Tinyhouse Ranch Found?

I think we found it! 5 acres of beauty and freedom that we will put an offer on tomorrow. It's got a well, power, trees, privacy and views. We had hoped for a larger parcel, but we are sure this is the one. As an added bonus, we can afford it and it has super easy access. Fingers crossed--sleepless nights ahead. My God, it's finally happening!

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