So...this is a smaller version of the Tuffshed cabin I'll be getting for my property. It will have a few custom changes when it's all said and done...like a metal roof (safer fire hazard in NM mountains), a different siding (this beautiful example isn't available in my area), a sliding door on the front...off the porch...rather than a regular door as shown, and a second back door, as well as a few other tweeks. There won't be a loft...not available with this particular model, and I would prefer not to have one anyway. Stairs and graceless me (particularly in the middle of the night) are best not paired. I wanted the higher ceiling in this model because it gives a greater sense of size, and will allow me to do some taller storage units on walls. The 20 x 28 space will be more than large enough for me, Gracie, and the Brat Kat.
The drawing below is a rough version of what will be done inside. Though not accounted for in this rendition, all the space taken up by wall studs and the like are accounted for in the original plans. I just did this to give an idea of what I'll be doing. Everything has been measured, and re-measured for accurate placement...furniture, appliances, wood stove placement, and cabinets.
I opted for a 6' porch because...well...I like that extension of living space to the outside, and I'm a porch dweller for times of relaxation. The cabin will sit on a cement slab, which will certainly be better than a gravel foundation. Sometime during the 2nd year there will be a small lean-to attached on the side near the back door...room left and allowed for that with window placement, etc. The lean-to will house all the solar electronics...battery bank, inverter, etc...everything that doesn't need to be inside for monitoring purposes.
I'll actually get a solar company out to the property prior to the cabin's placement (and the cement pad, of course) in order to determine best placement for solar panels...and the cabin to accommodate them. I probably won't be putting them on the cabin, but will use stationary mounting poles instead...nothing I need to decide for now.
I've spent the past few years clearing out the clutter...lots, and lots of
clutter. I'm not a hoarder, but I had a couple of collections...always on
display...not boxed up and put away...that I got tired of dusting all the time.
Pink flamingos, brown stoneware, and colorful 30's and 40's pottery. I used to
buy and sell antiques...had a nice booth in one of the local antique stores in
Prescott, AZ for a couple of years. So...it was definitely a passion...and I
got to make a little money off of it! Anyway...I've given things to my kids,
Grands, sibs, and even a couple of my nieces, and friends as a means of getting
rid of some things. The rest? It went to a second hand store in Springfield
that supports victims of domestic violence.
Some of my pink flamingo collection...had a lot more of both these collections that weren't displayed in this particular house.
Some of the Brownstone and colorful pottery I'd collected over the years, and two of the three dining room pieces.
Even though I've cleaned out a lot of 'stuff', I find I still have too much.
Too much to fit into the smallish cabin in which I'll be living. See...I went
from about a 2000 sq ft house (where I raised my children) to about an 800 sq
ft house (transition home after leaving the ex spousal unit) to a 2700 sq ft
house (bought and lived in with my adult daughter and Grandboy) to an 1100 sq
ft house (rental in my birth city that allowed me to be closer to family for
the past 6 1/2 years). I'm not a mover...not really. I'm a nester by nature,
but spent some time after ending a 25 yr marriage trying to figure out what I
wanted to do with my life...and where. Now that I know...well...I need to get
rid of even more stuff!
I gave my too big bedroom outfit to my youngest son...a huge 4 poster bed
with a humongous armoire that I couldn't even move once it was placed
somewhere. I like to move furniture around rooms...so that was a frustration
anyway. Beautiful pieces of furniture, but far too large for my soon to be home.
Also gave him my largish L-shaped couch and various other pieces of furniture
and miscellaneous doo dads. I also have a dining room set that is a family
heirloom...I grew up with it, and love having it. However, it's three very
large, simple lines, handmade oak pieces...5' long buffet, 3' wide china
cabinet, and a 4' x 4' table with six leaves. That sh**s heavy, too! Sadly,
none of my kids wanted it, and the only niece who did doesn't have room. I
won't have room for it, but still have it. Can't sell it, though it's worth a
small fortune...made in the early 1800's, solid oak...no veneer...beautiful,
well-cared for pieces. It came from Sacred Heart rectory...where my
Grandmother, Pops, and 4 of my 6 sibs attended school. The dark dents at one
end of the table are where they counted the mass offerings every day...coins
dented the surface. So it has an interesting provenance...aside from the fact
that I was raised eating at the table, and that several of my sibs had it at
one point or another before I got it. Why do I still have it? I'm saving it for
one of my GrandBabes. I've planned for the space the dining set will take up in my cabin, but it will only be a temporary fit.
