Changes Part II

13 months ago I had some major changes happen that was very difficult for me. I am finally getting to a comfortable place in life and the emotions have settled down.

I moved into this little house a year ago and had hoped to stay for 2 years while I made plans to move up to my vacant property up in the Gainesville area. Well, my landlord has decided to sell this house and the sign is up out front as of yesterday. They are asking $449,000.

You think I live in a big house? Not even. When I had insulation blown in to my attic, the square footage was measured at 599. It's a 2 bedroom 1 bath. You saw the picture last year. Just a tiny little place. Renting another house for the year is not an option. Rents have almost doubled now and they were already high to start.

So it's time I moved on. I just have to speed up my plans and try to make it work. It is a bit overwhelming with all that needs to be done. Although I have 5 acres up there, there is electic and phone lines, but the property is partially wooded and nothing else there. No water, sewer etc. And no house.

My first thing is, I cannot do any more plant trading. I will have to try to find a way to take what I can and probably sell what I can't. This is a 6 hour drive so I can't take 10 van loads (and that was just my plants) like I did when I moved here before (that was only 3 miles) I expect I will be doing a yard/plant sale here at the house. I hope to take cuttings and seeds on a lot of stuff and start my gardens over again. The good news is, no SO, no landlord. It's my property to do with what I wish whenever I wish and no one to tell me I have to move.

I am looking for a couple of things. Any north Central Florida people who may have some words of wisdom for me in my efforts to speed up and/or implement these plans. Also any advice on critters and things, garden foes. I have been kind of spoiled here, no deer, moles voles or the likes of them. I'll be going to Zone8B. Oh my Zone 8B, I think I will need a greenhouse. I know, put in a green house with a bedroom, toilet and computer space.

AmaryllisGal is doing some checking for me on a couple of things which is so great. She lives very close to my new place.

I have deposits paid last year on this place which will carry me to 12/31. So that's my target date to be gone from here. (That's assuming they don't sell too soon and evict me.)

Then I have to start making connections to continue earning a living as a house painter when I get there.

Any thoughts or ideas about any of these things, I would love to hear. And when all this is done, maybe I can quit being such a drama queen and be just a regular person.

Molly
:^)))

Gosh Molly, if I was closer....or if you want to move to Ohio. :) I have painter friends that could hook you up. LOL Matter of fact, my hubby's nephew does all the painting for Walmart.

How about if you buy one of those big Geodome or biodome things that you live in? Your whole house could be a greenhouse! I think that would be awesome, but they are so HIGH!!

You know, if you could move in spring or summer, we could switch our plant sitting arrangements.

I really am sorry you are going through the upheaval again. Maybe something really good will come out of it this time. (((MOLLY)))

Chele,

I am really hoping you are right, something good will come out of this. A new future and new life.

Thanks so much
Molly

((((Molly)))) Drama queens happen when there is no drama and you have had it a plenty girl!!

Find all of the used windows in frames that you can and build a glasshouse/greenhouse and never shower lol. I am sorry that your plans got so abruptly changed. Are there any services at the property so that you could find an inexpensive trailer/camper until a more permanent domicile can be built?

Like you, I know nothing about 8b. Wish I could be more help. A long distance shoulder is a poor substitute.

Take good care girl
Janice

I don't know what your finances look like of course, but have you considered a manufactured home? My grandmother lived in one in West Viginia (zone 6) for more than 20 years that served her very well. It was a small house, just right for a single lady, didn't have a basement but did have a small attic. Much cheaper than building a house from scratch. The house has now survived 3 floods in the Ohio River Valley. Mom and I visited last year and the current owners (10 years since grandmother passed on) have redecorated and say they love it. Just a thought. Good luck!

Janice, That's a great idea about the windows. That could be a greenhouse with character. There is electric and phone on the poles by the street. I will have to have the power and phone companies string a main line in to a point someplace on the property. Do power and phone companies do that or do I need to hire an electrician for stringing the main wires in?

