Introduce yourself

**Lukius** · 02-12-2012, 05:21 PM

Hi everyone,
My name is Matt. My wife and I will be buying 10--25 acres in early spring and plan to start a permiculture farm with the first major project being to build a cabin/home. I am 31 and my wife Lorren is 21, we have a 1year old son. I look forward to getting to know everyone and learning from each other over the next few years. Thank yo anyone who takes the time to read this.

**panderson03** · 02-12-2012, 06:37 PM

welcome to the forums, Lukius

glad you found us!

**irace2win41** · 02-13-2012, 10:40 AM

Welcome Josh and Matt!!

This is a great bunch of people and you'll never regret taking the class. I really think this is a life long learning experience.

Best wishes
Rod and Ellen

**Kick Forward** · 02-13-2012, 10:53 AM

Oh I'm sure it's a life long learning experience. I can't even begin to understand half of what I read so far on the forum. But I can't wait - I haven't been this excited for a new change in a long time.

Hey Matt, I'm somewhat in a similar situation. I turn 31 this April, but my wife is a bit older than your's. She used to work for organic gardening magazine which is published by Rodale near by. She wants to buy a home in the middle of town, but I've been pushing her to look for property out in the country so we can have a farm. I've been reading Hobby Farms magazine for a while and found out that they are published near where we're moving. Abby thought it'd be funny if she ended up working there. I'm really interested in permaculture farming so I'm sure I'll be keeping a close eye on your 'build'. Where are you located, or will be purchasing?

Good luck!

**edkemper** · 02-13-2012, 01:33 PM

Josh,

First a huge welcome.

> I'm really interested in permaculture farming

We're going to have to get to know each other. I might have some things to share toward sustainable farming. Ever hear of Extreme Composting? Kind of goes along with or helpful to permaculture.

**Kick Forward** · 02-13-2012, 03:20 PM

Hi Ed. I have a feeling it's human related. I just read the thread on poo power, and I finished dinner, so please spare me if it is.

Will you be at the class by any chance? I know they go over so much, but once thing I'm wondering is if I should buy land possibly with barns on it already or if I should build everything over the years from scratch...

**JeffandSara** · 02-13-2012, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Kick Forward

but once thing I'm wondering is if I should buy land possibly with barns on it already or if I should build everything over the years from scratch...

Hello, again, Josh--

Not sure what anyone else would advise, but if you can find property with a barn or other useful outbuildings that's suitable to your needs, desires, and funds, heck, I'd go for it. Why build something extra of you don't NEED to?! Building a house is a big enough project to start with for most of us (though you sound like you may be quite the go-getter

). You may or may not have the time, energy and/or funds to get all the buildings you might eventually like done in a timely manner.

We had one existing building on our property, and except for needing some additional use permitting because of it, it's never brought any downside.

Best-- Sara

**mickeyzalewski** · 02-14-2012, 06:06 PM

Hi, I'm Michael and I'm new to the forum. I've thought for some time that the standard method of buying a home on credit and paying 3 times the value of your purchase over 30 years was not right. I'm curious and interested in possibly building my own home, a log home. I am 47 and would like to retire before I hit 60 and to own the home I live in. I have worked as a drywaller and framer and done odd construction jobs including roofing and painting throughout my career, so I feel like this may be a good fit for me. Right now I am still investigating because honestly, this just sounds too good to be true. If I am still convinced in a few months - I hope to attend the next available class at that time.

**Timber** · 02-14-2012, 06:25 PM

mickeyzalewski drywall bad

log home good

**Cruiser** · 02-15-2012, 10:36 AM

Mickey, welcome...and keep reading! I think you will find that the more you read, the more you will understand how much sense the LHBA style home makes. We look forward to having you around.

