Today marks one year since we moved into our 5th wheel. It's hard to believe so much time has passed. It doesn't feel like it's been that long at all. Although, many things have happened in the last year, and in some ways it feels like it has been longer!
Once the 5th wheel was delivered, Jeff spent hours digging water and sewer lines. Once the power pole went up and we had water/septic hooked up, we moved in.
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One year ago
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One year ago today. This is what moving in looked like.
I'm sure Korbin would have been completely stressed out- instead, he was at Philmont Scout Ranch. |
We have enjoyed country living. Less traffic, more outdoors. I have gotten a small taste of basic sustainability- growing food, milking goats, and enjoying nature.
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| Target practice |
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| Drying clothes outside |
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| Planting a cornfield |
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| Her first catch |
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| Helping each other pick dewberries |
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| Behind the okra |
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| New baby goat |
If you're wondering why Lacey appears in most of the photos, I think it's just because she spends the most time making the most of what the outdoors has to offer. Kailyn is outside more, but Lacey is just doing more.
I have truly enjoyed to closeness the 5th wheel has allotted us. I definitely had a couple of panicked moments before moving, wondering if we would be able to stand such a small space. It turns out we are just fine. In fact, I'd say we are better than before. Yesterday, Korbin told me that he expected it to be harder to share a room with all of his siblings. He thought they would keep him up all night and fight with each other without the ability to get away. In our house they often did this. People would sit and stew over arguments in their rooms. Since moving into the same room, however, they may get irritated with each other, but I've read that moving into such a small space will create a situation in which family members can no longer get away from each other, which actually forces them to work out their differences. We have found this to be completely true. Maddox used to frustrate everyone and end up alone in his room. Now, if he frustrates everyone, they are onto him- either getting really upset and needing intervention (from me) or talking to him and not letting him get away with things. Korbin used to spend lots of time alone in his room. Now, he has everyone there with him and they have formed close relationships, laughing and talking into the night. He used to stay far from physical contact, yet now he is more comfortable in close quarters. Lacey loved the idea of a tiny home years before the rest of us came around, only to be devastated at the loss of her big house. I think it was mainly the change from the familiar. She obviously has enjoyed her time outside. Kailyn is probably the easiest on all fronts. She is just so giving of herself and does not complain. She likes having so much space to walk around outside.
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| K&K listening to a homework assignment together. |
Some harder things about living here are firstly- NO BATHTUB. There is no sugar-coating that in my mind. It is my go-to remedy for stress, muscle pain, and any oncoming illness for anyone. I chose a unit that had the best insulation we could get. In doing so, I had to forgo the bathtub. It was worth it, but I still miss the bathtub.
The second hard thing has been the water. When we first moved, the water tested positive for bacteria and the water pressure has always been below 30psi. Just recently we were without water for a couple of weeks, off and on, as we worked on fixing it. Now that the pressure issue is much improved, I suspect the bacteria issue may be as well. I'm planning to order another testing kit to find out. I think that because the pressure tank was busted, that bacteria was growing in that tank. It's really just a theory, so I'll be testing that shortly. If I'm right, then we'll finally be able to use our ice and water dispenser in the refrigerator! For that last year we've been buying bottled water.
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| Our water pressure at its worst, which happened to be when I came home from camp longing for a shower. |
One other unexpected drawback to living in a tiny space is that I have actually lost muscle tone and flexibility. When you can reach the light switch, door, closet, window, and dresser from your bed, you don't move as much as you used to. I also don't have open floor space to stretch the way I like. So in order to keep in shape, I have to make a more concerted effort. I've started jogging and stretching to help with this.
Something that just happened this month is that we traded in our old Ford truck for a new Ram large enough to tow our home. It is frightening to think of moving this thing, but once we get used to it, I'm sure I'll overcome my fear. It is such a relief to finally have a truck big enough to pull our home. It just felt weird not having one for so long. My main concern with moving it is the initial getting out on the road. Our 5th wheel is in a fairly precarious spot, and it took the professional a little head scratching to get it in place. I told Jeff I might have to leave before he moves it. I can't watch.
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| Jeff's new baby |
So we are planning a trip to Dallas this summer. I haven't made any reservations or anything like that.
First, we'll take it in for inspection and see how that goes. (RV's require yearly inspections, regardless of whether or not they are stationary.)
Before we can move it, I have some cleaning to do. I would like to get rid of what isn't going to be good for travel. There are things like porcelain piggy banks, large bronze urns holding change, glass cookware, and mason jars. I have a hunch those things don't really travel well, not to mention the stuff in the refrigerator. (Keep in mind I milk my goats and have 1/2 gallon mason jars in the fridge.) For our coffee mugs, I found a basket to keep them in, and am looking for a solution for the mason jars. Ideas are welcome. Plastic is not a good way to store goat milk, so I may need some kind of protection for the jars rather than other options for storing the milk.
I recently bought new bedding for the girls and made them curtains for their cubbies. They love it. They sleep with the curtains drawn closed. The addition of our kitchen table has been wonderful. We can all sit together for dinner and games. People can draw, do schoolwork, sew, or craft at the table. The pedestal tables were not holding up to the rigors of full time living. The dog would walk by, bump the table, and spill whatever drink was on it. Playing games there was challenging as well.
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| Playing the game Lacey made for AHG |
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| Playing the game Kailyn made for AHG |
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The new table
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I am so glad to be able to sit with the whole family around the table again. It feels more like a home to me. We eat dinner together, and lately have tea time all together. We try to play games about once a week. There is something special about sitting around a table together. I'm so thankful we found a way.
