So  free a long week of bring home sheet rock, on Friday I found a job site that was throwing some of the same size away.  They had 8 four by four sections of half inch sheet rock.  I paid the man $1 for each, and with that was able to finish out one whole wall from start to finish.  Without finding those short sections, I would have only a partial wall done.  As I get more money, I will go get more board. Will really start watching all the job sites around where I work, maybe I can get some more good deals!
I also snagged a second hand computer desk, which fits perfectly against a half wall in my cabin...paid $10!  I have decided to get a storage shed, and will remove part of the floor so that it will be part well house, part storage!  Two things completed....one cash outlay!
Between the desk, cabinets, and the Sheetrock, which will soon be covered by wall paneling, this place is beginning to look like an actual home inside.  It's a good thing because I am growing weary of living in the middle of construction.

It has been a rough week.  I am trying to bring in supplies enough to finish the inside of the cabin for winter.  4 sheets of sheet rock is all I can haul at a time, and that is with the hatch open and tied down.
Come the weekend, friends and ai will put up Sheetrock. Walls need finishing, then I will finish stovepipe section through the roof, and be ready for winter.  Thinking of leaving the floor plywood through the winter.  Was gonna throw rugs down, but can't stand rugs, and have no vacuum. Yes I could buy one, but then when rugs get put out to garden, or to another use, I would have something I no longer need.

I was recently told that I am an inspiration to women, and that I am empowering women.  I would hope that is true, but that was not my intention when I started out.  What I wanted to do was carve out a place for me to retire before I got "too old".  Along the way, I have learned how to electrify houses, plumbing inside (yes, I wimped and called a plumber for the well hookup), and how to build a strong cabin that can stand up to the winds of the night.

This is my fifth cabin since 2005.  the first cabin was 8x10 and swayed in a strong wind.  I learned about bracing structures after that one.  The next one taught me how to add rooms, and to experiment with different roof pitches was the third cabin.  The fourth one was where I gained mastery of drywall, mud and tape skills.  This fifth cabin, yes I bought rebuilt, but it gave me the necessary time to learn electricity, and plumbing before school began again.  Each cabin got successfully bigger....until this one!

This is the one that I will keep. As an Air Force brat growing up all over the world, I despaired of ever finding somewhere that I could call home.  When I walked on this piece of land, I knew I had found it in Oklahoma.  My heart will always be in Texas, but my body and soul are firmly planted in Oklahoma.  I will continue to build and sell just will never sell this place.

If my voyage inspires and empowers other women, then I am glad.  I am just a simple old woman who likes to learn new skills, and hates for a guy to tell me to leave these things to the menfolk. ;-)

So pull up a chair to the fire, read catalogs, read how to use tools, watch youtube videos, because most of the skills I use and have taught myself are hard work, but believe in yourself- with effort, you too can do all this, and carve out a place for yourself!  My thanks to the guys and gals in Lowes who listen to my questions then help me find just what I need, to Classic Country Land for having this great piece of land for me to buy, and to Derksen for my tiny cabin.  Thanks to Spoon plumbing of Prague, Oklahoma for getting the water from well to above ground, and fixing the issue left by a previous tenant.

I will continue to post as my homestead continues to evolve and grow.  He plan is to get chickens next Spring, but gotta build a chicken coop first.....fencing....then Irish Dexter Cattle.....the garden will grow, the produce will be dehydrated, frozen, and canned.  Lots more to come.  keep reading with me, and let me know what you are learning as you discover and follow your own dream.

Priorities will have to change.....gotta get wood stove  pipe up and connected....gotta cut some wood from all the dead trees around the property.  The electric fireplace will work for the net couple days.


Now that water is in, was going to work on fence next, but this cold snap reminds me that even though we are in Fall, winter is not far behind!

Finally....four months after arriving full time on the Silver Moon, my. Well is back in action. I have water !  I need to install drains before sink or tub can be set up, but I still have water to the door with a Bury Hydrant!
After treating with bleach and letting the system flush it has wonderful tasting water!  It tested clean, and now I have visions of Washing Machine dancing in my head!
Thanks to Johhny of Spoon Plumbing in Prague for setting me up! He and his wife were quick, reasonable and patient with my every question!  If you need a plumber...Johnny is the one locals go to...so will I!

It amazing what a good 2 inch rainfall will do to the pond, and associated water levels!  last week I was worried about the pond evaporating too quickly, then yesterday it was a cold rainy day and today at the pond it was looking a bit better!

On another note, I have decided with fall pending so quickly to bite the financial bullet and get the plumbing done to the house professionally.  I keep running out of days to get it done, with teaching school, and weekends just aren't

Quite long enough!  That also will free me up to finish the ceiling and caulk any gaps I find while putting in the stove pipe. 

Have a great week everyone!  

Today is a cold rainy day.  nope not complaining, but realized fall is about to catch me unprepared!  Today the local well service company came out and gave me an estimate to finish hooking well to house-$1795!  On the bright side, I would have water!  As much fun as I have been having swimming in the pond to get clean, it was way too chilly this morning to stay in very long!

In other news, the neighbors pig got loose, and into my yard, and the last remnants of my garden!  It is amazing how quickly they can plow through plants!  He/She loved the remaining tomatoes on the last plant, and challenged me when I tried to get a few for me.

Lastly, I have figured how to get the ceiling done...so hopefully by beginning of October, all wall paneling will be done, ceiling finished, and stove pipe in place!  :-)
Then Fall can come blowing in!