Something Bad is About to Happen...

Advertise with us
Shop deals on ebay
shop deals on amazon
Rabbit Talk Forum

Help Support Rabbit Talk Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Zinnia":2aknl1i5 said:
Illness that my daughter and I have been told to "claim". But put a label on it just get benefits. No thank you. We work hard and feed 5 children. No luxuries here. Not even a house. Lost that due to a zoning error and can't afford another one.

Bad things do happen to good people. That's worth remembering. The abusers of our system shame those that are truly in need.
Click to expand...

Zinnia, do you mind if I ask about your daughter. No need to respond if you'd rather not.

I have a younger sister, Rhonda, who was born with spina bifida. Doctors advised my parents to withhold food and water "and she won't last two days"... My folks told them to do everything possible, then transported her to a hospital in Amarillo, Texas where she had the first of countless surgeries. She eventually attended college and worked 30 years in a local hospital as a medical records clerk. Had to finally quit due to health issues. (Deafness due to Meniere's disease.)

My Mom told me that when Rhonda was born and she (my Mother) and my Dad were standing outside the nursery he said to her, "Thank God it was us." He knew just about any of his four sisters and younger brother would have likely taken the doctor's advice.

My Dad passed away almost nine years ago. Since then my wife and I have been helping with her medical and other expenses. Most of the treatments that will actually help her aren't covered by insurance. I never once heard my Dad complain but now that I see how much her care actually costs, I really have no idea how he and my Mom did it.

I'm also curious, and again don't feel any obligation to respond (I realize I'm prying here and I sincerely apologize if I'm crossing any boundaries...) but, how does "a zoning error" give anyone the right to take your home?

You demonstrate the best of America... People who quietly persevere through the worst of circumstances. I know you will overcome this temporary setback. I admire your courage and tenacity. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

All the best!

Randy
 
Randy, my sister has Spinabifida, too. She's about 40 now and is married and still has many medical problems. Your family's experience was mine. It was life changing for everyone. Lots of time spent in hospital waiting rooms when we were small. Our parents took us everywhere they went. My dad now takes care of my mother who has very debilitating, progressed MS.

My daughter's health problem is Epilepsy that she suffered brain damage from when she was 9. A very bright girl. After a particularly long seizure, she could no longer read, talk sensibly or walk as she had. Her doctor said it was likely permanent, but it was not. She has little remaining affects of it many years later.

The zoning error was their motivation for a cheaper county insurance if they could bully us out. We were told to remove our house or be fined $300 per day. We argued that they didn't understand the actual elevation (flood plane). Small town. Big bullies. We finally proved their elevation wrong, which made them looks stupid. Too late, the house was gone. There is so much more to the story, so much stepping over the boundaries. Unbelievable harassment. Flying planes over and taking pictures... In short, once they realized they were wrong, they grasped at everything, trying to find something we were doing to justify their force with us and the loss of our house. Such a long exhausting story, really.... Lost so much that was exposed to the rains because the house was gone and we had nowhere to go with our belongings. With my already completely shot adrenals, newborn in arms, armed officers tearing through our property for looking for nothing to make into something... I went into shock. Suing them was a thought, but I was in no shape to fight with dirty people. So here we are. We can build, but with what money? It set us back many years.... Still struggling to hold on to everything while we work at snail's pace to make home.

This has been off topic, but I guess it displays the fact that even local government's power can damage lives.... The fear and resulting anxiety especially for the children has been at times, unbearable.
 
Zinnia":2xqusr9r said:
Randy, my sister has Spinabifida, too. She's about 40 now and is married and still has many medical problems. Your family's experience was mine. It was life changing for everyone. Lots of time spent in hospital waiting rooms when we were small. Our parents took us everywhere they went. My dad now takes care of my mother who has very debilitating, progressed MS.

My daughter's health problem is Epilepsy that she suffered brain damage from when she was 9. A very bright girl. After a particularly long seizure, she could no longer read, talk sensibly or walk as she had. Her doctor said it was likely permanent, but it was not. She has little remaining affects of it many years later.

