Where have I been?…I know, I too Wonder.

It’s obviously been quite a while since I have posted. I had some stuff happen….like life. My quest for living tiny, thought at a current stand still, is still my goal. I lost my contractor, well….to be more accurate I broke up with my boyfriend who was said contractor. Thus, all things went on hold. The only thing that did not stall is my desire to live tiny, as well as my research.

I have bought plans, which I constantly consider modifying as I like one feature in one, and two in another. So what I do is that I collect different ones and try to make them my own by taking ideas from all. Instagram is a gem for finding tiny house ideas and if you are not on Instagram, I suggest you make an account because so many tiny housers document their adventures, ideas and homes on instagram.

I recently met up with my friend Doreen at the St. Augustine Tiny House Jamboree. Doreen has found her trailer and a builder who is helping her build and design her tiny.

So a couple of things about the Jamboree. It was a weekend event and we flew to St. Augustine, Florida. Doreen from New Hampshire and I from New York. This was a three day event which included many tiny homes, converted school buses, trailers, RV’s and workshops.

There are a couple of things that were good, some not so good. First the good; there were many homes to go into and look at, it gave you the opportunity to see the interiors and note what you like and don’t like, the lines were not terrible, the food was good, and the weather was lovely (November).

The not so good; We did not need to travel so far. The whole thing could have been done in a day. The workshops were not well organized. Many of the homes were by builders promoting their building companies, who are very knowledgeable, but I was disappointed at the steep pricing. In some ways the simplicity of tiny living has been stripped of the original goal — simplicity.

I still maintain the ideology of a minimalist life. I would still like to remain loyal to the  idea of reusing and refurbishing the old. I may be crazy but the idea of having a tiny that costs well above the $40,000 mark seems to defeat the purpose. I don’t want a fancy house with all the bells and whistles….what’s the point in that. I want a simple abode that nourishes my soul when I wake and as I go to bed at night.  I don’t need a luxury hotel room for a home.

So word to the interested tiny housers out there — Find Local interest and conventions. Flying  anywhere for a convention is not necessary unless you are staying with family and have other plans. Follow some blogs, there are so many excellent ones. All you need to do is hit your google search engine. And, as I mentioned before sign in to Instagram – you will find wonderful people sharing their journey and ideas.

Till next time- wishing you Peace, Love, Light in the New Year and many tiny  house adventures..

 

 

 

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Trailers, Trailers, Trailers….A Trailer Hunting I will Go

Okay I am going to admit – I am frustrated. Yes, I am, to the point that I am starting to hate Craigslist for its lack of an ideal, affordable and exact measurement trailer. I also admit that since I have returned to my job in September, my lack of time, exhaustion and the pilferation of my soul  (the act of my creative soul leaving my body every morning) has basically put my project on the back burner –way back on the darn burner. It’s no ones fault really. I have to work. I have to make a living and I have bills to pay. But, my soul continues to scream daily for a different life. What am I to do? I love my soul and I want it to be creative and happy….so I persevere.

Back in the Spring I thought I had found me the ideal trailer on Craigslist whom I love and both hate and fear. Excited and full of hope I drive to Pennsylvania with my best pal – my dog and a friend, where said trailer is located. It is a beauty, just two years old and so so clean. Sitting outdoors on the owners property, I can tell it’s pristine minus the weeds popping about for a ray of sun light. It was used once to trailer solar panels and has sat in this location never to be used again. My heart soars as I approach it and see its beauty. I notice it is a dove tail (not ideal) and it has side railings that need to be welded off (still thinking ok still not a big deal). I check for rust spots and except for a few visible ones, the thing is rocking! It is a dual axle and so I’m thinking – cool, GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) 7,000 times two 14,000 – way cool.

After ooohing and ahhhing for a bit and practically kissing my new found trailer, I call the owner to tell him I’m in! Not only does he offer a fair price, he offers to hold it for me until I find a secure place to store and offers to deliver it to me as he lives in New York and goes back and forth every weekend. Hello?? Who’s better than me? Whoop Whoop -Uh no one.  All cool right? Not — when we meet he tells me that though it is dual axle, the GVW is a total of 7,000 😦 huge bummer.

A real beauty

A real beauty

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My best buddy approves

My best buddy approves

The reality is a Dove Tail trailer (a ramp that allows you to drive things up onto trailer) is not ideal; that is not to say it is not workable, as there are alterations that can be made. The metal sides must also come down but also not impossible. The weight though, is gravely important and to build a tiny house on wheels of about 20 feet, you must have a minimum of 10,000 lbs. I have found a trailer link that has helped me learn more about what I need and what is important when searching for a trailer. I also don’t want to cheap out on the most important part of my tiny home – its foundation –the thing that holds my precious home.

I am not giving up on finding my trailer nor am I giving up on Craigslist, but I have put feelers out there to friends who live in rural areas to be on the look out and I am going to go check out a local utility trailer shop and see what they are about, if they have what I need, and if they would be willing to work with me in some small way as like many, I can’t afford a new one right now. I am throwing it out to the universe and seeing what it sends back to me.