Monday, September 27, 2010

September 2010

Fall is here and we sure do have alot of leaves on the ground. Been at this campground for three months now and have really enjoyed our time here. It's still Rob myself and Brandon and of course the two dogs.
Brandon is in school in town and I am gearing up to re open the shop about a mile from the campground. Not really in a big hurry to re open, the economy is shit and from what I am hearing from the other shops, is that there just is not that much work out there. Although when I open this shop, it will just be me, no employees, I am thinking that it will be a bit of a tough go, also due to being out of the my area by about 12 miles. That won't help for sure.

The new shop has a place for the fiver, right between two buildings and even has a septic there. Waterline and hydro no problem. Shop is 2500 sq feet and the only problem is heating it as its old and in need of repair. What I want to do is rent this for the winter and make do, and then move to one of the other units there that are under construction. Real nice unit with infloor heating. So figuring if all works out well, maybe move into the new unit in the spring when hopefully it is completed. Also depending on whether I make any money or not this winter.

Now failing all of that, I can stay at this campground for the winter. I just have to move the fiver up too the front of the campground where there is access to water. 100 bucks a week plus the hydro and I am set for the winter. I have enough money to last me the winter, but will go into next spring with little funds. The problem is that I have to stay in this area due to the kid being in school and I really don't want to see him have to change schools at his age, 16.

I could go and work at a shop too, I am a little out there for driving back and forth though, maybe 4 day work week and 10 or 12 hours a day, but no one is hiring right now and if anything shops are just scraping by and trying to keep the guys they have working.

This recession, well I for one am sick of it, problem though, is that I figure it is just gonnna get worse. Don't know what is gonna happen in the States as they have a ton of problems and alot of people not working, never mind thier debt problems. Been reading how alot of very smart people are saying the dollar could collapse and a very good chance of a double dip recession.

All in all it does not look good. I am glad that I chose this lifestyle so many years ago and have lived a debt free life.

Off work now for 4 months and that is getting tiring too. Worked for so many years, that it is hard to just stop. I feel better and my lungs for the most part are cleaned out.

The fiver has been working good, and with the exception of the skirting, we are pretty much set for the winter. Once I figure where we will be, thats only about a days work. Figuring on 1/4 plywood cut to size to run around the fiver. My underbelly is sealed and heated via the furnace and last two years with no skirting we had no problems. Thinking of maybe a 250 pound propane tank if it is cheaper to refill due to a larger quantity. Did find a place about 12 miles north of here that will fill a 100 pounder for 65 bucks taxes in, that is cheap.

Also i tore out the living room carpeting and need to replace that, good job for this week.

Another item that I have been researching is preparedness, seems the gov down in the states is having a preparedness month, trying to get thier people aware that it is prudent to have some food and energy supplies on hand in case of a problem. I think that is good measures, and considering stocking up on food items, water and fuel for the genny. I try to keep a good supply of groceries and the freezer full but adding some more sure won't hurt. The cost of groceries is sure creeping up. One really has to shop wise these days as the money sure don't go far. I feed three guys and two german shepherds and it easily is 200.00 per week, although we eat well, a meat dinner everynight. Dogs are on a raw food diet, and one would think that this is expensive, but not. I say that and smoke at over 7 bucks for a pack of em. I did quit this past summer for a whole month, but damn back at it.