The zoning error was their motivation for a cheaper county insurance if they could bully us out. We were told to remove our house or be fined $300 per day. We argued that they didn't understand the actual elevation (flood plane). Small town. Big bullies. We finally proved their elevation wrong, which made them looks stupid. Too late, the house was gone. There is so much more to the story, so much stepping over the boundaries. Unbelievable harassment. Flying planes over and taking pictures... In short, once they realized they were wrong, they grasped at everything, trying to find something we were doing to justify their force with us and the loss of our house. Such a long exhausting story, really.... Lost so much that was exposed to the rains because the house was gone and we had nowhere to go with our belongings. With my already completely shot adrenals, newborn in arms, armed officers tearing through our property for looking for nothing to make into something... I went into shock. Suing them was a thought, but I was in no shape to fight with dirty people. So here we are. We can build, but with what money? It set us back many years.... Still struggling to hold on to everything while we work at snail's pace to make home.

This has been off topic, but I guess it displays the fact that even local government's power can damage lives.... The fear and resulting anxiety especially for the children has been at times, unbearable.
Click to expand...

I am completely speechless about this... my heart breaks for you :cry:

We had a man made lake go in a few years ago... bought some rabbits from a guy and he mentioned a few times about "when they took my land from me" - went from 80+ acres of family farm to just 2 :evil: :cry:

On the medical side... I'm not supposed to be here. Long story short, the doctors insisted for 3 months my mom wasn't pregnant (the lady who never wanted to have children). X-rays, scans, medication to try and start her cyle (2 or 3 times... which causes severe birth defects), and it was during a scope prior to a D&C that they finally figured it out. They gave her (and multiple other women this happened to) the option to abort since I was likely to have severe brain damage, missing limbs, etc. Many women took that option, my mom did not. Here I am! 31 years old and mostly good health. The one thing they found a few years ago was some structural issues in my lower back - an extra, transitional vertebrae, wonky disc, and a slight spina bifida (had back trouble for years, but never knew the cause).
 
Miss M":1yjwc449 said:
heritage":1yjwc449 said:
Any book recommendations?
Click to expand...
The Encyclopedia of Country Living, by Carla Emery -- everything from using a wood stove, to canning, to making your own tools.

MaggieJ":1yjwc449 said:
Look to the past for ideas.
Click to expand...
THIS! Learning about how things were done before electricity is huge.

MaggieJ":1yjwc449 said:
just wanted to shove in my two cents (Canadian) worth
Click to expand...
What's the exchange rate on that, again? :hmm: :lol:

heritage":1yjwc449 said:
I know life was hard, but I almost envy the simplicity of it all.
Click to expand...
Yes, we call it "simple", but it really was very hard... which is why all these advances were made that got us here. Now our lives are busy and clogged, and many of us want a way back to a slower, "simpler" time. Many people deciding to make that trek have no idea how difficult the life they want actually is. It's a lot of work. But it's uncomplicated in many ways, and you're less dependent on stores and economies and other things that can go wrong. During the Great Depression, it was the family farms that hardly noticed that times were bad. They would have been considered "poor", but they were the ones who didn't have to stand in bread lines. They had food, because they grew it, they canned it, they salted it, they pickled it.

heritage":1yjwc449 said:
On the personal hygiene note - cloth diapering really opened my eyes up to the options out there! Most Americans are thoroughly grossed out about the idea of family cloth (as in, reusable "toilet paper" and feminine hygiene products), but it can save so much!! Plus I remember being able to LOL about the TP shortage in... Brazil? maybe? People were hoarding it. Our family would be going "eh... we'll do without."
Click to expand...
This is something I recently learned about, and have in the plans. People may be grossed out by family cloth and reusable feminine products, but I guess they'll be the ones using cattail fuzz and wiping with leaves.

Let's see... where we are:

We have moved out to the country, onto 2 acres. We'd have liked a bit more, but that was what we could afford. We're still hoping that our neighbor with 6 acres won't actually move until we can buy their place. Anyway, our area has a low population density of 26 people per square mile, and the main industry is timber.

We have a well and some of the best water in the country. It's even naturally soft. Last year, we built a well house and installed a backup hand pump. Five pumps brings up cold water from about 60' down. The electric pump is at 90'. The well house locks. This hand pump is one of the most important things we have invested in. You can't live long, and neither can your livestock, without water. We paid about $1600 for it, installed.

We have meat rabbits and laying hens. We're in the process of weeding the non-layers from our older hens. We have a large shed and a lean-to. The well house, rabbitry, shed, and lean-to are all now electrified. We have an antenna for TV.

We have a hand-cranked grain mill, and have made bread from whole wheat berries using it. We're going back to it, in fact, after a while of non-use, because I had changed to a much less expensive yeast, and was having trouble getting proper rise. Now that we're very used to making our own bread, we should be able to troubleshoot what was going wrong.

