The Manic Rantings of a Sleepless Tiny Crazy Person

It’s 4:30 in the morning. I have been awake since 2 am and finally decided to get up and do something useful instead of lying here tossing and turning.

So, to clarify, “something useful” today is writing a blog article about how completely NUTS I am to consider another tiny house build. Right. Now.  In the middle of my already crazy life.

 

 

Financially it makes all kinds of sense.  When you consider what I can build it for and what I can rent it out for, it’s totally a no brainer. Emotionally and creatively, I am engaged and inspired and it’s given me a happy mental spot to go to when my job feels like it’s sucking the life out of me. Logistically, however, I couldn’t have picked a more messed up time to do this.

November is looming and, sometime between now and January 1^st, I need to move myself and 2 children out of our 1700 square foot 3 bedroom rental home. They’re moving into an apartment together, and I’ll be moving into my tiny house; full time. I have done a fair amount of downsizing already, but I still have a lot of parts and pieces to move on this frantic chess board that is my life. But, seriously? I’m lying here thinking of all the stuff I need to get for My Tiny Perch and thinking “Where am I going to put it all?”  Yes. I can get a storage unit while I am building but that further complicates things in itself by placing another dot on a map of where I need to be, where I need to go, and where I need to stay.  I’m not even being sarcastic.  My life is a little complicated right now.

 

 

My boyfriend who will again be my framer lives almost 200 miles from me. I found a screaming deal on a flatbed trailer, the kind of deal that makes you drop everything and drive 3 hours to get the opportunity just to CONSIDER buying it. So, in the next 48 hours I need to drive up there, go see it, maybe get it, park it at his house, then drive back home because my upcoming weekend is already packed with other pre-move chores and car repair appointments. Then sometime in the next month or so I need to drive up there, get it, bring it to Oregon, get it inspected and buy plates in Oregon.

Then I need to swing by my lumber sponsor, pick up the lumber package, and drive the trailer and lumber (and windows) back to his house where it will be while it’s getting framed and dried in.  Then I need to move the framed tiny house BACK to Oregon for finishing.

All of this while packing, moving, and actively considering a career change.  Like now. 

I need a plan.  Like yesterday. But first I need to breathe. I need some lists.

I need a couple of days off work.

As you know, I have decided that this build will also be sponsored.  And, that alone adds a whole different dimension of complexity, organization, and obligation to the project.  I can’t take materials from a sponsor and then inform them that I don’t “have time” to build a tiny house right now.  And the first of a long list of supplies has already arrived, via UPS, yesterday.  It’s official.  I’m doing this.

 

I would be the last to admit that I love drama. I don’t. I hate it. But choosing to build a tiny house right now in the middle of my already chaotic life might suggest otherwise. But, really… I didn’t know I would find a deal on a tiny house trailer that would drastically expedite my plans.  Maybe it won’t work out. Maybe the guy will sell it before I get there. 

I am texting Andrew Odom as I type this.  We’re comparing notes to determine if I can build an 18 foot long single story tiny house on a dual axle trailer with only 7000 lb GVW rating. He says he thinks it’s “doable”. 

My mind has been spinning for hours.  Maybe it’s because I ate ¾ of a chocolate chip cookie before I went to bed.  Maybe because I’m a crazy person who seriously needs to get more exercise.

Here’s my dilemma: I need stuff for the house, places to store it, places to paint it and prep it. I need to get my car fixed so it can pass emissions because my tabs are due. I feel manic. Maybe it’s hormonal.

So, there you go.

If you have ever felt like you’ll never get to where you need to be, like the list of what needs to be done is longer than the hours you have available to do said list, like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, like your life is a bit out of whack (I actually forgot a massage appointment yesterday. Who DOES THAT?) or like your choices you make do not always seem to be made from a sane perspective; I do too.

You’re not alone.

I cannot attest to your sanity (or mine) but I can confirm, unequivocally, that there are many others just like you who push themselves beyond their comfort zone and then, every once in a while they stop and think “What the HELL am I thinking!?”

I seriously need coffee. 

I have podcast interview in less than 3 hours…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oops! I'm Doing It Again!?

Could you live in 144 square feet?

Can one build a tiny house for less than $20,000, without sacrificing ANY amenities?

