GOING TINY AND BEING AN AUTHOR...AM I CRAZY?

Many people don't understand my love with going tiny.

I'll try and explain it to you.

First, 2016 was a very interesting year. On top of medical issues that would have sidelined most people; I was able to continue to work, write and enjoy life. (It wasn't easy but I refused to give in to the illness)

In the latter part of 2016, I came to the conclusion that I don't need lots of 'stuff' to make me happy. Sure, I still need shoes, but other than that, I'm happiest when I'm in my little reading 'closet".  I took a 2x4 closet and turned it into my reading/writing nook and found that when I was in there; I was at peace and could block out all of the negative around me.

I have been fascinated by tiny homes since 2015 and began to look more closely at them in 2016. I figured I could at least do the research and find out why people choose this way of living. 

That search ended in 2016, November 12 at 5:15 am, on my way to work. I SAW a tiny house being pulled by a truck and said..wow; that looks like me. I can see myself living there. I called my partner and told him. His words were, "wow; you sound like a kid at Christmas" and I said, "I feel like I am".

I went to work and researched that company. Later that day, I needed to go to the mall and that same company was in the mall handing out brochures about their company. That was a sign to me. Actually the second sign that I needed to be in this kind of home. The third sign came when I went to Virginia to see +TinyHomesVA in Fredricksburg, Virginia. Jessica was so helpful and knowledgeable and at that moment,  it was decided. 

I am getting a tiny home.

So the search began for a builder and about a month ago I found Incredible Tiny Homes in Morristown, Tennessee. They can build my tiny but then they introduced, "Build Your Own" university. The requirements: You must dedicate seven (7) days to be at their warehouse and you must have at least four (4) build buddies and they will help you build your own. They have already had two workshops and 13 homes have been built and are now in their owners home states. Last week you read about my love affair with Regina's tiny home. I always wanted the size that she built and after seeing hers I know I made the right choice. 

Going tiny means many things to many people. To a lot of them it means economic freedom and to others it means leaving a smaller environmental footprint. To me, it means being able to be comfortable in my own space. It means, living better and freer with less bills. It means being able to travel more and it means to finally be able to write more. Being creative in a small space is such a blessing that I couldn't see myself NOT living tiny.

I know some of you won't or don't want to live tiny but for me, it's the only option for me.

For me, its about loving life and living life to the fullest and being in a tiny home is what is going to make it all worthwhile.

So continue to read about my journey here. And just so you know. The creative process is in full swing. I have just started working on another murder/drama novel and this one will prove that love doesn't conquer all.

I"M IN LOVE WITH....

I think there is a song that goes something like that.

I am in love with Regina's tiny home. I met her when I traveled down to Morristown, Tennessee a couple of weeks ago to see some tiny homes being built.

Regina was there; building hers. This is her tiny and don't you just love her stairs! 


She was a part of the ITHU (Incredible Tiny House University) that is run by Randy Jones and his team. 

Incredible Tiny Homes holds workshops that help you become a tiny house owner while helping to build it yourself.

For the cost of materials and sweat equity; you can leave in 7 days with your very own home. Subscribe to their YouTube channel so you can see more of these incredible tiny homes.When they reach 100K, they will give a tiny house away to one of those subscribers.
 
Just click this sentence and you can see why I'm so in love.

Regina's home is exactly what I envisioned for mine. Hers is 24 feet of sophistication, diva-ness and sexiness.


She had her home delivered (or you can drive your own away but you must have a F-150 or heavier truck to do it)

Most homes weigh between 8,000 and 13,000 pounds and Randy makes sure you know the weight before you pull it onto the highway.

Regina's home features a U shaped kitchen with refrigerator, induction cook top and she will have a convection oven/microwave. She has a FULL bathroom. Yes, you read that right. A 5 foot tub, 24 inch vanity and flushing toilet. (No composting toilet for her either)

She was on FB live while her home was being delivered and it looks even better in the Florida sunlight.

