The state of things.

I must admit something.  I have serious blogger envy.  As I slowly browse through my blog reader, I'm faced with the reality that many homesteaders have already put up their berries for the season.  Pickled asparagus has long been completed.  And so has the beginning of apricot jams and jellies.


The bounty is already beginning to boom.  My freezer and pantry should already be showing the signs of spring and early summer -  it all it's preservation glory. 


Instead, I'm vacuuming mouse poop out from behind my washing machine (don't be too grossed out, they're orchard mice!).  I'm also selling off my second chest freezer, donating the remaining frozen bounty from last year's garden to friends and family, and getting rid of all those 'extra' non-necessities I've accumulated over the past few years.  


I'm doing the opposite of homesteading.


I keep thinking 'Oh, Mom and I should make a batch of strawberry jam before I go!' and then, the Lord kindly reminds me in Ecclesiastes, 'there is a time to tear down and a time to build'.


And as difficult as it is, this is my time to tear down.  


This is the current state of things on the homestead:

The laundry room is all but packed.  Knowing I will need to do a few final loads before we load the truck on Saturday has kept me from going too far.


And no, we aren't using our cloth diapers at the moment.  That just ain't happenin'.

The kitchen is in disarray, with boxes lining the already-cramped counter space.  The only thing we have the capacity to make for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is scrambled eggs.  Ohh - and those last few bananas that are hanging out on the shelf.

The remaining dry goods have been consolidated and packed into an old laundry basket.  I've been fighting the urge to go and purchase more of these goods, just in case I can't find them where I'm headed.  I can't help it.  I panic.

Let's not even address the office.  

Or the bedroom.  Lawd, have mercy.


Our kitchen table, computer desk, dressers and planting table have since found new homes (I must admit, I eagerly anticipate the thrift store/Craigslist gems I hope to find once we arrive!).

Yes, surely this has been a time of tearing down.


The state of our home is just....messy.  Even without the sticky, pink goodness that is strawberry jam.  Or the crisp, freshness that is pickled asparagus.

All we can do is face it box by box and hope it doesn't consume us before Saturday morning.  It's so against my nature to have things in this state - perhaps the Lord is teaching me to not let my panties get in a knot over life's messes.


Please, go do something productive on your homestead.  For my sake.  


For the moment, I'll live vicariously through your triumphs.