So after many years of pursuing my dream of living in a little cabin in the big woods where I can live, write, love and just BE ME… it’s finally happened! Sometimes I pursued it with a passion, sometimes it had to take an unfortunate back seat to everything else that was going on in my life. But, the dream was always there. ALWAYS.
I now own 25 acres of woods with a tiny house of my own design and it’s MINE. It’s not something that I’m making payments on. It doesn’t come with the anchor of a mortgage or debt. It’s for keeps.
From the beginning of November until January 10th, I worked on it (and hired help to work on the parts I simply couldn’t do myself.) I lived in the most outrageous conditions these last 2 1/2 months — almost to the point of insanity to make it happen now, not later. Nothing made it take a back seat this time. Nothing.
Now, with all that said, I owe a great deal of thanks to many people in my life who helped make this happen and who helped me hold it all together while it did.
First and foremost, My father. This cabin, in many ways, is a tribute to that one man’s skill, determination, ingenuity, willingness to go to great lengths (and make sacrifices) to help a daughter make her dreams come true (even if he didn’t always agree with, or “get” the dreams). To my mother for her continued support, despite her belief on numerous occasions that I would eventually come to my senses and not want this particular dream. I think she’s with me 100% these days 😉
To my daughter, Alex, for being amazing. And, for suffering the cold nights, the makeshift cooking facilities, the lumpy futons, and general lack of modern conveniences while we pulled this together the last two months. She’s a real trouper, a great helper and someone who loves this place with a passion that is second only to my own (and she may even trump me at times!)
I also owe thanks to my uncle Ed and cousin David, who helped with expertise and labor when we were in the beginning stages and helped me find great deals on building materials. To my sons for helping over the years (and especially to Byron for the work he picked up and did lately to learn to lay tile and general labor as the end was in sight). To Wayne for the labor he contributed to the project, despite the fact that it was not his dream.
To my subcontractor, Robert, who went through great pains over the last couple months to get me living in a non-temporary fashion, and who sped up the process with much physical labor, know-how and phone work for permits and inspections and such — which helped me to maintain my waivering grasp on sanity the last 10 weeks. He went above and beyond the price he charged me for his work.
To Daphne, my BFF, who always supported my dreams with her encouragement, her investment in me (in every way way imaginable) over too many years to admit to here (for fear of sounding even older than I really am) and her undying belief that I would complete this cabin and be happy here. And to her hubby for supporting me along side her with amazing consistency.
And most recently, to Steve, who has offered me constant encouragement as I made the move back to the farm because he could see past what this place was to what it could be. He helped me to overlook the tools and boards and construction garbage, and was willing to walk through mud and snow and sawdust to visit me (when I needed those visits more than anything else) and always offered a hug and assurance that all was right with my little world and that, yes, I WAS making progress, even when it all felt beyond hopeless. (And, thanks most of all, for being the first person in my life to utter the words, “I’m so very proud of you!” and tell me how awesome what I’d been able to accomplish really was, while using a tone that made me believe him with all my heart.)
So it’s done. As of January 10th, the major construction work is complete! I’ve added photos of the downstairs here, and I may add some of the upstairs later (once I finish sorting things out up here).
I’ll probably spend the rest of my life tweaking and decorating and adding and changing… but the cabin is beautiful, warm, welcoming and … it’s HOME.
To all those mentioned and to anyone I’ve forgotten (my apologies, it’s late)…. THANK YOU!
15 Comments
Congratulations, Angela! You made the new American dream come true! I’m so excited for you. Maybe some day I can do the same. :0)
Thank you, Evy! I think everyone should be able to live the dream 😉
Angela, this is fantastic and lovely! Well done – you have reason to be extremely proud of this.
Thanks so much, Bron! There is so much left to do here, but I’m no longer overwhelmed with it all. I’ll get there and “slowly” is ok at this point. 🙂 It’s actually kind of comforting.
