My Obsession

... Isn't that a perfume?

Moving on!  The people that know me well are quite familiar with my brain-type habits.  I can become a bit, well... focused when it comes to new ideas.  I will stay up nights planning a sewing project, or researching a new character for the Renaissance Festival (especially if it's not MY character!).  Lately, it's been tiny houses.  Yes, I realize that I've already done a post about them, and mine specifically (in fact I've done two), but it really is all I can think about.  I am already looking at building materials on craigslist!

Now, I have come to some decisions regarding the timing of my house.  First, I need to finish my master's degree.  I'm only 4 credits away, but I NEEDED the break.  Secondly, I need to earn some money.  My student loans are coming due in February, and I'd like to be in a situation where I can pay them off without too much worry, AND put aside money to build my house.  Third, I need to start transitioning to a smaller situation.

This last week or so, I've been looking at all of my stuff, and deciding how much I really need.  Right now, I couldn't fit all of my stuff into a studio without building a loft bed out of storage boxes and plastic tubs.  Even with my "bare essentials" I've got way too much stuff. 

I watched a documentary this morning called "We the Tiny House People" by Kirsten Dirksen.  Check it out here.  In it, one of the subjects, a man who lived in a 300 square foot apartment in Barcelona, Spain, said (and I'm paraphrasing) , "A house only really needs a kitchen, running water, and a good bed to be a home."  How much more than that do I have?  Hmmm...

So, in order to start the transition to less, I'm going to start a list of the "absolute necessities."

Kitchen:
One skillet, one saucepan, a toaster oven, a small refrigerator (maybe 2'x2'x3'), a mixing bowl, a coffee maker, two knives, a cup, bowl, plate, spoon/fork/knife, towel, dish soap, rag
(this makes the multiple boxes of kitchen stuff that got packed when I moved out of my apartment seem quite ridiculous)

Bathroom:
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, face wash, soap, bottle for lemon juice (though I could also just use leftover coffee), hair brush, one towel, mascara, razor, nail clippers

Bedroom:
Mattress-type thing, one set of plain sheets, one set of flannel sheets, one pillow, comforter/blanket, lamp

Clothing:
one pair of jeans, one pair of nice pants, one skirt, two nice shirts, three t-shirts, one pair of pajama pants, one pair of nice shoes, one pair of "bumming" shoes, one pair of running shoes, running clothes (not that I've been doing all that much of that), a sweater, and a jacket/coat

Miscellaneous:
Cleaning supplies (vinegar, baking soda, essential oil), broom, toilet paper

Really, that's not that much stuff.  I'm not counting books, music stuff, or sewing supplies, but this could easily fit into a studio, or a tiny house.