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10 months in the little house!

April 26th, 2014 at 04:13 am

I LOVE bbq'd food. Steak, chicken, corn, potatoes, asparagus..if it cooks on a grill, I generally enjoy it- but I usually only get bbq when the hub is home from Alaska- because I never learned to bbq myself.

I am learning how to bbq in the hubs absence- and Im pleasantly surprised to realize I CAN DO THIS.

I grilled chicken last week, and steak and potatoes tonight. So far, REALLY GOOD. I miss having my big kitchen- so this is a nice treat. And its not all that hard- just knowing when the coals are ready and how long to wait before turning the meat and when to take it off the grill.

Speaking of missing my kitchen, it is hard to believe that I have been in the little house (390 sq ft) for almost a year. WOW. Funny thing is, I have almost forgotten what is in all the storage boxes- all the 'stuff' that wouldn't fit in this space- stuff that I once thought I really needed, but have learned, I don't- that I can do well with just 6-7 options for work clothes and 3-4 options for non-work clothes. I am able to do laundry once a week, generally in 2 loads, unless I am doing all the bedding. A few pots, pans, cups, plates.

I don't shop much these days. There is literally NO WHERE to put any new purchases. I am constantly weeding more out- so bringing anything new in is just counter-productive.

But after a year, I am struggling with whether to stay in the little house or find a bigger option. Warmer weather is coming, which means outdoor space to augment the small living space is soon an option. But as I mentioned earlier in this post, I miss having a spacious kitchen. And I am tired of fighting the handicapped bar for space in the shower every morning. (the handicapped bar was installed by the factory that made this little house, so removing it isn't an easy option.)

So, what options do I have.

Well, the house in town is still occupied by DD1 and her family, who are very happy there. They pay rent that covers most of the house payment and hope to eventually buy it.

The house in the country is occupied by DD3 and her friend. The friend just found out that she is expecting. They love living out in the country, and enjoy the reduced rent. (Rent is reduced because the house needs a few repairs, and they take care of the hubs dogs)

Which leaves me either displacing one of the content kids, staying in the small house or renting a bigger place. I look at options daily and have yet to find anything that is bigger, in a good location, for a reasonable price.

What to do, what to do.





4 Responses to “10 months in the little house!”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1398482770

    You might ask yourself which house you would prefer to live in if your kids weren't living in them. Also, if you chose one of them, how much notice are you willing to give? I personally would have a hard time paying rent when I already own two houses. Good luck with your decision.

  2. snafu Says:
    1398553464

    If you are mostly content at the small trailer, what can you do for moderate cost to expand space? Can you create an outdoor summer room with a net screened 'gazebo' and giant fan? Would the shower be easier, more comfortable with a hand held nozzle replacing the one position type? Would you consider using an IKEA type metal cart on wheels or WalMrt plastic drawers on wheels as a mini, outdoor BBQ kitchen Station supported with a toaster oven and crockpot to make nearly all cooking outdoors?

    We don't have AC so our deck is set up like an outdoor, 'camping' kitchen alongside the big BBQ grill. To keep the place as cool as possible cooking is outdoors and I treat myself to paper plates, bowls and foil cookware. It feels holiday-like and we eat camp style meals.

  3. Looking Forward Says:
    1398564720

    Could DD3's friend live in the little house and you live in the main house?

  4. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1399135124

    Thanks friends. These are all great suggestions and some that I hadn't thought about. The hub is home from Alaska, so we are pondering our solutions. YOu have definitely expanded my options to consider!!! I love this site for this very reason. Collectively, we can come up with a frugal way to solve just about anything!

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