Just Married

Sal and I will be married tomorrow so I was taking my first vacation in years and did little comic panels.  You can see them and more on my social media account like Twitter and Instagram you'll also hear about when my first comic hits and what the site is.  Special bonus, I often share adorable pics of the mutts.

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

Hut Tour (Pictures only!)

I promised awhile ago i'd do a vid but everytime I try to upload vids from my phone they get corrupt!  Eeek!

So instead enjoy a photo tour.  Starting from the front in the love nest working to the back bunk house.

No décor up yet i'll save that for the vid once were living inside.

Bedroom

Front/Entertainment Center

Left of the TV stand is Dining and sitting

Kitchen

Bathroooommmm!

Bunk House 

Tune in next week for some Mutts Snow adventures!  (We got snow!) I wanna share then close to Christmas since we rarely get a White Christmas in AL.  And the pups had a ball in it!



And if you wanna help support Mutts Hut, consider checking out my store!  Great for Christmas stuff and the commissions I get help feed the mutts!  https://www.redbubble.com/people/kirita/shop  Or commission me via www.facebook.com/kiritawindwalker


Thanks for reading! And have some Happy Holidays!

Linda

Well the was a Hiatus...

Hello again!

We at Mutt Huts are sorry real life kept us a bit busy... Seriously, my other blog and gaming habits are just as dead...


A update:  Everyone is jobless due to a retirement!  So we've been struggling to stay afloat for the past few months and looking for new jobs and what not..


Josh is working at creating his own business... Moms working at helping him as she looks for a job that will start at her preferred salary of at least 12 a hour... I don't see that happening in this area...

And me?  I'm doing what I love... Creating art to sell and working as a Commission Artist!  It isn't going great!  Mainly because I was not ready and I'm not getting the traction I need to live... But i'll keep at it till I get there or find a job..

The mutts?  They are the mutts.  They are pleased with themselves.  Our lack of employment has greatly pleased them!  Were here 24/7 whats not to like?


Oh well...

If you want to help support the household consider donating to www.ko-fi.com/kiritawindwalker


If you'd like to consider commissioning me you can see me at www.facebook.com/kiritawindwalker
I have many links to my platforms where I post daily!  You can find my prices in Notes section and art in photos.

If you want to buy products see my two shops!  If this blog does well I might set up a shop/patreon for the mutts where you can buy special products and support the silly mutts.
 https://www.redbubble.com/people/kirita
http://www.storenvy.com/stores/1087751-southernbelleartshop


Thanks for reading!


I Hope to post again next week with maybe a tour or talk about some of the mutts!

Linda

Preparing for the Move: Game Nights

Wanna hear a secret that's not so secret?  3 PC/Moniters Plus AC wont mix in 30 AMP batteries.

That AC will pull 15 atleast and our systems will pull a steady 3-4 with jumps of 6.  Same deal with space heaters.


So be comfy or use systems, hmm...


Yah, no go.  So I decided "Let's have FAMILY TIME during the periods we need to off the machines."

Can figure we'll need atleast 3 hours a day of systems down (besides mornings for coffee).

During that time we can:

Watch a movie/Show (Hey one system or TV wont flip it!  I hope..)

Play Board/Card Games

Read

Go Cordless (Phones, kindles, tablets, ect)

Go out (But that kills the need for the AC or heat!)

Nap.




So, to prepare we had a Game Night...


Two hours of Uno, Parchesi (or however you spell it!!), Clue (Personal favorite!), Candy Land, and Dominos.

Parcheesi too the longest with only 3 players, but it was all fun.  We were evil, confused, biting our nails, and screwed over!

Talk about a fun game.

The time FLEW by...And the hubby to be bitched... A LOT!  But he came to enjoy it.  We laughed and joked and forgot our issues while scarring the mutts... (Except Wigs.  He was all for the giggle fest.  Lily might of been too if it wasn't looking like storms were coming.)


