Little House Living

Sadness in the Magic of Words

2011-07-19T10:40:00.000-04:00

I heard today that Borders is closing. They are going bankrupt.

I am so sad. :-( There is no word to concisely express my feeling. I still look in bookstores for inspiration, imagination, creativity and magic.

So now I will what - shop at Barnes and Noble - ick NO. They are Star Bucks and fancy brightly lit fake book space. They charge for you to have a membership card.

There is no tactile on line substitution. Maybe to buy textbooks or something specific for a reading club but not to browse, not to be inspired, encouraged, involved or touched.

Inspiration beyond words

2011-03-11T12:03:00.000-05:00

The Blog is called The Zero Waste House ... she's amazing and this is her first blog ..... I wanna be like Bea when I grow up - or get on with it already!

Well, my most dreaded day of the year is over: Christmas day and all the potential waste and extra consumerism that it entails. We did pretty well this year (better than the last), but there is also improvement for us to work on (it will be part of our new year's resolution).

Here is what we did:
-we've used our patio topiary as a Xmas tree for the last 2 years (it looks great in our minimalist modern home), lit with LED lights on a timer and decorated with mostly vintage ornaments from the Alameda antique market. We did not buy any ornaments or new light strings this year (yeah! that's a 1st)
-for greetings cards, I made homemade plant-able envelopes (thyme seeds) with a picture in it (that part and the stamp need improvement). The greeting was handwritten in a folded envelope, which eliminated the need of a greeting card and reduced the amount of paper and labels used.
-we gave homemade consumables in a reusable or returnable jar (jams, pickles, quince paste...)
-we gave gift certificates for services (manicure, movie tickets...): my personal favorite present this year came from my husband who gave me coupons for dinners out and undivided time with him (much needed for decluttering)
-we mostly gave used items: I like to label these "vintage", it is better accepted than the words "used" or "from a thrift shop"...handkerchiefs, brand tee shirts or jeans, board games, sports equipment
- if we had to buy a new product we chose one with minimal or no packaging: a converse shirt with a cardboard and jute tag (bothcompostable) -but a plastic sleeve with 3 buttons in it... I miss the days when buttons were always sewn onto your garment (it is easier to find when you need them and you don't have that extra wasteful bulk on the tag), socks with a cardboard wrapper (but a small plastic hanger), a bike and engraved luggage tags (both naked and free of tags! yeah!)...
-I have kept all cardboard boxes/sleeves that I received from eBay shopping, I reuse them when I sell on eBay, Amazon or ship presents
-we did not use any virgin wrapping paper: we used newspaper cutouts (my son loved the USC player pictures I chose for him), our Xmas dinner meat wrapper (see item to be improved below :(, paper bags that have made their way into our home (could not stop the neighbour from giving me a full bag of fruit last month), shipping packaging (we received a used book from amazon in a plastic envelope, it was white and a red ribbon made it pretty), packing paper from a UPS delivery, and this year Santa did not wrap his own presents (Santa is trying to be greener, I told the kids)
-I am making paper cards (hostess gifts) from some the used paper wrappers, we recyled the rest
-we used ribbons and twine that we already had and kept them for next year
-we used paper tape if needed
-in january, we will send the greeting cards we received to: St. Jude's Ranch Card Recycling, 100 St. Jude Street, Boulder City, NV 89005.

What we should and will improve on (our to do list for next year):
-vouch to only buy used: with planning we could have found a used bike for our son on craigslist
-let the kids shop for all of their cousin's presents at our church Xmas boutique (used items donated by members of the church), it reuses stuff and donates money to a good cause at the same time
-request minimal packaging when purchasing used on eBay: I received a tee shirt that was wrapped in a zip lock bag (people still use these?) and wrapped again in an envelope for shipping... A BAG IN A BAG
-make sure that an item is used when buying on eBay (I bought a wooden monopoly game, I thought that it was used and it came all shrunk wrapped)
-not use any papers mentioned above to wrap our presents, I will make reusable gift bags from pretty fabrics/cloths from the thrift shop to encourage friends and family to not use store bought wrapping paper
-let friends and family know about our zero waste efforts (this blog will help I hope), so they know not to give us any packaging or item that is not compostable at best or recyclable at worst (i.e, plastics)
-talk Grandma into giving used
-get my duck and rabbit meat (Xmas dinner) in jars, my husband went to the store and came back with a wrapper. Both were cut up at the counter and could have fit in 1.5L jar.
-find an alternative to landfill for hard meat bones that my dog can't chew
-find an alternative for the non recyclable picture of the kids in my greeting cards, I love getting and participating in the greeting cards exchange each year and love to see how kids have changed. But perhaps I will be ready for electronic next year...
-If I send out another greeting card though, I shall choose for a minimal stamp. I did not think much it when I bought mine this year, but I ended up with HUGE stamps. what a waste

