We are moving to the country

My name is Charles. I have been a soldier for 5 and a half years. I got hurt in Ar Ramadi back in 2007. I am being medically retired from the Army. You see, a lot of people define and identify themselves by what they do. A guy that welds, is a welder. A lady that teacher is a teacher. I am a soldier. It's not just what I do, it's what I am. Or was, I should say. I have not performed as a soldier in quite some time.
Yesterday I signed my packet for the Medical Review Board. In about a week the results will be back and I will live another kind of life . When you are no longer an asset to the Army, it is time to move on. It's my time.
I went to Oklahoma last week and bought 11 acres and a doublewide. When I get my release from the Army, I will be moving there with my family. We are going to work our land and be as self sufficient as possible. I have never farmed before but I am going to learn. The land I bought has not been farmed before either (as far as I can tell), so we can learn together. My wife (Stephanie), my son (Damian), my land (Rattlesnake Hill, SE of OKC), and I are going to make an honest go of it. We certainly have our work cut out for us, but we are in love with our new home, and determined to succeed.
The purpose of this blog is to provide documentation of our efforts to turn a small piece of Oklahoma red dirt into a viable homestead. I will post our victories and our defeats. We are starting with nothing. We have no truck, or tractor and very few tools. We don't have a barn or a chicken coop. There is not even a fence anywhere on the property.
I know it seems positively crazy, no experience, no tools, and very little money. But is it? When I was a little boy, I imagined myself doing lots of things when I grew up. I wanted to be a fireman, an astronaut, fighter pilot, soldier, and plenty more I am sure. Some of those things, I actually became. When I was in the Navy, I was (just like every other sailor) a fireman. I have been a soldier. There was one other thing I wanted to be. I wanted to be a farmer, just like my grandfathers. Now I have the chance. I have destroyed enough. It is time to make something grow.
Stay tuned...