The building has gotten quite difficult in the last while. I’m not sure that my ninja skills are entirely up to this task but I know there’s not much choice at this stage of the game. The combination of the height of the domes and the door and window frames being “in the way” have made for some tricky maneuvering and lots of climbing up and down (and up and down and up…). Not so long ago it was easy enough to just put the buckets of mix next to us on the ground, or along the wall, and heft them into the bags. But now the walls are so high that we’re having to climb with the buckets, and because of the frames we can’t simply line the buckets up on the wall. I did try leaping over a frame yesterday, unmindful to the fact that I was wearing sandals, and managed to stab myself in the foot with barbed wire as I came down on the other side and lost a shoe. The amount of blood was impressive. Alas, it won’t leave a sexy scar like the barbed wire that caught my neck and jaw the other week so I’m stuck with just the pain of walking on it right now.
Anyway, so the progress has become painfully slow. And it’s late in the season- I’m f*cking tired. And wondering why I didn’t just lie to Shane at the outset of our relationship and pretend to be one of those fluffy women, the kind who likes to lunch and get pedicures and sit sipping ice tea under the shelter of a big umbrella? That’s the problem when you marry your best friend- too late to lie. And then- this is the kicker- I’m the one who suggested that we could build our own house out of mud. “Why not? We can do it!” What the hell was I thinking? I don’t even get the satisfaction of asking, “who the heck came up with this bright idea?” Of course Shane is always suggesting that I “take a day off” and the thought is appealing, but I’m afraid that a day off would entail catching up on the housework I’ve put off for several months now. Ya, no thanks- I’ll keep working the site.
Technically, I’m breaking right now. We were ridiculously low on baked goods so I have cinnamon rolls baking in the oven and I get to rest for another fifteen minutes or so. But it’s at a price as I watch the temperature on the thermometer rising by the minute and dread how hot it’ll be on the site by the time these are done. What a scorching summer it’s been. So you get the picture- complain, complain, complain- breathe- complain some more. That sums up my attitude over the last few weeks. Don’t even get me started on how my body feels- our house currently weighs about 75 tons and that weight has been moved several times, from the gravel pit, to the cement mixer, to buckets, and into bags. I’m 5’7 and small boned (okay, whatever, ‘medium’ boned) for goodness sake- I’m not built for this shit.
For all my complaining, I was reminded yesterday of why I am doing all of this. As I stood on top of the dome wall in my underwear watching the blood drip off my foot and onto the bags below I heard a familiar shrill call and looked up to see two eagles circling. I stopped and took a deep breath in. Clean air. Eagles soaring above me. The sound of coyotes in the distance. Our garden overflowing with abundance next to the house we’re building. The house we’re building. On land that we’re giving back to instead of just taking from. Incredible. Such a long way from the city life we led not so long ago. And once we have this thing established we’ll be able to simply maintain it, and it will provide for all our needs- rather than going to work and having someone decide how much our time is “worth” only to turn around and spend said allotment on our needs… And I’ll get to spend all of my time with the coolest guy I’ve ever known- hanging out, tending the garden, keeping bees, learning…
Yeah- I guess it’s worth the blood, sweat and tears put into it now when you look at it that way.
Graceful like a ninja, or dancing bear
Man with the iron jaw
Almost over the frames
It’s extremely helpful to hear your experience in your words, as we are going through an uncannily similar time. We go through such similar dips in energy and motivation, and upswings as we take a second look at our progress and remember our goals. It’s not really clear whether this kind of life is hard by choice, or if ‘easy’ lives are artificially so, to the detriment of…?
I feel that you two are doing a tremendous amount of work and are making tremendous progress, and should feel a deep sense of achievement on an ongoing basis.
Also, when it’s feasible to work outside in underwear or less, our kind savours the freedom to do so. How’s the bum tan?
The bum tan’s coming along fabulously. Maybe a little too fabulously. I look more dirty than tanned these days.
Thanks for the support guys. I’m sometimes hesitant to say anything that might be construed as ‘ungrateful’ or ‘regretful’ because I’m not. I believe we’re on the right path and couldn’t be any more convicted or passionate about what we’re doing. But it is hard work, that’s for sure.
I thought homesteading was supposed to be easy? LOL
When I think back to the rat race I left behind not so long ago though, THAT was hard. Sure it ‘seemed’ easier at the time, but it’s never ending right? And accomplishes nothing, or nothing of meaning anyway. Besides which it leaves a person with that internal unease that I can only guess comes with knowing that you’re doing something ‘wrong’, or heading the wrong direction…
Hope all is well with you both! With any luck (or time) I’ll figure out how to add a blog roll to this page some time soon and can link off to you guys and a few more that we’ve been following…
Very impressive, and that does look like a lot of work but you two are moving along very well. p.s. careful don’t fall down!!! Augie