Sometimes Progress is Only Possible by Taking a Step Backwards!

Happy New Year to all of my friends! Can you believe 2010 is over? My goodness the year flew by didn't it? For many, that's not a bad thing. But for me, it was all-in-all a good year. I did a lot of progressing this past year.   All it took was a little step backwards. 


Yep, I did say backwards. 


For me, it took watching the bottom fall out of the economy and realizing that with the way we were doing things, an implosion is imminent. Fortunately, the economic events of the past 18-months did not effect my family too much, but seeing how it effected people close to me was enough to make me realize that things have to change. I've been preparing for the amazing things that are headed my way this year and I am happy to say that progress is has been made. 


My blog will be taking a new direction. 


For the past 7 months I have been writing and now pre-producing the Under the Willow Tree Country Living eShow for the eChannelz Internet Television portal. What started out as a whimsical idea to share the joys of country living has turned into an entire production complete with a fully stocked online community, radio show and, come the end of January, a weekly eShow and live talk radio program. The Under the Willow Tree eShow is not only about the simplicity of country living, but will encompass much more and won't only be for people who want to live a country life, the content has now been written to appeal to anyone who wants to take a step back and learn to live more simply by learning how to be more self-sufficient.   


Let me explain....


Not too long ago, my daughter and I were having a conversation about what we would do if something happened that made it impossible to carry on the way we do currently. We were talking about how we would survive if there was a Hurricane Katrina like incident in our area. Although highly unlikely as we live in the mountains, but it got us both thinking and we took a look around our home to see what things we had that we could use to live and survive with should we be unable to access stores, water, food, etc. It was an enlightening moment and it made me realize just how unprepared we really are, regardless of our country home in the middle of the woods, to sustain ourselves for any length of time. The fact of the matter is, my husband is a police detective in a city 50+ miles away. It's safe to say that if something catastrophic did happen, me and the kids would be on our own for a while until he got home or until he was able to leave. As a police officer, terrorism specialist, and highly trained in emergency management, his skills would be greatly needed and that would mean the kids and I would have to fend for ourselves. 


Most people don't even think about it. They just assume the government will step in or that it'll never happen. Until recently, I thought the same way. But then, I watched a few documentaries about Hurricane Katrina and it was as if I had an instant wake up call. Not too long ago, people were self-sufficient. They were able to survive using their own devices. They lived without fast food restaurants on every corner and pre-packaged, microwavable meals. My new direction will help you reach back and bring forth the important things in life that so many of us have forgotten. 


Anyway, my blog will begin to focus on country living and the simplicity of this lifestyle. 


Now don't go running off just yet! Give it a chance, you never know, you might pick up a good recipe, gardening tip, decorating idea, or something like that and if you hang out long enough, I'll teach you how to can your own food! 


I hope you'll stick with me and get ready for the Under the Willow Tree eTV program that will air weekly starting the third week of January. Also, stay tuned for Country Living radio... I have LOTS of plans and lots of great topics to cover. 


It doesn't matter where you live, you can enjoy country living no matter where you are! I hope you'll join me!