Can't seem to download a copy of cabin plans...but anyway...I'm purchasing a TuffShed garage shell with some custom modifications. 20'x28' equaling a total of about 560 square feet. It has 8' sidewalls with a 13'8" ceiling peak. It'll be just large enough to finish off the inside for a small...cozy...liveable space. I have the quote/estimate from the company...so have a basis with which to plan for the finishing work inside. Ultimately, it will be off grid for electricity...all solar...but I'll have the electricity for probably the first two years while I finish the inside. So...cutting down even more on the amount of 'stuff' I have will be very important. I will have as much storage as possible...included in the plans...but 'stuff' has gotta go! I mean...I even gave the majority of my Fiesta ware to my daughter...all but 4 place settings (my favorite colors, of course). I mean...really...why do I need a 9 place setting of dishes, and all the serving/etc stuff that goes with it? chucklin'...I'm gonna get her another place setting so she'll have an even 6, but I just couldn't justify keeping all of it.
Some things I won't be getting rid of, but have plans for them later. Like...I make jewelry, quilt, do pottery, knit, crochet, do needlework...blah blah blah...and have all the 'stuff' that's needed to do those things. Lots of boxes of 'stuff'...that...yes, gets used on a regular basis. But...no place to put it in my 'home' cabin. Plan for later will be to do a very simple, very small 'shell' to finish (like the cabin) where I can put all my 'craft' stuff. I'll keep that super simple...basic electricity as some of my 'tools' need electricity...no water/bath needed...insulation and drywall...paint...small...very small wood stove. And...that's where the dining room set will go. Buffet and china cabinet will make great storage, and the table holds quilts very nicely when they're bein' put together. Perfect solution! Reality is that I don't do much of that stuff during spring, summer, and fall. I'd much rather be...and usually am...outside. I do a LOT of it during the cold months when I hibernate, though.
So...thinking, planning, minimizing even that much more. lol...my kids are like..."Really, Mom! We don't want anymore 'stuff'!" Then they see the boxes of family photos with their names written on them, and have a LOT of fun looking through the photos.
Most of my family (other than my kids and cousin, Rosie) don't really get this desire to homestead. Ma vehemently refuses to accept that I'm capable, determined, or even that I've thoroughly thought and planned this venture out very carefully. Pops had a small river cabin for vacations, and maintains that I'll get tired of small spaces after awhile...discounting the fact that I don't spend much time indoors Spring through Fall anyway. Honestly? I'd lived away from them for so long...only coming back for visits...that they really don't know me very well...even after living near them again for the past 6+ years.
Siblings want to know if I have the skills...like...sister asking, "Do you know how to use a chainsaw?"
Well...no, I don't, but already have my daughter's fiance set to teach me...as well as giving me input as to which wood tools to purchase. He's very skilled at using them having been raised in Alaska, and spending a tremendous amount of time chainsawing and chopping wood for the family home. chuckles...and he enjoys doing it, too.
Truth? I'm a graceless woman, and know that the use of power tools
such as a chainsaw, or sharp chopping tools like axes...aren't meant for
my hands on a regular basis. I'm dangerous with power, and sharp pointy
tools! Ask my kids...they'll tell ya that for sure.
Then, she asks, "How are you going to move all that wood for winter heat?"
Well...I'm not. I'm not stoopid! I'll hire someone to do the majority of the work for me. Sheesh...I 'do' know my limits. I will, however, learn and practice the skills necessary...just in case I need them. I will load and stack the wood...work alongside whoever does the chainsawing/splitting for me.
She asks, "Do you know how to maintain a wood stove?" (Wood will be my heat source.)
As a matter of fact, yes, I do. I heated one of my homes in AZ with wood, and even cleaned the chimney pipe once a year or more. We bought our wood already chopped and split, and the boy split it further when needed. I know which woods to use that have less creosote build up, and which ones burn hotter...giving off more heat. I'm learning how to plant and manage a wood lot...not something I have direct experience doing, but...am certainly capable of growing things. I even know how to use wood ash for gardening, and how to dispose of it safely...with benefit to my soil.
