You’re welcome Holly, I didn’t even notice this post was that long because it was such a pleasure to read. I know what you mean about it being therapeutic. Thoughts can build up in my head since talking to someone is a luxury I’m usually without, so I sometimes write out my thoughts too. Writing comments here is part of that, and I can’t tell you how much your kindness in return means to me.

Even though you wanted to move away, your willingness to stick it out is commendable. It reminds me of my German grandparents who lived in Berlin and escaped East Germany in 1953. (Story Time with Darren if that’s ok) My grandfather was drafted into the German Army in WWII at 18 years old to fight a cause he didn’t believe in and was a POW in Russia for two years. After the war, life kept getting worse due to oppression, and the border between West and East Germany was tightly sealed because too many discontent people kept leaving. Even with the sealed border, my grandparents knew the only way out was through Berlin on a train, and they bravely made their escape. After living in refugee camps in West Germany where they were interrogated for weeks to make sure they weren’t Soviet spies, they ended up in New York to start over. They didn’t speak English yet, and finding work was so hard. Living in America was even more difficult for them than living in Germany! They wanted to go back! But they stayed and stuck it out. That’s why you remind me of them. They were willing to do whatever it took to make it work, as did you. They were amazing people, as are you.

Thank you for your well wishes with my transition period. I hope I find something soon. Yesterday I found out Kevin Trudeau’s organization in the Chicago area is growing and will be hiring, so I immediately applied. I don’t know of any organization that has a better mission than theirs, so if I could work for them, I’d be over the moon.

Yes, it is a beautiful weekend in the middle of May, my favorite time of year, and it was made even more beautiful by hearing from you. I hope you’re having a beautiful weekend too, Holly!

Hey Darren, Thank you for such a kind and supportive comment! And, thanks for reading this extremely long post. I think it must have been therapeutic for me to write this back then. I really wanted to move away on numerous occasions, but I am glad I stayed here and made it a home.

You are right about that neighbor of mine. It’s weird because I haven’t seen him in years now. But, I still appreciate how he helped us.

I hope things are going alright for you with your situation and new beginning. That’s not easy and I’m sure it will be an adjustment period.

I hope you’re having a beautiful weekend!

The thought of you shoveling 3 1/2′ or more of packed snow off your driveway in -15 degrees is almost unbearable to me. I know you have astronomical determination and the ability to Do It Yourself, but I still wish I could have helped somehow. I’m so glad you had a kind neighbor to help. Sometimes God sends an angel when needed the most. 

I have a different set of challenges, but seeing you overcome all these difficulties inspires me and helps me believe I can also succeed despite mine. Thank you, Holly, for sharing this. I hope you know you’re making a positive impact, even years later.

Thanks, Stephen! I hope it goes well with plans and possible move. That sounds very exciting!

I am also looking at starting over in a remote location also as a single parent but we are doing it in the carribean instead. We already live in a fairly remote location in Northern Ontario but fell in love with the tropics. I found your channel and really appreciate your advice on supplements and getting back to nature. I just wanted you to know that you have been inspirational.

Marty, thank you so much. Since writing this, I have developed some apprehensions about leaving it on here as I feel like it may have sounded like I was complaining. I was being really honest about my thoughts on the negative aspects of things. But, it is still worth it for me to stay here. I no longer want to move now. It’s just been an adjustment to this new way of life. I totally agree with you about needing some good neighbors and I hope to get to know them more - even through all that’s going on. Maybe I will bake some bread and drop it off :) Thank you for saying it isn’t a failure, but fate. I agree! :)) Marty, thanks again for stopping by!

Hey Jerry! Wow you stocked up really early! I only started properly stocking up on March 5th. That’s good you did that though and I am lucky I did it just in time. About elderberry - I agree 100%. It is a miracle product for me. I have seen the studies too! And, about your story of a farmer helping you - that is awesome. So funny about the donkey. I wouldn’t mind a horse someday! I love all animals though. It is so true about how they all have their own ways of communicating and that can be really entertaining and interesting.

Winter is rough! I would definitely love to have a variety of animals - chickens, horses, goats, and oddly a donkey lol. A few years ago I broke down in the middle of nowhere with no cell service and this nice farmer picked me up and took me to his house to use the phone. When we pulled up I was expecting a bunch of dogs to come running up meet us. Instead he had a fenced in area near the driveway and a donkey came running up hollering for attention. This was so funny to me how animals learn to love and how to communicate. The farmer told me the donkey does this to pretend he hasn’t been fed. It’s stuck with me since then. :) Coronavirus is crazy! There’s no toilet paper, hand sanitizer, or N95 masks where I live. I luckily saw things playing out like this and bought enough food and supplies to last a month like 3 weeks ago. And also I’m completely convinced that sambucol will definitely help if I get it. I’ve done extensive research over the years on elderberry and also have used it multiple times with verified flu positives and cold symptoms. I’m always feeling better within a day to 36 hours. It really works! It doesn’t prevent viruses but the inflammatory response is not as severe and in a nutshell it deactivates the virus from multiplying. Lot’s of scientific studies if you look. Really interesting and amazing!
EDIT: It’s the sambucol liquid (original) that’s been extensively studied. There’s like dissolving tablets and gummies now but there are no studies supporting the effectiveness outside the liquid.

Hi Jerry! Thank you so much for taking the time to read such a long-winded post. I wrote that in the thick of things. I think the experience I’ve been having here has been a sort of culture shock that really has taken me time to work through. I basically shared all the difficulties I’ve had in my adjustment period. To be honest, I think I haven’t given this location my all (at all). I realized over the months since I wrote it, that I haven’t really allowed myself to embrace what we have here. There is a lot that can be done with what we have - if we work with it. So, since the coronavirus situation is escalating, I am staying put. I had gotten a loan and I had looked at some places, but I just couldn’t fathom leaving this type of living situation yet (and can’t imagine living in a city at this time). I am convinced that my difficulties have been winter issues plus adjustment problems! But, in the future I would still ideally love to be closer to some stores. But, maybe I just need to get used to being more self sufficient here. Plus, you can order lots of things online at least. At this point I am grateful for where we live and what we have. I am so glad you found it eye opening. I love that you’re exploring minimalism as that’s something I appreciate, especially with moving from a large to small home. Less is better to me. Our house is rather compact and we have 950sq feet. But, we have an amazing basement. I think if some rooms were made down there, everything (all my craft stuff) would fit perfectly because I have lots of hobbies. So that is interesting how you purchased a large home a couple years ago - just like us but we got our smaller home in the country. The location you’re thinking of, that is 20 minutes from real civilization - that sounds awesome!!! I totally understand about wanting a farm and animals too. What kind of animals do you want? Maybe you can figure that out once you move there. For myself, I have always wanted some animals too. But, it’s taking me time to even accept and work with what we have. I think that is finally happening. :) And, since I have decided to not move now - I am probably going to get some chickens soon. It’s a good way to start out with a few animals. That’s also really great you will have internet access and cell phone. Honestly, I don’t mind not having my cell working. I can go ages without phone calls! So true what you said about being ok to be disconnected -yes! I hate texting too and avoid it mostly. Thank you for the nice message and things are already better. Yes, it is tough here but reading my old post really shows how rough it felt at the time. But, those rough times pass. I really hope you find the place you’re looking for!!! This might be a good time to buy!