Starting on the Path

We've decided to start moving towards self-sufficiency in this crazy world and gradually get off of the Rat Race Treadmill. I've been very inspired by the Dervaes website: www.pathtofreedom.com

It's not much of a start, but we made our first Raised Garden Box and trying to decide what will be planted there. We purchased a Solar Oven and waiting for it to arrive. In July, my contract will be over from Cartoon Network, so I'm going to take that as an opportunity to start on a new journey. This drawing above is our current state of affairs in a regular suburban neighborhood in Hacienda Heights. We want to start off by ripping out the Lawns to create more Veggie Beds. We just planted an Asian Pear which has 3 different types of pears grafted on. We're planning on starting most of the work in the backyard first, then eventually move towards the front. As you can see, we have a HUGE pool and the yard is mostly covered with concrete....sigh.... The Pool is one of the MOST UN-ecological, wasteful things in the world!!! First, we hardly use this thing (maybe 6 or 7 times out of the year) and second, it costs money to upkeep ($65/month) and Thirdly, it wastes precious water through evaporation EVERYDAY.... Fourthly, it uses toxic chemicals to keep it blue, and Fifthly, the filter is on for 6 hours each day to keep it clean!!! (HORRIBLE waste of electricity). Unfortunately, at this stage, we don't own this home so there's no arguing if we can rip this pool out to make a use of more land for Crops and Fruit Trees.