We've been learning bit by bit how to can and how to dehydrate. I've started investing in Tattler reusable canning lids, and find they work great. I need to go back to their site and buy the key, as opening them with a butter knife makes me nervous... I don't want to damage the rings!

We have plentiful food storage. We're having to build it back up now, as we depleted it while my husband was out of work. He starts his new job on the 24th! :D

We have several kerosene lanterns, and will start having blackout nights as soon as we get some kerosene. They're no good if you don't know how to use them!

We have clotheslines and a washboard. I want to get washtubs and maybe a wringer... and maybe a little pressure washing machine.

I need to build a new solar oven. I had mine over 200* without even trying. I had to leave it behind two moves ago.

We need to plant fruit trees and shade trees, and finish our tire garden so we can plant that.

Also still need fish antibiotics (awesome to see that mentioned by Marinea, too), extras of some things like gaskets. We want to get a wood stove, other non-electric appliances... sigh.
Click to expand...

when we make bread from wheat berries, we grind 1/2 soft wheat with 1/2 hard wheat, it helps the bread to rise, and helps the loaf to be a lot less dry and crumbly [using potato water, left over from boiling potatoes helps with this also] and-- if your mill does not grind wheat "very fine" let the courser ground wheat soak for a few hours and it will work better for making bread.
--sorry for awakening an old thread - but I like to re-read this stuff occasionally.

I like the "tattler" canning lids also- but- it's the price that limits my use of them - we have more than a couple thousand jars, so I have given up on the idea of switching to them, I re-use my regular jar lids by just being careful when I open them - all lids that are not bent or damaged work again just fine - [I have done this for 20 years with no problems]

JMHO
 
michaels4gardens":3keoptpv said:
all lids that are not bent or damaged work again just fine - [I have done this for 20 years with no problems]
Click to expand...

Good to know! I was wondering about that, because the seal looks the same after it has been used. Not reusing them must be a "better safe than sorry because people are stupid" rule- like the warning on plastic bags not to let infants play with them. :roll:
 
BlueHaven":3pz6dhe1 said:
Glen Beck, I always wonder why does he have such a huge antique microphone, is his audience that old? or does he just want us to think what he says is
VERY VERY IMPORTANT! He always preaches doom and gloom, its made him millions. I take him with a grain of salt.
I guess I am not worried as I have an acre and a half in the country already, and rabbits! I think the world is going to have some growing pains as we are becoming a world
economy, as opposed to many countries economies. We are becoming a type one civilization as opposed to a type 0 (see u tube michio Kaku). He explains it better
than I can, and I totally agree.
Click to expand...

his mic is an antique from someone. I cant remember the story but its someone who was in radio years ago and I think during WWII some epic radio announcement on it. like I said I don't remember it exactly but its also supposed to be one of the best kinds of mics ever made or something like that.
 
DBA":2t7uytak said:
Our country was founded as a republic. I know most people think we are a democracy, hell, even our president say we are. No, we are supposed to be a republic.
Why would anyone, in a republic, choose to vote for a socialist.
Socialism is raging through our society already, why feed it more?

Socialism just creates more wellfare queens and lazy fools.
Why should I try harder, do better, and earn more if it is just going to be taken from me and given to a worthless, lazy, chump who has no dignity or self worth, yet feels entitled to whatever someone else has?
Click to expand...

DBA, I think you might be confusing socialism with communism.
Socialist countries like, Sweden, Denmark Australia, Canada are the countries at the top of the list of "happiest countries in the world list". Compared to the working people in the US, the working people in the socialist countries are much happier— They enjoy free college education, free healthcare, higher working wages, (minimum wage is way higher there than in the US). The lowest paid workers are paid much more than in the US, so their isn't the extreme divide between the wealthy and the poor in those countries— so there isn't a population of "haves and have nots" to create all the problems with crime. Workers in socialist countries get mandatory 4 week vacation and up to 14-16 weeks parental leave. In the US, there is no mandatory vacation—when I worked in the US I only received 1 week off per year and I now consider that barbaric. I am an American and have lived in New Zealand for the past 20 years- — minimum wage is higher, you get mandatory 4 weeks vacation, healthcare is free, unemployment is lower, and there is less of a divide between the wealthy and the poor so less crime— New Zealand is less socialist than Sweden, but it way more socialist than America and it is way better living here. Something is very wrong with America if it is the richest country in the world and can't even give its citizens free healthcare and free college education- New Zealand is a much poorer country than the US but still gives its citizens free healthcare and college is not free, but much less expensive here. America needs to lean more toward socialism- it can afford to- it is the wealthiest country in the world. Working people in America should get at least the same as working people in Sweden -- if not more. Socialism is good.

