Let’s start at the beginning. Our place consists of a tiny dilapidated old farmhouse, 80 acres of a mix irrigated pasture and timbered hillside and a beautiful little barn in desperate need of a good mucking out. Our corrals need rebuilding and our fences need mending. Our property has spring fed gravity water, a stock pond full of cattails, and many, many projects. While she isn’t much to look at just yet, the view is fantastic!
We decided to move from our beautiful house in a small city in Oregon, back to my hometown. Our search wasn’t limited to places with acreage, but we were committed to an overall change in lifestyle. We needed to slow down. Raise our own food, connect with the seasons, and take the time to appreciate life.
The first time I saw the place that would become my home, I thought NO. WAY. There is no way I will ever be able to live in that tiny, dirty, rundown farmhouse. But then we took a walk up the hill behind the house to take a look at the 80 acres. I lost all my words. I had absolutely nothing to say. I could not put into words the feeling in my soul of being able to take a deep breath. For the first time in years, I felt like me. I could not explain how I could see past the overgrown juniper and wild rose; look past the pond of cattails, or ignore the falling down fences and general disrepair of the place. What I could see was my future. I could see my children running under the pine trees. I could hear them laughing.
After hours of deliberation, we choose the road less traveled. We decided to take on a lifetime of projects and a run-down farmhouse that is still far too small. So far, I am thankful for this decision every day. Sure, some days are hard, but when I step onto my front porch, I can breathe.
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