And yes I was thinking of the Florida Four Letter Word=Mobile Home. Only as a temporary roof til I get something built. I think I may be able to pick up a used one for a reasonable price.

Sylvi, because of the hurricanes, a manufactured home can't be considered as a permanent dwelling. But if I can find one cheap enough, I'll risk it until I can build a strong structure.

My father was a builder/carpenter and when I was young I was put to work on the jobs doing various tasks. That was a long time ago and I'm not as strong as I once was. I can shingle a roof, hang drywall, hammer a nail and paint of course, but there is a lot I DON"T know.

The list of TO DO's is getting longer now.

Molly

If what happened here last winter in our bad ice storm is any indication, the electric company will string the wire *to* the meter but you need an electrician to install the meter.

hugs molly - i can't believe this is happening so soon. i wish i lived closer and could do something...

I have an idea for you! Call around to all the places you can, check garage sales, yard sales, the paper, etc. Buy as many sliding glass doors as you can afford and only put in enough walls to hold the doors up! Build the bathroom and bedroom out of cinder blocks and you will have a sturdy private area! See, perfect! The rest of your house can be glass. :)

Just don't throw stones!
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. I really hope it works out for you with as little stress and agony as possible.

Well that would get me my greenhouse now wouldn't it? Who would have ever though 2 years ago I would be thinking I would need a greenhouse?

Actually, the house I had in mind to build would have a lot of windows or sliding glass doors with garden patios everywhere. This way it looks like the garden is in the house.

If I build the patios on the south side, I could have a real micro climate going and keep my tropicals out there all year.

This idea is still rattling around in my head while I try to figure out how to finance it.

The good news is, the property is paid for, taxes are cheap and if I get a used mobile home (I would pay cash for that) to live in for a while, living expenses would be pretty cheap. No $1150 paid to someone else, only electric and satellite. I'm thinking about getting satellite TV and fast access internet, all in one, that way no landline phone expenses. What a pleasure that will be.

It might just be do-able. Then after I build my business up some I can start saving to build that house.

Stress? Me? That's my middle name.

But we're gonna get through this.

Molly
:^)))

Hey, Molly, go to http://realgoods.com and order a paper catalog. Lots of energy saving stuff in there.

First, I'm in 8B, and you will be a couple hundred miles south of me, so I suspect you'll be more in like zone 9a or b. You can still have a lot of your tropicals, I promise. You wouldn't believe what we grow up here (we zone pushers, that is). My point is I'm not so sure the greenhouse should be a priority or even a necessity. But hey, we rarely get a chance to build whatever we want from the ground up, so I would definitely take the opportunity to put in a greenhouse -- what gardener wouldn't? I'll put some links in below to some sites where I've seen some relatively inexpensive kits and supplies. You can very much do that part yourself.

Sounds to me like you will need to hire contractors to sort of get you into a bare bones, dry house. In the meantime, I think mobile home is probably your best bet, although... There is a land co-op here in Tallahassee. A bunch of hippies got together and bought a huge chunk of property and split it into lots and each family built their own place. My former boss was one of these. She was a VP at my old company, but she wasn't too proud to live in a tent for six months until she had a liveable house. It's just a thought. I wouldn't do it, I don't think. (Certainly not with pets.) Maybe one of those pop up campers...

What I would probably do is make two trips. One to go up there and put up a shed and/or bring in the mobile home or basically set up some place to put some stuff into. You might even be able to arrange for some contractors and start getting things set up like getting a well dug, or city water/sewer (whatever), foundation, etc. Then I'd go back up a month or two later with everything else.

You might also be able to dig up a lot of plants and sort of ask people to foster them. For example, I would be happy to keep some tropicals in my greenhouse for you this winter until you are able to take them back and plant them. I might do that with the plants that aren't the nearest and dearest to my heart (you'll move those, of course) but that I still can't bear to give up or lose. Also, might you have a friend with a van or truck who might be willing to drive a load up for you, or follow you up there? I'm trying to think of ways so you don't have to give up and lose so many plants, 'cause that's just trauma. (But still fun to start over from scratch, which I'm sort of doing right now.)

