So much has happened since I last posted here. MrPrepper retired, we adopted our two little grandchildren was finalized, the older of the two started kindergarten, we bought an RV and new truck and we are talking and looking at buying several acres in either Texas, Missouri or Kentucky where we can start our bona fide homestead.
We managed to have a wonderful Christmas among MrPreppers flu, the children both with colds and me with a migraine. It was hard leading up to Christmas morning, but we put it together and the children loved it. We incorporated Elf on the Shelf, which the children adored each morning discovering his mischief! Definitely our new Christmas tradition.
Since I last posted, MrPrepper retired, we bought one RV and took a 6,000 mile trip from WI, IN and IL and back. Upon returning, we promptly took the 19-foot RV to the dealer and upgraded to a 30-foot rig and a new truck to pull it with! You can conclude that we have committed ourselves to doing a LOT of camping. Of course, it serves dual purposes. Not only is it our get away on weekends, it is in our plans as an emergency shelter if we ever have to bug out. Yes, we have a plan for where that will be.
We have added two new members to the family. During our trip to Indiana, we gifted a red-eared turtle we call Monroe (Marilyn passed away before we arrived) that managed to survive the journey back to Washington. Then we adopted a lab mix we named Sadie.
Sadly, because of the somewhat unexpected trip back to the Midwest, I had to re-home my three lovely chickens. But the coop is still there ready to welcome new girls in the spring.
Finally, and most importantly, the adoption for our 4 & 6-year-old grandchildren was granted on December 10th! We have had the oldest his whole life and got his little sister 1 ½ years ago so nothing changed other than they are completely our own children. We can make any decisions for them without having to go to court or get permission for. Things like moving out-of-state.
I started my business with Thirty-One Gifts for a couple of very good reasons. 1) I love Thirty-One and wanted to organize the RV with the product. Why just buy all those organizers and bags when you can earn commission, right? 2) With hubby retired, it gives me the chance to contribute to the family finances without going back to work outside the home. Washington! And it’s going so well, I’ve promoted to Sr. Consultant. That came with devoting significant time to build my business.
And since MrPrepper is now retired, he has agreed to contribute to this blog! Woo Hoo! His knowledge and insight to important legislative issues about water and private property rights will be a great addition.
Also, since he is retired now, we are looking to possibly move to Missouri or Texas to buy a few acres and start the homestead I’ve been dreaming of for several years. So this next step in my journey to self-reliance could be the most dramatic in finding and setting up a bona fide homestead with all the livestock I want to have.
So you see, life has been extremely demanding and has required my energies be placed elsewhere. But I’m so happy to step back into writing and sharing the new journey we face as many things just opened up for us.
I am really excited to announce that I will now be a contributing writer for the blog at 
prepperpenny 