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tnky03
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2015 01:31am
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Trying as a couple to live off grid in a small cabin didn't pan out. Trying to live as a couple didn't pan out either. At almost 60 back to square one. My pioneering spirit however moves on. Today my 220 sq. ft. cottage was delivered to my 6.5 acre country property. Today I begin, with a little help from my friends and much prayer to the Lord, to finish the inside in a country cottage look with a bit of rustic flavor. Water lines dug and pipes on site. This week will pick up vinyl for flooring, lumber for walks and loft, insulation and dry wall. Let the fun begin. I will be trying to figure out installation of a small solar setup, 1-2 100 watt panels, 2 deep cycle batteries, charge controller and inverter. I have a generator for backup. I've been gathering ideas here a few years, hope I've learned a lot.Am posting a pick of my new place. Any advice will be appreciated.
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Pookie129
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2015 05:39am
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Congratulations on Phase II of your life in progress 
Sometimes the things that don't work out, leads us to the thing or things that was meant to be.
Good luck
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naturelover66
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2015 07:06am
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Welcome back!! I wondered where u were off to. I'm sorry for your heartache... And I love your new cabin!! Its going to be a good summer for u for sure.
Lisa
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OliveSheep
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2015 07:57am
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Those tiny little dormers sure are cute! Best of luck to you on Phase 2 of your life adventure. When you decide on your solar setup, please do share. I'm looking for something very small like that as well.
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2015 08:06am
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I'm on "Life Rebuild #3" and things have never been better. Your off to a good "rebuild" no doubt about it. That's a nice little cabin and soon enough you'll have it all personalised to your taste. Take care of you first and everything else should fall into place in the fullness of time. I never believed that myself but time has proven that statement to be very accurate.
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creeky
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2015 08:46am
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Good luck with your build. That is one nice looking cabin.
If I can say, get one 200watt panel rather than two 100s. It will be less $. In fact the 200 watt panel could be less than 1 100.
and a european company "victron" is selling into North America now. They have really nice systems and a stellar reputation so it's real nice to see them here.
The small mppt solar controller is only 120 bucks on amazon. "blue sky 75/15 victron". be perfect for a small set up.
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littlehouseontheprarie
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2015 12:06pm
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Going through a starting over period in my life too.
Hang in there it will be a great ride.
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2015 04:38pm
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Welcome back! Yay!!! I have wondered about you often and how you are doing! How your daughter is doing too.
Sorry to hear you are "rebuilding" your life.....you clearly aren't alone here from the sounds of it. I too am rebuilding my life. The challenges I'm facing are sometimes almost overwhelming and there have been many low days. I will forge ahead one baby step at a time, trying to keep the stresses at bay. When I look back, I can see that I have come a long way, but as low as I've been, I have so much further to go. I hope someday I will feel "at peace" again.
On a brighter note....I love your little cabin! It is adorable and I am so excited to watch your little place become your own! Please share your thoughts and accomplishments AND lots of pictures often!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!
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LoonWhisperer
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2015 05:32pm
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Best of luck with this new chapter in your life Very quaint little cottage. Looks perfect!
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rockies
Member
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2015 08:25pm
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Where did you get the cottage? I take it that those piers aren't the final foundation? They look a little uneven. What do you plan on including inside?
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tnky03
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# Posted: 6 Jun 2015 11:44pm
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Wow, thanks for all the welcome and encouragement! Creeky, I will check out Victron, sound great.Yes, it will be a busy summer, for sure. I got about 1/4 of my insulation done today and installed an LED Motion Sensor Security Light that I found at Harbor Freight. Bought most everything to finish out inside at Lowe's today. Now to wrangle a few friends to help , lol. I bought the building from an Amish Co. It had been a repo, which helped with cost. I will have some anchors installed and then underpin, not certain with what yet. It will have a small full bath, a small kitchen with apt. sized stove, mini fridge, full sink and some built in shelves. My plan is to build a loft at least over the bathroom area, possibly kitchen, too.I will probably use a day bed and sitting area for multi use space. I plan a good sized closed, with one end closed off to house batteries, controller, inverter and the breaker panel that can connect o inverter.