So, what's in my trash this week?
- plastic cork from Beaujolais Nouveau (damn it!), the wine was good though. Note to self: email Georges Duboeuf for alternative to their plastic corks... screw top? and double check wine bottle corkage before buying
-duck and rabbit bones (they would kill my chihuahua) wrapped in the meat counter wrapper. Note to self: that's the last one
-lego packaging: the boys each received a brand new set from grandma, the box and baggies (#5) seemed recyclable but the sticker sheets and plastic accessory holder did not. Note to self: Call recycling center and ask if the sticker sheets (and USPS stamp sheets) are recyclable
-wrappers of cough lozenges. Note to self: find a recipe for honey candy for the kids coughs
-dirty wax paper wrapper of a breakfast roll. Note to self: husband needs additional training

Not too bad considering that the average American fills their trash cans 25% more between Thanksgiving and Xmas than a typical 5-6 week period according to ecomom.com.

Final Note to self: Post my declaration of Plastic Independence and allegiance to Zero Waste so that my readers (if any) know what the heck I am talking about! ... to be continued.

New way to put it

2011-03-08T12:55:00.000-05:00

from another small house blog ... "One of my passions in life is backpacking. I thrive on the opportunity that back-country travel affords one to completely simplify to the most basic essentials. I find nothing in my daily life to be as rewarding as carrying only the things you need for your basic needs and immediate comfort. This guy (Jay Shafer) might just have figured out how to do what I have not these many years: merge the two worlds of home and back-country living. Jay’s Tumbleweed Tiny Houses are backpacks for your every day life! I was sold. And so it begins. " ... that is definitely a good way of putting it. I still get crazy looks from people who spend 300 dollars a month to heat their homes and another 150 dollars in water and sewer bills. I wish they could embrace.

Tried and failed - again

2010-01-06T14:31:00.007-05:00

tried and failed to write from the library - library doesn't like the blogger.

anyway just read living the simple life by elaine st. james. i suppose rich outta touch people would find the information new and invigorating. i found it old and already in practice, at least for me.

in the simple wardrobe ideas for women she says to pick a few base colors good for your skin tone and only buy accessories that match - what do you think poor people do? three years ago i decided to do this and have bought very few accessories (partially due to my career) but use the ones I have. 15 or 20 years ago i decided navy should be my base color b/c it was one color all wealthy people wear and it exudes confidence. it isn't making me rich but i don't look sloppy when dressed it it - or black. i used to buy whatever accessories were on sale but only use them once or twice, now i know i look better and enjoy silver, pearls and stones and not much else. in recent years i actually wrote down what i needed/not wanted for a wardrobe and it was long before i knew her book existed. i want my life to fit in the trunk and backseat of my car so when it's finally my season to be me and not just a 'mom' or 'employee' i can go find me w/o leaving parts behind.

apparently real estate was too hectic so elaine st. james began writing small books about simplicity and there must be idiots who cannot do it alone or she wouldn't have written 4 more after her initial 'simplify your life'.

now i don't know the woman but i do know that i would love to quit working and write full-time but i don't have a husband to fall back on as she does so i'll keep up the hectic schedule to do the minimum that must be done to get it all done.

anyway i have decided that this was a bad eBay buy on my part.

in a different thought i am realigning my small house desires: i want to live more self-sufficiently and not so much worried about small or tiny. i still would like a small home but it may be bigger than i planned for activities such as soap making, canning, laying out sewing patterns and such. in 2 years i want my 5 acres and maybe we'll live initially in a converted out building already on site, but slowly over 5 years we'll get it together and by the time my little one is big she'll be more prepared to make hard life choices and go off to college knowing what reality is.

So what next

2009-12-16T20:13:00.002-05:00

I am seeing a financial advisor to get on a budget and more forward with my dreams.

Now onto my list of MH and WL

MH = must haves. Since I am building these are things I will NOT do without.

WL = wish list, or would like. Not deal breakers but important enough to consider ahead of time.

