One year ago, this past April, I sold my large home and acreage in a rural area about an hour away from Seattle, WA. I wanted to create a simpler lifestyle, soak up sunshine and live in a small home. My shabby chic tiny retreat was way to tiny to consider using it as my primary home. I not only needed more space for myself but also for my children who live in fur coats.
I have done death row dog rescue work as a hobby for over forty years, saving one dog at a time, training them manners and obedience and getting them healthy and fit for adoption. For almost twenty years I have had a pack of dogs that numbered between five to fifteen dogs on any given day. Most of them were in transition of being saved from next day euthanasia in high kill shelters to finding their forever homes. Over the years the ones that were unfit to be adopted stayed with me and were spoiled and loved till their last breath. My own personal pack of dogs usually consisted of four to five dogs. Rottweiler's and Aussies really steal my heart. I was finally down to a small pack of family members for the fist time in many years. My fur kid family consisted of a Rottweiler/Mastiff X, three Rotties, two Cattle dog-Husky-Shepherd mixes, and one Mini Aussie . Oh- and one dog loving orange cat. That was the smallest group of animals I had owned in many years, so I figured it was a good time to change up my lifestyle and location in a major way.
Welcome to my other girl cave....pics below. My vintage Casita travel trailer. A perfect cozy spot for glamping, as well as transporting some of my fur kids to our new home located in the beautiful mountains of NC. It has options for two single beds, a double bed or a king size bed. I selected the king size bed option for Riley, Hailey and Tyler to travel in comfort and style. At night I slept in there with them and my other two dogs slept in the SUV along with the cat.
While still living and working in WA state, I started shopped online for a new state to relocate to. I prayed and asked for God's guidance in my life. I had visited North Carolina only once for just three days about twenty years ago. The warm weather, Southern hospitality and deepest blue sky I had ever seen in my life, left a lasting impression that drew me back and tugged on my heart. I did a lot of reading and decided that NC would be my new home state.
Being a mom to so many fur kids meant I needed to buy a house before I sold my old house. We definitely needed a plan. I searched for a home online in North Carolina before I listed my WA home for sale. I am a country girl at heart even though I grew up in the San Francisco bay area and lived there most of my life, I could not imagine ever again living in a city or even in the suburbs. I am definitely a country girl and country roads were calling me home to the place where I knew that I belonged. Now that song really has more meaning to me.
On a mission to find a small home I prepared a 'must have' list and a more flexible 'wish list'. The first list included a home under 700 sq feet, on an minimum of an acre of land, my own water well, good natural light, and a covered porch. My flexible 'wish list' was for a farmhouse or log cabin, a an outbuilding, a metal roof, and a real fireplace or claw foot tub would seal the deal. I also hoped for a nearby river, stream, creek or pond. I found a little house that was about 100-150 years old. No records on file because it was SO old. It was 570 square feet-a PERFECT SIZE for me, on land in a rural wooded mountain area yet just a few miles from a river, a stream (that I can hear from my covered front porch) and a large pond just 1/4 mile from my home. It had a fireplace and a two sided covered wrap around front porch, as well as an outbuilding, a root cellar, a carport and for it's age it was in pretty good shape and best of all it was in my price range. Done deal, I bought it, sight unseen (except for pictures) and located in a town I had never heard of or been to in my life. I did a happy dance that day. GOD is SO GOOD. HE blessed me above and beyond all I could think or imagine. Was I scared? Nope.. I really had a peace about it all. And, I was thrilled to leave WA states high prices, high taxes and the drizzly gray weather behind me. I will miss my friends and my business. But on to new goals and adventures.
Soon after I bought my NC home and land, I had my tiny house towed to it's new parking spot in NC.-- See my last post for that story.
I then listed my three bedroom, three bath home in WA and after 9 months on the market it finally sold. I shut down my business, got my camper ready and loaded up the fur kids for a LONG drive across the United States. Unfortunately two of my Rottweiler's died in WA and were not able to relocate with me but will live in my heart forever. I filled up my vintage Casita camper with my precious cargo - A Rottie/Mastiff Mix boy and my Sweet Rottie girl, my little crazy Mini Aussie who is seven sandwiches short of a picnic. I hitched up my Casita to my small SUV that was filled with my two Cattle dog, Husky Shepherd mixes and my Orange cat. Off we went - three thousand miles on our way to our new life and home in NC.
Oh, I may of forgotten to mention a small detail to the above story. I worked to the very last day before I left WA state. I did not have time to downsize my stuff before I sold my home. So, I loaded up not just one 28' truck but half of a second 28' truck also. Yep, three bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Three home based businesses, a double garage with more stuff, and two- two hundred sq foot sheds of stuff. Lots of stuff, that I had accumulated over the past decade. I was not sure what I wanted to keep or what to get rid of having not seen my NC home in person. I sold what I could in the limited time that I had and then spent months packing, and packing and packing what would go to NC with me.