Right now it looks to me like the US is becoming more like China every year- with workers being paid wages way under the poverty line. My fear is that Americans will elect someone like Trump who has stated he wants a lower the minimum wage— which would make the US much more like China, which is a Communist country operating under a capitalist system, and it is like a first world country with a working class that us third world—living in poverty with people making less than $3 a day. ... in conclusion... Communist is like China-- you want Socialist like Sweden.

Edit... Capitialist-communist hybrid= China.
Capitalist-socialist= Australia, Canada, and Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand and right now those countries score higher on Happiest Country in the World indexes. https://emsnews.wordpress.com/2011/01/2 ... t-nations/
 
Toilet paper. I didn't read through the whole thread. haha but it seems the bulk of the thread is focused on prepping of one sort or another. And well.. toilet paper. Here in Hawaii when the barges and planes stop coming a few things will leave the shelves forever in the first 24-48 hours. And toilet paper is one of them, water is another and ammo.

We have 2 rifles for hunting and 2 handguns for not hunting. We're building up our ammo stores. We've always prepped food items, lol I even moved a ton of it here from Alaska. I rotate on an every 6 month basis or so, so that I'm using the oldest stuff.

But when life gets really hard and comforts are few and far between, I want feminine hygiene products and toilet paper. I've recently added DEET to my prepping items because we're having a big outbreak of Dengue. And if chemicals stop coming here we won't be able to kill the mosquitoes and won't be able to repel them either. So I've been stocking up on DEET.
 
lereg15":34sba7de said:
Thankfully, I wised up about 15-20 years ago, about most of the commerce aspects of this!! I have $16 in my bank account, (only use my bank to cash checks), no cell phone (for tracking purposes), no credit cards or anything I can be tracked by.

Silver has always, throughout time been a barter tool. I agree to have it all in small amounts, just in case you have bouillons and need something of smaller value. This is why I suggested the old silver dimes. Even in Biblical times, precious metals were use for trading.

I don't have, nor care to have a concealed carry permit, once again for tracking purposes. If martial law happens to ever come into effect, (which I believe will to prevent the next elections), I don't want people to know what guns I have or not!! Paranoid, maybe, but I think it's just safer.

I try to buy my 'stuff' from individuals rather than companies as well.
Click to expand...

Pre 1965 silver coins are best, from what I have read. Depending on where you live, having a CHL doesn't necessarily mean they know what guns you have. In Texas, you don't have to tell them what guns you have when you get a CHL. We have enlarged our garden area with twice as many raised beds (using tips from my Sistah, MSD :D ) and have somewhat of an ammo stock pile. We do need more. We have a well for water and a generator. I hope that things don't go the way they seem to be going, but I fear that they may. :(
 
I think preparedness [in a sane , responsible manor] is always a good thing. - it is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it, -- one never knows for sure what or when something "bad" will happen, having extra necessities, is a very good thing. -- things happen that we have not foreseen, or planed for.
my brother was in the San Bernardino shooting yesterday, evidently at least one of his co-workers was a Muslim extremist, [he survived, at least physically ] bet he didn't see that coming...
 
MamaSheepdog":24oh0mv1 said:
michaels4gardens":24oh0mv1 said:
all lids that are not bent or damaged work again just fine - [I have done this for 20 years with no problems]
Click to expand...

Good to know! I was wondering about that, because the seal looks the same after it has been used. Not reusing them must be a "better safe than sorry because people are stupid" rule- like the warning on plastic bags not to let infants play with them. :roll:
Click to expand...
michael - I've wonder about this too. Guess this old dog will have to give it a try. Thanks, you're the first person I've heard say this and I've canned over 40 years now. :eek:ldgeezer:

MSD - Bet you run with scissors too don't ya? :p
 
michaels4gardens":q9ko06y5 said:
my brother was in the San Bernardino shooting yesterday, evidently at least one of his co-workers was a Muslim extremist, [he survived, at least physically ] bet he didn't see that coming...
Click to expand...

Thank heavens he is safe!!!