Gardeners' supply dot com: http://www.gardeners.com/Shopping/department.asp?DeptPGID=13596
Harrod horticultural, for supplies and equipment: http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/HarrodSite/category/Greenhouse+Equipment/
Little Greenhouse dot com: the kits for all sizes http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/
And this is Farm Wholesale, more kits: http://www.farmwholesale.com/

Really, the greenhouse seems like the easy part. I'll be thinking about you and if I think of any brilliant ideas or suggestions, I'll post here.

Diane,

I had originally thought I would be in zone 9 something, but when I checked here an Dave's in the zone tab, I zoomed up to Levy County in Florida and I swear it said 8B. My first thought was , wow, that's gonna be colder than I thought. I'm gonna have to buy a jacket and some socks. Well, that is good news and I reckon I really won't need a greenhouse right off. I can work on micro-climatizing. Of course, a greenhouse really can't be way up on my list of priorites anyway. That would be too frivolous of me.

So I need to find a cheap used mobile home. You are right, I can't stay in a tent, not with 5 animals. Anyway, I'm not that brave and we are talking December/January here for the move. I KNOW it's going to be too cold to sleep outside.

2 trips is a grand idea. The first one will be in October. I'll do the searching for some well diggers and septic tank intallers. I also need to decide where the final dwelling will be so we know where to dig those things. It will have to serve the temporary house and later, the permanent house.

On the first trip I need to take my trees up there and plant them before they get too big to transport. I will also need to put up a structure for storage, like a pole barn sort of building. That way I can get my mustang up there and have a place to store things that won't fit into the temporary housing.

Already starting to put money back. Got paid on a job today have more jobs set up and the landlord isn't getting any of that $$$$.

So work hard, push as many jobs into the time left and it will minimize having to borrow any money to get things done.

Molly
:^)))

Sounds like a plan!

Molly
Aren't you glad you're not trying to buy a place there?? Wow!! That's a little pricey!
(And Pardon my smile at your hesitation on zone 8b. )
It was nice to meet you in the chat room, and I am sorry to hear of the upset in your plans. I hope you find a good mobile. It can go pretty easily if you do, leaving you lots of time to get your gardens settled.
I rather like "pioneering"... there's a lot to be said for laying things out the way you want, and building them from scratch, and lots of satisfaction in looking back at it.
I have looked into small modular or kit type camps, or a one room cabin type thing, which could be added on to. We have a rather different sort of challenge up here though!!
Best of Luck!!
Dorothy

Molly, when I was in Boone 2 weeks ago I stayed with LizH. She and her husband had just purchased and hauled in a used 5th wheeler (travel trailer) for their grandson to live in, on the property, pretty cheaply. Came fully equipped, complete with a heating unit and a deck. NOT as large as a mobile home, but also easier to move, and to dispose of later.

Here's a couple of links for a cheap stroage system that you & son could easily build, and net look tacky:

http://www.strombergschickens.com/starplate_building_system/starplate_index.htm
Be sure to see this page and the ideas, like a garage
http://www.strombergschickens.com/starplate_building_system/starplate_ideas.htm

Oh man, I totally forgot about these things: PODS = Portable On Demand Storage. They're like big box containers you rent to store and/or move. You rent them and keep them as long as you need to and when you're done, the company comes to get them. (No idea if the rates are reasonable or if it makes more sense to buy something.)

This would be a great way to have a structure for storage and you don't have to make decisions about where to put it, or what it should look like, or how big it should be, because it's temporary.

You might even be able to pack one or two full of plants and send them on a day ahead of you. (Don't want 'em in the dark too long, of course.)

http://www.pods.com/

Hey Molly!

