Probably the first time I’ve ever been excited for a Monday ever. Normally, I hate Mondays like Garfield does. But tomorrow is different. Tomorrow is the day I sign off on my conditions and sign the papers on the cabin. Tomorrow is the point of no return. Tomorrow is the last day I can ask if I’m sure.

The water test is the only thing I’m waiting for, I think. This is to check the bacteria levels. I know from the well guy that there is no salt nor sulfur in the well water. I also know that it’s on the border between hard and soft and it will be up to me if I want to put a softener on it or not.

But I’ve waived the rest of my conditions or I’ve told the realtor that I’m good with them. I am so excited because I’m not backing out. I’m doing this! Full speed ahead. Send skeet!

To keep myself occupied, I’ve been doing a bit of planning of where I want to put my orchard and garden in the spring. In the fall, I’ll work on clearing out brush in the areas where I’m going to put walk ways and a new parking area.

So here is what I’m thinking:

1. Create a parking area. Currently, people park near the east side of the cabin blocking the loop of the driveway. Since I want to change the approach to the cabin, I’m going to move gravel into the area specified and then make a walkway to the house. Eventually I can put a car port in.
2. Close off the driveway in front of the cabin. There is a driveway that goes immediately in front of the cabin. Like you have to thread a needle between the cabin and the well cap. I am going to remove that entirely and put a gate up. I want to use the other driveway. So to help with this, I’m going to rake up all of the gravel and plant some grass in there instead.
3. Clear brush to make a walkway. Might have path stones at some point but most likely will just stay dirt for a while. Both of these areas are go down a small hill so I might put in some wood on the slope to make some adhoc stairs.
4. Garden boxes for some crops. Nothing big at first, just things I know I will eat. This won’t be the final set up but I’d like to get a small garden going to see if I can actually keep the plants alive.
5. Orchard. I’d like to start off with apples and cherries. I’d also like to grow plumbs and pears as well. But I’ll start off slow and get them into the ground to grow.
6. Move the entrance to the field and shift the hay field over so that it avoids my orchard and garden. I don’t want to get rid of the pasture, I’ll just move it over a bit. I’m not sure what the plan is for the hay fields. I’ll probably rent them out if I can.

On this picture, North is left. So for the garden and fruit trees, I’ve chosen this location because it will get full southern sun and the trees and slight dip in the ground will act as a wind block to protect them from north winds.

This is basically all I’d like to do outside for the first year. I don’t want to spend much money so I can rebuild my savings a bit.

Perhaps by summer, I’ll be ready to start working on cleaning, staining, and sealing the exterior logs. I also need to learn how to chink the cabin as well. Even if I just do a log a week or every two weeks, it’ll get done eventually!

I’m so proud of myself! Like look at this list:

1. Oct 2023 – moved out of the marital home
2. Jun 2024 – got a new job in a new field
3. Oct 2025 – bought a cabin

I also got divorced and finished cognitive processing therapy so far this year as well. So talk about getting shit done these past two years!!! Very proud of myself right now.

I’m unstoppable
I’m a Porsche with no brakes
I’m invincible
Yeah, I win every single game
I’m so powerful
I don’t need batteries to play
I’m so confident,
yeah, I’m unstoppable today

I feel cringe/foolish and empowered at the same time! I’m embracing my mid-life crisis!!!