The BFP Compound: Family Land

[Soft*Silver]

If this were a reality, I would love to live there. I would gladly assist in the marketing end of the community's needs. Doing outreach, plugging it at events, assisting with tours, etc.

I would like to run a bed and breakfast tho, for visitors. Family members, friends, dates, etc. The B&B would also host community events, like huge potlucks and after dinner theater and special guest lecturers.


My B&B would have a berry patch, herb garden and chicken flock.

I need a cook tho. I cant handle cooking for the public...

[Lynn]

I'd like to see various housing options, depending on budget, needs and desires. We would probably like a one floor home with a nice porch for our rockers in the front, and a screened porch in the back. We might like to see an "over 50" area so it would be quieter where we lived.

I'd rather see each individual or family be responsible for their financial needs, with some communal obligations. Maybe a fee to maintain the property and needs such as security, taking care of the pool, and stocking the pond. There could be some cooperatives set up for things like child care or a small convenience store.

There would be individuals and families of all ages. All visitors would be allowed, as long as they were allies of the community. There would be rules of conduct and an elected board of some sort, with a time limited term.

Throughout the year, there would be opportunities for socializing and culture. We could have a club house or small venue to host some good music, plays, exhibitions. It could be open to the public for special events, providing a chance for good will in the community. Activities would be organized by interested members, including local trips and vacations, hobby clubs (hiking, crafts), biking, cooking class, painting, etc....

We would figure out a way to provide for members who could no longer care for themselves, and step in when family and loved ones couldn't or wouldn't. I am a social worker, and I can help with dealing with families, seeking and securing needed services, and stuff like that!

I have so many more thoughts...if this ever moved toward becoming a reality, I'd love to be involved in the brainstorming process.

[little_ms_sunshyne]

So when can we move in?

Can I just volunteer T as our resident Handy Guy? lol

[Nat]

armadillos are awesome except for their carrying leprosy

[Nat]

Oh hey - I've been vaccinated for rabies - so I could be the resident wild-animal catch-and-re-releaser.

Except poisonous snakes and monkeys - those are hard limits for me.

I'll even come capture your spiders and bugs and re-release

[Daywalker]

I haven't read back,
I just know I want dibs on the Gardening.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Medusa

Let's pretend that Jack and I finally just won the Arkansas Powerball for $173 million.

After taxes, that's about $100 million left over.

Let's pretend that we're building a compound on about 400 acres just north of where we currently live.

Would you want to live on a BFP compound?
What skills can you contribute?
Would you want to do community meals every night in the "Mess Hall"?
Would people still need to pay something into the system like rent, even if it was only nominal?
Do you think you'd get tired of living with family all year long?
What pro's and con's can you see to this idea?
What input do you have?

Let's speak it into the Universe!

First of all, congrats and thanks for thinking of us!

To answer your questions:

Yes, I would live in the compound.

I can supervise!

Maybe not every night. Maybe every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Yes to paying your own way, or at least part. Wolfy's idea of full time on the farm equalling someone paying is okay with me.

I think that there'd be the usual squabbles that occur within familial units and the cycle of make ups and break ups, but there's nothing that would happen that we haven't seen and/or gone through before, I don't think. I think that I would get tired of some of you, but then, that's not unusual for me. I get tired of everyone once in a while. I have occasional flare ups of hermititis.

Pros: a community where we can discuss topics that affect our community without more 'wtf' looks than 'aha' looks...regular femme clothing swaps...cooking and crafting in person with my sisters and brothers....being acknowledged for the pretty pretty princess that I am.

Cons: as someone mentioned, I think there should be an application process of some sort so that any folks that intend to cause trauma/drama and/or shit stir don't settle in too nicely. Other than that, I'm drawing a blank right now.

I want community meetings, very clear guidelines and by laws of what is and is not acceptable, accountability for one's actions, a ginormous swimming pool and jacuzzi, a gym that has the typical gym equipment plus a court for basketball or whatever, holiday events, rotating chores, giant deep freezers, a small old timey candy shop and general store, giant community garden that those who have green thumbs can administer to, a farm stocked with rescued animals, a place for all religions/beliefs to worship at, a school (maybe Sunshine could teach the kids that are home schooled? Blush too, when she visits.), counselors, folks to come in and teach workshops, and so much more!

Originally Posted by Medusa

See, I love the idea of farm animals! Fresh eggs!

I keep envisioning a "game night" or something where we get together in an activity hall or a gym or something and play poker, board games, have karaoke, etc. Cause I'm cheesy like that!

BINGOOOOOOOOO!

Originally Posted by Ebon

I'm in. I can fix stuff and do whatever needs to be done. Set up security etc...I just need a place to go to be alone at times because I get in moods where I don't like to be around people.

