
Seriously, we met an Amish man who was logging my parents woods. He and his logging partner needed a ride home. My husband offered (since the woods are right across from our house) and he asked if they cared if the kids and I rode along, too so they could see an Amish community. They said no problem and were very nice about it. They talked our ears off!! Jonathon, the boss lol, invited us into his home. His wife was away visiting family in another state and it was just him and the five kids at home.
We were showed the cows and he told us that his wife was getting chickens soon. Then the girls asked their dad about dinner. I asked if he was going to cook and he said, "No way! We're ordering pizza!" His oldest daughter said "but dad, no phone!" It was funny. He asked my husband to drive him to the community phone and he trusted me to watch his five kids while they went!! Had a nice conversation with the kids. They had running water in their house and when I explained that we didn't, oh I wish you could have seen their faces!! You could have knocked them over with a feather!!
And before anyone asks, we made the choice about the water because it meant we could live here without having a mortgage or property payment. We haul our water in, usually only have to haul it in once a week. We also catch rain water. I heat water on the stove and fill the tub (not full, but about 4 gallons) with warm water to scrub the kids. Sometimes we run over to grandmas for a shower LOL We also use our dishwater after I have washed the dishes to flush the toilet. That way, no outhouse is needed, and the toilet is flushed plenty! I just rather use dirty water to flush it than clean water.
We also catch rain water for outside use.
I don't tell too many people this because someone once made me feel ashamed about it but with the way the economy is going I don't think I should be ashamed about it BUT...
We haven't had running water in the house for 7 years!!
There, I said it, got it out...can breath now! lol
Seriously, we met an Amish man who was logging my parents woods. He and his logging partner needed a ride home. My husband offered (since the woods are right across from our house) and he asked if they cared if the kids and I rode along, too so they could see an Amish community. They said no problem and were very nice about it. They talked our ears off!! Jonathon, the boss lol, invited us into his home. His wife was away visiting family in another state and it was just him and the five kids at home.
We were showed the cows and he told us that his wife was getting chickens soon. Then the girls asked their dad about dinner. I asked if he was going to cook and he said, "No way! We're ordering pizza!" His oldest daughter said "but dad, no phone!" It was funny. He asked my husband to drive him to the community phone and he trusted me to watch his five kids while they went!! Had a nice conversation with the kids. They had running water in their house and when I explained that we didn't, oh I wish you could have seen their faces!! You could have knocked them over with a feather!!
And before anyone asks, we made the choice about the water because it meant we could live here without having a mortgage or property payment. We haul our water in, usually only have to haul it in once a week. We also catch rain water. I heat water on the stove and fill the tub (not full, but about 4 gallons) with warm water to scrub the kids. Sometimes we run over to grandmas for a shower LOL We also use our dishwater after I have washed the dishes to flush the toilet. That way, no outhouse is needed, and the toilet is flushed plenty! I just rather use dirty water to flush it than clean water.
We also catch rain water for outside use.
and I have many amish aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) they really have most of the conveniences we do barring television, computer, radio. They just use propane or natural gas to run their appliances and pump water instead of electricity. Yes , they do take vacations, just like us. They go by train , or hire a van. In some states where horses are outlawed on the road ( like florida ) many also drive with the bishops approval. Amish with businesses will have a phone at the business or at the barn. Amish dairy farmers will have electricity in their barn to cool the milk as required by law so they can sell it as well in other businesses but not in the house. In areas where I live where there are many amish ,you will see a phone booth out in the middle of a country road, for the amish. Weirdest thing to see a phone booth surrounded by farm fields , I tell you what. They do get a chance to experience the life of us " english " when they turn 16. They are allowed to drive , live with electricity , and run wild as they want until they decide they want to join the church , usually when they marry. This is called " rumspringa ". Some never do join the church after they get a taste of living like us but most do . They aren't required to marry, there are bachelor amish. My one amish aunt recently died in her 80s , never married. The amish people are the kindest , most helpful folks around. They will be the first to show up with tools after a house fire or tornado does damage , even at an " English " neighbours. They are also a great source of learning if you need a self suffiency teacher ! I love living in a community with Amish neighbours and that my kids attend school with Amish children. I'm grateful I was raised by my sweet daddy with his Amish values. There is almost nothing I wasn't taught to do by my Dad (neutering a sheep , canning , raising animals, building a fence , cutting firewood , and on and on !) While there are some aspects of their religion I disagree with , they are wonderful folks. We should all be so kind , honest and hard working ! The world be an amazing place !