Two commercial trucks parked in front of my TINY farmhouse days after I arrived. My covered porch was filled from top to bottom, my house inside was filled with boxes that covered the floors, and were stacked all the way up to the ceiling. I only had a 12 inch path through my little house and I was in overwhelm. Even my bathtub was filled to the ceiling with boxes. This mess was not part of what I had envisioned my new simple life to be like. I have done crazy things in my life but this might top them all. It is probably not often that a person would buy a home this way- online, sight unseen, in a town they had never heard of nor been to. Then- to shut down business, and sell your home and move with six animals across the United States... well I have always marched to a different drummer.
After days of driving across the roads of America and caring for my critters, I was really happy to pull into my new driveway for the first time ever. With a sigh of relief having driven from Seattle to Western North Carolina, I took a deep breath, got out my house key and stepped inside my new
home.
 |
| My babies in my old home in WA.- Two now live in Heaven |
I have done death row dog rescue work as a hobby for over forty years, saving one dog at a time, training them manners and obedience and getting them healthy and fit for adoption. For almost twenty years I have had a pack of dogs that numbered between five to fifteen dogs on any given day. Most of them were in transition of being saved from next day euthanasia in high kill shelters to finding their forever homes. Over the years the ones that were unfit to be adopted stayed with me and were spoiled and loved till their last breath. My own personal pack of dogs usually consisted of four to five dogs. Rottweiler's and Aussies really steal my heart. I was finally down to a small pack of family members for the fist time in many years. My fur kid family consisted of a Rottweiler/Mastiff X, three Rotties, two Cattle dog-Husky-Shepherd mixes, and one Mini Aussie . Oh- and one dog loving orange cat. That was the smallest group of animals I had owned in many years, so I figured it was a good time to change up my lifestyle and location in a major way.
Welcome to my other girl cave....pics below. My vintage Casita travel trailer. A perfect cozy spot for glamping, as well as transporting some of my fur kids to our new home located in the beautiful mountains of NC. It has options for two single beds, a double bed or a king size bed. I selected the king size bed option for Riley, Hailey and Tyler to travel in comfort and style. At night I slept in there with them and my other two dogs slept in the SUV along with the cat.
 |
| 3 of my dogs traveled in my Casita camper as we made our way to NC |
While still living and working in WA state, I started shopped online for a new state to relocate to. I prayed and asked for God's guidance in my life. I had visited North Carolina only once for just three days about twenty years ago. The warm weather, Southern hospitality and deepest blue sky I had ever seen in my life, left a lasting impression that drew me back and tugged on my heart. I did a lot of reading and decided that NC would be my new home state.
 |
| My dogs traveled in style on the way to NC |
Being a mom to so many fur kids meant I needed to buy a house before I sold my old house. We definitely needed a plan. I searched for a home online in North Carolina before I listed my WA home for sale. I am a country girl at heart even though I grew up in the San Francisco bay area and lived there most of my life, I could not imagine ever again living in a city or even in the suburbs. I am definitely a country girl and country roads were calling me home to the place where I knew that I belonged. Now that song really has more meaning to me.
 |
| This is a 14' fiberglass trailer and worked perfect for our long road trip |
On a mission to find a small home I prepared a 'must have' list and a more flexible 'wish list'. The first list included a home under 700 sq feet, on an minimum of an acre of land, my own water well, good natural light, and a covered porch. My flexible 'wish list' was for a farmhouse or log cabin, a an outbuilding, a metal roof, and a real fireplace or claw foot tub would seal the deal. I also hoped for a nearby river, stream, creek or pond. I found a little house that was about 100-150 years old. No records on file because it was SO old. It was 570 square feet-a PERFECT SIZE for me, on land in a rural wooded mountain area yet just a few miles from a river, a stream (that I can hear from my covered front porch) and a large pond just 1/4 mile from my home. It had a fireplace and a two sided covered wrap around front porch, as well as an outbuilding, a root cellar, a carport and for it's age it was in pretty good shape and best of all it was in my price range. Done deal, I bought it, sight unseen (except for pictures) and located in a town I had never heard of or been to in my life. I did a happy dance that day. GOD is SO GOOD. HE blessed me above and beyond all I could think or imagine. Was I scared? Nope.. I really had a peace about it all. And, I was thrilled to leave WA states high prices, high taxes and the drizzly gray weather behind me. I will miss my friends and my business. But on to new goals and adventures.