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 7 Jun 2015 09:35am
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tnky03,that is a sweet cabin. I have the same decor inside my cabin. Love the country,rustic look.
trollbridge and tnky03, I've had a big change in my life as well. I decided to retire early. I was very unhappy at my job. I could tell that if I didn't do something I was going to start having health problems. I'm young (53) and have a burning desire to return to school and earn my teaching degree. I wish both of you the best of luck in your new lives.
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tnky03
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# Posted: 7 Jun 2015 09:21pm
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TB, how very thoughtful to ask about my daughter. She is at least a year overdue on getting a follow up CT Scan. She seems to be doing well at present. I have that fear in the back of my mind about her lungs but there is not much you can do with an almost 40 yr. old child. I just pray all will be well and she knows of my concern. I am sorry to hear of struggles in your life. The old "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" seems to be true. May we all gain strength.
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 9 Jun 2015 11:24am - Edited by: trollbridge
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Silverwaterlady.....congratulations on making that change!! We all hear about the effects stress can have on our health and it always, to me, seemed kinda unspecific and hard to pinpoint, but I have seen first hand the very specific results of what high stress levels can do to our bodies. I spent a week at the end of March at the Mayo Clinic having testing done to diagnose a heart condition that is the direct result of stress. When it is all explained and confirmed during testing it becomes easy to understand. I have heart medications I take and have worked hard to reduce my stress using different strategies, but it still sometimes gets the best of me. It was quite a wake up call when, while still in recovery after a risky procedure, my cardiologist emphasized to me that one way or another I have to get it under control or it is going to kill me! I can now be the new poster child for the effects of stress! It is serious business! You were wise to retire and I wish you the very best while pursuing your teaching degree. I think you will make a wonderful educator no matter the age or content of who/what you teach!
tnky03....hopefully her health stays stable. I think you are right about letting her know your concerns. That is all you really can do, isn't it? We are stronger for our struggles, that is for certain, even though some days it is hard to remember that. Always look towards the future with optimism
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 9 Jun 2015 11:40am - Edited by: trollbridge
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Oh, and this is a good time to end my "trollbridge" member name. I think a new name will serve me better. After some thought, I think I will adapt "fickle_serendipity" as my new identity. It seems to fit my life. Serendipity is a fun and positive occurrence, but life can sure be fickle! 
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fickle_serendipity
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# Posted: 9 Jun 2015 11:43am
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Okay.....that is me now
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creeky
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# Posted: 9 Jun 2015 05:04pm
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serendipity; a "fortunate happenstance" or "pleasant surprise"
and fickle; the likelihood of change
good one. and fitting for this post about new beginnings. as the creator of the word serendipity first wrote (and as covers our lives in cabin land)
"always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of".
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naturelover66
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# Posted: 9 Jun 2015 08:12pm
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Love your new name Ellen.
Hey ,silverwaterlady... Congrats.
May this summer be wonderful. Full of happiness and new beginnings.
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fickle_serendipity
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# Posted: 10 Jun 2015 03:27pm
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Quoting: naturelover66 May this summer be wonderful. Full of happiness and new beginnings.
Yes, Lisa!!! I couldn't agree more 
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 10 Jun 2015 11:17pm
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It sounds like there are lots of people starting fresh. Wishing you all the best of luck and happiness in your new journeys.
tnky03 - your place is beautiful!! I can't wait to read more as you progress with your dream!
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 11 Jun 2015 05:35am
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That's a really sweet cottage! Do the windows in the little dormers open? I've been pondering whether to dormer or not to dormer, lol. Best wishes with everything!
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Martian
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# Posted: 11 Jun 2015 09:39am
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One of my favorite expressions is, "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." It seems that every time I say I'd like to do something 'til I die, BAM!, major change! Adaptability is required for survival, but sometimes it seems like being torn apart. The transitions can be really stressful. Thankfully, it has always come out for the better.
Best of luck to you, Tnky03
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