She has become my new "woman crush" or maybe it's her home that has become my 'crush'. She has been very gracious in allowing me to stalk, I mean bug her, and ask her tons of questions about her build, her life in her tiny and her plans for decorating. 

The one thing she suggests you do before going tiny. PURGE! She purged a lot of her things before moving in. (she is coming from a one bedroom, thousand square foot home) but she finds that she still is making those trips to Goodwill and the Salvation army. I am sure they are happy to see her.

Her new 'tiny' home is 260 square feet.

Purge like your house is going to be demolished and you can only take the important stuff.  The key is to do it at least a few months BEFORE you move into your 'tiny' .

So, now you can see why I am in love with a tiny and you would be too if you just step inside of one.

COMPOSTING...WHO ME?

So if you haven't heard, I'm building a +TinyHouse and have been open to all of the possibilities that come with it. 

Except one.

Composting toilets!

Um, NO, No, Hell No and Aint No Way In Hell !

OK, so I know that some of you might not understand my STRONG dislike of composting toilets. Well let me explain the ins and outs of composting toilets 101.

First, a composting toilet is just what is sounds like. It composts your waste and then you can use it on your gardens to grow that really good veggies. 
OK, so I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth with that sentence.

Second, I don't like smelling my own poo let alone having it in my home, un-flushed, for at least 6-12 weeks at a time. Oh, it gets better.

Third and this is for the male population. You can never, ever ever STAND to use the bathroom.  This is because your 'aim' wouldn't be good enough to make it in the small opening that the urine is to go in. (See the picture)

So the whole idea behind a composting toilet is to minimize your carbon footprint by eliminating the over usage of water. So in terms of the composting toilets, most of the time you will see these on boats (the smaller versions) so that fishermen can fish without having to worry about pooing in the river. (insert gross face now)

OK, back to the explanation. 

Composting means that when you go to the bathroom, you will divert your urine into a holding tank; that you will have to empty at least once a month. 

Stop! I have included two pictures so you will understand what I am talking about. See the container on the front; with the black strap. That's for your urine. The crank on the side is for 'mixing' and the larger part at the bottom; well that's the part that holds your poo.


You mean my urine will be in a container, in my bathroom for a month? YEP but you can empty it every day if you like but that's not the objective. And where would I empty it? "oh, anywhere that you can rinse it away with water. Or maybe just in a spot that you know won't run back towards the house".

Oh, did you miss the part that your urine and poo can never mix. Or maybe you have figured out that your poo can never be near, around or close to water.


So when you poo; you open a little trap door in the toilet, 'do your business' as I was told and then you will use saw dust or peat moss to cover your poo. You will then crank a handle (that sits on the side) and "mix" it until the poo is covered. 

Yes, you read that right people. You mix it like you are mixing up a mud cake.

Now here is where it gets interesting. You can NOT put tissue of any kind in the composting toilet. You have to wipe and discard of the tissue in a trash bag. (here is a use for all of those grocery bags you have laying around your house) You could even use baby wipes but again, don't put it in the toilet.

To wipe the toilet; you can use vinegar; but don't let any liquid fall into the section that holds your poo. "The smell will not be a good thing." And that is EXACTLY how it was told to me. Oh and then make sure you watch what you eat because maggots could be a problem. But that's "a simple fix".  Just empty your composting toilet into your garden and start again" Yeah; I couldn't believe it when they said that to me either. (I can see some of your faces already)

Can you imagine if you are having a 'stomach issue' one day. The splatter alone would make you go running to the gas station or to the nearest Lowes or Home Depot to install a regular flushing toilet.

If you don't believe what I am telling you; please feel free to look up +NaturesHead composting toilet on Youtube or Google it. You will be amazed.

Now do you see why I just CAN'T do a composting toilet and lucky for me; I don't have to. I may be going tiny but I haven't gotten to the part that I want my own poo to be taking up residence in my house with me. 

My bodily waste and I have an understanding. 

When I 'release' you from your internal prison; you and I will never interact again. That is how it is supposed to be.