Monday, January 12, 2009

Clarksburg, WV

Our future home. Of course, we'll be out in the country, but this is the area that we want to base ourselves. It's in the western part of West Virginia, still mountainy and beautiful but a little more affordable than the East. The town is relatively small (17K) but it looks like it has a good economy and it's affordable. Plus, it has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.

It just clicked with both of us right away, and when that happens we know we have our answer. We had peace about it after talking. It feels really really good to have direction and something tangible to work towards. As soon as we're able, we're outta here . . .

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Dream House, Dream Farm

Dreamed about our log house last night, so woke up this morning thinking about it. I know how I want to do my office now. :) To start with, we're going to have the upstairs be our "private loft" and master bedroom. Well, on the other side of the loft living area (opposite the bedroom) I want my little bitty office. I want one whole wall to be windows with a sliding door to a small deck. On the side of the room opposite the door I want an aviary that takes up the whole wall will a portion that can be opened up to an outside aviary on the deck during nice weather. And a few plants in the corner and a nice bookshelf, and I'll be happy. Of course I'll only be in there when it's not nice enough to be outside, but I still need to feel the outdoors while I'm in.

I've also been thinking today about our farm. Neither of us want to make it a big financial operation (at one time we were contemplating that, but our hearts have other things they want to do too); however, I think I want to grow enough produce to just give some away. Like to a soup kitchen or shelter or something like that. That way I'll feel like we're contributing something to the world and community, no matter how small, but we'll still have the freedom to not be tied down to it. Plus it would be a good thing for the kids to be part of.