Living Small in a Big World!

Good Evening, Readers!  Did I feel a hint of Fall in the air this morning when I took the dogren out?  There are reports on the horizon that North Texas is going to get chilly!  Wayyy down in the 80's...  I'll believe it when I need to pull my sweater out of the closet!  In the meantime, I am wiping the sweat from my brow and staying indoors as much as possible.

The work on the new water lines and street continues at the little casa.  Day before yesterday, they clipped the gas line.  The boss man assured me that they had it fixed yesterday and checked the gas appliances.  I feel so sorry for the workmen having to dig in this heat.  They are soaking wet by mid afternoon and covering themselves in cold cloths.  I asked them if they needed water and they asked if they could use the hose to cool off.  What a small price to pay for new lines and road!!  I will bake some cookies for them tomorrow.  Since I am blocked in once they start for the day, I might as well do something productive.

Living small in a big world ... have you read about the trend towards living in tiny houses?  Interesting to me because I happen to live in one of them!

I've been cleaning and rearranging at the little casa.  Since Michael has been here more of the time, there is more and more stuff to find homes for.  For 2 people and 2 dogs to coexist in about 750 square feet is quite a challenge!  It's hard to believe that these little houses built after World War II were meant to house families!  Michael and his parents moved into the little casa when he was 10 so he grew up here.  In talking with Mom, life was quite simple then and they were grateful for the roof over their heads.

Living small in a big world doesn't mean not having a full fledged quality of life and plenty of style.  For us, what it does mean is living within our means so that we do have more to give to our communities and families.  Michael and I have had to really examine our lives and finances and make decisions based on what is rather than what we wish it could be.  We also had to realize that with my degenerative disk disease, fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis, I could not continue to maintain two sets of gardens and take care of two houses.  Thank goodness, I am more of a logic person and even though giving up our house in North Texas is the thing to do, it still stings...

What is life like living in a small space?  If you like challenges and keeping life simple, living in a tiny house affords you to do just that.  I laugh when I think about when I sold real estate in Plano, Texas in the 1970's.  People looking for homes wanted 4+ bedrooms, several bathrooms, formal living areas plus huge kitchens and dens.  Oh, I almost forgot the double garages!!  Fortunately, homes were very affordable and most people got what they wanted and more ... I was one of them!!

One thing I've learned about having the Lord in my life is that many times He eases me into things He knows that are good for me.  When we started renovating the little casa, our intention was just to have a getaway place where we could escape from the city and relax.  As, the challenges in renovating began to arise, I found myself getting more and more attached to this place.  This tiny house became a reflection of my heart ... a little doll house where I could feel safe and connected ... a little haven where I could write and reflect...

Having a tiny kitchen has not meant giving up anything except space.  I am thoroughly enjoying my commercial appliances, granite counter tops, and cabinets that soar to the ceiling.  I have all I need and more to cook and bake for my family and friends!  This truly did become my dream kitchen!

The master bedroom is quite spacious ... enough for fair sized bedroom furniture.  The closet is small ... barely enough for one person let alone two! Yet, I have all I need and more to rest and be refreshed for each new day!

The bathroom here at the little casa probably went through the biggest change.  Lupe gutted everything out except the bathtub which was reglazed.  I am a bath person and the old deep tub holds lots of bubbles and hot water to soak my aching bones!  Everyone who knows our tiny house before the renovation is amazed at how large the bathroom is now ... if you can call a tiny bathroom big!!

Our guest room is on the small order and serves as an office as well.  We had to put in a double bed to make room for a computer armoire and use the closet to house computer equipment and linens.  I am having to really put on my thinking cap to maximize the use of this room.  It is functional as well as pretty; however, to lose the closet has been hard.

The living den is one of my favorite rooms at the little casa.  It is where I read, watch TV, and visit with family and friends.  I tried putting in some "not so bold" colors in the original decor; however, I have found myself injecting the brightness of the holidays into the room.  My friend Beverly laughs at my love of the color "red."  Remember that lamp I bought that I disliked so much?  Well, I got a new "red" shade for it and now I love it!!  I am finding that no matter how hard I try, I am just NOT a pastel person...

There is something special about sitting down for meals in the dining room.  I absolutely love pretty dishes and enjoy setting a colorful, inviting table.  I have been honing up on my cooking and baking skills and love it when I can say, "Dinner's ready!"  Our dining table sits 6 ... plenty of room for guests!

With our house on the market in North Texas we are making plans to turn our garage into a guest house.  Looking at it now, I can sort of envision a place of comfort and beauty and Lupe assures me that he can turn a frog into a prince!  I am more of an interior designer so once he gets the basics done, I will be sailing.  Doing the guest cottage will give us plenty of room for storage, an additional bath, and a main room for our guests.  Michael is thinking "man cave" and I am thinking "woman cave"!!

I would like to think that I am living large in a tiny house!  I live simply yet grandly and enjoy every square foot!  The outside of the house is a blank slate waiting to be adorned ... I was hoping to have made real progress this Summer but with the heat I decided to call a halt on any new projects.

In today's world, it takes a miracle not to be materialistic.  We live in a materialistic world where the desire for things - money, popularity, position - has blurred the importance of personal integrity and righteousness.  Our bodies must be perfect and appearances are everything.  Somewhere along the way, we've lost sight of what's really important.

 "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."

~~ Helen Keller

May the blessings of my Lord enrich your lives no matter where you live ... a mansion, a tiny cottage, or somewhere in between!  Always remember you are loved and prayed for ... YA YOU!!