One of my high school friends lives in that area as well. Quite an eye opener for many people.

Homer":q9ko06y5 said:
MSD - Bet you run with scissors too don't ya? :p
Click to expand...

Well, of course! Don't try to tell me you don't! ;)
 
Has anyone else noticed that the "empire news" is portraying both US presidential candidates as "unfit to lead" Hillory, with one foot in the grave, and Trump, a racist madman.
usually by this close to the election the empire has made their choice clear as to who they are going to appoint as the next president , by publishing only good about their chosen one, showing young vibrant pictures of them, and suppressing bad news and any negative comments, or actions.--
They seem to be building up Obama as a fit leader now-- this has me concerned--- what do you suppose they have planned??? why this break in protocol???
 
michaels4gardens":s5unngqv said:
Has anyone else noticed that the "empire news" is portraying both US presidential candidates as "unfit to lead" Hillory, with one foot in the grave, and Trump, a racist madman.
usually by this close to the election the empire has made their choice clear as to who they are going to appoint as the next president , by publishing only good about their chosen one, showing young vibrant pictures of them, and suppressing bad news and any negative comments, or actions.--
They seem to be building up Obama as a fit leader now-- this has me concerned--- what do you suppose they have planned??? why this break in protocol???
Click to expand...

I don't watch the news much, just skim headlines (it's all I can stand to do anymore). It's crazy, isn't it? I have no idea what's going to happen in the next couple of months. I have my theories that Trump is a distraction... just not sure the motive(s) yet. How is it the two least liked candidates (according to so much that I saw anyway) are the two main options we have to choose from? I don't even know how one is legally able to run...
 
heritage":23gk5kpz said:
michaels4gardens":23gk5kpz said:
Has anyone else noticed that the "empire news" is portraying both US presidential candidates as "unfit to lead" Hillory, with one foot in the grave, and Trump, a racist madman.
usually by this close to the election the empire has made their choice clear as to who they are going to appoint as the next president , by publishing only good about their chosen one, showing young vibrant pictures of them, and suppressing bad news and any negative comments, or actions.--
They seem to be building up Obama as a fit leader now-- this has me concerned--- what do you suppose they have planned??? why this break in protocol???
Click to expand...

I don't watch the news much, just skim headlines (it's all I can stand to do anymore). It's crazy, isn't it? I have no idea what's going to happen in the next couple of months. I have my theories that Trump is a distraction... just not sure the motive(s) yet. How is it the two least liked candidates (according to so much that I saw anyway) are the two main options we have to choose from? I don't even know how one is legally able to run...
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with Empire news but to me it sounds like whoever they are, they might be siding with one of the third party candidates instead of Trump or Hillary. This is the weirdest election in history. I was enjoying the entertainment value, but I now feel like— someone wake me up and tell me what happened when its over.
 
Here I thought I was a bit Crazy.... then I find this thread... still reading page 3.... need to take notes on books and some of the suggestions (like reusable canning lids!)....

I am growing more and more anxious myself; to get our farm.
We currently live in a subdivision.

We need to settle some outstanding debt from living well above our means for several years. (yup, I admit it is our own fault!) I was talking with a farmer friend and he is suggesting we try and find 50+ acres... Needless to say, no matter the recommendations, we will be able to afford what we can afford when we get to the point we can start Homestead shopping.

Were we are at:
We have an existing home with equity
Ability jam and pickle just about anything
(need to learn/get pressure cooker canning)
knowledge and experience at butchering/raising feathered beasts (chicken, turkey, quail, duck)
raise rabbits for food/pelts and learning how to butcher and cure pelts
I sew (will be on the lookout for a peddle power machine)
I garden
I raise meat chickens at a friend's farm (making a quail tractor now to raise quail for eggs)
I have a strong work energy (I make people tired talking about my "after work" pursuits)

As a Canadian ... fire arms are not part of our culture, unless you were raised in a hunting family. (DH and I were not). We joined our local Sportsman's Club and are learning to shoot bows and they have long gun classes too (we haven't done those classes yet).... DH would like to get his firearms license (as would I)

Sometimes I feel like we are stuck and will not ever get to were I think we need to be.. other times I feel like I might just be crazy and I should just stop this... I can't....
I honestly believe that the homestead is the only way we (our family) can be prepared.
Our current food system is based on mono cropping and indecent ways of raising animals.
Both these methods will not survive an economic breakdown.
You can't eat money.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top