Times are a’changing at Quarteracre!

All the best laid plans! We had a 3 year plan for what we wanted to do here but they have just become 3 month plans as Roger quit his job today, he finishes at the end of next week. No, he didn’t get the job he went for but he sorely needed to because he has had well and truly enough of his present one. I could go into the ins-and-outs but no need or desire to.

So our three year plan was 1) Wendy wants to make her soaps and stuff and sell them – she is on plan for this. 2) Within 3 – 6 months have the property set up for private precious pup boarding – we can have 3 at a time but only want two. 3) We ideally would like to earn an income from funked up junk but never get time to actually settle to this – the plan was for Roger to go down to part-time work in a year or so to help achieve this and hopefully open a cottage shop in 3 years at our home. Well…….!

Roger will be unemployed next week and I will continue to work part time, he will advertise to get contact work locally, just part-time AND h-o-p-e-f-u-l-l-y between us we can earn enough to pay the bills 🙂 We have food and are pretty skilled at living on little! Roger is well known in the area for his ability to kill gorse which I hate because it’s spraying chemical all day but it’s needed here, it’s the right season and we are hoping he can get enough odd farm work to get us through. He could go out and look for full time work but we have decided maybe we should just back ourselves and have confidence our plans will work for us. I shall keep you posted! lol I know it seems crazy in today’s climate but at the end of the day we want to make our place work for us and be our own bosses…that’s what we want.

A website will be set up for us and off we go, into the wide open… and unknown!

This is what I have been doing recently and what our home is starting to look like 🙂

Dandelions, kowhai flowers picked for infusing and forget-me-nots for pressing for packaging

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There are always petals drying in the front window and jars of somethings sitting in the sunlight

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Pansies and forget- me- nots being pressed into a jeweelery making book but how pretty the picture turned out!

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A corner of the hall I just spied

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Trialing Lotion Bars made with beeswax and the Camelia petal infused oil

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Lemon and Poppy Seed Soap, Rose-hip soap and Rosemary, Lavender and Sweet Orange Shampoo Bars

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Mark 11 trial of Rose and Frankincense Moisturiser which is gorgeous 🙂 (Excuse photo quality)IMG_3983

So, within a month or so I hope to be up and running. I have so many ideas I am nearly popping with brilliance lol. But for a girl who actually just likes making these things quietly enjoying her own company and hates being “out there” this is a brave move, one which involves much courage and confidence and feels rather scary, So WISH ME LUCK PLEASE!!!! lol

75 thoughts on “Times are a’changing at Quarteracre!”

  1. I am so excited for you. It surely is a nerve-wracking experience to have your 3 year plan shift to a 3 month plan. But the thing is…. you are doing it! Way to go. You and your husband are an inspiration.

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  2. Wishing you and Roger more luck than you can imagine. You’ll likely receive lots of advice so here’s mine, unsolicited. 🙂 Simply breathe and try to be in flow. I have known many and have personally experienced these unanticipated mid-course redirections. Almost always, people land on their feet, on firm ground with worries subsequently a matter in the past. Tough to see that right now, I know, but just try to envision and believe in what you see for yourselves. Stuff manifests when we ‘see’ it.

    And scary is an okay feeling. It can actually encourage and motivate. Keep that 3-year plan in your cross hairs!

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    • Aw thank you Eric. Ok, I just started breathing again and I will try to be in the flow 🙂
      I know what you say is absolutely true and fear can motivate. We actually tend to cruise when we are safe but really apply ourselves when not feeling quite so cosy and that’s a good thing. Appreciate your comments, thanks 🙂

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  4. Mary Meyers says:

    Good luck with your future endeavours. Having a plan is really important and you have that nailed. Another hurdle to get across but I am sure you will come out on top. Lots of love Mary

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  5. It is true that, as John Lennon said, life happens while we are busy making other plans 🙂 It is scary, but relax and know that whatever happens you are doing what is right. My experience has been that very often the path leads somewhere other than where I intended to go – but it has always worked out for the best! Having the courage to quit when you have had enough is not to be under-rated either. So many stay where they are unhappy because they are too afraid to take a risk. All is well and you are living the experience of your life – who knows what may come?