MH - 3 sleeping areas, L or U shaped kitchen, open floor plan, dishwasher, washer and dryer, 2 - 3 burner cooktop, no oven.

WL - mudroom as a screened in half walled back porch (maybe put washer dryer outside), pot rack from ceiling, stone foundation, reclaimed materials for entire building, including interior space.

Thoughts???

Future hope?

2009-11-30T12:35:00.003-05:00

I found this neat article:

http://www.countryl iving.com/ homes/house- tours/big- color-tiny- house-0808

Someday I will have my house and I look forward to using some of these techniques to make my little space fun and all me.

try this link for unusual toilet lids

2009-10-26T11:06:00.003-04:00

www.trendir.com/archives/003431.html

Next idea

2009-10-26T10:58:00.001-04:00

Found a sqaured off toilet at a friend's house - they got it out of the basement when the one on the first floor was no good. So where did the squarish one come from??

Dreaming of the day ...

2009-10-01T11:14:00.002-04:00

Okay so have any of you seen the new movie "Julie and Julia"? A young woman from Queens decides to cook her way through Julia Child's first cookbook in one year, over 500 recipes in 365 days and she starts a blog about it.

In the end she gets a huge following and a book deal. Well huge following and book deal aside I want a goal. I want to do something with this blog and my need to live in my own home. I need a goal, a concrete firm goal and 365 days to accomplish it.

Any ideas?

Finance me!

2009-09-26T11:49:00.006-04:00

so much want my own home. NOW.

tried to find a Crown Financial Ministries study offered in my area to no avail. :-(

i want/need/desire/must have 1 -2 acres w/in a one hour commute of DC (on a bad traffic day - cannot count commute time at 2 pm on a lazy Saturday afternoon). i will happily live in a tent with a portajohn and make shift shower while i build.

does anyone understand how much i need this?

not house related

2009-09-14T09:30:00.002-04:00

but so funny and heart warming - or maybe that's all the energy being given off from laughing so hard!

www.timhawkins.net/video.php

make it work

2009-08-28T10:50:00.003-04:00

Damn it I cannot copy and paste anything these days - I don't know why.

Hope I type this in right:
http://www.kevincyr.net/index.php?/ongoing/camper-kart/

Check this out - talk about small housing - and never being homeless again!

Building with Recycled

2009-08-27T16:20:00.005-04:00

Tried buying at ReStore ... 2nd hand building center where proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity ... but no one would talk to me. I even stood at the counter for 5 minutes. I could have walked out with my items but I didn't I left them on the counter and left!

On a bright note I found some great directions for building sink bases, butcher block kitchen carts and book cases out of used dressers. I will post links soon, not at the computer where I have to info copied and pasted.

Since I want to build with reclaimed materials how about using dressers in the ways discribed above!?

And there is even a decorative option for using the drawers to make shelving - would lok nice on the porch to store small potted plants.

new lifestyle

2009-08-03T15:17:00.004-04:00

so with my new someday sustainable house i like this new car: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/08/nissan-leaf-allelectric-car-coming-in-2010.html

finally a car that can accomodate my family sizewise, no smart car can fit 3 - 4.

and such a pretty color.

maybe someday

2009-07-14T15:53:00.007-04:00

i emailed habitat for humanity for an application to see if they will help me build a house.

i also asked: I do have one other question - does Habitat for Humnaity only do commercial construction? I have a dream to use reclaimed materials and be as green as possible in building. I would love to reuse woods for the flooring and trim, glass and cement in the countertops, low flow toilets and refurbished pedastel bathroom sink and clawfoot bathtub. I know if I built alone (if I could ever even afford it) it would take longer than normal but I am collecting information and even writing a blog about my small home preraration and eventual living. My dream home is quite small and very sustainable.

she responded that she would send me an application and pass along my other question to the executive director.

maybe someday i WILL have my house and it won't just be planning for the dream!

New Link

2009-07-14T12:54:00.001-04:00

http://www.appalachianwoods.com/flooring/sale_items.htm

So now I have a link to real old wood for my house - someday!

DREAM HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-10T13:02:00.008-04:00

http://www.architecturaldesigns.com/house-plan-21763dr.asp

I have found my dream home! My forever soul home. My I will live here forever and never complain home. Yes there is such a place! And it's only 480 square feet.