And so on...throughout any given conversation with any of them.
I think part of the issue with my family having such difficulty accepting this move is that I've never shared this dream with anyone until I finally decided to actively pursue it. It was a dream...one that I hoped to attain one day, but still just a dream. Personal...and held very close to my heart. Oh...I spent hours reading, researching, gathering information, perfecting my gardening skills, learning other skills...composting, keeping my girls (hens), canning, dehydrating, storing what I'd grown, etc. But...I'd never shared with anyone (except my GrandBoy, Trystan) what I wanted to do with all these skill sets and mountains of information I'd gathered. I think a part of me knew they wouldn't understand the desire, the deeply held beliefs, or the need to root myself in a piece of land.
See...I've always been the odd ball in the family. At one time, I was the "black sheep"...deeply troubled, and falling off the edges of the earth. I found my way back...gratefully...and with a lot of help from friends...and have refined, and in some cases defined my life...ethics...morals...values...beliefs...spirituality...etc. I'm the loveable, eccentric "Auntie" to my nieces and nephews, and the fun "Granna" to my GrandBabies. The outspoken, blunt, opinionated sister to my siblings. The difficult child to my parents...seen that way even as an adult. I'm simply "Mom" to my kids. My daughter, Sunshine, sang a song to me with her best friend when I received my Masters'...Bette Midler's Wind Beneath My Wings. That's 'our' song, and the one that rings from my phone when she calls. These days? She's 'my' hero.
The song that plays when Tommy calls is Billy Joel's River of Dreams. He's my poet.
When my oldest son calls, I hear Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven. He's my lost child.
So...I don't try to explain any of this to them anymore. When they have things they want to say, I simply listen...nodding my head...validating their concerns...and go on with my plans. If they don't get it, they won't get it. And that's ok...they don't have to. I do, and that's all that matters.
Currently, I'm living with my son and his family. I moved here the beginning of November 2013, which was a difficult move for me as I'm so used to living alone. However, there are definite benefits...one of which is the time spent with my son, daughter in law, and the Grands. I know the three oldest ones fairly well...have spent some good one on one time with each of them over the years, but I don't know the youngest as well...he's only (almost) 2. So, I'm getting to know Bumps better, which is definitely a side benefit to this whole trip.
Lt. to Rt.: Ms Gabba Wabba, RoBee, Tommy, Bumps, Dia, and Teeters.
Tommy and Dia are active military...they met while both stationed in Iraq some few years ago. They have a "yours, mine, and ours" situation with my Grands...look at those faces! I just wanna squeeze 'em and pinch 'em! They're stationed in Illinois, and own a gargantuan house that just happens to have a mother in law's quarters. That works for privacy...all 'round.
This move is beneficial to us all. I get to save a large sum of money in a short period of time (as well as my time with the Grands), and they get some much needed help around the house, and with the kids (as well as their time with...ME!). I love to cook...so thoroughly enjoy making meals for them all. Gabba, Teeters and I hang out every day after school...doin' homework, having snacks, and just hangin' out. Tommy was just promoted and placed second in command at his duty station, so there's lots of training away from home, which Dia also experiences within her job. I'm sure my 'role' will change a bit during those training times.
So...saving money. That's what will allow me to do this whole deal the way I want to do it...much sooner than I'd originally planned. I am retired...with a fixed, but comfortable income. Even so... I couldn't save enough...fast enough...to get me onto a property anytime within the next two or three years. Tommy and Dia are making this possible in a much shorter period of time. My original plan with them was to be on the property by end of May 2015, however, I'm looking at ways to make that happen by this Fall...August/September 2014. Now that I have the property, I'm anxious to get up there. Though I don't want to mess up my overall plan by jumping the gun before I'm ready financially, I'm pretty sure I can swing this move a tad earlier than originally expected. The trick will be not to take away from funds for the cabin...getting the well/septic/electric done this Spring as planned...and moving a small RV up there to live in till the cabin is completed. Finding an acceptable RV (meaning...with an arctic package that doesn't cost an arm and a leg) is the key here...the unplanned for element that will get me up there sooner.
