Build Update

It's getting closer :)  Although the build is going to finish a bit later than hoped for, I am still optimistic that it will be done for June 15. Fortunately, my landlords were not planning to rent my suite right away so I am able to continue to stay as long as needed. However, as I am paying for both the land and my apartment starting in June, I am definitely hoping I won't need to stay much longer. I am so eager to be living out at Happinest Hollow!

The exterior is almost complete. The cedar siding looks - and even smells - lovely! The roof will go on in the next few days. The window order is due in a couple of weeks and they will probably be the last thing to be done.

There was some extra cedar left so it will be used inside as well. The walls of the loft bedroom are cedar. The rest of the house will be wide horizontal planks of pine tongue-and-groove and will be painted white to make the house feel as big and bright as possible. I'm so looking forward to seeing the interior come together.

Flooring was ordered this week. As the ceiling and counters will be light coloured, my personal interior decorator (my aunt) and I chose one with a greyish tone that will add some contrast but that will still (hopefully) hide muddy footprints and Golden Retriever hair as much as possible.

This week was a bit depressing as Jamie broke the news that we were overbudget by several thousand dollars. We had made a few design changes and added a few windows but I wasn't expecting that much of extra expenses. It took a couple of days to process it but, in the long run, I know that I am getting a great house that is exactly what I want and the extra money (and time to pay it off) will be worth it in the long run!

Irony

I was thinking the other day - as I was spending money on more garden stuff and bird stuff - that it was rather ironic. My main reason for going tiny was to save money and live comfortably when I retired. However, now that I have a garden and hundreds of bird "dependents" (and a few squirrels, too), I really just think I will be rerouting the money I save with lower rent payments to different things. However, as I expect these things will continue to bring me peace and pleasure, it may be ironic but it will also be money well spent.

Tiny T

On several visits to the Hollow, I saw a little grey bushtit. I had never seen one alone before as they generally hang out in groups of 10-20 that stay close together. I think I've figured out why this little one is alone. He/she only has one leg so may either not have been able to keep up or has been ostracized from his/her gang.

This sweet and photogenic little thing only has one leg! However, he/she is still able to hang upside down on the suet feeder so is managing in spite of his/her disability. I will make sure that feeder is never empty!

I wanted to give this little one a name as I hope that he/she stays nearby and visits regularly. Mum suggested Tiny Tim. However, as we don't know if it is male or female, I went with Tiny T instead. Sierra calls him/her TiTi. I'm not sure which name will stick yet.

House update

The house is coming along great! This photo is prior to putting on the house wrap and cedar siding:

The cedar siding is thin horizontal tongue-and-groove. It will not get stained or painted and will just weather naturally over the years. It looked even better than I expected! I forgot to take any pictures on that visit though so will have to wait for Jamie's weekly email with photos of the progress.

The window order went in last week. Unfortunately, it is a very busy building/renovation season so the estimated delivery is five weeks instead of the usual 2-3. Jamie is still able to finish everything else and leave the windows until last. However, it will probably delay my move-in date by a week or two.

The electrical and inside walls are next on the agenda. I'm very excited to see the interior come together in the next few weeks!

Neighbours

Even though it might be another month before my house is ready to move out there, I am enjoying getting to know the neighbours. I visit almost every day - some days to do a bit of work, some days to feed the birds and some days just to sit and take photos. It is such a peaceful place to be!