Downsizing

 We are cell phone free for the first time in12 years. I anticipated needing a sedative to get me through the transition, possibly a visit to a therapist too boot, but oddly enough I can't even tell you where my cell phone is right now. I have only missed it once and after I remembered how to stop and ask for directions I quickly forgot about it again. I know That Edd is missing his. He loved his phone, which is strange because he used it half as much as I did mine. But we just couldn't afford the cell bill and the car insurance so, the cell phones were shut off. This week we may have to lose the cable/internet for a few days until I can work this weekend and pay the bill.  This too, a year ago, would have sent me into a panic and given me an ulcer. Now, I am accepting it for what it is-neccessity,simpliciy. We are working towards self sufficiency on a level neither of us has attempted before. It is some trial and error-not everything works and sometimes it feels like a tota fail-but we pick each other up and forge onwards. Failure is not an option-THIS is it. This is the life we have chosen we must succeed. So far we have gone from 2 cars to 1, eliminated cells, downsized cable, reduced grocery expenses, and the farm is making some money. Not too bad. I am excited to see where we are a year from now.
                              Kieren saw a fox today, a huge one . It was crossing the road approximatley 3 blocks from our  property. As beautiful as it may have been (and a little startling too at dusk) it is a potential threat to the hens and meat birds so we will have to keep a vigilant watch for the next few days. Extended the henhouse today to relocate "Steven" our Buff Orpington Cock. Now he has a quaint bachelor pad and the "girls" have 15 more feet to  retire to in the evening. The guinneas made it onto the roof today and it was so exciting watching them get there. We have been worried about one of the young males ,he injured his wing earlier in the week, but he is fluttering and hopping just as high into the trees as his siblings are now.the wounded cornish witht he damaged foot doesn't seem to be mending satisfactorily. She will remain caged alone and fattened for culling.It is a shame she cannot be used to breed but she will do nicely as a meat bird.
                               I have found a few interesting recipes for shampoo,deodorant and toothpaste that I will be testing them this week. I will post them here with results.  It is late and I have an early morning tomorrow, so I bid you farewell for now. Goodnight all.