Finding our Homestead Land

We are a couple of crazy, redneck, gun-toting, God-fearing, country loving people madly in love with each other and life! We love to ride fast, love hard, laugh a lot and live each day to its fullest! AND…we finally found our Homestead Land…dreams really do come true.

Our Texas homestead

We were content in our lives. Living in the suburbs, a nicely trimmed back yard. Everything in its place. All the conveniences that we could want just around the corner. At least that is what we kept telling ourselves.

While deep down we were feeling cramped, as more and more homes were being built in tiny lots…houses squeezed as tight as they could fit them in. Traffic was (and is) growing by leaps and bounds. Nowadays it takes half a day just to drive to do your errands…do them…then drive home. The days of heading on over to pick up a gallon of milk and “I’ll be right back” are gone. Noise and pollution and rules/regulations…Oh MY!

We wanted out. We needed out!

We started dreaming about our own homestead. A piece of land to call our own, preferably in a more rural location. So we dreamed and prayed and dreamed and researched and googled ourselves to death. We gathered as much info as we could, learned as much as our brains would hold, and asked ourselves a lot of questions…

Things to consider when dreaming/planning your future homestead:

Where do you want to live? Geographically do you prefer east or west or smack dab in the middle of the USA? Do you want to have an urban homestead or get lost in the country?

What about climate? Do you want more warmth or a full spectrum of seasons? Are you a little older and just don’t want to hassle with snow/ice anymore? Does the cold cause you physical aches and pains? OR perhaps too much sun is just…too much.

What about size? Are you looking for an acre or 2 or perhaps a large ranch? Are you physically able to take care of your land? Are you emotionally able to handle a full time farm? Will you hire help or do it all yourself?

What about culture? It’s important to consider the culture of the area you are looking to live. Does it align with your values? Does it facilitate your goals and dreams?

All of these things are important factors to consider now, before you get there and settle in and possibly discover this wasn’t quite what you had in mind.

We took a long hard look at these questions and many more and decided on several things:

First, we didn’t want a huge piece of land. We are looking to retire here and we understand as we get older that we may not be able physically (or want to emotionally) take care of a large homestead. So we settled on around 1 acre, give or take.

Second, we also decided to go for a more seasonal location vs. one with cold and snowy winters. Although the part of Texas we found our land in does at times have freezing temps and a few snow days…that is just it…a FEW days. We didn’t want to have to deal with snow or ice for months on end. We both have bad knees and arthritis. Not a good combo.

Third, we also decided to forego homestead animals. NOW…don’t get all upset with us here. Let me explain. We are a dragracing family. It’s what we do. Every…single…weekend! So either I stay home and the hubby goes racing without me (not my first choice as I love racing too, and its “our” time) or we hire someone to take care of the animals. Neither of those choices sat well with us. So we chose to not have chickens, goats etc…until such a time as we no longer race. Instead, we will support our area friends and family by purchasing their eggs and borrowing their goats for weed control.

And fourthly, we decided to plop ourselves down in a state that was largely conservative by nature. Because that aligns more closely to our values personally and as a married couple. We knew by doing that we were setting ourselves up for success longterm.

2 Important Steps after making your priority list:

1. Have Faith in God-I have learned I HAVE to have faith in someone bigger than myself, bigger than my problem, situation or dream. That would be GOD. I can turn around now…look down the road of my past and see each and every area, circumstance and situation where God proved faithful. HE saw me through the difficulties, HE lifted and supported me, HE encouraged me and held me when I cried. HE guided me in the right direction toward the riches and blessings of my life. HAVE FAITH. Not in the dreams…but in GOD to provide you with your dreams.

Got to have a little…

2. Take Action!!!-Once you know what you are suppose to do…do it! Don’t hem and haw about it, over think or analyze it. JUST DO IT! Once you’re sure that person is for you…marry them. Once you’re sure you love that house…buy it. Once you know down to your toes you’re suppose to move…do it! Take action. Give honor to the moments you have walked through…the closed doors in life lead to open ones…walk through them.

Otherwise, we stay stuck in fear, which is not living and not living our dreams!

The Prepared Bloggers Network is at it again! We’re glad you’ve found us, because the month of April is all about homesteading.

Homesteading is a lifestyle of self-sufficiency. It is characterized by growing your own food, home preservation of foodstuffs, and it may even involve the small scale production of textiles, clothing, and craftwork for household use or sale. Most importantly homesteading is not defined by where someone lives, such as the city or the country, but by the lifestyle choices they make.

The Prepared Bloggers are passionate about what they do and they each have their own way of achieving self-sufficiency. Grab your favorite drink and enjoy reading about the 30 Ways of Homesteading!