Ebon's fantastic at techie stuff but he's not being honest. He hates people most of the time.

Originally Posted by guihong

Reluctantly, no. But that's just me; I wouldn't do well with people just showing up to visit. Would each household have "at home" hours, or would all doors be open all the time?

I could teach the kiddies

Would there be the option of having meals alone if wanted? I wouldn't want just a cabin with beds and one mess hall, like Girl Scout camp.

What about relatives and friends, would they be allowed to visit on the premises?

Who would be in charge, and how selected? Would these people end up like a "higher tier" of resident, with all the power? Would there be "term limits"?

How would the rules of the community be decided? What if there was an objection?

Communal living in a kind of utopia always sounds good on paper, but hasn't worked in reality. And maybe I shouldn't post, as I'm crabby .

Good questions. I understand that it would be more like a suburb and less like Waco, for example, but I would prefer that we adhere to a general rule of not having outside company over after a certain and/or maintaining a noise ordinance.

Democracy rules, I say.

Originally Posted by Medusa

Let's name the streets!

We have:

Zombie Street
Penpal Street

I'd like to see a "You are belong to me Way"

I like Zombie Lane better, but I'm finicky.

Butch Boulevard?
Wisteria Lane?
Lovers' Loop?

Cuz you know we need a makeout point.

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

I'm with guihong can we have a call before you just show up policy?

That is the neighborly way!

Or we could have decorative door knockers that we put out when we DON'T want company.

Originally Posted by weatherboi

can we have a stocked pond for fishing?
can i build a brewery?

One of my favorite restaurants EVER had their own brewery on the property. I'm not a beer drinker, but they made their own ginger ale and rootbeer there too.

http://www.silvercitybrewery.com/index2.htm

Originally Posted by Medusa

We do need someone to do massage, reiki, healing, etc!


And that means we need a meditation hall/ massage parlor (not THAT kind!)

Yes to massage and maybe a chiropractor?

Originally Posted by Medusa

http://www.landsofarkansas.com/arkan...&inv_id=234378

DEEEEEER!!!!

If you hunt it, do NOT let me see you with the carcass! No one kills Bambi around me.

[little_ms_sunshyne]

Ok, I think I cracked up way too loud at this!

Originally Posted by June

Blood Curdling Scream

"Hang on, there's something that just hit the deck, an armadillo or a bear"

"It's an armadillo"

"You know what? That armadillo does not belong to me"

--Medusa



Yeah, let's all move to Arkansas.

[Arwen]

Originally Posted by June

Blood Curdling Scream

"Hang on, there's something that just hit the deck, an armadillo or a bear"

"It's an armadillo"

"You know what? That armadillo does not belong to me"

--Medusa



Yeah, let's all move to Arkansas.

In my sappy texting, I may have texted two girls I know pictures of an attack armadillo.

[Kat]

Originally Posted by June

Blood Curdling Scream

"Hang on, there's something that just hit the deck, an armadillo or a bear"

"It's an armadillo"

"You know what? That armadillo does not belong to me"

--Medusa

It rains ARMADILLOS in Arkansas, people! [insert "Tubular Bells" from The Excorcist here]

[Julie]

I am all for communal living. When I first moved to the middle east (Israel) I lived on a Kibbutz and then a Moshav. The Kibbutz movement was/is so successful and is certainly similar to what the BFP community might look like. Everything a little city has, the Kibbutz and Moshav have.

In communities like this - there are sections of housing (independent) for families - seniors - young people. Which is pretty amazing. There is a main dining hall, which provides for those that want community, meals together. There is even dormitory housing for those who do not have families and are with limited funds. Recreation rooms - they even have a little time out space for naughty people. They handle everything within the community. And of course a bomb shelter (Jack!).

I would think since we are a community, we would have a rent structure based on what you can afford to bring in. We are here to take care of one another. If we brought in government section 8 housing for our members who were of minimal income, I believe we would also get great tax breaks. But I don't know the legalities of this. I just know, we need to take care of one another.

When I lived on Kibbutz, I was in charge of the animals - Now that I am old and decrepit. I don't want CHORES of that nature. I will work, but please don't ask me to wash dishes or cook (gasp) or OMG clean. I would prefer something not so tedious. I think it would be important to have a members of our community in the salon industry. We must have a salon. Mani's, Pedi's, Hair, Massage and of course facials.

Can you imagine being in our (some of us) golden years and being safe. Knowing we are loved always and not forgotten. Watching our younger community members start families. OMG - We could be grandparents to a whole new generation.

I would like a 2 bedroom (1 bath is fine) -- Square footage can be minimal, as we would have the external structures to get more space from.

I am ready.

Julie