Okay so I would want to build it on a full usable basement so there I could add a third bedroom, put in the washer and dryer, plus walk out basement point of egress and the water heater.

It's small enough that A/C wouldn't be necessary and the gel space heaters I want would heat it perfectly. If in the future I need to add a wood stove - great.

PLEASE click on the link and go see my love! I can't believe I am so in love with a house.

I have other favorites B53 at http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/ and I think the "12' x 28' with kitchen, bath, 2 lofts, 2 full porches, one screened" in the "TTH Floor Plans" section of www.tinytexashouses.com is amazing and as seen in "Gallery" of the same website built as "Texas Rustic Ranch outside of New Braunfels 12' x 28'" it just seems so calm and peaceful BUT all that being said "Plan W21763DR: Light-Filled Vacation Retreat" is my dream home.

Now aside from the basment I would continue the roof line off the back of the house and make a shorter in height back porch, screened in of course and place a door in one of the bedrooms that would be my room to access the porch.

Now, yes it is small and yes I have two kids BUT this is light and it's inviting and with the lights on a timer welcomes me home in a way no other house has said yet.

I have also found some darn cute cottages lately at www.compactcottages.com and am hoping to drive down this summer to see if they could work for us but I want so much to order the plans for the Vacation Retreat and move in tomorrow!

Heck I am already there!

I am still set on reusing materials from reclaimed sources such as old doors (found one at an antique store in Virginia that I love) and stained glass windows (wouldn't that look amazing across on the top row of windows of my dream house) plus using old wood for flooring, railings, and building built in dressers under beds and bookcases built into the walls.

Oh Joy!!!!

New Small Housing

2009-07-06T13:19:00.004-04:00

I feel so small and inferior to those who take the time, have the time, to find articles about housing development in other countries, especially 3rd world countries where there are no building codes yet they build affordable housing that lasts.

Anyway I found this last week and couldn't get blogger ope to post so here it is:
http://www.compactcottages.com/.

I emailed them asking about what size the cottage on their front page is and what the floor plan was for the "xl cottage". No answer yet with the holiday weekend and all.

Still dreaming of a home/house/cottage/hollowed out log of my own!

Today

2009-06-22T11:14:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday to Me!

Small House Large Mess

2009-06-03T10:18:00.005-04:00

This came to me via a discussion group I belong to, breaks my heart that people can be so unnecessarily cruel to others:

"Is there anyone out there who knows of a lawyer who defends people with small houses? I am being prosecuted by zoning in LA because they say I need to have a minimum of 800 square feet in order to keep my 2 nice dogs on my property. They are threatening to seize and kill my dogs. I cannot enlarge my house size. The property is too small and set backs, etc. However, I do have a "dwelling unit" which is what the code requires, and they are misstating the law in order to prosecute. Do you know any land use attorneys who could help me without charging beyond my means? Thanks."

Please try to fight injustice where ever you see it ... luckily mahy are offering words of support, hopefully this family gets practical help!

WOW

2009-05-22T12:30:00.007-04:00

Wow it's been a long time - Sorry!

Okay so thinking about housing I am happy to report I am still hopeful but no less convinced I can afford a home of my own.

I saw a great possibility for an interior recycling center. Think those so outdated and should not have been created tacky fake dark wood china hutches from the 70 - 80s, take out two drawers over each other and take out in between support. Make new large drawer box and replace drawer fronts from old drawers. Sand entire thing and paint to look like your home's interior. While the paint dries add new drawer rails in the bottom.

When you open the new deeper drawer you can fit a week or twos worth of recycling and it doesn't involve a plastic bin or an unsightly mess.

Now remove the upper doors and either drill holes in the shelves or remove altogether to accumulate stacks of newspapers and store flattened boxes. If you drill holes thread string thru so you can tie off the bundles of newspapers.

The other drawers can be used for scissors, taoe, flattened paper grocery bags and even a drawer full of plastic bags.