I'm hopeful. I've been looking online at available RVs in NM and AZ. I should be able to get a smaller RV that Gracie, Brat Kat and I can live in comfortable till the cabin's ready. Nice thing is that the RV can then be a smallish guest accommodation when family and friends come to visit. I'm ready to start the observation process of my land...figuring out where the water runs during monsoons...looking at and planning sites for outbuildings...getting my garden and orchard started...building another hen house...start raisin' up my Pyr guard pup.
For some reason, I can't seem to reply to comments. *waves to dreamer* I'll eventually get this figured out...again...and forget it...again...lol Thanks for the visits, and comments. I am seeing them...just can't reply...yet.
Originally, my plan was to go up to Fifie and FeeFee’s this
spring, and purchase my property of choice. There were lots and lots of them to
look at, but there was one that was near them that was a prime piece…Lot 31.
Unlike the others, it was already fenced on two sides…backing state property,
already had electricity to the property line, and was near enough to Fifie and
FeeFee’s ranch to make helping one another easier. The property also had
elements I desired: gentle slope, heavily treed, potential areas for cabin
placement, areas for other outbuildings, a largish garden area and small
orchard, and ease of access. I already knew where the water came from, and the
range at which wells were poppin’…so that wasn’t an issue when exploring the
properties.
Someone else was looking at Lot 31, and we knew who it was.
The possibility of him buying it before spring time was looming. So…I trekked
up there the beginning of December instead of waiting for Spring. The drive
from Illinois was a breeze…have done it many, many times over the years. . .
though never in the winter. Once I got to NM, a snow storm hit. Snow was heavy,
roads were pretty slick, and people were running off the roads all over the
Interstate. I was on the road that morning for…oh…maybe three hours when I had
to turn around and stop for the day. Found a hotel that allowed large dogs…Gracie
was traveling with me…and took a down day from driving. I was able to finish
the drive the next morning, but after two days of heavy driving, it was nice to have that down day before getting to Fifie and FeeFee's.
Gracie
liked having a bed all to herself! Yeah…she’s pretty spoiled.
I used to love long distance driving…even packed up my house
once and took off driving/camping around the US and Canada for about 5 months
once. I don’t like it so much now. Oh…not that I want to fly anywhere, ‘cause I
like that even less, but I found this drive not to be as enjoyable as they once
were.
Anyway…as you know, I ended up purchasing my property during
this trip instead of waiting for Spring. I looked at flat land, treed…no trees,
even a piece perched on the side of a small mountain. All of the land up there
is undeveloped, however, some of it has available electricity, and some
probably never will. The properties that never will were, unfortunately, out of
the question. While I want to eventually install a solar system, for the first
two years I’ll be putting all my funds into building the cabin, outbuildings,
and getting a garden/orchard started. I wanted the option of having electricity during that time period.
Plans…right? I can make plans, but I can’t plan the outcome!
I’m well aware of that…particularly as it applies to this rural area of NM. So…I’ll
continue to plan, to make goals, and even to implement them…knowing that Murphy
will throw that wrench into the deal on a whim. Fifie and FeeFee assure me that
will become the norm living up there.
I'm a retired teacher. My subject areas were English, Women's Studies, and Creative Writing. I hold a triple Master's degree, one in each subject area, although unused these days. I was one class shy of Special Ed certification, which I fervently refused to complete as I didn't want to spend my days doing so much of the paperwork required for that student population. Instead, I used my personal background, and education to teach 'high risk' high school students...the so called 'throw away' kids...troubled...gang members...kids with behavior and emotional disorders...learning disabilities...drug and alcohol dependencies...and the like. Often, I taught social and behavioral skills along with the subject matter. I adored my kids, and was, I like to believe, an effective teacher for them. In addition to that day job, I taught one class a semester at the local community college. Because I was teaching in the evenings, my classes were largely comprised of adults, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a difficult decision to retire...early, due to health issues, but one that was necessary for my continued well-being.
I've lived my life simply these past few years...quiet and comfortable...engaging in activities that sparked my interest, and continuing a lifelong passion for crafty kinds of things. I quilt, make jewelry and other doodads, knit and crochet, make decorative brooms, throw a few pottery pieces, mosaic, do various types of needlework, and probably a few other things I'm forgetting. I'm learning to make baskets out of pine needles, and am even fussing around with some sticks and leather to make a rustic stick and leather basket...lol.
