Septic Tank Update ~ Still without hot water

Well, as I sit here, we are still without hot water.  However we can use and flush toilets and can now turn the well, the water pump, and the water softener on.  In the process of digging and looking for the septic tank (which by the way is going to be marked and mapped out for sure!), the propane line was cut.  After 3 days, we now have to call the gas company.  They used piping that is specifically made for propane only, and is not available in stores, so our hired help cannot repair it.  A call has been made to them, and I sure hope it's covered under what we pay to lease the tank and order propane.  I'm told that we pay extra for incidents like ours.

The pioneer that I am, found a way to wash up anyway.  I washed my hair in the kitchen sink with cold water, and then heated water for us to wash up with.  It's nice to be able to use our toilets, but sure wish we could have an old-fashioned outhouse as a back up too.   The kids would not have any problem using one either.  After taking them camping, where only port-a-potty toilets (no showers) were provided, they are now more eager to have any type of toilet to use.  It sure makes you count your blessings too.

The kids heated up water to hand wash the dishes yesterday as well.  However, I need more hot water to scrub and disinfect our shower floors and tub.  I'm going to need a lot more than one pot of water.

We will investing in a campfire tripod soon.  That way, we can heat water or cook outside if we get into predicaments with this old farm house again.

Journal Writing

I started another writing journal.  This time it's a "camping" journal, to record each camping trip. Of course, I will have to design a home decorated cover for it.  I've even saved our reservation paper that is placed on our post for our site.  One of my daughter's, who is 8 years-old, started journaling on our camping trips also.  She wanted to write after she watched me write.  We carried our journals in our hiking backpack so the kids could record and identify plants.  It's true that you influence your kids just by what they see you doing.

My 18 year-old son, who still has not been able to get hired for his first job ever, started freelance writing recently.  He's more up-to-date on current events, video games, movies and topics such as that, and he is earning money already.  He's had journalism classes, and photo journalism type courses, at his career center school.  He's not new at writing or journalism and it has been a positive influence on him while applying for job positions.  I don't recommend this for kids who have zero experience at writing.  However, if one is interested I suggest joining a free writing group or taking any classes on writing before doing this.  There's more to it than just typing out a story or article.