You are going to be moving right before Christmas right? I wonder if you could find a kid that goes to college in Ft L that lives in or near Gainesville? They could drive an extra truck for you. There are usually bulletin boards that they advertise for rides on going home for Christmas break.

mg

Hi Molly ...

Sure a kick in da keister, to know you're being uprooted again .. after what you've been thru already. Usually there's a reason when such things do happen - it's jes not revealed immediately to us! ... (hee)

A 'towable' RV, as Darius has mentioned .. jes mite could be the ideal dwelling .. for temporary and/or permanent living! And dependin' upon jes what type of ammenities (luxuries) you'd need or desire (and the length) ... the sky's the limit!

5'ers (or 5th wheels) are different from travel trailers. Travel trailers are 'bumper' pull towable vehicles, where as .. 5'ers are towed with a 5th wheel hitch. However, some much older 5'ers incorporate a 'goose-neck' BALL hitch / hook up. Along with travel trailers usually have the same continuous floor 'level' throughout the rig .. where, a 5er will generally have at least a step/stair or two.

Heck, for that matter .. if you happen to already have the proper tow vehicle .. live on your property .. AND .. start doin' a bit of travelin' the country also! Stay 'home' .. and/or 'skidattle' when needed or, simply desired!

And, your perhaps not having the proper tow vehicle to pull either design of RV to your property .. shouldn't be a problem for you either. You could most easily have the RV towed to your property for you. Set up is virtual breeze ..

RVs .. new or used .. are pretty much .. already > a complete home on wheels - with all the comforts of conventional housing, and 'home'!!! All you'd need to do is bring your linens, clothing, stock your groceries and tote yourself and yer critters .. and you're 'home'!

There's also quite a number and variety of brand/s and/or design/s to fit yer fancy! Slide-out 'rooms' also provide much wonderful space for folks also. Many RVs today have multiple 'slide-out' rooms .. that function (slide out), powered either hydraulicly or electrically.

There are slide out livingrooms, dining rooms (or combinations) and bedrooms! AND .. slide-outs can found on either side and both sides these days!

Geezers .. you can even have a washer/dryer units in an RV! Seriously, the list is virtually endless! The added benefit as compared to permanent home structures or mobile homes - ya've got wheels under ya!!

If an RV is set up for 'home' .. you can even go the next step .. and have a much larger LP (propane) tank moved onto your property for extended use. Otherwise, the (usual) 2 smaller LP gas bottles will not last very long - especially, when cooler weather/temps arrive and you require the use of the furnace for heating. Just for cooking and water heating (showers, dishwashing, etc.) .. the bottles will last an average 2-3 weeks, before requiring refilling.

The things also have on-board sewer systems. However, if setting up for 'home' .. I'd urge a septic tank/system put in or tie in to the [city] sewer system. Otherwise, you'd have to be prepared for other 'dumping' arrangements after a week or so .. depending.

You can still check into and 'have' cable and/or satellite services, telephone, and water lines run and connected to an RV .. temporarily and more permanently based also!

Molly .. we've only recently returned from a 2 1/2 month stay with our daughter, out in New Mexico on her very remote property - with no utilities of any sort, provided or accessible on the property, 'cept fer her solar powered pump/water well. Of course, we had our Onan generator on board the RV, so electricity was not an issue. The gasoline fuel to power the set(and what price we were to expect to pay), however .. did become somewhat of a concern during the last 3 weeks or so tho'! We were very comfortable in our 5er! 'Cept for our lack of internet connectability .. we had it 'made in da shade' so-to-speak. .. hee

Many contractor folks .. find RVing the way to go. Especially where their 'jobs' may take them to various states, cities and sites ...

Another alternative with a purchasing an RV .. is, setting it up IN a campground, and paying monthly site rental fees. Such site rentals are usually far cheaper than renting a 'conventional' home. And the 'home' is ALL yours!! This, may could be an alternative for you also ... Everything would be provided to you for your monthly rental fee. You would be hooked up to and provided [their] sewer, water, and electric services in your monthly rent. Oftentimes, telephone service is readily available .. along with cable services!

