We have been living here in Donnybrook for two years on the 5th of May and I sat back to contemplate what we have achieved toward our self sufficient, healthy and low cost life style.
Sometimes you need to take stock otherwise all you see are the things you haven't done yet and forget to be pleased with what you have.
I have now stopped working in a "real" job and rely solely on my soap and other eco product sales through my website, fb, five retail outlets and local markets Jon has switched from being in the building game as a carpenter/cabinet maker and is a carer for the beautiful oldies working less hours with more flexibility....and less money.
We have installed a cute wood fire which also is used for slow cooking, solar panels (we are currently in $400 credit. Sorry to all the tax payers for funding this rebate but we are looking at going off the grid as our long term goal) two water tanks totaling 16000 litres with a pump, (still need more) three productive vege gardens, numerous fruit trees, many local native trees for birds and privacy, (we just keep adding till we have to trim some away) flowering varieties of plants and herbs for bees and soap making.
My studio was completed with recycled iron and wood, shower screens for windows, reclaimed doors and finished beautifully with my old chandelier. A wooden side gate, computer desk, bookshelf, tv shelf and a re shelved wardrobe were also completed. This was all built from the wood of one demolished house from down the road at a cost of $500.
Jon also completed a recycled brick retaining wall made of free bricks and a work bench for the studio.
Then there is the gardening, soap making, dog walking, making food from scratch, using the dehydrator for herbs and fruits, learning to preserve and sew, training for the next event... plus a little relaxation time for reading. How could I have ever worked in town and kept this up?? Living the good life takes commitment but I love it!
Sometimes you need to take stock otherwise all you see are the things you haven't done yet and forget to be pleased with what you have.
I have now stopped working in a "real" job and rely solely on my soap and other eco product sales through my website, fb, five retail outlets and local markets Jon has switched from being in the building game as a carpenter/cabinet maker and is a carer for the beautiful oldies working less hours with more flexibility....and less money.
We have installed a cute wood fire which also is used for slow cooking, solar panels (we are currently in $400 credit. Sorry to all the tax payers for funding this rebate but we are looking at going off the grid as our long term goal) two water tanks totaling 16000 litres with a pump, (still need more) three productive vege gardens, numerous fruit trees, many local native trees for birds and privacy, (we just keep adding till we have to trim some away) flowering varieties of plants and herbs for bees and soap making.
My studio was completed with recycled iron and wood, shower screens for windows, reclaimed doors and finished beautifully with my old chandelier. A wooden side gate, computer desk, bookshelf, tv shelf and a re shelved wardrobe were also completed. This was all built from the wood of one demolished house from down the road at a cost of $500.
Jon also completed a recycled brick retaining wall made of free bricks and a work bench for the studio.
Then there is the gardening, soap making, dog walking, making food from scratch, using the dehydrator for herbs and fruits, learning to preserve and sew, training for the next event... plus a little relaxation time for reading. How could I have ever worked in town and kept this up?? Living the good life takes commitment but I love it!
RSS Feed