Carving is very simple using a dremel; purple flowers/stems are lavender stalks from my yard; and each of the stones represent an element...earth, wind, fire, water. The turtle is sort of my animal talisman. The broom hangs in my bedroom.
I have three grown children...two boys and a girl...and they've graced me with seven GrandBabes...five girls, and two boys. Being a mother and raising my kids was the single most important thing I've done in my life. However, being a Granna? Well...that's a gift we get from them for not beating them senseless through their teen years...*grins*. My oldest son is a lineman who travels all over the US doing frightening things to establish/re-establish electricity. He and his wife have my two oldest GrandGirls...16 and 12 yr. old girls. My daughter, and middle child, works in a medical office part time while finishing school to become a PA. She's engaged to a phenomenal man, and they are both raising my 12 yr. old GrandBumbies. Bums and I spend a lot of time together...he's my good buddy. My youngest son and his wife are both active military with incredibly busy lives working, and taking care of their four kidlettes...three girls ages 10 1/2 (RoBee), 9 (Teeters) and 6 (GabbaWabba), and a rambunctious (almost) 2 yr. old boy I call "Bumps" or "Bumpies". They are all very excited, and supportive of this new adventure, and looking forward to spending time with me up on my little piece of the mountain. (Tried to add a few pics of the kids/Grands, but was having issues...another time.)
I love gardening, being outside, long walks on the beach...OOPS...*chucklin'* But seriously...I do love gardening, and being outside. Long walks on the beach? Eh...not so much. I'd rather sissy pants hike...aka meander around the woods. I tend to be a tad serious at times, but have been working on that issue...yanno...lightening up a bit. I love a good challenge...no matter the circumstances, but will cry "enough!" when I've had enough. I have limitations as to what I can do, so will definitely be hiring in some of the work I need done, but look forward to accomplishing what I can. The kids and Grands are looking forward to helping out when possible, too. I'm 55...so a "Fall Chicken" as opposed to a "Spring Chicken". Single (divorced for a good number of years)...so undertaking this venture by myself...much to some family members' concern...particularly my 75 yr. old mother...she's trippin' out big time! I'm very much an environmentalist...tree hugger...earth nurturer...spiritual...clean and sober 30 years...aware and awake to my life and of those around me...caretaker...poet...animal lover...carnivore...herbalist...earth mama...blah blah blah. It all feeds this desire to stake a claim of my own space...in this time...at this juncture in my life.
So...that's a little bit about who I am. Thanks for reading.
So...I've wanted to live a more rural, secluded lifestyle for a good number of years now. I have notebooks filled with home design possibilities, permaculture landscape ideas, gardening and composting information, livestock keeping and care, food storage alternatives, etc...dating as far back as 20-25 years ago. Many of those notebooks lay dormant until a few years ago when I began updating my research, and refining/defining my ultimate goals for a self-sustaining lifestyle within a rural setting. I'm getting older, you see, and felt it was time to make this move, or I might never get to do so. I had left AZ (around 2007 or thereabouts), where I'd been living for about 30 years, and moved back to my hometown in IL in order to be closer to my aging parental units. Duty and desire met, I started seeking a rural property to either purchase or rent/lease in central IL. Man oh man! Can you say, "Outrageously expensive!" Yeah...wasn't happenin' anytime soon in IL. Primo farm land...rural...forested...any combination...didn't matter...ouch! So, I started looking in other places...researching growing seasons, potential for solar/wind power use, affordability, etc. I ran into all kinds of sticking points that prevented a move from my city house to a country house.
Still, I gardened, composted, began learning to can, dehydrated my garden produce, and even acquired a small backyard flock of laying hens...all within my enclosed city house backyard. And drooled over properties that were far out of my financial reach, but continued to gather information...further refining/defining my goals.
A couple of my raised beds from the last year's gardening venture. I had 5 total last year...all of which have since been dismantled due to my move...transition to homesteading Lot 31.
Last year I tried my hand at canning dill pickles, and Dilly Beans. Everyone seems to like them...so will certainly try that again. Previously, I'd done lots of canned tomato products, as well as applesauce and apple butter.
Two of my 7 hens...these two were named Breakfast, and Dinner. Lunch was a rooster, which I couldn't have in the city...so Dr. Z took him. The girls were excellent layers for me...a Buff Orpington, and white Australorp. My cousin assures me they still are!
