It’s been quite some time since we’ve posted an update on Tiny House and our tiny little life. So much has gone on. In fact, I am going to try something new and just make a bit of a list of what has come about in the last month or so. If you want more explanation on any one point, please just contact me and let me know!
Wood we or would we not? Perhaps the biggest decision we have made is to build using the traditional stick method. Why? Well, after we priced our the metal necessary to build our tiny house we started to wonder if the decision was a wise one. In terms of weight the metal would weigh 1/3 less than wood, granted. Wood does repel pests and deter mold, granted. But metal also requires screws, precise cuts, and a bit more stabilizing than wood. We have infinitely more experience in sticks and bricks building and the thought of forging (pun intended) new ground with metal construction, we just didn’t feel in our guts it was the way for us to go.
1 + 1 + baby = 3. For those that missed it, we found out Crystal was expecting our first child. While this seems like it would put a major roadblock in the construction of tiny house, it was actually fine. We went back to our drawing board with some measurements (mostly the size of a toddler mattress), rethought a couple of window placements, and discovered there was ample room for a child cubby/room perfect for our new little bean! Crisis averted and Tiniest r(E)volution anticipated!
All clear! After many weekend of sawing, cutting, chipping, splitting, and burning, we have finally cleared our plot of earth. Yes, we still have to host the back hoe operator to clear the stumps but the overall perimeter is clear, the trees are down and gone, and we have ample firewood for a year or more.
Garden-be-good. As with many people on the East coast, we will more than excited a couple of weeks ago when the temperature soared to nearly 70 and the sky opened up. The nights even got balmy and it seemed right to sow some outdoor seeds. So? We did. After ordering some beautiful soil (90% black dirt sifted with 10% turkey litter) and some landscaping rock we have planted our herb garden and our kitchen garden. We have also finished prepping two raised beds which will be home to our onions and lettuce. All in all, we don’t quite have enough to consider canning and jarring this year but we have ample crops to cook fresh each day from spring to early fall. The food for preserving will come from an opportunity I have been given to work a bit and sort of “intern” on a local farm.
Auto-pilot. About a month ago our 21-year-old Ford Ranger (aptly named Trusty Rusty) went on the fritz and couple with our new baby-to-be, we found ourselves in the market for a new car. We landed on a deal that was economical, efficient, and multi-purpose. We are the proud new owners of a 2007 Dodge Caliber which is a great ride, gets wonderful gas mileage, is pretty sporty looking, has plenty of cargo room (already hauled hay, feed, and bags of topsoil), hold a car seat, and is rather comfortable. SCORE!
I am sure more has happened and I am sure that some of it is just slipping my mind. For those who live on a hobby farm or have building or have built a tiny house, you are more than aware that “to-do’s” come and go and some slip your mind as soon as you finish them. That is where we are now. One task at a time.
Moving and starting all over has many tasks that need attention at the same time. With the new little one on the way, the tasks increase and the help from the significant other will eventually decrease for a time. In the long run, kids are truly a blessing and are to be cherished. Though my years of experience I have noticed that things just seem to happen in close knit groups. Periods of time go by with normal things happening then several things need attention at the same time. It could be cars, appliances, garden preparation, or baby preparation. Mine was always some kind of repair issues that would pile up all at once.
Have a great replanning day.
The help already has. I don’t hold it against her though as she still makes dinner, does most of the laundry, and is always there with an encouraging word.
Thanks for staying with us Dave! Your words and experiences are always welcome.
Congrats again with the baby, bud. It’s the most awesome thing ever. I’m sure you’ll keep hearing that just like I used to. It just doesn’t hit ’til the tiny tiny is in your arms. It’s awesome. The site (both web and reality) is looking good. I think you’ll be very happy to have chosen wood for your project, if for no other reason than the organic warmth it gives. Congrats with the garden situation. We’re reeling from substantial rains, so as soon as our backyard isn’t a pond, we’ll be tilling as well. Keep up the killler work, dude!
‘preciate the support and friendship Jody. Speaking of wood, I spent today (and will likely spend tomorrow) taking apart an 80-year old tobacco barn in order to re-use the wood. It is yellow pine and once planed (we already planed a small piece just to see) will be gorgeous, recycled, flooring. I like it FAR more than cork because of the organic warmth you mentioned.
Talk soon, bro!