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Sep 19, 2016

Goodbye Washington state

Surprise-  Anyone here? I am alive and well and filled with joy in a world of constant change.

After surviving fifteen years of MOSTLY gray skies, drizzle, rain and minimal sunshine I felt like I was going to (crack) or quack. Was I morphing into a duck or just suffering from a severe vitamin D deficiency? Other than a couple of decent weather months each summer, I struggled with the damp, wet and  cold weather and felt like I had moss growing on me from the lack of sunshine in the Pacific North West. I was sun starved and miserable, struggling and always in search of a blue sky and rays of sun to warm my bones and help me to find and remember my old self.

                                                                     

                                                          

I was completely fed up with the weather, insanely high property tax in King county WA as well as WA States liberal politics, their gun laws and regulations for every turn or step you take. In fact it was not much different from life in the CA bay area where I was born and raised. I owned a 3 bedroom, 3 bath home on rural acreage in WA, and I paid between $4,000-$5,000 in property taxes yearly. While at the same time, I was unable to spend one night in my tiny home that was parked on my well maintained land in rural King county on a private wooded gravel dead end road about 50 minutes away from Seattle, also known as the land of the Seattle Freeze (google it).

Long story short... cause you blog peepers prefer pics over wordy posts, - I moved my tiny home to NC and parked it on land I purchased in the Appalachian mountains, about an hour outside of Asheville.     
                                                                              


Tiny homes often come with their own set of headaches. They are illegal to live in, in most towns, cities and states across America. Most tiny homes do not meet local building codes and being they are built on wheels the county can't collect property taxes on them. That makes tiny home dwellers unwelcome in most areas of the United States. Some tiny home owners are now registering them as recreation vehicles allowing them more legal parking and road travel options. Some trailer parks welcome tiny homes and some towns are in the process of modifying county regulations, laws and building codes so that more people will be allowed to dwell in them legally. In the meantime we have TV shows that make the tiny life look so appealing when most of the people on the shows are piggy backing off of someone else who owns land and they are not paying their fair share of property taxes.


                                           

My tiny home is part of my emergency preparedness plan in order to give myself options. I have lived long enough to learn that one's lifestyle and circumstances can change quickly, I like having options. Yet, owing a tiny house while owning a normal size home with a swim spa that was the very same size of my tiny home gave me the time and opportunity to try on a very itsy bitsy home for size. While tiny homes are cute, cozy and can be so appealing, there are HUGE drawbacks to the tiny life. There are thousands of tiny homes for sale because they don't always work out the way people thought they would. Do your homework before you build or buy one.



                                                                   

 In my opinion the downside of tiny house living is that dwellers become dependent rather than self- reliant. Surprisingly, quite the opposite of what many tiny home owners believe life will be for them once they build or buy their tiny slice of heaven.  Let me explain what I mean. In the current state of political unrest and with what I believe is a criminal administration, not to mention the criminal who is now running for president,  America is in a distressed condition and is being run into the ground and fast, I think it is is of utmost importance to physically prepare and plan so that we may live more sustainable lives in perilous times.  Living in a tiny home in most cases is not conducive to preparedness planning and living. I personally feel that it is time for America to wake up and be discerning of the realities as well as the vulnerability of the times in which we live. While I am not quite sure of all the actions I myself should take I am fully aware that the most basic ones such as food preparedness and storage will not fit within the walls of a tiny house.



                                                   

Being prepared for emergencies requires more space than my shabby chic tiny retreat can provide.
Not to mention all of the animals I have. There simply is not enough oxygen for me, and the furkids to share, nor is there any space for the "STUFF" in my life. And I am not interested in becoming a minimalist where I own just 12 items. At this point I like my "stuff" and may collect some more stuff.
Keep in mind while some call the current tiny house trend a "movement" there are no rules that say you have to get rid of all your cowboy boots or the 56 shirts you own. It is your business and don't feel pressued to throw everything you own away because someone says you are bad and wrong for owning more than they do.




                                          

I wanted my next home to be much smaller than my 2,300 sq foot, 3 bedroom, 3 bath with a 500' connected home based business size home yet not the size of my shabby chic girl cave. I desired to make a life change and search for a home that would be a small space that worked well for me.Where I would be able to collect, stock and store supplies as well as grow my own food and have my own water well, so not to depend on the government nor the local grocery store in the case of unexpected emergency or circumstances.



                                                              


The RADICAL shifts taking place in our country, government and society were and still are a huge motivating factor in my desire to become better prepared for possible or probable future catastrophic events. After much thought and prayer, I still kept to my plan and choose to downsize my stuff and my lifestyle and sell my larger home yet upsize my life by choosing a home to live in that is larger than my tiny shabby chic tiny retreat. 

