WE LIVE. 

Life in north west Ohio is as good as ever. Noah, the pups and I are happy living our country life (currently on 14 acres), still working from home and spending breaks on walkabouts. Frustrated with something (usually myself): walk or bike up to the mailbox; feeling aimless and cluttered: mow the lawn or pull weeds... and it goes on.

We have spent the first half of winter traveling, leaving our unfinished tiny house in the snow, or more commonly, the swamp that comes with a warm, wet winter.

Recently, we've had some serious discussion about what should come next to reach our goals, and more importantly, be more comfortable in the exisiting space. ENTER FLOORING. 

We knew for a long time what the flooring would be but we hadn't commited to getting it done. As we near three years of building, we realize how important it is to start a project (with the project) and finish it. (duh)

Process:

• Purchase wood on a day when the hardware store has a rebate offer

• Attach bottom brackets to concrete foundation

• Build three beams to go across* (simple enough for one bullet point right?)

• Attach beams to brackets

• Work really hard to make everything level using a level, chalk lines and string

• Attach beams to posts, trimming when necessary

• Buy steel steaks because you don't trust the wood steaks

• Accept that the deck will never be perfectly level

We've spent the majority of the summer working on our deck. While we still don't have a kitchen (gasp!), we both wanted the comfort and convenience that the deck would afford us. Planning and finding the energy to build the thing have been roadblocks but we finally have a deck we can walk on! 

Process:

• Drill 9 holes, 42" deep

• Insert 4 rebar rods in each hole

• Fall into a hole and narrowly miss rebar

• Cover 9 pylons with plastic, Insert into holes

• Fill pylons with cement mix, keep level

• Fill around pylons with gravel to stablize

I've never lived outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, save for a small amount of time when we were borrowing land just a hop into Kentucky. Not only did we move to a new city, it just happens to be in the middle of nowhere. When I say I live in the country I mean there is no place to walk to and the most exciting attraction (which really is exciting) is the small soft serve window down the street. My big outings now consist of going to Dollar General (a newly minted store) or walking to the mailbox. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving country living.

I'll just leave this here and let it do the talking: 

Coleman Lay-Z Spa Inflatable Hot Tub

This current set up is temporary. The tub will eventually go on the deck we're building this summer. Stay tuned! 

We've been at Lovare for almost a month and it already feels like a home I'd like to live in for a long time. Ever since we hit the soil here, I've felt no desire to post to the blog (even though I'm always thinking of topics). We've made it right?

The moment we had been dreading/looking foward to/excited for finally came on Wednesday; we moved our house for the first time.

In short, everything was perfect. 

In long(?), everything was perfect.

We're happy/tired/releived. Now it is time to nest and rest. More details about what's coming up soon.

By the way, we have a shower! And it works! and it's hot! 

Pictures Above:

We purchased this one piece shower stall from Lowes, which we both liked because of the clean lines. Noah built a custom wooden base for it so he could elevate and plumb it. Also pictured: RV style spout that uses less water than traditional units, pump for the shower and grey water plumbing.

Projects Above:

While I was gone at a two day festivial, Noah's dad came in to lend a hand. I owe this man a lot because he has really fought to keep us going.