Monday, January 5, 2009

The rest of the ax... forcefully self-sufficient

Well, today we got the news that I was afraid would be coming, my husband is officially laid off. I, being self-employed as a painter (art not houses) am also having a very slow income time because the people that usually would buy art are either broke, or hoarding all their money so they don't become broke too. So what better opportunity to put my self-sufficiency skills to work. Mind you they won't pay the hospital bill, the mortgage, our car payment etc, but they might 'pay' the food bill, the clothing bill and lower some other bills like electricity.

Of course we are both going to be looking for some paycheck work and hopefully our small savings will tide us over this rough patch. We realize that the economy sucks and we're likely going to be taking jobs our college educations will go unused at, but maybe being forced to be very productive in our gardening etc. will be rewarding enough to make up for that.

Luckily, I have all those great heirloom seeds coming in the mail. That gives me something to look forward to, and I don't feel guilty about having bought them since they'll be put to very good use. For those of you that are in the Phoenix area and don't feel like starting your own seeds indoors in January, I expect to have a few extra seedlings of interesting and productive varieties of tomato, peppers and eggplants mostly. You can contact me here and/or also I'll bring them down to the Saturday downtown farmers market at the Permaculture booth in a few weeks when it's transplant time. They will be cheap, and if you happen to represent my bank, they will be available for mortgage bartering.

I don't mean for this to be a downer post. My mom is encouraging me to view this as a great opportunity. I think opportunity would be a word more suited for an occasion where you are given 2 weeks and a hundred dollars to make a fantastic present for a friend. This is more of fear-based initiative, where the car's going to blow up so I better figure out how to utilize my gum, ball point pen and paperclip to avoid catastrophe. Although, I suppose that's a sort of opportunity too...

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well done for being positive at all, not an easy situation, and I wish you all the best of course!

I would definitely be interested in purchasing some of those transplants as well. Please let me know which Saturday you will be at the market.:)

Chiot's Run said...

Mr Chiots and I had a similar difficulties 7 years ago and now that we look back it was one of the best things that ever happened to us. It spurred events that eventually led to the start of our business and ending up in our current location.

It was a tough time, but I think that during those tough times is when you grow the most if you allow yourself to see it as an apportunity for growth rather than a result of bad luck.

I'll be interested to see what transpires during this time you you guys (as well as seeing how well the gardens do for food production).

AJK said...

Oh boy! I'm sorry about your husband's layoff. We are still on one income as well. Our income was cut to 1/3 when I was laid off. We're moving in to my Mom's and compbining forces. She gardens as well, and we are exanding our veggie patch. We hope to make the best of the situation and grow as much of our food at home, since we have a very long growing season as you do. Best of Luck in your Self-reliant livelyhood! With 10 hens, I'm sure you're not able to eat all their eggs, and you're probably planning on selling the excess for income. That'll be great! We're thinking of selling our excess veggies in the summer at the local Farmer Market.