A little snow, but cozy and warm inside

Night Time is the Right Time

I just love laying my head down in the loft and doing some reading before bed. The space is just right. The pleasing lines of the roof, the light, airy pine cladding, the proportions are just what's needed; no more, no less. When we sleep in the big house it just feels all wrong these days. The bed is too big, the room is too big, the ceiling is too high. I used to love that big bedroom; now it just seems a waste. Funny how perspectives change.

Debtor's Prison

The house is still on the market but interest has waned considerably since the onset of early winter. “Waned” isn't entirely accurate; more like there seems to be NO interest whatsoever from people. I'm not sure when we had the last showing but it's been a long damn time to be sure. Our listing expires in December so I figure we'll let it lapse and re-list in the spring. We may have to drop the price. It's somewhat painful selling a house that I have substantially improved and made payments on for 7 years, for less than what I paid for it. Is the American Dream dead? It is in me. The big house, the picket fence, the security of home ownership and rising values; it was all a lie. By now I figured I would have $40-50,000 in equity. I'll be lucky if that's all I lose.... I'll be more careful in the future with what I put my energies towards...

Tools all cleared out!

So I finally cleared all the tools out of the house! Nothing left to do but decorate, right? It all just looks even better than hoped. Feels even better than dreamed.

 The bathroom is impossibly small to photograph, but you'll just have to take our work for it, it's awesome.

Rainy Monday...

The rain beat it's steady rhythm on the roof of the tinyhouse all night long. Suddenly I find myself with a renewed love of the rain; something I had long since lost. Fire in the woodstove, cuddled up safe and warm with my sweetie; it just cannot be beat. I wish we could've skipped work and stayed here all day long, sipping coffee with a good book and better company.

Scanning, scanning, scanning

Spent a few hours scanning photos and getting ready for our downsize. If you're looking for a good, fast, small scanner; this is your guy. I am very impressed with it! It takes about 1 second on low, 2 seconds on medium, and 3 seconds on high resolution. I'm getting good results on medium.

Magic Wand Scanner

Binge, Purge

Lord help me, I will never accumulate so much STUFF again! We got a good start last night sorting garbage and goodwill stuff. It was a bit daunting to begin with and surely will be again, but it is so good to start and have a clear direction. 

It's Time....

Our tinyhouse is all but done! I suck at updating the blog, huh? I promise, I'll write a BIG blog post with lots of pictures as soon as I can.

Anyhow, big news is; we're pulling the trigger on this thing and selling our main house! We're scared and excited! Mostly it's only scary because we have 6 kids. Otherwise this deal would be a cakewalk. The plan is to sell the big house, pick up another travel trailer for temporary digs and start building the other tinyhouses for the kids. My biggest worry is having to winter in travel trailers. The kids are already apprehensive about the move and downsizing. Winter in a camp trailer, off grid could inspire a mutiny.... Regardless, it's time to move forward on this! I think once everybody actually settles into their respective tinyhouses, they're gonna love it. Either way, it's going to be a valuable experience!

Tiny House Magazine

Kent Griswold's "Tiny House Magazine" is now available in PDF as well as IOS. Check it out!
Tiny House Magazine

Ready for a roof

So our little house is framed and looking just great. We slept in her Saturday night. That was fun though I wish we would of gone in earlier than midnight so we could enjoy the house a little longer with the lights on! Our roof will be here this week and we're still waiting on some bids for our windows. After sleeping in it we decided to make the loft windows on either end larger. I don't really like it from the outside, (it's fine, just not as cute) but from inside, it's definitely the way to go. Yay for remodel framing!

After we get our windows we can finish all the trim and install the battens. Can't wait!

Porch detail

Blogging & Building

It is SO much harder to blog or social network while building and working. I wanted to keep a better blog diary of the build, but it's just not happening. After work, then building 'til dark, my energy is sapped, but in a good way. I am so thankful to be doing this and to have the support of my wife in such a "crazy" endeavor. She's a good woman. I only wish I could share it more with our readers...

Ridge Board

The chickens don't care

Roof Framing

The kids LOVE the lofts!

Almost done framing

I absolutely love this detail

Our colors

Our beautiful home!

Our house is looking so good I can't stand it! Man, this is exciting! I've built so many houses and buildings for others but never for us. (Other than the occasional shed, greenhouse, chicken coop etc.) With each new board, we can see it more clearly. It is just awesome...

The walls go up

Too tired to say much but I've heard a picture is worth a thousand words :)

Floor Framing

The floor framing is done! Yesterday we made a materials run, leveled up the trailer and watched our daughter's basketball game. (She played like Jordan by the way). Found it I am NOT a big fan of Home Depot. I'll be trying to keep it local so much as possible from here on out. Unfortunately, no one in town stocked the 2" foamboard for the floor.

Today we framed the floor, insulated and sheathed it and tomorrow we hurry up and wait for payday so we can get going on the walls. It was an awesome day and fun to work with my sweetie on this!

Build Day One

We got our trailer today! Woohoo! I promptly ripped the deck boards off, respaced them and fastened them down, flashed it, and ripped the extra into floor joists. If you're wondering what $100 worth of rolled aluminum looks like; well this is it. Can't wait to do some more!

Cookin' with gas

So, this is our new range! I think it's going to work out pretty slick. I've noticed oven temperature regulation may be a chore though trying to find the right spot between HI an LO.

Friday!

Friday, our long awaited trailer arrives! I can't wait! Work has been good too, really busy, so we may have some money to get started framing right away. It's happening :)

I Got The No Trailer Blues

Well, no trailer yet. Apparently the drop axles we ordered our trailer with to gain additional building height are on back order. SOB. It's so hard to be patient. The good news is it will definitely, maybe be ready next week, lol. That's going to be a really good day.

Water Tanks

Our water barrels have arrived! We've decided on 55 gallon food grade barrels for our on board water tanks which will be housed in a small bump out over the extended tongue. I love seeing some of the pieces come together. Our trailer should be ready this week too!

Goodbye

I sold my beloved Washburn, neck through, electric guitar this afternoon. It was hard to see her go. Walking out the door for the very last time in the arms of another man..... Kidding, sort of, but we do get attached to our STUFF, don't we? The comfort is that money goes into the framing fund for the first tinyhouse.

Trailer, Part Deux

Alas, the used trailer deal fell apart. Turns out it was just 6' wide. That was depressing but perhaps worked out for the best. We put a deposit down on a brand new one with a 4" dropped axle and a tongue extension to better accommodate the little bump out we are planning for the front. In 2-3 weeks she'll be in the driveway!

The Trailer

Oh man, I think we've found our trailer! The first one anyhow. I haven't seen it in person yet but it appears to be and sounds to be in great shape for a great price. This is exciting. We could be framing very soon!

The Family Cabin

And here is the family cabin. 10'x20' with attic trusses housing the main kitchen, dining and living room.

Our House

So this is the main house, (Mom & Dad's)

And for the more discriminating viewers among you, the REAL trailer will be tandem axle with NO beaver tail ;)