A whole center devoted to recycling in an attractive recycled piece of wooden furniture.

starting today

2009-05-04T13:57:00.005-04:00

well family emergencies are more pressing than researching buildings right now but a few thoughts to ponder.

in trying to live closer to nature (greener - though i am far to pale to be green) i have realized i need to try somethings now while in my apartment that will help me in planning for the future:
1. invest time and money in designing a recycling program that works for me - how can i expect any builder to just add recycle bins under counter 'c' and think it'll work.
2. recycle now and recycle everything - i used water flushing out of a down spout to water plants under the awning and the amount of water i needed came down in minutes but the rest of that rain water was wasted. dig trenches in the herb garden so that drain spout waters the garden instead of the foundation. don't throw away those bottles, there is a container down stairs. 2nd floor living is so very inconvenient but i need to make that devotion now so it carries through later.
3. and rearrange furniture and construct what i need from preexisting items and take it with me - if i figure out what style bed (instead of being satisfied with hand me downs) suits each of us we'll be more set when it comes to decorating a new small space. also decide how we each like relaxing - sofa or chair - so living room is designed specifically for it's uses.

that's all for today.

Affordability???

2009-04-29T08:50:00.004-04:00

So I emailed Dan Phillips and he responded (apologizes for cutting out some places): " Yes, indeed, I am still helping people build their own houses. I would gladly help you, you would have to be able to arrange your own financing (approximatley $20,000), and move to Huntsville. "

Moving isn't the hardest part 20grand is the hardest part! I have never understood why poor people are denied home ownership. IF we pay our rent, IF we pay our utilities, IF we properly care for homes we rent why are we NOT permitted to own a house of our own?

Sorry this may get soap boxy so for now I will stop and thank those who put up with me.

Affordability!

2009-04-24T15:26:00.005-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Std5taGTP6I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkcunrxFOu4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ8koQHrWXE

Dan Phillips own website: http://www.phoenixcommotion.com/

I am so happy to find this!

new littles and new titles

2009-04-24T14:39:00.007-04:00

A new magazine showed up in my mailbox, did I order it? It's titled "Natural Home" and it's fabulous. There is a picture of one of Jay Shafer's houses profiled in a former issue and a quote from Gregory Johnson a man who lives the minimalist lifestyle and runs www.resourcesforlife.com .

It makes me more and more sure I am heading in the right direction. I am somehow getting to know people on the fringe of the movement and that 7 degrees of Bacon is more like 2 or 3 for me (just not trying to find Kevin but the people who head up the movement).

So back to Natural Home ... there is a great article about a contractor who built his own home from 80%+ local materials near his childhood home in Alabama. The builder is a contractor and had money, land and 3 sons to help him build. I am a Mom with minimal time, virtually no money and 1 son, and a cute girl (who in all likelihood will hammer straighter than her brother in time).

The magazine also has articles this issue on Biking, City Farmers and being a Locavore (which sounds fascinating and challenging).There are ads for yurts and natural cleaning products , natural carpets and seed catalogs, and many other green products.

Last night I repaired the bedroom wall the plumber sloppily ripped out years ago. I think that section of wall is how the snake got in last year. Now to fill in gaps with foam and find a barrier to go around the doors where the gaps are allowing heated and cooled air to escape. I won't have to worry about this when I build b/c even if I have to spend an hour measuring to make one cut I will build a sealed house (with of course appropriate air flow for safety and life). I am learning about what I want and don't want as I fix the "crap" I live in.

I finished reading a book called "The Smart Woman's Guide to Homebuilding" by Dori Howard. And either she thinks every woman is rich or has amazing alimony. Who can afford contractors, architects, lawyers, interior designers, landscape architects and specialty designers? I can't afford my rent ... lol. She really thinks we all need mega places to live. How about I investigate the land and all permits needed for work to be done, then hire a few good helpers with some construction knowledge for the floor and walls and roof, finish it off myself and shop IKEA or the like to furnish it. Yep that works for me. I know I need a wing space of 6' in diameter in my bathroom (don't ask) and the stove, fridge and sink need to form a triangle. I love counter space and need a dishwasher. Aside from that who cares what color my couch is or if my chairs match? Right now my kitchen chairs all match our backsides and not each other!

Before I forget check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLZAVE83M7c. Very cool video I came across. I'll have to check him out next time I am up that way.

Okay off for now found some fascinating links on Youtube which I'll post about later.

Weekend Warrior

2009-04-20T13:42:00.008-04:00

So, I went to IKEA this weekend, 16 minutes shy of a free breakfast after an hour long drive - Darn it! I was there through 2 turns of my daughter playing in SmalLand and my son oogling girls. He even made friends with a boy shopping with his mother. Crazy kids of mine. We ate breakfast, lunch and a snack before we left 5 plus hours later, and only spent 60 bucks ... but then this was a planning trip.

