Tiny House Christmas

My Christmas tree consisted of three sprigs of pine and some red and white berries in my mini flower holder. I got a couple of little glass doves for Christmas that are just the right size for decorating it. Small and simple ... but enough!

I didn't actually spend Christmas in Happinest. There was a forecast for snow on Christmas Eve so I decided to spend the night at Mum's as we were heading up to Jon's for Christmas Day and Boxing Day. I didn't want to take a chance on getting snowed in to my little place and missing out on the Christmas festivities.

However, as I had the week between Christmas and New Year's off (except for a few hours at my accounting job), I have been spending a lot of time there. Lots of relaxation time - curled up on the couch with a book in the afternoons and up in the loft watching movies in the evening!

Most of the week was gray and rainy and the driveway and fields are getting very muddy. Yesterday, I finally caved and brought myself a pair of rubber boots.

When I went to move a couple of boxes by the couch, I discovered moisture back there and have since found bits of mould starting on windowsills. Next purchase - as soon as the store opens after New Years - is a dehumidifier. This is definitely a problem (which I have since learned is common in small, well-insulated spaces) that needs to be nipped in the bud!

The reason for advocacy

Today, I drove home from work. As I neared the driveway, I noticed a van in the driveway across the street. It was a municipality van and the driver seemed to be sitting there taking notes. I immediately thought that my little house had been discovered and that he was in the process of writing an eviction notice. I drove away so that he didn't see me enter the property. After talking to the landowner, it seems that the van was probably there on other business as it was also seen on a nearby road. This makes me hopeful that an eviction notice is not in the works but I will probably worry a little for the next couple of weeks.

Although it is not something that I dwell on, it is this constant awareness that an eviction could come any time that makes me want to put whatever time and effort is needed to make tiny houses legal. All I want to do is live in peace without bothering anyone - this should not be illegal!

Adjustments

This morning, I woke up early. After a shower, I made myself a hot chocolate and went back up to my loft - just sitting there propped up on lots of pillows. I watched it start to get light outside. It was a little too early for the birds yet but it just felt so nice and cozy up there. I really do love my little house!

I was a little surprised that - after all the waiting - the Hollow and the house didn't seem quite the idyllic haven I'd been looking forward to right away. Although I still enjoyed being there, I found it took a few weeks of settling in before I loved it. It felt a bit isolated at first and I actually missed the noises of living in a basement suite with people upstairs and the feeling of being safe and secure with no responsibilities. It didn't help that there was no internet, no TV and the hydro was kicking out at least once a day.

In the last few weeks, I've put up shelves, rearranged things and made it homier inside. The electrician has fixed the hydro - although I still may never be able to have the heat on while I am cooking as there just isn't enough power to run the convection oven and heater at the same time. And I don't know if I will ever be able to use my washer and dryer. I've made a TV area upstairs and have been renting DVD's to watch at night sometimes. I've moved my toilet farther into the corner so my bathroom seems a little bigger. And I have curtains on the french doors and front window which seem to help keep the heat in and make it feel cozier at night.

Not having the internet drove me a little bit crazy at first but now I actually think it might be a good thing. I am reading more than I have in years and am starting to think about making some cards and making a photo book about Happinest. Between going to the library or a coffee shop for internet on days off and getting to work a half hour early on workdays to get some online time, I seem to be just fine.

Interior photos

Sorry for the delay! Here are photos of Happinest now that I am all moved in. I will post some exterior ones of the house in place at a later date (as they are on my computer). It has been over six weeks since the house moved to "Happinest Hollow" and I have been living there for the last two weeks. So far, there have been no neighbour complaints that have led to an investigation. Hopefully that will continue indefinitely! My sister arranged for me to meet a Shaman when I was visiting - she had booked a "house blessing" as a housewarming present. How unique and thoughtful is that!

Moving In Day

Well, today I am moving into Happinest! It is the beginning of Thanksgiving weekend and I leave on vacation next week. I am hoping that if anyone reports me for living there, the bylaw officer will come next week when I'm away. So for that period of time, I am legitimately not living there.

Sarah has given me a unique and inspired housewarming gift - a shaman! I will take pictures of my house with me when I go to Ontario and will go to meet her. She will bless my house (and hopefully protect it from further negativity) and give me any instructions for what I need to do when I get home. It should be an interesting experience!

Nesting

I spent lots of time over the weekend puttering and organizing everything. My aunt came and hung up my artwork which made it feel like home! There are a few little jobs that need doing but it looks really nice. Everyone who has visited so far is amazed by how spacious it is inside. I haven't decided what to do with the storage areas under the kitchen counter and stairs but will live with it before making any decisions. If I decide I don't need any cabinetry, I have more money for a deck and stairs. I love my little house - it was a long and sometimes painful wait - but it was worth it! I can't wait to be able to actually live in it.

The Move

Friday, September 15:

9 a.m. - the tow truck is confirmed and the move is a go.
11 a.m. - email from Jamie to say that the truck driver called and has broken down. At this point in the whole process, this is unbelievable on one hand and yet, on the other, not even surprising!
1 p.m. - tow truck company confirms that the truck will not be fixed in time to get the house.
2 p.m. - I manage to find a tow company in Nanaimo that can do the delivery today and try to reach Jamie to confirm.
4 p.m. - I hear back from Jamie but he consults with tow company and they decide it is too late in the day to do the deliver. However, the company does work weekends so tow is rescheduled for the next morning.

Saturday, September 16:

Jamie emailed at 8:20 - the house is on its way! I wait - mostly patiently - for the ETA of 11:00 - 12:00. Around 11:30, the landlord's brother comes down and says that the house has come but came to the front entrance instead of the back. This means it now has to be backed down the street and around a 90-degree corner. It took 20-30 minutes to get the house from the front of the property to the back. A few branches were a concern but fortunately, the landlord's brother had a chainsaw and ladder and was able to cut them down. The backing in was a slow process as there was not much room to negotiate. However, the driver did an excellent job and got the house right where I wanted it.
We were short one board to level it out so Jamie will come back down to do that and to make the corners more stable. However, a slight slant is no big deal for now. The family helped me move all my stuff into Happinest and then I headed back to the apartment for a final clean. I had done almost everything already so it only took about an hour to clean the bathroom, vacuum and wash the floor. 
By that time, I was totally exhausted - but very happy! Unpacking and organizing will wait for another day.