Eric Brainstorms His 5-Year Plan

• I love the idea of a co-living situation on a larger piece of land
• Whether it has multiple dwellings or one large home, there would be enough space to allow for community and privacy, and ideally some investment property (space that can be rented out)
• I will be a worker bee
• My primary contribution to this land/project will be financial. I envision myself working in a library of one kind or another, rather than being a full-time worker of the land
• That being said, I know I can be a productive contributor to whatever business venture(s) may arise.
• I will have a commute of less than an hour in each direction
• I will feel stronger both mentally and physically
• More movement, exercise
• More meditation
• More family adventures, travels, excursions
• More time outdoors, in nature
• I will own a dog
• I will increase contributions to my retirement, as well as L&A's college funds
• Liam & August will continue to be exposed to a diverse range of people, literature and ideas
• In an ideal world, I would be closer to my family. Regardless of where the Mahollitz crew goes or what it does, it will always have strong connections and obligations to the state of Wisconsin.

Surely more will come out in conversation, but in the end, I'm a man with few needs and am typically happy wherever life takes me. I look forward to continuing this conversation with you all!

James's's I think of mine less like a plan, since my health makes a lot of my decisions for me. Instead I'll just put a few points relating to land and living together. The Where - I think this is the biggest question. I'm open to moving, but I also love New York City, I love the natural landscape surrounding the city, I love my job, and the land nearby is cheap. I have a strong preference to stay here. In my ideal situation, we'd live in Brooklyn and share land with the family not far from the city (possibly near Harriman Park). The Land - We found a place that had 30 acres of land and a house for under a million dollars nearby, and it got me thinking what to do with 30 acres of land. I'd want to build on it--build writer's cabins, yurts, a barn, a stage, a meditation platform, an outdoor brick oven, that rectangular stone-bordered open cooking fire pit. I'd like it if Shauna and I had our own home with privacy, possibly very simple, just a cabin, maybe. The Routine - In the ideal situation, where the place is near New York, I'd work at my college during the week and stay in Brooklyn, and take frequent weekend trips to visit the family. In summer, we'd stay longer and do the building projects or whatever creative projects. The Income? - With all that land (or at least a good amount of land), I would think we could make some money in a way that we find meaningful. My first thought is rent out the cabin(s) and yurt(s) or have a private campground. Also thinking of private events or something having to do with the land, like the how-to tiny houses idea. The Paying Don and Maureen Back - This is a very important part to me, too. If it's just payment to them regularly, that's fine, but it's possible it can be tied to the land, as in we pay a portion of their share of the mortgage.

Don’s 5-year goals

Family

1.     Live within 1-hour drive of all the girls and their families.

Housing

1.     Have a separate living space for Maureen and me, preferably as part of some shared land/housing with one or more of the girls and their families.

2.     Live closer to nature with lots of sun.

Finances

1.     Maintain income/expenses that allow Maureen/me to be financially independent until age 95.

2.     Have a plan for long-term care, should we need it.

Travel

1.     Take at least one, annual, extended (1 month or longer) international trip.

Golf

1.     Play regularly enough to maintain a handicap of 5 or less.

Maureen

Personal

Don and I live healthy, happy, long lives together.
Have quality time with my girls.  At least once a month.
Exchange with sons - music, philosophy, documentaries, books.

Photographer - publish and distribute my photo magazine & art magazine w/ Art Junket, be a better photographer - take risks, learn.

3 mo. Live in Japan, and/or travel to Italy, Latin America.

Less expensive living costs.
Feel valued. Help others feel valued.

Art Junket kind of group to take part in.

Classes to take (astro-physics, math, Japanese language, Spanish, alternative photography, Japanese history)

Kind of environment: land, house, location

Interesting walks

Trees, mountains, stream/s

Walk to village, cafe, wine, bistro 

Sunshine, change seasons, not too long or cold winter
Space to do photography
Stars, telescope
mbf &Don - Build Japanese-ish house, wood, shōji, veranda, but-comfortable bed, chairs, Ofuro, simple-clean, books, atelier, small Japanese garden, gas stove

Interesting walks

Walk to village, cafe, wine, bistro 

Sunshine, change seasons, not too long or cold winter

Nice friendly people, liberal

Good food

Poetry, literature

Music, music festivals, 

Near interesting city - walks, workshop, museum, galleries, couple days a month or bi-weekly, 

Interesting photography 

Art group -art junket
I hear birds and animals, on a piece of property that is tucked away and feels enveloped by nature.
Within 2 hours of metropolitan area - concerts, museums, airport
High speed Internet
convenient washer & dryer

wood stove
gas stove in kitchen (for cooking)
place for dog/s

good source of water
ability to live 'off the grid' - solar power, windmill
reuse, recycle

fruit dryer

fruit trees,

apple press

Family

Large piece of land, every couple has a place (designed by them, fulfilling their needs) w/ an acre or more of land around it.
do art together
make meals together
take walks together
family compounds,
shared garden (vegetables, flowers),
art center,
pizza oven,
shared stuff (lawn mower, car?, tools)
build and project together,

play music together
play games together
Place for games - croquet, volleyball

Invite others for Thanksgiving, holidays, music/art retreats

Near girls, gran-babies-see weekly (or more often), do projects together

Good schools for gran babies

Make a plan for mom and dad when they get older. We sort out details that will be more challenging if they are sick or have passed.  I want to do the hard work now so we don't disagree when we grieve.

I hope for homegrown food, chickens, goats, bees.

Shauna's 5yr goals

1. James is healthy.

2. I change my job/career. Ideally, I do not work a M-F schedule.

3. The family lives closer within 1-2hrs away.

4. I see my nephews (possibly nieces) at least every two weeks.

5. The family has a large space where we can gather for dinners, holidays, and spend vacation time.

6. James and I have paid off our college debt.

7. The family has developed and implement of a way to pay off debt to mom and dad. 

8. Make a plan for mom and dad when they get older. We sort out details that will be more challenging if they are sick or have passed.  I want to do the hard work now so we don't disagree when we grieve. 

Erin's First Thoughts: What do I want to feel? What quality of life do I want?

In five years I will be 42. The boys will be almost eight, and probably in 2nd grade. Eric and I will remain in a loving relationship, happy and laughing. We are entertaining with music, feasts, art, play... Celebrating a diverse, creative, compassionate, fun community. I am bring people of diverse backgrounds together. We hike regularly, adventure locally, and take camping trips often. I have time for writing and meditating. I strong and healthy, exercising and moving regularly in a way that brings me joy (I just want to dance). I feel connected to my community (ideally a 30-45 minute walk from our property is a little village/town). I hear birds and animals, on a piece of property that is tucked away and feels enveloped by nature. I am making art/crafts/cooking/building. I walk a lot with my dog(s), kids, and family. We have enough money to vacation, buy art, cloth ourselves, eat well, save for college, etc... I feel appreciated and significant. I have enough time to cook quality meals, keep a clean home, and a cared-for garden. I have lots of time to play/hang-out with kids. Life feels balanced. I feel centered, grounded, belonging, spirit-centered.  I am helping other live authentic, joyful, centered and mindful lives. I feel safe. I have time and space to hear/listen to my inner voice.
When I think of living on the land, I hope for homegrown food, chickens, goats, bees (?). I dream of hills and a stream.  I would love to host events like a retreat center (many ideas there: yoga, tarot, tiny-house building workshop). I dream of a property that would bring in income through rentals (barn for weddings?), CSA (grow food), forestry (a well-wooded land). The land I hope for is no more than 2.5 hours from a metropolis/airport. Ideally the community in the town is liberal, artistic, even touristy (a market we can tap into).