You may be wondering where the tiny house was towed to. I had it towed to Western North Carolina where she was parked next to my new home.  I prayed asking God to guide me as I worked towards a debt free, sunny, simple, and sustainable life. In 2014 after years of hard work I entered that reality. Dreams do come true.  I purchased a tiny 570 sq foot, one hundred year old plus, farmhouse online, sight unseen in a town I had never been too nor heard of. I loaded up my vintage 22 yr old Casita travel trailer with dogs and drove over three thousand miles to my new (old) farmhouse hidden the hills of Western North Carolina.

I am doing a happy dance. I love it here. It has not been easy but I can tell you God is good and I am blessed. I give all glory and praise to HIM. It has been and continues to be an adventure. I have been working on personalizing my little farmhouse and it will be a mix of shabby, rustic, primitive, prairie with splashes of French country.

More about the journey here to NC and a few pictures of my vintage Casita in my next post.

Remember it is never ever too late to create a happy, silly, fun filled childhood. I am near sixty years old and still seizing each day and shaking it up as best I can.

Blessings,
Tonita




                                                                       



26 comments:

Serena said...

I'm so happy for you! Sounds like a wonderful move. I think you've got a lot of courage to follow through on you dreams.
Blessings to you!

Serena

Tonita said...

Thanks for stopping by Serena. May your life also be blessed.

Lydia said...

So good to see your blog update pop up on my blog.

Tonita said...

Hi Lydia,
Thanks for keeping me in your loop. Many blessings.

Cynthia Choat said...

I loved everything you had to say, and of course agree completely with your thoughts about the country ect. You should read One Second After by William R. Forstechen a real page turning novel about EMP's and how our life could change in seconds. I am so looking forward to learning more about your new home and your thoughts about it. You are so honest and transparent, thank you. I am very interested to learn how you feel about North Carolina.. The author of the before mentioned book lives in Asheville, North Carolina and that town is part of the book. Warmest regards and Blessings to you and the furkins!! xo Cynthia Choat

Unknown said...

Hi Lady! I am absolutely thrilled for you. You are living the dream! Keep on moving!

Anonymous said...

So good to hear from you ... I appreciate your straight forward approach. Enjoy!

Susan said...

Excellent blog post. How fun and exciting!!! I can't wait to hear more about your new home and see lots of pictures! (Reminds me of "Baby Boom"!) Very happy for you!

Valerie said...

I totally agree with your thoughts on our country and our scary future! I can't wait to hear about your new home and life for you in North Carolina.

DownTheLaneWithDaisy said...

Interesting read and so much is so true. I look forward to following your blog.

Outdoor Dog's Blog said...

Sorry to see you go. The beauty of the NW is unsurpassed. Just moved back here from sunny TN as I missed the "liberal" politics and the incredible wildlife and clean rivers. It is also quite crowded and it seems everyone litters in the south. However, what I do miss is the music and free venues which can be found everywhere. I listen to the Blue Plate Special out of Knoxville (WDVX)on the computer and look forward to another time when I may visit. Music is celebrated in a way that is not done in the west, in my opinion. Best of luck.
PS) Asheville has to be one of the most "liberal" cities I've been to and growing. Seems funny you would choose to go there.

Unknown said...

Wow, what a great informative post! I'm so impressed with what you have done. I live in the PNW and understand all your dilemmas. We are trying to deal with those realities too.
I certainly hope all goes well with your move and I'll be anxious to hear all about your adventures.

Unknown said...

With your god and gun quotes you may actually get along with southerners. Best of luck to you

Tracy said...

congratulations on your new old home and new state! I know the feeling-having lived in NY for 36 yrs with crazy high taxes and lots of regulations, and 6 months of cold and gray skies, I got out of Dodge 19 yrs ago and moved to East TN, ( we're practically neighbors :) ) I love it here. Cant wait to see your old farmhouse. And I couldn't agree more about the current state of this country. Hopefully that will change too, come Nov. Enjoy your new adventure!

Sandra said...

I am so happy for you and so so glad to see your post. Please keep us posted you are such an inspiration to me. God is very good.

Sandra

pugsmom said...

So glad to see a post from you. I hope more are coming. Love it that you speak your mind. So refreshing. Sandra

Tonita said...

Dear Outdoor dog blog owner -
I agree, WA is a beautiful state. I enjoyed incredible hiking and fantastic skiing adventures and nature at it's finest. I am glad that you enjoy life there and that you and your dog family took my place in WA. Thanks for taking time to comment and I will check out that Blue Plate special. Oh, I did not move to Asheville, I am a total country gal and live in a rural mountain area about an 1 1/2 from Asheville. I grew up near Berkley CA, so not sure any place tops that for a liberal city. Thanks for checking in. Be abundantly blessed.