Soon after I bought my NC home and land, I had my tiny house towed to it's new parking spot in NC.-- See my last post for that story.
 |
There is a sink under the cutting board. I added the backsplash.
|
I then listed my three bedroom, three bath home in WA and after 9 months on the market it finally sold. I shut down my business, got my camper ready and loaded up the fur kids for a LONG drive across the United States. Unfortunately two of my Rottweiler's died in WA and were not able to relocate with me but will live in my heart forever. I filled up my vintage Casita camper with my precious cargo - A Rottie/Mastiff Mix boy and my Sweet Rottie girl, my little crazy Mini Aussie who is seven sandwiches short of a picnic. I hitched up my Casita to my small SUV that was filled with my two Cattle dog, Husky Shepherd mixes and my Orange cat. Off we went - three thousand miles on our way to our new life and home in NC.
 |
| Unfortunately I could not locate my camera, so I don't have any pictures of our trip |
Oh, I may of forgotten to mention a small detail to the above story. I worked to the very last day before I left WA state. I did not have time to downsize my stuff before I sold my home. So, I loaded up not just one 28' truck but half of a second 28' truck also. Yep, three bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Three home based businesses, a double garage with more stuff, and two- two hundred sq foot sheds of stuff. Lots of stuff, that I had accumulated over the past decade. I was not sure what I wanted to keep or what to get rid of having not seen my NC home in person. I sold what I could in the limited time that I had and then spent months packing, and packing and packing what would go to NC with me.
 |
| Snap, Crackle, Pop - I didn't need that antenna anyways.. |
Two commercial trucks parked in front of my TINY farmhouse days after I arrived. My covered porch was filled from top to bottom, my house inside was filled with boxes that covered the floors, and were stacked all the way up to the ceiling. I only had a 12 inch path through my little house and I was in overwhelm. Even my bathtub was filled to the ceiling with boxes. This mess was not part of what I had envisioned my new simple life to be like. I have done crazy things in my life but this might top them all. It is probably not often that a person would buy a home this way- online, sight unseen, in a town they had never heard of nor been to. Then- to shut down business, and sell your home and move with six animals across the United States... well I have always marched to a different drummer.
 |
| Ahh, I think I may have too much stuff |
 |
| I just might be related to Sanford and Son |
After days of driving across the roads of America and caring for my critters, I was really happy to pull into my new driveway for the first time ever. With a sigh of relief having driven from Seattle to Western North Carolina, I took a deep breath, got out my house key and stepped inside my new
home.
OH- Where am I going to put everything?
To be continued...............
In the meantime, remember-It is never to late to create a happy childhood.
11 comments:
Can't wait to read more!!
Looking forward to more. I'm in southern Va so we are almost neighbors!
Don't keep us in suspence too long.
I can't wait to hear the next installment of your new life!
Loving this blog and am looking forward to hearing more. How exciting!! I wish I was so brave. God bless, Sandra
You are One Gutsy Lady.
I almost cried just thinking about what you are going to do with all your belongings.
It will be an interesting story that I will look forward to reading.
Take Care and do not work to hard.
I moved across country with one cat and 378 boxes and a huge moving VAN (ONE OF THE LARGEST ) trailer full of my Moms entire apartment of antiques as well as my furniture. Once I arrived I felt like a idiot for paying for all that to be moved by the pound and all the hours of unpacking and arranging I had ahead. it took me near a year but I got rid of 3/4 of what I owned including furniture, anything seasonal and books, shoes, movies, and anything else that was not essential. I got busy donating and was I glad I did because in 9 months I was miserable and moved back to where I was knowing that I was doing the right thing for me and my pet. Was I glad , my move was easy with less then 125 total boxes and only 2 rooms of essential furniture. From now on I live with less and never bring anything in my house.
I hope you and the kids will be happy where you are but if your not and you hate it, give yourself permission to move, no matter what the cost because your happiness is all that matters. In the meantime I recommend a lot of rest and start purging ! No one person living alone needs this much, take it from one who knows. Accumulation of material goods is just replacement for something missing and I am happy to say that I no longer have a need to have accumulated goods. A great bonus to purging is you probably have neighbors that run local thrift stores and need your extra unneeded goods to sell, that benefits you and your new town.
Hi Lexi, Sorry your relocation did not work out well for you. Everything is for a season and who can say "forever" and really know the outcome? I have created a few possibilities and options for myself, in order to not be a victim of location or stay stuck in my life. After being here almost a year and a half I am so content and at peace and know, that I know, that I know - I am supposed to be right were I am at, during this time of my life. All is well with my soul.
As far as my stuff - Oh what a BLESSING that I brought it all with me. I finally have time to sort, sift and sell things. A large portion of my stuff is business inventory related. I was able to open booth space in an Antique mall that created an instant source of income while I fluff my nest here at home with the things I want to keep. When my stuff arrived, it was overwhelming at first but a year later - I am happy I did it the way that I did. No regrets.
Wow, I am amazed at your story. Will be watching for further posts...and I must say, you are a brave lady! Blessings, Pam @ Everyday Living
Oh honey girl! You are a brave lady, no wonder I was attracted to this blog so many years ago! As you know I moved as well, Lots of difficulties but so worth every one of them! Im still painting! Next is pulling up carpet! Fun Fun! Take care and hope your getting rest <3
Have thought about you so many times after the last post I received. It seems like you barely got moved when all that bad weather hit your area. I do hope all is well and you and your little fur family are well and safe.Sandy
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