better than black gold

(Let's just say this first photo reflects how I felt recently, hence the quiet, but I think I've got my bounce back.)

Onward, yes?

We here at self-inflicted chaos HQ have been busy. It's a slow busy, for the most part...we strive to 'mosey', but sometimes we forget and it gets a little stressy all up in here.  

House/farm update first:

fence posts...that say 'hi'! (I will say hi back every time I see it, you know this.)

boy got to drive this:

and this:

and found this:

and i haven't seen any of the following yet in person, but some foundation action:

and the roof is coming along. 
Perhaps the BEST news we have had (so far!) since this whole venture began was when this happened yesterday:

I'm not going to pretend I'm even interested in knowing how a well works, but we hit lots of water at 42 feet, when we'd been thinking we'd have to drill 450. And when you're planning on getting your farm on somewhere it doesn't always rain, this is good news! (and a bonus...the well will cost less to drill!)










You like how I say 'we'...as if I had anything to do with it. I also use 'we' to spread the blame around on my plate: "we are grouchy", "we are feeling a little stressed"...ha! At least I'm fair.






Our little buddy was released back to his home sweet home. I miss him chilling out in my scarf or riding shotgun with me, but it seemed the thing to do. We marked where we let him go, so we can leave that space untouched. And yes, I go talk to that space in case he's around and wants to visit.

In other funny little creature news, I spent some time alone at the cabin, where I found some treasure stashes when I was cleaning. Apparently mice like to have some snacks while they read poetry. I get it.

The boy wrapped up his Shakespeare performances (you can like the troupe's fb page here):

And they got to march in the Honk! parade, which was redonkulous fun!!!

Whilst the Mr is doing all kinds of manly things here and afar, the boy and I have been having various shenanigans, including a brilliant and funny scavenger hunt he set up for me (while I was sleeping!!!) that ended up with a lovely pot of tapioca. We decided to save it for our Harry Potter III movie night.

(these were $6 at the antique mall!)

what. a. kid.

town house, country house

here it is, folks. surely there is a country song perfect for such a moment, but my mind draws blank. watching this happen was simultaneously momentous and a bit sad somehow. a few trees got a trim, lots of people worked together, and others were delayed wherever they were headed on this (incredibly windy) tuesday morning. 

as close to a parade as it got, though i did secretly wish i could ride in the house. 

time for this lady to procure some work gloves. 

it's all about the bunny

our newest addition is getting a lot of (my) attention. it's nice with so much going on and up in the air (STILL waiting to move the house, much to the chagrin of the former owner of the house who wants it OFF his property) to just sit and hold a wee creature. he (she?) is taking milk from a tiny bottle the mr and the boy got from an ag place. 

there really isn't anything much cuter than a baby bunny licking its lips. 

and we can make the ass drop

all the *@#%#! paperwork has been signed, ridiculous amounts. 

now begins the real work. the test of the sanity we have left.

the house had an addition, which came off. we will reuse the windows and salvage as much of the lumber as we can.

last week it looked like this (the back part is gone):

see how it's crooked? that's because they get under the house with these hydraulic "pillows" they fill with air to lift the house up, put the skid thingies on wheels underneath (i really should use this as an opportunity to learn the terminology), lower it onto them, secure it and whatnot with wood blocks to its frame, and voila, a house on wheelz.  

(faith, y'all...i didn't know he was under there till i started taking the photos.)

from the front:

it's really hard to capture. 

how cool are these beauties, found on site:

which we have decided were for hooch. because this house is old, like prohibition old, we think. exact date built is unknown. 

i'm not aware of the spot where the house will live. but somewhere near here:

i must again give a shout of thanks to the parental units who keep housing us while we stay to take care of business, eat their food, drink their whiskey, and relax in the peacefulness of the prepared environment that is there for us.

sundowners:

i've started packing already in the hopes of being really organized when the future move catches up with us. this is what happens when you leave the tape/sharpies out:

(eco-disclaimer: don't judge my plastic bins. (i hate plastic bins.) the storage barn that will hold these items has been known to be home to brown recluses and a lady needs some peace of mind. i'll reuse them, promise.)

there could be an entire blathering post about how i am having issues ooze up around the fact that i am coming back to a place i left behind. for my own dignity, i'll skip it. (and, duh! it's a little late now!) it warms my heart to see this at the local hardware store (the healing begins):

if you're in need of a chuckle, you can read reviews of this dandy item here. (thanks kami!)

ok, that's all for now. believe it or not, i held back. much love.

farm + soup

We are getting back into a routine, but not quite the one we had before our little journey out west. This one has a lot to do with getting ready...and waiting.

For this:

Plus this:

Using these and other crazy equipment (I can't wait to see it happen):

To an eventuality called:

We've had some glitches along the way, which are to be expected but are still frustrating. We flex patience muscles. Some of us are better at it than others, but then some of us (me) are quite protected from all the messy details. That way, I can save my energy for important things like looking on Pinterest for hours trying to figure out what kind of kitchen inspires me. This house has no kitchen, so we have to give it one. I've got some basic ideas of what I want (the fact that the term 'dishwasher safe' will mean something to me is quite lovely), but if anyone has any input, I'd love to hear it. (appliances/countertops/cabinets/organizing systems you love/hate, etc.) Details are good. I love them, as I'm sure you have figured out. 

In other news, we've spent lots of time at the in-laws' (in-laws's?) (so thankful for those folks!), had a couple of mild rounds of illness (the boys) which involved much forcing of tinctures, teas, and rest...and even managed to squeeze in some fun.

And in the mail today, came many servings of SOUP! I am stoked for the boy to read these. They aren't easy to find around here, and I wanted them for keeps, so I ordered them from Better World Books. This series is pretty near and dear to me, perhaps because of my dad's love for his childhood home, or because I lived there when I was in third grade (just like the main character) when I first read them. I am a proud Texas girl for sure, but the year I spent in Vermont runs deep. (Forewarning: these aren't exactly PC. In the first book, as I re-read, there are several ass-whoopins with a switch, and some not cool racial comments. Which will be something we'll talk about.)

A flashback from last month in the west, one of my favorites:

Closing on the land is next Friday. It was supposed to be November 30 of last year. So...fingers crossed. 

holy snow day!

Well, we had us-a here a storm!

Jake the Dog thinks it's tasty.

You might be from Texas if:

Make a wish!