Do tiny houses really NEED lofts?

Since the completion of My Empty Nest last November I will admit to feeling a bit lost, and bored.  It’s not like I have nothing to do.  I am a VERY busy person and have remained very active in the tiny house community by attending events, near and far. (even as far as Vermont!)  I’ve written blogs, I still record the Tiny House Podcast every week, and have actively kept my finger tight on the proverbial pulse of the movement.

But, big creative projects are my vice. They’re what keeps my mind distracted from my otherwise very stressful life. (Ironic, I know.) So, for as much as I have going on in my life I have felt like I need something to scratch my creative itch! Problems to solve, challenges to overcome, etc… (ones that I can control!)

I have thought long and hard about what my unique contribution to the tiny house community might eventually be. I have had many people ask me if I plan to build, and sell houses. I’ve thought about writing a book or offering consulting services.  But, those are paths that so many others are following. I really want to contribute in a way that few people have, or can.  And, of course, I want it to ultimately create an income stream.

As I look at the people who are making money in the tiny house movement, they all appear to fall into one of four major categories: tiny house or trailer builders, consultants / workshop instructors, short term rental hosts (Hotels, AirBnb, and VRBO) and tiny house bloggers.  As I consider where I might fit into these categories I have to admit that I am drawn most to the social aspect of tiny houses; the hosts / hostess gigs. Yes, I love building tiny houses but what I love the most is TALKING about them!  (Side note: If you know me you are no doubt shocked that it took me any time at all to figure that out for myself. But I digress…) I love sharing my story and I love inspiring others with the idea that they too can build one for themselves!

So, without further ado, I am hereby formally announcing the launch of my next project:

My Tiny Perch!

 

My floorplan.

 

I have carefully considered all of the feedback that I see, and read, about my tiny house and others.  So many concerns about the tiny house movement appear to be focused primarily on zoning.  This makes total sense but there are others blazing those trails so it’s not something I can address with MY project.  But, what I can address or call attention to is the number of people who have trepidations about climbing stairs into a loft bedroom. So, my next tiny house won’t have stairs or a loft. My newest design is a single story tiny house, with a separate bedroom and a full bathroom. (and room for dining, for two!)

Next, hauling a tiny house is a HUGE undertaking and not for the faint of heart.  The bigger the house, the bigger the truck that is needed, and the potential pitfalls and nightmares.  Believe me, I’ve heard them all. (and, as you recall, My Empty Nest actually tipped over while being moved!) So, my next tiny house will truly be very tiny, only 144 sq feet. This means it will be lighter, shorter, and much easier to haul with my boyfriend’s ¾ ton truck. No need to hire a mover. 

 

So, what about the design / floorplan? As a beginner builder it’s pretty tough to wrap ones head around the trailer / house combo. Do you design the trailer around the floorplan or the floorplan around the trailer?  How does one account for the fenders in the floorplan? These are all tough questions. Questions, however, that I won’t have to answer because a single story tiny house built on a deck over trailer is a super practical and much MUCH easier way to accomplish a tiny house goal than building between the fenders and calculating the exact ceiling height needed in the sleeping lofts!

And, finally, who has over $50,000 to buy a tiny house? Not me. As the movement grows larger, so do the tiny houses and their sale prices.  Yes. I know. It’s ironic and odd but “practical”.  So here’s the bottom line: Can you actually build and live in an affordable, teeny, tiny, house without sacrificing any basic amenities? One that costs less than $20,000 to build?  I intend to prove that you can. I am designing OUT the costs of some materials like flooring and siding; and reducing labor at the same time.

 

My color and décor scheme.

So here I go again. And, to clarify I am starting out (again) with NO money. I am again seeking the support of sponsors and then augmenting my budget with money I earn through sources other than my primary income. Then, when it’s done, My Tiny Perch will be put to use as a short term rental to help others experience the tiny house lifestyle, even if only for a weekend. 

I can indeed be a builder, AND a blogger, AND a Hostess with the Mostest!

So, stay tuned! I’ll be posting pictures and how-to articles and this time I’m jumping onto the Instagram bandwagon.  

It’s gonna’ be a fun, but no doubt bumpy, ride!