Trailer has come home!

The trailer is home!  Went and picked it up from Big Bubba's Trailers.  Had it custom made, so it is exactly what I needed and at the price I wanted to pay.  SOOOOO happy with it and so very excited to get started actually building.  Also went and picked up lumber, siding, plywood, metal roof panels and a few odds and ends.  Figure that while I had the trailer hitched up to the Jeep might as well.  I'm sure I was pushing my weight limit towing with the Jeep but it all worked out just fine.  Got home and unloaded everything, got the tarp on, and the rain started.  Perfect timing.  Silly me moment...I went out after Mom went to bed and bonded with the trailer for a few minutes.  Today was a really good day.  Everything went how I wanted it to go and although I didn't get to everything on the list I feel very grateful to have everything I need to start my build.  Let the adventure truly begin!

 I was a little nervous about getting it through the gate because we have watermelon growing across the driveway (when I planted it on the side of the drive I didn't think it would grow).  It was a little bit of a tight squeeze, but made it just fine.  Unloaded and circled through the yard to get it positioned where I want it for building.  Worked like a charm.  Best day so far!!

Picking up the trailer tomorrow

The day is almost here!  One more sleep and I will be picking up my custom trailer from Big Bubba's Trailers in Ogden, UT.  It will be licensed and ready to go when I pick it up.  I'll post pictures as soon as I get it home!  Now the dilemma...do I park it behind the driveway where it can be seen from the street while I build, or do I park it parallel to the house where it can't be seen from the street, but will block the lovely mountain view?  Dilemma, dilemma...I've got about 15 hours to decide and most of those I'm hoping to actually be asleep.  I also purchased almost all of the remaining materials I need to dry it in.  Just need the roof ridge cap, 5 windows (3 big, 2 small), housewrap, and materials to make the door (T&G 2x6's).  I've got everything else I need.  I'm sure I'll end up buying more lumber, but after picking up the trailer I'm headed straight to pick up most of the materials.  I'm in a little bit of shock that it is actually happening, and I'm so amazingly excited that I don't know how I'm going to concentrate on anything else for a while...like my Master's degree project that I'll be finishing this semester so I can graduate in December.  Whoa!

PS. The two windows I ordered online arrived yesterday.  My cute UPS man actually remembered the last thing he delivered here.  I was impressed.  Too bad he is about 25 years old. :)

Side note

The coolest firepit EVER is now taking shape in my very own backyard!  So sad to have to leave it when I move into Ticklebelly Bungalow, but if I built it once I can do it again.

ANYWAY, when we bought the house there was an old firepit about 15 feet off the patio.  It was half buried by the grass/weeds but I was intrigued.  Would the city allow us to have a firepit?  Well, after a little checking around, turns out that we are allowed a firepit as long as we have a permit and follow the guidelines.  So I purchased the $10 permit and started looking around the internet for firepit ideas.  Of course there are a gazillion pictures out there of amazing outdoor living spaces.  But one picture I saw fascinated me and it wasn't related to firepits at all!  It was a driveway with embedded glowrocks.  So very cool!  So, that put into my head that I needed a firepit with glowrocks.  Well, I started designing and this is what I came up with...here's the almost finished version. Didn't quite guesstimate correctly on the rocks. I'll pick up a couple more bags tomorrow. Then there will be a surprise as soon as it arrives. I'll update the post when it does. 

Above: unfinished...

Above: finished and I wet the rocks because it looks better

So the fun thing that I wanted to add is the glowrocks, but because of the lighting my phone won't take a picture that is actually visible.  But it looks really cool with the glowrocks glowing at night. Love it!!

I LOVE power tools!

Have I mentioned that I love power tools?  

I felt the need to get moving on the planing of my redwood this morning, so I got out the planer and read the booklet...never used a planer before.  Then I took a deep breath, put on my safety googles, ear plugs, and sunscreen and went outside to begin the project.  After a little trial and more trial, I realized that saw horses are a necessary item to save my back.  But before I decided to give up for the day I got through four of the 14' 2x4's.  I've got a before picture, but since I'm not finished yet I'll wait to post the after pics.  The boards are turning out beautifully!  There is still a little paint on corners and a little bit that needs to be scraped off, but the color of the wood is fantastic!  Can't wait to do a little cleaning and brightening.  Still haven't decided what to use for a sealant/preserver, but that will come.  

I sure love my little planer (even though the dust bag is worthless).  I may need to find a job that I can do using power tools...I love them that much!  

PS. Went and bought saw horses tonight so I can finish the planing tomorrow and not be in desperate need of a massage when I'm finished.  Oh wait, I'm always in desperate need of a massage.  :)

Just waiting for the trailer

Today I spent some money!!  But I'm now closer to being ready to begin!  I think if I get a staple gun and a very large tarp I'll be all set.  Today started out with the purchase of insulation.  Then it ended with a lumber and screws pick up.  I also bought two of the five windows because they were only available online and they will be delivered to the house for free. :) But it will take a couple of weeks.  The Jeep is getting a workout.  The pictures are kind of funny to me so I'll post them in case  you think they are funny too.  

Trailer

Well, I DID IT!!  I bought my trailer this morning...or at least I ordered it and paid for it.  Big Bubba's Trailers in Ogden is building me a trailer.  It should be ready in a week, then I will need to get started in earnest.  I'm sure you've heard the saying, "Do something every day that scares you."  Well, I've just done something today that scared me enough for a whole week at least.  On the other hand it is a very exciting step toward my dream of tiny house living and I am more excited than I know how to express! When I pick it up next week I'll post some pics.  In the meanwhile, I need to get a few more things so I can begin right away when I pick up the trailer...like plane the redwood and buy insulation for the floor and a bit more lumber.  WOW!  It is really happening.

Tools, tools, tools!

Power tools, oh how I love power tools.  Some girls get excited about clothes, shoes, jewelry, haircuts.  For me it is power tools.  I found some inexpensive tools that should just do the trick for my tiny house.  I ordered online (I could have gone over to the store) and purchased a compound miter saw, a planer and two drill drivers (one for drilling, one for driving without changing bits).  They arrived today!  Can't wait to play with my new planer!  The redwood 2x4s I got really cheap had been painted white, but the paint is now chipping and gross looking.  Can't wait to get those pieces back down to the wood and put a sealer on them.  Those are going to be my Ticklebelly Bungalow porch.  Get set for some photos to come.  Hoping to get to the planing project this weekend. ^^