Anonymous said...

I had to shake my head. When, I was reading your throughts..... You think 3,000 - 4,000 a lot for taxes. Try living in WI. That's cheap.
It's sound like you must watch a lot of Fox's news. Low information.... You talk about guns. Ya,,, like your going to hunt for your
food now. People like to promote the fear factor. Instead, of doing research. The south has been lock in the past. Yes, women vote.
People should love who they want. Has for regulations. Talk to the people of Flint MI. Because, of a greedy Governor. The regulations
were ignored & the people of Flint are still battling their fight with lead in their drink water. I think you might want to pack your rose color
glasses with you. It seems like you been wearing them a lot lately....

Tonita said...

My blog allows me to tell MY story the way I see fit. I will address this type of comment this ONE time ONLY. The readers of this blog are from different backgrounds, lifestyles and have different beliefs than I do. IF anyone dislikes this blog they only have to hit the delete button. I have little time or interest in addressing multi subject comments such as yours. SO this once I will make an exception and take time to respond in honor of FREE SPEECH. The topics you brought up – 1.Taxes- 2. Where you “assume” I get my news- 3. Assumptions about my gun use- 4. Fear factors- 5. The South - 6. Women voting- 7. People loving who they want- 8. Concerns in MI- 8. More assumptions, about me wearing rose glasses and the length of time I wear them. It seems by your comments that other blogs would be better suited to your lifestyle and / or beliefs. Or, perhaps you could start your own blog?

For inquiring minds here is some more info about me-
I have not owned a TV for about 5 years. My top news sources are – www.TheDrudgeReport.com, www.InfoWars.com (Alex Jones) and www.MichaelSavage.com. I follow and read many more political blogs than any other type of blog. I follow politics closely and spend much time in prayer due to the distress America is in. I love JESUS. I love America and I am an independent voter. I choose candidates that line up as much as possible to Gods word. I believe there is no perfect presidential candidate as Jesus is not running for office. I am a hunter for my own food and my dogs are looking forward to eating fresh meat and hopefully Bambi this current hunting season. YUMMY- I support PETA (people eating tasty animals). Since It is illegal to shoot liberals in NC (JOKE), I will stick to what animal is in season. I support straight pride, conservative and traditional family values, the pledge of allegiance to our flag, our military, gun rights and am a HUGE PRO LIFE supporter. This comment should clear the air and if it offends anyone, it is simple solution, hit "delete" and poof I am gone from your life. I make NO apologies for what I believe. I am not looking to increase followers, nor am I supported by advertisers or affiliates. Gosh, I sound like my candidate - Trump, LOL. And in case you have not noticed by now I DON”T give a hoot about political correctness. All future comments that are argumentative in nature or seem to attack my freedom of speech will be deleted. Heck, most of you came here today to see some shabby delicious eye candy. Don’t worry, those pictures will come. I am working away on my little old farmhouse. It is not yet picture worthy.

I am now going to go sit on my covered porch with a glass of Sweet Tea. YA’ALL be blessed. Ms Tonita signing out for now. Peace out.



Joanie McLaughlin said...

It was nice to see a post from you again. My family is from Bakersville, NC. I still have many cousins living there. I LOVE visiting that area and wish I could live there, but it's not meant to be. Enjoy the lovely mountains of NC and I hope you are happy and feel content and safe there. I look forward to hearing more about your life there!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your new home... So glad to see a post from you again..have often thought about you and your cute shabby chic home.... Love all of your post and shabby chic stuff..looking forward to more posts from your home...

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your new home... So glad to see a post from you again..have often thought about you and your cute shabby chic home.... Love all of your post and shabby chic stuff..looking forward to more posts from your home..so you are in NC now, not far from me..I love in S.C

Tonita said...

Hi Rita,
Thanks for your comment. I am working on fixing up my little farmhouse daily and am still unpacking so pictures will be shared in time. I do hope to post way more often.

Lizzy said...

Love your blog Tonita. This has been one of my dreams. Thanks for sharing.

Susan said...

Congratulations on your successful move. I am over the mountain from you in East TN. Lots of independent individuals around here. You took the right path to the right place. Best of luck and keep all your readers informed of your progress. Love to hear from you.
Susan

Tonita said...

Susan, Thanks for popping in and leaving a comment. Ahh-you are in a beautiful area also. I definitely feel blessed to be on a new and refreshing, sunny, more simple path at this time in my life. All while I grieve the death of my country as I knew it to be. I pray we can make America great again, before she is totally lost.

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