    I hope your plan comes to fruition – those little soaps look so pretty and I know your face cream is to die for! May good fortune be yours ❤ ❤ ❤

    PS: I'm waiting on face cream 🙂

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    • It IS coming, along with your beads…will send within the next couple of days and you can be a guinea pig and give me your honest opinion because I need that 🙂

      Thanks for your comments. He has always moved on from a job if not happy or wants to learn something else and is brave enough to walk away when many don’t or can’t. At the end of the day he can go to Chch and get building work any day if need be. We’ll give it a go and see what happens but yes, it does feel a bit scary right now…change is always a bit more challenging for me than him 🙂 He always has a back up plan and I run around screaming “but, what if….!!” lol

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      • 😀 I’ve always just followed my heart and never had a back-up plan 🙂 I so admire people who have them!! I’ve endured many seeming disasters that have somehow or other worked out to be okay in the end. You know that other saying: ‘It’ll be alright in the end. So if it’s not alright, it’s not the end.’

        I promise to tell you what I think – don’t I always? 🙂

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      • Yep, I know that saying 🙂 🙂 Roger always has a back up plan for my sake, not his. He could always fly by the seats of his pants and end up just dandy…in his eyes lol. He has learned I like a little more security than “we’ll be fine!”

        Yes, you do, you are the perfect guinea pig 🙂

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  9. Sorry to hear all this happening so quickly:-(:-)I know it is scary but it is your dream and sometimes when we get pushed off the cliff- we learn to fly-lol You are such a survivor! I agree you both seem to know how to make things happen on very little. The tour of all your creative projects is inspiring! Pressed flowers, embossed soaps, dried flowers, fragrant soaps and all your creations…your home is a place of hope:-) You both will make this happen and you have all your over the cyber fence buddies waiting to purchase some of your hope:-)
    I agree with Pauline..want that face cream soon!!! + soap ,too
    What is the name of your company and you will post your new website-
    Create on-Wendy!
    p.s. your photo shots of your creations are really good:-) your passion is showing through!

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    • Thanks Robbie 🙂 🙂 I am having fun but really have just doing it because I like it however to be able to earn an income doing something you enjoy is a good thing. And yes, I did say that to Roger last night, sometimes we just need a push to get going. He has been obsessing for months about hating his job and has been driving me bonkers with it lol. I want to be be happy, if Roger is not happy no-one is happy!

      Our site will be Tumble Downs because that is what we affectionately call our home but the soaps etc will be Tumbleweeds because that is my nickname and fits more. Yes, I will post when all set up 🙂

      Thank you 🙂

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  11. LadyBlueRose's Thoughts Into Words says:

    I have no advise…I am in a suspended place just quietly having Faith in what will be… will be…I no longer think about it really, so no stress, just continue to take one breath at a time….( and not hold it )
    (Your window look like mine and flowers always make me smile 🙂 )
    I wish you luck from across the many miles, and whispers of much success in your endeavors…
    Know I am thinking of you and sending prayers within those whispers on the wind…
    Take Care…You Matter…

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      • LadyBlueRose's Thoughts Into Words says:

        you’re very welcome, I have learned (the hard way or as I say now the scenic tour) that if I stress, worry, I bring more of it to me, setting me back in that cliche one step forward two steps back …yes I still stumble but the vines that have me suspended hold me just enough where I can pull myself back up…
        I write alot …I garden alot, I quilt and other handwork alot, then I pause breathe and just be..I know no other way anymore..I guess I just got to tired trying to fix everything…
        I look at the vines as the “hangman” in the tarot deck, yes I am suspended, but the vines are green with color meaning they are very much alive and growing, so I must be too , growing in a lesson that I need to stand still to feel….
        You My Friend have amazing skills…you will grow in success, I have no doubt 🙂 you and your husband will be what you intended to be….
        )0(

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      • Thank you xxx

        I feel it is the right thing to do, have faith we can do it – then the old patterns of worry come in and this is something I do know is a thing to work on. We have a back up plan, we have food and money enough for now and we made the decision together feeling we could do it and the timing would be ok really. It’s another step in the direction we wish to take….I guess having had hard times in the past I know what I can do but doesn’t mean I paticularly want to relive them so yeah lol, periods of some anxiety, probably totally unnecessary 🙂 Thank you.