I found the stove top I'd like if I were building today ... gas 3 burner ... but as of today it only comes in black and I want stainless. I found my "cheap" countertops but am uncertain of their carbon footprint so need to do some research, and still lust after stainless everything! I'd love a unified easy to maintain kitchen. The cabinet area left me a bit confused but I measured countless cabinets, sat in hundreds of chairs, couches, cubbie spaces and on every bed. I think I know which bed I want when we move too. I need to buy new mattresses now so they'll move with us in a few years.

I am in love with the 3D kitchen planner on IKEA but cannot download here so I came home and measured every possible surface in the kitchen to figure out if I could better the placement of current furnishings and possibly add appropriate cabinets to make the space work.

Now in our apartment we have almost as much sq footage floor space as the B52 (one of our two house plan options - the other being a 12X28 on tiny texas houses) but it is not laid out nearly as effectively, and b/c it is a rental the landlords don't care if the floor plan works or not. I care!

So I am off to load laundry ... left all my notes else where but did have some on green roofs and landscaping.

Unbuilding

2009-04-17T13:57:00.006-04:00

So one thing I have been atimate (spelling?) about from the beginning is using reclaimed materials as much as possible in building my new house. I am open to possibilities of new cabinets and definitely new plumbing and electrical work.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1561588253/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

The above link takes you to a book cover of a book I secured from the library. It is not one I feel anyone needs to buy unless no local library has one. It's more from a business point of view and not so much directed towards the individual who wants to rescue old home pieces. Still it has some good suggestions and excellent illustrations and photographs.

I am excited to be planning my summer trip to go meet a man and see his workspace who does just that - unbuilds - and then rebuilds a "new" building of reclaimed materials. I have no idea where I'll land permanently but it doesn't hurt to meet and investigate all possibilities. If money permits there is a workshop two weeks before my trip near my home on building a "tiny" home.

Here's another over my head book, but it's all about education at this point so I enjoy reading through it, soaking in the illustrations and making notes as I go: http://www.buildersbooksource.com/booksite/images/items/9780470087817.jpg

Now the only problem being with me and note taking is I was a GREAT student b/c I noted everything so my notebooks are full of lots of stuff I may or may not need. I think I best keep lists of books and their general information, referring back as needed.

As I close today the birds singing remind me I'd be lost w/o cardinals and robins and blue jays but then I may have to find new birds to love if we move from the Mason Dixon Line. I do hope where ever I move to I can have enough space to invite nature to come to my front yard (okay here I must say I HATE SNAKES AND BUGS) but NOT indoors! I can hardly wait to make the habitat of broken limbs for snakes and rabbits and such, houses for birds, and feeding areas for squirrels and deer. Yes I know how they can wreak havoc on a garden - that will be dealt with after I get my peaceful dose of gazing!

Genesis 1:24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.

Magazines of Interest

2009-04-16T13:53:00.021-04:00

I found a magazine called "Small Room Decorating" (how to live large in small spaces) and have only gotten the Winter 2009 issue, on display thru March 30, 2009. I don't wanna live any larger than I am but it's a catchy subtitle. Front cover titles include:

Emergency Guest Room - no space needed

Designer Genius - Tiny House is fit for a crowd

25 Kitchen Winners 'Best Use of Space'.

More very interesting articles inside not mentioned on the outside such as '20 Storage Finds under $25', 'best use of space' winners (my favorite is the Best Guest Bed-this designer covered the walls around the bed with layers of tin can lids - a must see), and 'Be Well Equipped' (an article with make compact appliances including a great lead in a 24 inch wide fridge/freezer.

Last evening I went to Lowe's in my 1.5 hours w/o kids picking up a catalog called "Diamond Reflections Cabinetry" and found and fell in love with the toekick cabinet. Wow how cool that usually wasted space has a wide shallow drawer that you grab with your toe and pull open. It can be used for junk (my choice) or linens or kid's art supplies and then closed again with a kick. I love this idea, no more wasted under counter edge space ... but it costs a lot extra if purchased thru this company b/c as the sales associate said they have to add rails and drawers parts where there normally aren't any ... but didn't they 'invent' and 'offer' it? Oh well I'll figure out cost as I go but again a toekick cabinet is my newest favorite find.

I love arts and crafts style of architecture (Frank Lloyd Wright is my genius) and found in "new" cabinetry it'll be easy but not cheap to acquire. Now my kitchen won't be huge so cost won't be what it would in a traditional size home. Now how to accomplish this in reclaimed materials??