Purchasing a used RV .. can mean quite a savings for you also - - but check the prospects twice over, and then three times more!! Confirm what actually works (and doesn't) - - before you even consider it a bargain and/or commiting to any 'used' RV deals/prices!!

God's got a plan for ya kiddo! You'll be in the 'right' place soon ... Hang in there ...

Huggerooners to ya!

- Magpye

This message was edited Sep 16, 2005 3:10 PM

My best galpal lived in a small travel trailer why she and her SO built their home. It now serves as both storage and guest house.. and it was one of those really tiny ones. It still served the purpose. A 28 footer gives amazing space and storage on a temp basis. DD lived in one for a year or so. Started as a home away from home and turned into home for a space of time.

They can be powered from a meter on a post. Nothing fancy required.
Gonna be an adventure no matter how ya do it. Luck-~Blooms

Molly,

With the price of gas now, many people are trying to sell their RV's and campers. This might just be the right time to look into purchasing one. Offer them a decent price and they just might take you up on it.

Good luck in all this.
Donna

Diane,

I used PODS last year when I moved here. Although convenient, their deal is, you have to pay a full months rent on the pod even though you may only use it for 3 days.

I think if I can get a multi-purpose structure put on the property I can use it for storage, parking my extra car and a work shop. It would be a building (like a pole barn) that has uses later.

Blooms & Mags, Talking about travel trailers, now that brings back a memory or two. Back in 1977-78 when I first came down to S Florida I heard horror stories about how expensive it was to live here. I was in Orlando at the time and I bought a 27' Coachmen from an electrical contractor who used it to travel to jobs around the country. I moved it down here and put it in a trailer park and lived in it with my then wee son for 4 years. Lot rent was $105.00 a month. That did not included electricity, but with 110 power, that was cheap too. No doubt it's a lot higher now in this area.

This is definately another option to consider on a temporary basis. Then my son asks me after my house is built, he could continue to live in the temporary place for the privacy. With 5 acres, why not?

I've done some looking at pole barns and temporary structures until I wanna go take a nap. New stuff is a little higher than I want to pay for now. So my next option will be for second hand. I do need the extra building to store things in that I won't be able to use until the house is built as well as to store my painting equipment, lawn and gardening tools etc.

Up until 6 years ago I was readily transient. I didn't own anything that I didn't have to worry about leaving behind or throwing away. I kept my box of photos, my pets, clothes and my guitar. At 45 I'm not sure if that's good or bad. My point being, I didn't have the attachment to "things" that I seem to have now. Now being nearly 52 I have come to a point in my life I find that I need these things, and transporting them would be cheaper than yard selling them and purchasing later. I guess that I have joined the "normal" human race.

More surf searching for me. I need to re-examine the property layout/dimensions to figure out where everything will be.

Can you imagine? I am on a piece of dirt here measuring 5400 sq ft. My gardens are overcrowded to where the dog is now doing her business in the sweet tater vines (I discovered this today when I was wading through the vines to pick 4 o'clock seeds). When I take the plants up there, it is going to seem sparse I bet.

Great ideas and giving me lots of options and things to think about and research!!! Thanks so much.

Molly
:^)))

Gayle, we might be a little turned around here. Kids leave Ft Lauderdale to go to college in Gainesville. I am going up there when they are coming down here for Christmas break. That is an idea to keep in mind. I believe in the end I will be renting a U-Haul truck to transport the bulk of my belongings. I will need an additional driver to help drive that and my van though.

Dorothy, I have been looking at some of the "kits" both for a cabin and for a storage building. I think I can pioneer a bit, as long as I have a place to keep my computer dry and running. Heehee. That was great talking on chat, and so nice to meet you.

Donna,

I think I took a long time to post my last. You are absolutely right about RV's being sold now, just like the SUVS.

