by Jeanne Sones

Created on: November 19, 2008   Last Updated: August 20, 2009

I would call myself a homesteader as I have lived a pioneer type lifestyle for over two years now. Due to a series of events, being unable to do gainful employment, and my being too young yet for my social security checks to begin coming in, I've adopted a homesteader's lifestyle, basically out of necessity.

I'm living in an old house approximately ninety plus years old and although it is well insulated on the outside, there are many drafts on the inside. All the equipment for normal heating has been removed and it would be very costly to add heating at this time, so electric registers are used in the winter. Being an old house, plumbing is leaky and not good. For one year I carried in water in one gallon water bottles and half filled five gallon buckets until I received a grant to put in the plumbing from a local charity. By closing off the upstairs, its a two story house and by sealing windows and drafts, and using basically the kitchen, bathroom and one small bedroom downstairs I can concerve allot of energy costs.

I am able to manage with some monies from a little housekeeping I can do and I also scan my products purchased from a Shopper Hotline and receive a little funds from that as well. I do most of my cleaning for family so I receive my help from family that way. I also get a food subsidy as well and medical help when I need it.

I try and sell some items online as well, which brings me a little cash to work with. Basically I've learned to glean what monies I can from a little part-time work, physically unable to do full time work, use what has been afforded to me by family, and government agencies, and pretty much been able to survive for over two years now. I am soon to move in with a son and be his nanny so I will leave the old house.

Sometimes out of necessity we may find ourselves in "survival" mode and become like a pioneer or homesteader. We do what we have to to survive, I've learned allot about myself from the experience I've been in for over two years. I've learned to use what I can, to be resourceful and to be most of all thankful for what I have. In many countries children receive one cup of rice a day to live on, so I am far better off than those people. Many countries have war right on their doorstep, I do not although we have been in war for many years now in Iraq and Afghanistan. But war is not on my step, and bombs are't dropping from the sky on me and my family.

I really feel I could survive almost anything now that I 've gone

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