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  12. The Universe always supports us when we listen to our inner selves and take great steps into the unknown.
    It’s what makes us grow and evolve, and we are simply doing what the universe is also doing and wants us to do too. So Congratulations for having the courage to take that leap, and follow wherever the new path takes you, warm wishes, Valerie

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    • Hi Valerie 🙂 🙂 And your words of wisdom still come to me (a stranger) nearly 40 years after your first 🙂 I found your book a few years ago Heaven is a Place On Earth and was so pleased to learn more about such a kind lady.

      Thank you, I know you are right x

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  13. Karen says:

    Wow! things are a’changing 🙂 but you guys can do it and it might be just the change you need to kick start Tumble Downs. You need to add ‘writing something’ to your list of future ideas, Wendy – you are definitely a natural 🙂 Good Luck with everything xx

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    • I reckon ay?!! Thanks Karen and yes, I still do need to write my Serendipity book (you will never let me forget) along with my Living On The Smell of an Oily Rag one (someone else wants me to write 🙂 )
      Thank you another sister xx

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  14. About seven years ago my (very high pressure) job got too much for me and I resigned. I had to work three months notice, which was miserable, but at the end it was like a weight had been taken off my shoulders. I can honestly say that there has never been a morning since when I’ve woken up and wished I was going in to work! And I’ve never been busier – I’ve found all sorts of creative ways of earning a living and making the most of life.So, good luck and just remember that you can do it!
    xxx

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    • Thank you 🙂 I gave up a different job last year and then after 6 months or so went back as a casual to my prior place of work (same field and organisation) for the same reasons. I certainly haven’t looked back so it would be nice for Roger to have the same opportunity rather than be a 40 hour a week “breadwinner”. I am sure we can do it 🙂 Thanks for your comments xxx

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  15. Ho Wendy. How exciting and scary all at the same time. I’m sure you will be amazing at it. If your love your products it will show through when you try to sell them! All the best with your great plans. Cheers Sarah 😮 )

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  16. Oh I so wished I lived next door to you Wendy LOL..I too have had similar ideas, and attend a local craft stall once a fortnight.. I know you know in your heart of hearts its Feels right.. Its all about setting your intentions.. and I can see why my last post resonated now so well with you.. 🙂 Keep focusing and the Law of Attraction will work for you both… 🙂
    Love All those flowers and soaps… And I can just imagine the aroma from those jars.. 🙂 Lovely..
    You can do it.. 🙂 Go for it.. 🙂

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  17. I not only wish you all the best, I am so excited for you and Roger. Your lotions and soaps are gorgeous and I know they will go fast. I can’t wait to see your new website and seeing all your ideas turned into products for sale.

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  18. Life tends to throw you a curve ball when you get a bit too comfortable doesn’t it? Bugger on the job, but knowing Roger, he won’t be too long out of employment. He should be classed as a National Treasure he has that many talents :). We have the dreaded gorse. Not in huge amounts but it is spreading and council refuses to deal with it so I dare say it is going to be a future problem here. We already have boneseed and pretty much everything else so I guess we just have to suck it up and deal with it (and call Roger, the “Gorse Buster” “he aint afraid of no gorse!” 😉 )

    I think there comes a time when you have to go out on a limb and see if you can manage all by yourself. I think you guys, if anyone, can do it. Let me know when you want to start that book. Might be a good place to start…

    AARRGHGHGHGGH! FORGET-ME-NOTS! I am twitching just looking at them. If you want dried forget me nots I can send you about 40 boxes of the (swines) little darlings 😦 We have a kowhai tree in amongst the weeds and blackberries. The poor little thing sends out flowers every year but there is no WAY I am wading through the briar patch to get them 😉

    Steve and I manage to survive admirably on students benefits and we don’t produce our own food (yet). I know that you guys can do it and that you are going to find the right thing for you both. Who knows where your creative collective talents will take you? All I know is that you have to be willing to give it a go, think outside the box and just “go for it” sometimes. HUGE waftings of courage being sent from Serendipity Farm. Just let me know when you want all of those forget me not flowers. Earl got out yesterday…Steve left the gate open…we eventually caught him after he frolicked like a land porpoise for about 30 minutes of sheer terror for us, but he didn’t manage to catch that feral cat that he was after or those chooks that had managed to go into their roost for the night but he DID collect his weights worth of forget-me-not seeds…bugger, missed our window of opportunity! Looks like you can have as many forget-me-nots as you can handle for the foreseeable future 😉

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    • Do you know Fran Roger has had 42? jobs and they have almost all been different. He likes to learn and quite honestly might have been a hyperactive kid because he is all over the place, if he gets bored he’s off on another tangent. We were just giggling the other day discussing that he would be one day a wise old man who would tell all the youngsters “Well, when I was a yogurt maker…Well, when I was a heli-logger….Well, when I was a deer farmer…Well, when I worked on fishing boats….Well, when I was a carpenter….Well, when I was a ……..!!!! He drives me to distraction but I also realise he needs a break to maybe just be Roger (the boggles at whatever will come out of that! lol) We will be fine and yes, we are both good thinking ‘outside of the square’ people.