I have a hitch my X installed on my van 18 months ago but it is only rated to 2000 pounds. When I asked him for this info he was not real forthcoming with it, so I don't know if that's tongue weight or total pay load weight. HaHa, even if I knew the answers to those questions, I'm not sure I know how to put it to practical use. Maybe Dstartz or other truck drivers would enlighten me.

Molly

Me again Molly,

Ever looked at yurts?

mg

Gayle.......yurts?

I'll bet not.....what is that?

Molly
:^)))

LOL, Molly, I'm sure she'll send you some links. They are pretty cool dwellings. There's a campground near here that has some.

I saw a program last year about a couple who live in a Yurt in the N
W. I think it was in Oregon. Kind of sparse living, but it would be worth a look at them.

Donna

Okay, I'm going to play a game of spades and eat my cereal and I hope when I come back some one will please tell me.......what is a yurt?


:^)))

http://www.yurts.com/

http://www.yurts.com/what/default.aspx

http://www.yurts-r-us.com/

http://www.rainieryurts.com/

I find them fascinating and they seem affordable.

Just another thought,

mg

Ha ha Darius, I got caught up looking at the links and forgot I was supposed to be sending them.

mg

Wow, I have never seen such a thing. Looking at one of the links, they say these are good for winds up to 100mph. I wondered about that as I was looking at the pictures.

Amazing!!!

Molly

Molly, did you check the prices? Is this something you might think about?

mg

Yes I checked the prices and you are right, for the smaller bare bones one it's do-able. I have to get used to the idea of of something very different and have a conversation with Darius on how to turn a "Tent" into a home. Of course I would have to add on insulation and the openable dome thing to let the heat out and the extra support things for wind.

They had some pretty fancy set ups in some of those. Have you known anyone to live in one before?

I really liked the one that had all the different rooms connected together with little hallways.

How would you think they would be with wild critters? and outside noise? For the time being, the property IS out in the country. My parcel backs up to 6000 acres of State owned undeveloped land, all wooded.

Molly
:^)))

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=I+Live+in+a+yurt

I dunno?

mg

Oh so cool! I LOVE the yurts - and I read thru the FAQ on Rainer - like the idea of connecting two - one for living space - one for bed/bath......oh the possibilities.....think I may have just found my retirement home. I wish my house was on land - I'd get one for an artist studio.....so cool.....have to show DH.

Molly - I don't know if anyone said - but I think you have to pay the electric company to put you on the grid. They'd put up a pole and run electricity to a box I'd imagine - from which you'd have to have an electrician wire the house - or whatever you get.

The well/sewer is gonna be the big thing. And - I'd sure call about it as soon as possible. In Florida it won't be a problem I wouldn't think - but some times you can only drill during certain times of the year....don't know what "restrictions" there might be.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Marcia

Molly, you might also want to look into a composting toilet and a greywater system.

http://oikos.com/library/compostingtoilet/
http://compostingtoilet.org/

mg

Well I looked at those sites last night and early this morning. Checked out what people who live in them have to say. Didn't see anyone living in one down south.

I have to say I am not enough of a naturalist where I want to be that close to nature, unless I was actually camping. I like having a toilet, bathtub, stove and fridge, TV, computer and all these necessaries. The expense of a small one bare bones doesn't seem like much, but when you add on all the extras, consider the work involved, it would be just as well to get a small used mobile home or a large used travel trailer as temporary housing.

Marcia, yes I think someone mentioned the power company getting you on the grid. And I certainly didn't expect anyone would do it for free. But it's good to know who does what during the process. Thanks for the info.

I have some names now of people to do the well drilling and put in septic. I also heard there is a waiting list, so I better get to it.

Molly
:^)))

Have to keep an eye on this thread too, Molly....seems like a number of options are looming on the horizon. I think after all is said and done, you will be glad to have had this challenging opportunity. Not to mention it is a huge PIA right now!!!