well some life situation changes, big blessings, have lead me to be back on the farm, not selling it, but my other property. this means much more money staying in my bank, and going to things that are actually worth while. so while somethings need to be put back together, my water tank sheds for one, unfinished projects are coming due this summer.

first the house, my security/office will be turn back into a bedroom for my partners daughter, and that equipment needs to be moved. my old walk in closet is being used for other things so i have to set up some shelves for clothing and my large library in my room. my room storage items need to be refined and compacted to fit everything (somethings can't be stored in the barn). the security set up will likely be moved to my room, and it's going to be playing around with things to get stuff to fit.

i'm going to get the wood shed built, and i have 11 bush cords to cut down and pile.

the barn is packed for of gear and needs to be better organized. i have one room weatherized and the next one is cleared out to be done.
my 30 55gal steel drums will be moved over to the old hay storage part and i'll be adding some cover on that side of the barn for some storage too. (a Raven made a mess of things in there last year) the barn needs some repair, pretty minor, but i can't do it. (i don't go that high on a ladder with floors like that)
the bottom part of the barn has a lot of my stuff that needs sorted out again, and i'll be putting my work shop down there, and updating the storage areas. (i do keep some of my wood in there and i have a pen for the dogs, and all my garden stuff)

i'll be getting my fuel shed up, shelves for my gerry cans, but the bulk of the fuel will be in 55gal drums. i have vents for the drums and a hand pump. i do want to get a dolly made for moving those drums. the shed will be well vented, grounded, and of not flammable material for the most part, and away from everything else. i've always been uncomfortable keeping so many gerry cans in the barn. my kerosene will likely stay where it is, and the propane tanks will still in the barn.

my battery bank was also in the back room in my house, so it's going to get it's own shed, with the panels right on the shed, because of the roof space needed, that shed will double as my HAM shack. which works well with the alt power out there. this will work better for not having to have coaxial cable coming into the house.

i'll have CB, 2M, 6M, 20M and 80M (inverted V and maybe a NVIS if space allows)
because of the risk of lightening, the antennas will be well grounded, and the batteries will be vented outside to avoid any extra risk. but the extra space out there for my alt power odds and ends, and my radio odds and ends will give me space in the house. (which is pushing it's limits now). the faraday cage will be kept out there too.

i'll be setting up a pole at the one end of the property and running a clothes line from my upper deck down. the washer is upstairs so this will be great. the end pole will also be the base for my 6M antenna. two birds!!!

i've planned out a new area for the garden, higher up and no risk for the flood area to affect it (it didn't flood the first 3 years i was here, then it's had 4 of the last 5) it's not as big as my old area, but in years without flooding i can grow more. my raised beds will be put back in service, and my deck boxes are growing leafy greens now. i'll be adding a lot of raised beds to the main yard, and lining the property with fruit trees. 10 behind the barn, 20 behind the house (give or take) and another 10-15 up the lane and at the end of the property.

i'll be clearing out some space behind the house of wild growth trees, giving space for the water tank sheds and more fruit trees, and berries.

the water tank sheds will be insulated and hold 5x 1000L tanks (or 3 and i'll put 2 in the barn) and then one for my 6000L tank. hopefully keep them from freezing hard (i do have multi tank heaters) and to keep them out of sight. a few well placed 22Lr rounds will end someones water storage if things got bad. I'm not big on fearing roving gangs of biker, zombie, raiders, but it doesn't mean i don't plan to secure my kit too!

i need to repair my gutters and down spouts to get my rain catchment back up. i want to filter the water going into the main barrel better, but it's a nice system of 7 55gal barrels, plus an 100gal over flow)

i'll be doing a temp full time job (all nights) this summer. but with few expenses with the house sale, i'll be able to work less in the fall to get these projects done and relax. (i'll be killing myself over July and August though).

love this list. . . after my break up two years ago, and the couple years before that, there was a large plateau in my preps. no time, no money, and little will. i'd be doing it for a long time and had the gear, but moving forward felt pointless. the property had problems with a shallow well, increasing flooding and contaminating the well, and 1/3 of my growing area randomly under water in the spring. the lost of 28 fruit trees, 100 strawberry bushes, some blue berries and other fruits. i planned on selling. the property does hold many strong points. usually lots of water, near a great deal of crown land, and a ton of deer, rabbit, and wild turkey. i'm a good deal off the highway, not too far from work, and close to other small towns. (i have 5 hospitals 30 mins from me i can work at, or do endless hours in home care again ) and the property boosts many security features in it's layout and location.

the decision to stay, means moving forward on many projects to make this place work, it also means moving forward again. i came to the decision not just based on the pros for this place and the ability to over come the issues. but because i don't ever want to move all my preps again. far too much blood stuff . . .

soooo whatcha got planned this summer?