Then...I mentioned to my friends (owners of about a 26 acre alpaca ranch in the NM mountains) that I was having no luck finding what I wanted for property. Now...I'd been to their home in the past...fell in love with the beauty and history of the area, and envied them their life. Don't know why I'd not thought of looking for property in their area...they took care of that lapse quite fast!
Thus began yet another investigation (aka online research) into the possibility of living the way I want to in that area, and looking at potential properties...all online at that point...hmmm...pretty close to a year ago now. Well...I took a road trip with my girl, Gracie (a 19 month old German Shepherd puppy...large puppy, but a puppy none-the-less)...and drove to NM to Fifie and FeeFee's alpaca ranch just before Christmas 2013. For a couple of weeks, while enjoying Fifie and Fee's generous hospitality, I wandered several properties, but kept coming back to Lot 31...and spent an inordinate amount of time wandering it with Gracie.
Gracie...she is definitely a Mama's Girl! How can you not just love that beautiful face?
Gracie was in her element up on the mountain...on Lot 31. She ran loose the entire time, which, I must say, scared me half out of my wits initially. She's a city girl...raised in a largish, fenced yard, with lots of daily walks thrown in for exercise, as well as lots of ball throwing, and chasing Wilson. I was worried about her running off...never to be seen again! Fifie assured me she wouldn't go far...her connection to me is quite strong, which he noticed right away. Anyway...she ran...and ran...and ran...and played...and ran some more. Holy Moly that girl is FAST! And never went out of hearing range for my calls, which she responded to very quickly...much to my relief!
Lot 31, Fence Lake, New Mexico. Soon...soon...soon to be home!
Lot 31 is a gently sloping 12.203 acres with several potential cabin sites, and a natural...almost...drive down to those areas. It is heavily treed with native Juniper (very nice for firewood use), and Pinyon Pine trees, a few Agave, and Yuccas, and many shrubs and other plants I can't identify just yet. Wells are popping anywhere from 400 to 600' in that area, so digging for that liquid gold wouldn't be too cost prohibitive. The aquifer underlying that area appears to be a good one, which is enhanced by the fact that the area isn't well populated...and isn't likely to increase much in my lifetime. There are also no other draws on the water that would take it from that area, nor are there any plans to do so in the future. Because I'd lived so long in the AZ mountains, and gardened fairly extensively, and Lot 31 is only a little over an hour away from the AZ border...I know the land there. More specifically, I know the dirt, and how to work it to help it produce delectable, edible delights. *chucklin'* I know how to work the soil for a garden. Sun is abundant for solar power, and wind...well...wind is a very viable back up option.
One of the potential cabin sites.
There is only one covenant for the subdivision: can't split the property...if sold, it sells as original acreage as bought. So, no one to tell me what I can and can't do on 'my' property. The lot is fenced on two sides...state land on both fence lines. One neighbor...who only visits his property during summer months...is fencing between our properties, and the other neighbor owns his 13+ acre lot simply as an investment...no fence there...and...yes...I've put a bug in his ear that he needs to sell me that 13+ acres to add to my 12.203 acres.
One of my absolute favorite features on my new property...Lot 31. This dead Juniper sits just toward the entrance of the property...and I've already begun decorating it with...well...stuff.
Yup! I bought it...I close the deal on Lot 31 on January 31, 2014. I am beyond excited! Ecstatic! Thrilled beyond belief! And a little bit frightened of what I'm taking on at this stage in my life. That little bit of fear doesn't take away from the joy...not one iota...is just there from time to time. Like...when I gave birth to my daughter almost 33 years ago...I had this moment that passed very quickly when the midwife placed her in my arms, and I thought to myself, "What the hell have I done?" *chuckles* Then, I was totally taken with this beautiful, incredible, tiny human being that looked into my eyes...such an old soul reflected there. And...the moment passed never to return. So...yeah...I'm entitled to a tad bit of fear...though a greatly desired change, it's still a huge change, and will require a tremendous amount of work to get it where I want it. It's been quite the process, and I'm still in transition (more on that later) to an actual move to my property...like...spring 2015, but it's moving along as it's supposed to do so at this time. I'm game...bring it on!
