Moved out past the Boondocks, now the work begins!

[huckridge]

Congratulations on the new place, I know how proud and excited you must be. I also retreated from Dekalb co. in 1994, went 60 miles Southeast of Atlanta and also into a county with only 2 traffic lights. It's great. Like Matt said, eat that steak one bite at a time and enjoy and learn from all of it.

[Rmplstlskn]

Congrats! Enjoy it, even the work!

[Dennis W]

The place looks great. Just pace your self because there is always something that needs to be done. We moved way out to the country in North Florida about 5 years ago, and I still have plenty of thing to do.

[WiseOwl]

Looking back at this thread, I have accomplished some of my first goals.

Traded some toolboxes my boss gave me for a chainsaw.
"Borrowed" my brothers tiller.

Now that its cooler and the weeds are dying back we cleared a good bit of yard. Expanding what will be the garden next year. We have 2 gardens 60 yards from the house and one I built right behind the garage so the wife can go do some quick pickin.

Its hard freaking work on a almost non existent budget. Especially working 55 hours a week and it getting dark early.

I was chopping wood the other night with my headlamp on. Didnt realize how much wood you can go through and its only Dec 9th. Going to have to go somewhere and get some.
I did drop 2 trees last week and split it by hand to what equates to 1.25 cords. But its gotta season. Going to drop about 5 more trees before Feb and split.

My wife learned about what happens when you put fresh split wood in a fireplace...lol


I have been feeding the deer corn. They only like to come out at night. Doe only. Havent see a trophy yet. I am going to plant them some veggies this spring to keep them comfy on the property so they can feed me this fall.


Already having well problems. Bandaiding till more funds become available. Pressure blew a 90 off of the feed line right before the reservoir on Thanksgiving during dinner. Luckily wally world was open to buy more PVC glue. (By the way, that stuff expires)
Water heater core went out, that was fun replacing with about 38 inches of headroom when I am dang near 42" tall in a crouching position.

Got rid of the 200lb propane tank. $300 to halfway fill it up wasnt in the budget. Changed the plumbing around to accept 20lb cylinders. I have a few of em and $20 gets us through 2 months of cooking (only stove is propane.....for now.)



Still havent met one neighbor. My good friend was down last weekend and I was driving him around showing him the area. We saw numerous folks working in their yards or walking and no one waved or smiled. He said that was weird being that he is from the country where we grew up. I do know of one guy that lives on 1200 acre Mtn property by himself has a 50 cal and I hear it everyonce in a while. I guess dont mess with him!



All in all, a 30 min, 27 mile commute is not bad at all. And the boys are becoming more acclimated to having a yard to do whatever they please in. Me and the 6 year old explore and clear trails and look for cool things. We did find 4 more springs bringing us to a total of 10 springs on the property. Water looks pretty clean too.

[rockriver]

wise,
congrats on the progress!

[protus]

lil hint keep these things on hand-

pvc glue and primer. even ifits the small cans . get medium bodied glue and get a multi use one. yeah not all "pvc" glue is the same. get one that can do everything from sch 40..to cpvc.


fittings- have at least 2-3 fittings and some pipe. i had a repair to do one after noon like your turkey day event..it saved the day

screws/nails- just buy 5lb boxes dont bther with the small ones

have more than one scew gun..or least a power corded back up

have cords least 100ft


gloves...all kinds.


on your h20 heater. its what a 35 low boy? newer heaters have one t stat and one element. older ones have double. this means more to break/trouble shot (hard for newbs). i had to install one in a month so after moving. fun times..plan ahead..put a shut off ball vavle in line to the heater so you can isolate it from the houses main h20 for repairs etc...

[rockriver]

turning into a good informative thread..
a place where some ideas can be shared for those (including me) who are moving out...
I sure endorse what protus said above...
I've got a broken water line right now... I just cut off that "run" till some other matters get taken care of.

I recently went to see a neighbor I hadn't met. took the bride.. great meeting. I asked who owned the fence between us.
she advised she did and I agreed. she said her tractor had been broken and her grass "grew up" till the tractor could be fixed.
and other stories. I volunteered to cut her grass next time.. and for her to call me for any reason. But, I really, bottom line went to see her to ask if I could buy or rent a few acres from her, or would she allow me to pay her some $$ for some trees I wanted to cut.
making that request on our first meeting didn't go well. we'll be taking her some fruit preserves for Christmas, and not mention the trees! (though it is still an issue)
for that neighbor you haven't met, watch for something you could help them with... raking straw, moving the tree that got blown down, etc...

start visiting the local town council, the local Churches, whatever. slowly letting folks see you. we have a local gas station that is "old style" they pump the gas for you. it's high priced. we only go there about once a month... they know me and my wife now.
I've seen them tell folks "who we were" quietly whispering, "that's the folks that bought the Jones house. he used to work for xxx and his wife was a YYYY over in smith county. many decisions about our area are concluded out on their front stoop sitting on the old van bench seats that are there for shade and community decisions...

from one of these visits I found the local ag supply dealer that is out in the woods. his prices are about 2/3 of tractor supply!! and they are very friendly too. they give away free cokes to customers... that doesn't happen at tractor supply and walmart!!

I've learned that one neighbor can fix anything. he has helped me... I've helped him. I feel like his skilled time is worth triple my unskilled time... so I repay him with about double or triple time and with "stuff"

[610Alpha]

PEX and sharkbite fittings are worth their money...especially if you aren't very good at soldering (or you can't get the water out of the line). Sharkbite fittings don't require glue and they work with Pex, PVC, CPVC, and Copper. No glue, solder, or flux needed. Won't burst if frozen is what I was told at farm supply store...I have not tested this.

http://www.sharkbite.com/