      Gorse is just a pest and much as I loathe sprays there is no other way. When he “was a high country gorse sprayer” 🙂 he enjoyed the challenge and the local farmers always keep an eye on others’ gorse and admire what he has done in eradicating it from the bosses farm so hopefully he can get work there.

      Yes….the book! I try to start but do it all wrong, I will get it sussed. Trouble is it takes a long time and I get jittery to do other things. No, we don’t want anymore forget-me-nots thank you. There is no pride in saying the only flowers I could find on our property we these, dandelions and some kowhai lol. No seed required thanks Earl! After ripping out all flowers I am back planting them, I just got some Lily of the Valley and Violets from a friend.

      Thanks for the courage though, we may well need it! 🙂

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  19. Sometimes it is the unexpected bump in the road that can turn your life around. For some, that opportunity to work for yourself never happens and there is a reason that this happened quicker than you thought. I say go for it and enjoy the ride!

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  21. Short of time just now, but have to say I second all of the above comments. Now that you’ve jumped . . . the net is appearing . . . let your wings be the only things flappable . . . big hugs to you both. ~ Linne

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  23. Oh luck, luck and more luck! You will be terrific I think. Funny how life has a way of throwing changes into the best laid plans 🙂 Your stuff (err sorry produce) looks lovely. Some pretty photos too, I especially like the flowers in the book 🙂

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    • Ohhh, thank you 🙂 Yeah, funny how life does that – I have generally found that that these curve balls have been gateways to better things, much as I have fretted over them at the time 🙂 Frankly, I get more oomph in the right areas when I have no option but to get it lol

      They look pretty ay?! Ta 🙂

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  24. Holy ! Congratulation on being the brave ones. Scary, yet exciting. Big changes can yield big results. I hear the conviction in your plans and that’s a big plus in achieving success I think. Sounds like it will be a weight off your husbands shoulders to leave his current workplace, that’s also a giant bonus. Stress is just as big a health issue as any other. Wishing you happy days ahead as your own bosses !

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  27. Just dropping in to see how life at quarter-acre’s is doing?.. Been thinking I had not seen a post from you, I know life will be busy busy… Just sending a sisterly hug yourway… Enjoy your week Wendy .. Hugs Sue xxx

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    • Hi Sue. Aw thank you for thinking of me, I have been soooo busy! I must do a post. I am starting a stall at the Artisan Market here in 4 weeks and given that soap takes at least 4 weeks to cure guess who is up to her ears in soap making 🙂 I didn’t realise when I committed to it that that weekend has a huge influx of people for the annual weekend long garden show.
      How are you doing now you have retired? xxx

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      • Never a minute like you.. Although the craft stall although people love to come and look at the church hall.. Most just look and say how nice.. even the second hand stalls are not doing well.. So for now I am stepping back, not forcing anything, and just going with the flow… I am helping hubby keep on top of the weeds. And catching up with all those little jobs we put off..

        I am so so pleased that your soaps are taking off.. And I know.. KNOW they will be a huge success… 🙂 Soaps are what draws me to a stall, and i always buy special ones for Christmas gifts etc… So you are right in the season for gift buying Wendy.. I am sure with your fancy touches no one will resist.. 🙂
        Good Luck, but I don’t think you will need it… Just so pleased all is well… 🙂 xxxx Hugs back.

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      • Ah 😦 I am sorry you are not doing so well there…there is just so little money around nowadays isn’t there, people love to look at what others do but think twice about spending. Soap is a very affordable little treat or present so I am crossing my fingers and toes it goes ok! I am starting the best time of the year for gift buying and the beginning of our summer.
        Thanks Sue, enjoy your going with the flow 🙂 xxx

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