Being independent and living in your own would help you grow a lot. And for you, it helps you to become a person not just dreaming the dream yet Living the dream!
Great windows by the way! It may have slow progress in improving that but at least it produced a great outcome!
Thanks, Jessica!
Congrats on having a great place all your own to enjoy. My wife and I have finally mailed of the last mortgage payment on a small Bungalow, So we TOTALLY understand the feelibf of it being All yours. One question? in the pictures there is one section of floor that was not tiled, why was that?
Wish you many great memories in your new home
Thanks, G Storm! Congrats to you and yours! Doesn’t it feel fantastic? I have one tiny bill left and then I’m completely debt free. That should be handled in the next few months and then you will probably hear my “whoop!” all the way to where YOU are. The space that isn’t tiled is access to the crawlspace. I built the cabin with an extra tall crawlspace so I could easily access it to handle any system repairs, maintenance and upgrades. I put in access from the inside so I don’t have to go out in the weather if there is a problem. It’s framed with wood and has wood planks (to match the millwork around the windows, doors and other trim) so it coordinates and is stained dark like the tile. I’m still looking for the perfect flush-style pulls so I can remove the temporary “handle” for access.
Nice Site. Some interesting reading and photos of your cabin. Do you have the floor plans on line anywhere? It would be cool to see the design layout along with the photos.
I live in what was described on the real estate ad as a “fishing cabin”, it is on a river about 30 miles form the Pacific Ocean here in the Pacific Northwest. Just wish I’d left the BIG city a lot sooner.
Hi Rich!
I haven’t posted any floorplans to date. I actually drew them all up by hand and haven’t converted them to something more “pretty” – my own escape from the city has been the best decision ever, despite the challenges of country living. 🙂 At this point, I have a house with systems I understand (or can at least ferret out) and have found that simple is better… much, MUCH better.
Thanks for the visit and the Kudos… now if only I can find the time between “settling in” here and replacing the instant hot water heater with a traditional short one, I’ll blog again soon!
I have been a fan of tiny homes for years. I believe the first time I saw one was a few years back when a couple lived in a NY apartment that had around 500 sq ft. Everything was multi purpose. Tabled folded down, couches folded in to beds, storage cabinet doors doubled as ironing boards, pots hung from the ceiling and so on. I always thought it was a amazing that two people could live in such a small space with so little, but still have everything.
I have dreamed of having my own tiny space and became even more obsessed when I watched a tv show all about people who lived in small spaces. It was there I saw Jay Schafer and his Tiny Tumbleweed House.
Over the years I have learned, that as a writer, I need a creative space. Have a tiny space is my dream and goal in life.
I just found your blog, but I am looking forward to going back through some of your posts. I really like what you have done with your space!
Thanks Chrystal! I love it here. I’ve been a fan of tiny spaces for many years too — it just took awhile to realize the dream. It’s not about having everything, it’s about determining what is most important and tossing out what’s not — not just things, but also ideas that don’t work, drama you don’t need, and people that impede your progress. There are so many good things in life and so many wonderful possessions that are WORTH the space they require that it’s sad to get stuck with those that aren’t good and don’t work.
It’s funny to me that back when my boys were little I noticed that when their room was full of stuff, they were often frustrated and avoided the room. After a major purge, they would sit and play with the few really important toys they had still on display and LOVED spending time in their room. I think we are all that way. The more space we have, the more “stuff” we collect to fill it and the less we enjoy everything.
I’ve determined that small interior spaces and lots of wide-open exterior spaces make me the happiest. (Of course, I still have QUITE a bit of purging to do!)
Thanks for the feedback! I’m headed over to your site to poke around some now — since we seem to be similar in ways other than just the desire to simplify!
nice house!
Thanks! We like it. 🙂
Update for Rich:
I just cruised back through these old comments and wanted to direct you to my floorplans, if you haven’t seen them already:
http://www.wickedblog.com/2011/03/31/my-tiny-house-floor-plans-finally/