**mickeyzalewski** · 02-15-2012, 05:29 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome!

**jrdavis** · 02-16-2012, 10:54 AM

Hey mickey --
where were you when I had a 120 14'ft's to hang?
Man that was the worst 4 months of my LIFE!!!!
drywall, tape, mud, sand, finish sand, final sand, 500W light sand.... UGHHH.
Welcome to the forums.
JD

**donjuedo** · 02-16-2012, 06:51 PM

Sheetrock is hard, but not as hard to do as I first made it. Here's a great site for reducing work and getting great results: http://drywallschool.com/

Peter

**happyquilter** · 02-17-2012, 07:50 AM

Micky, I was skeptical too. I'm less so now that I have looked at every picture in the gallery, read just about ever word in the forum, taken the class, bought our plans, and bought our land. My husband and I retired just a few months ago in our mid-late 50's. We will be building a vacation home. The way we look at it is that instead of spending money on expensive vacations or cruises, or buying an RV that will depreciate and cost a fortune in gas, we are building something of lasting value. It will be fun to build and to enjoy afterwards, and we can leave it to our future generations to enjoy forever. Or we can sell it at some point and I am already SURE we will make a nice profit because we did the research. The cost of the land and the build is easily $100,000 less than what similar neighboring properties with less special cabins have sold for in the last two years - since the real estate crash. Another possibility for us is to eventually live there full time and sell or rent out our main house. I have a finance/accounting background and trust me, I plan to account for every single cent involved in the process of building our log home, including the costs of traveling to and taking the class, every tool bought or rented, etc. Not just land and raw materials. So if you want to wait about two years I will be able to tell you definitively whether or not the program works, lol! Meantime, we will be having a great retirement, being mentally and physically active, with a shared hobby, new skills, new friends, etc. I forgot to mention that we are very outdoorsy and our property is in the heart of one of the best outdoor recreational areas in the country (in our opinion). We will have lots of fun "fun" as well as fun "work."

In conclusion - do the research and give thought to what you want your retirement to be. This is not for everyone, but it could be perfect for you like it is for us!

Shari

**ALLTHAT** · 02-18-2012, 01:00 PM

Hi everyone! My name is Anna, I attended the January 2012 class with my older sister and my Dad.
Our family is currently looking for property to build on in northern Arkansas. Our family building crew consists of my Dad, my Mom, my older sisters Katherine she is on the forums as jot and Rebecca. I will be graduating high school in June, I was home schooled all the way! Building our own home has always been a family dream, now we will be fulfilling it. We went to our first auction today! Didn’t get anything, but it was fun. We will be going to a lot more auctions and ever flee market for miles around, looking for all the supplies we need for building. Looking forward to being on the forums and getting to know everyone.

**JoeboyDH** · 02-18-2012, 05:00 PM

Greetings all! My name is Joe, I am 19 years old and very interested in building my own log cabin. Although i have no skills or money yet i do have determination i learned from moving around all my life being an Army Child and Wrestler. I am willing to work hard to fufill what i want in my life which is a happy one. I am very much wound up in what most people would consider the pioneers life. Raised in NC, Germany, Louisiana, MD, Arkansas, and Virginia i have always been a more of a rural kind of guy. I enjoy working in the woods and wearing over alls and my grandpa's suspenders. I am hopefully going to be attending a class relatively soon once my dad gets back from afghanistan and we move out west to arizona. At which point i will be much closer to your classes in las vegas. I look forward to learning and gaining more information and friends. thanks all, best of luck. Joeboy

**panderson03** · 02-18-2012, 05:34 PM

welcome to our LHBA family Joe

all my thanks to your father for his service to our country, and thanks to your family as well for its sacrifices!

**StressMan79** · 02-18-2012, 05:37 PM

Not to be flippant, but LilJoe can get USAA auto insurance now!!!

Seriously, welcome to the forums.

**JoeboyDH** · 02-18-2012, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by StressMan79

Not to be flippant, but LilJoe can get USAA auto insurance now!!!

Seriously, welcome to the forums.

Funny you say that, i do indeed have USAA insurance and banking and it's great i'm glad they give back to the services. And thanks for the welcome guys. I can't wait to get closer to my dream that is one day building my own cabin and longboards. I am soon going to apply for school this coming spring at the local community colllege. Any recommendations as far as classes go i.e. (drafting, woodworking or construction) i have always been involved in shop class and have been good with my hands but i feel like i need the resources to tools more than anything. Where did you guys all start?

**Timber** · 02-19-2012, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by ALLTHAT

Hi everyone! My name is Anna, I attended the January 2012 class with my older sister and my Dad.
Our family is currently looking for property to build on in northern Arkansas. Our family building crew consists of my Dad, my Mom, my older sisters Katherine she is on the forums as jot and Rebecca. I will be graduating high school in June, I was home schooled all the way! Building our own home has always been a family dream, now we will be fulfilling it. We went to our first auction today! Didn’t get anything, but it was fun. We will be going to a lot more auctions and ever flee market for miles around, looking for all the supplies we need for building. Looking forward to being on the forums and getting to know everyone.

