some permaculture questions

nomadx~ Hello and welcome. You make some good points worth thinking about for sure. Traditionally farmers and folks living a sustainable lifestyle have to have that broad range of skills, to be able to fix things and keep the place going.
If you or your partner or other family member doesn't have a certain needed skill then you have to develop a community connection with someone that does. Get to know your neighbors and find out what they like to do and what they're good at, might surprise you AND you won't have to do everything yourself. Learn to barter skills/goods/services.

the old saw about dishwashers using less water and electricity than hand washing must be a ploy by the manufacturers.  i wash dishes every other day (cuts down water use) and manage to wash and rinse a sink full of dishes on one gallon of water.  (same with bathing and washing my hair, also on alternate days - simple washing other times)  i haul all of my water from the spring and so have learned to be frugal with it.  my dishes and my self get plenty clean!

Originally posted by nomadx hey i'm new. interested in homesteading and a sustainable lifestyle, i.e. don't have to constantly buy things to survive. while i've thought a lot about what will last through the decades and what won't, there are some things that i depend on so greatly now it is hard to imagine letting go. the main reason, is that complex mechanical and electrical appliances are destined to break. and most of them i have no clue on how to fix. worried that someday there will be no way to fix or replace them.

Washing dishes by hand is easy if you have a good sink.  I bought a commercial one with two deep sink basins and a built in drainboard.

I agree with the hard surface floor idea.   A good hard surface floor, hardwood, vinyl, concrete, tile etc.  (no laminate) can be easily swept and scrubbed clean.  You will find the mud, animals, and winter wood supply just will not agree with carpeted floors. 

I have to have a good washing machine, but make my own laundry soap.  Too many dirty clothes.  A dryer however, is easy to live without. 

As far as permaculture gardening ...  fruit trees are pretty permanent!  Berries, and perennials like rhubarb and asparagus are also long lived.  In my zone 6 garden I often over winter garlic, onions, and potatoes, leaving some to start out the next year.   Many of my annuals will also self sow for the next year including:  Runner beans, squash, mustard, spinach, and other greens, as well as tomatoes, broccoli and brussle sprouts.    I use lots of mulch and seldom if ever till.  I simply push the mulch aside to plant.   Like several others said "Learn to work Smarter not Harder".  I even have a "walking compost bin" that I fill directly in the garden and simply move over as it gets half full and allow it to rot in place. 

Also you need to check out the Homesteading with a Handicap thread.  You will find many of the folks here are over 50 (and have no broken backs) and others are quite young and have some significant handicaps (even bad backs).  Each and every one of us do physical work each day and are far better for it. 

Oh and welcome ....  these folks will teach you a LOT!