I have placed and order for "Mother Earth News" as I want my new home to be as "green" and "economical" as possible. I loved the article about Homesteading and wish I could do it now but I am working on it one step at a time starting with candle making and canning books from the library - not as easy as I hoped.

"The Family Handyman" may have a male name but it's an easy to read and follow instructions are often photographed with woman doing the projects written about.

"Fresh Home" (Easy Ideas for Hands-On People) has it's premiere issue on stands now and it seems like it'll be a good all around magazine. Articles sections include decorating, hands-on, outdoors and fresh living. And from this magazine's premiere issue "April 22: Earth Day. Find 5 ways to use less energy and put the list on your fridge and get started!"

Okay so for now that's the good ....

Few thoughts for thinking:

Many people who live in the little house lifestyle only build 1 bedroom, either the owner is single or coupled with a like minded lover and they do not need different gender sleeping areas. I need three separate sleeping areas. I share a bedroom now with my little girl but I can see how that will not work in the not to distant future and her brother is not going to share a room with either of us. How much room is good for sleeping? Should I make built in desks in their room or the living room wall? I prefer them to be able to do homework where it's easier for me to just look over their shoulder's and help as needed. The kitchen table is not a place I like them to do homework b/c it's hard to get everything else put away to use for meal time.

I am a 'poor' mother with much determination but lacking majorly in cash. Why is it that we cannot accept people like me as home owners? If I bought land and lived in less than "adequate" conditions (tent) as I worked on building a home I would be threatened with losing my children. Not because I wasn't using my ingenuity but because I wasn't living as the society at large deems correct. Looking back at the history of the United States there have been many people who started out with less and grew to have plenty. I was thinking about a house I photographed recently (see above) - why are places like this not lived in? Why couldn't there be a program to rehab homes by people who otherwise will only ever be renters??? I can see how it would take me approximately 6 months of working weekends to rehab it to livable condition.

Places like Habitat for Humanity and Interfaith Housing do not care about the limitations of a family's availability to work on a home, you must uproot your whole life to get a home. Well while a single parent is working at an organizations determination who pays the bills? I have a teen ager who would love to help me rebuild and a daughter who can barely wait to paint and decorate but their help would be useless due to insurance limitations if an organization helped us build.

Enough complaining - on to dreaming of the future and planning for reality!

Links to wonderful Sites

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http://www.tinytexashouses.com/index.html

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

http://www.tinyhouses.net/Eureka%20Springs/eurekasprings01.html
Just the cutest house ever. Victorian but modest, if that's possible.

http://www.tinyhouses.net/

http://www.resourcesforlife.com/small-house-society

Right now this is all my little mind can handle. I am busy with work and my kids. I have a 3 ring binder wish book where I am collecting samples, photos, written wants and ideas from catalogs. (Thank you to Sherman and Patty for your hands on help!) I even have two color samples of bamboo flooring, which I explained to my kids - we just do not agree on which color to use - lol!

Where to start ... where I sit.

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While sitting in this little gazebo at Lily Ponds I mapped out in my mind how much area I needed for a kitchen and what if I added a livingroom. I measured my bed when I got home and added a 3 foot walk space for the sleeping room, as I have seen bedrooms referred to. How much space do I need and where do I start?

Well I started by joining Small House Society on yahoo groups. Then I shopped for books on eBay. I've so far secured "Housebuilding for Children" and "American Shelter" both by Lester Walker. I also purchased some other books on topics ranging from framing to floor plans.

I have looked thru the IKEA catalog and admired the 500 sq ft apartment they set up in the showrooms. This weekend they offer free breakfast and coffee and I hope to get more ideas.

Now where do I live? How can I afford to either save enough money for land and water/sewer hook up or enough of a down payment for a construction loan? Where can I live that my income would cover expenses?

I know all choices from the past make up the present and yet I am to leave the past there and focus on today and make it better for tomorrow ... How?

Okay now I have found more links to post another time but for now .... how much room do you need to live in? Need not want. And who needs a McMansion to live in? Having been a Nanny for over 20 years I have lived in some huge houses and it rarely if ever provided a source of positivity!

Welcome

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Whether you call it tiny housing or small housing or just down sizing I want to live that life style too. I have religous and musical preferences that may be different but the housing is still similar. I am coming from a background of decades of renting and now I want to own and know what I want to own. Now how to build and where.