Howdy..sounds like you will be starting sooner than later...great. Keep us posted on your progress

**jrdavis** · 02-21-2012, 08:26 PM

Welcome Anna --

I remember seeing you all chiming in after you went to class.
Its great to see the family doing this together.

I have seven children and have 2 left to home school.
They are 11 and 7.

welcome aboard.

JD

**lildrestl3** · 02-23-2012, 01:19 AM

Hello Everyone Dave here in St Louis Mo. Looking for 5 plus acres of land now and want to build a cabin on it.

**panderson03** · 02-23-2012, 09:33 AM

you've come to the right place

**ALLTHAT** · 02-24-2012, 05:30 PM

Howdy..sounds like you will be starting sooner than later...great. Keep us posted on your progress

Thanks for the welcome! I said we did not get anything at the auction but we did, a cold!
Have not found what we are looking for in property yet.

Greetings all! My name is Joe, I am 19 years old and very interested in building my own log cabin. Although i have no skills or money yet i do have determination i learned from moving around all my life being an Army Child and Wrestler. I am willing to work hard to fufill what i want in my life which is a happy one. I am very much wound up in what most people would consider the pioneers life. Raised in NC, Germany, Louisiana, MD, Arkansas, and Virginia i have always been a more of a rural kind of guy. I enjoy working in the woods and wearing over alls and my grandpa's suspenders. I am hopefully going to be attending a class relatively soon once my dad gets back from afghanistan and we move out west to arizona. At which point i will be much closer to your classes in las vegas. I look forward to learning and gaining more information and friends. thanks all, best of luck. Joeboy

Welcome Joe! I know what it feels like to move around a lot my dad was an engineer so we went where they needed a power plant. We lived in Louisiana for a while too, hot isn’t it?

Welcome Anna --

I remember seeing you all chiming in after you went to class.
Its great to see the family doing this together.

I have seven children and have 2 left to home school.
They are 11 and 7.

welcome aboard.

JD

Hey, JD you are blessed to still have some kids around. My Dad is lamenting that I am the last one!

**Dario Andrea** · 02-25-2012, 01:20 PM

I am Dario Andrea, a new member but I have been following the Log Home Builders Association for years dreaming about my own place until finally make it to join an upcoming class on March in Vegas.
I am a fine arts Painter in New York and after the workshop would be relocating in the mountains in Alaska!!! to build my log home and Art Studio Atelier/workshop

**Tom Featherstone** · 02-25-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by Dario Andrea

I am Dario Andrea, a new member but I have been following the Log Home Builders Association for years dreaming about my own place until finally make it to join an upcoming class on March in Vegas.
I am a fine arts Painter in New York and after the workshop would be relocating in the mountains in Alaska!!! to build my log home and Art Studio Atelier/workshop

Welcome Dario! Ah! the mountains in Alaska, I like the way you think! Congratulations on signing up for the class. I lurked around here for a couple of years before even asking my first question. LHBA is a Real Deal. You will learn how to do it! See you on the Members side in a couple of weeks.

**loghousenut** · 02-27-2012, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by Tom Featherstone

Welcome Dario! Ah! the mountains in Alaska, I like the way you think! Congratulations on signing up for the class. I lurked around here for a couple of years before even asking my first question. LHBA is a Real Deal. You will learn how to do it! See you on the Members side in a couple of weeks.

Correction Tom... LHBA is THE Real Deal!!!

**gerhart** · 03-04-2012, 08:02 PM

hi all. nice to see that the classes are still around. I took them with Skip at the Bar- E ranch around 1976 I think it was. Since then i have put together my share of log cabins, log homes, log garages, you name it i guess.But it was fun to do. The first one i ever made is sitting over at Copalis Beach, washington, in that area anyway, just a mile or so south of the town. i do wish there was some members to get together with at times here where I live now which is Colville, washington. I do have an email address if someone is around here,its garysplace2000 at hotmail dot com. dont know if its ok to post addresses on here or not but i guess i will find out sooner or later. well thats it for now, bye to everyone.Gary