But I can wait to do this in the camper if that's how it'll be.  Each day playing a game or two, joking around and enjoying ourselves..  Awesome, right?

Linda

Taking a Break for some Holidays!

For those who didn't know its Mother's Day (And a Happy Mother's Day to you each!) but it'll also be my Mom's Birthday on Monday!


That being said, I need to work on a couple nice meals and grab some cards and I encourage each of you to do the same for those special Mothers in your life!

Have a Blessed Day!

Linda

Im loving Cast Iron!

I got this awesome skillet/pan Cast Iron set that turns into a Dutch Oven that ACTUALLY FITS in my tiny oven on the camper!


So... Being me, I been using them.  Trying to get a good seasoning going.

Its taken a few months but I think I'm about there with the deep one.  I use it for browning ground meat (I usually do three pds at a time).  Needless to say, I don't drain, I simmer the fat away so it has gotten one hell of a layer cooked in.  I then wipe the excess out and around and bake or burn it off on the stove top depending on time and oven use.

My thinner one hasn't been as heavily used but I did make biscuits the other day.  They popped right out even though I forgot to butter the bottom.  As long as I heat the bottom good before I throw food in then my pans then there isn't a issue.

I tried cookies too.  I'm happy to say they didn't taste like tacos (which I made the night before).


My eggs BARELY stick- but they are eggs, and once the pan cools any remaining falls out without a issue (Yay!)


Needless to say, these two pans are better then most of what I've had... But there was a learning curve...  In the form of hamburger helper...  You can easily forget milk heats REAL fast.. And noodles and cheese burn REAL fast too.  That was a MESS!

I spent three hour clawing it out and rinsing with hot water.  (Yes, I avoided soap..)  Then, added water and boiled it on the stove for 10 minutes... Dumped, let it dry on the stove with heat on, added oil, carefully burned self as I spread it, let it cook off, cooled.

Then I did a new seasoning of beef fat ALL over it, baked it and went right back to it.


In five hours, I had the pot back to new from a mess that would of trashed most of my pans...


I haven't tried Helper again, but I've done grilled cheese, all the meats I could (including deer thank you daddy), eggs, stir fry, veggies, pizza (It was soggy, too much sauce and the bottom wasn't hot enough, lesson learned!  The next attempt was MUCH better), bread, a pie, apple filling, tacos, chimichangas, Potatoes, fried rice, pancakes, and so on and so forth.


I'm not brave enough to do tomatoes yet (since I've heard that can peel your seasoning and leach iron from the pan turning the food grey...No thank chu).  But i'll get there.


My next goal is to start trying dutch oven recipes!  Probably starting with a simple stew and work up.


Wish me luck!

Linda

It has been named!

It is FML!

Full Moon Lunatic.


There is a double meaning and both fit...  Us and this camper.

Especially since I wanna steampunk or outdoors the inside.


Yes, were strange people.  Don't you love it?  HAHA!

But they say the Full Moon brings out the crazies and everyone thinks were crazy to be moving into this thing (especially when we wanna just go park it for a couple years).

But it works for us.  Everyones happy, happy, happy.

Besides, don't we all love to howl at the moon a little?

No?

Yah, we might honestly be crazy.

Linda

Should we name it?

Everyone has names for their rigs.  Clients, bloggers, random people who think the world will be ruled by toasters... 


So I started asking what ours should be.


Josh said:  Billy Bob Thorton.

His reasoning:  Why not?

I love my random nut job...


Me?  I don't know...  Its a Pioneer... Its long...  Not Gamer Friendly (WE NEED DESK!)

Being that its Mutt Hut On Wheels for the blog... I considered calling Mutt or Mutts Hut... 

But I think it needs more then that..

Hmm...

It needs to reflect its owners and our special breed of insanity...


I'll take suggestions.

Linda

Man, I gotta stay off Amazon..

If you've seen my stuff before, you know I'm into coffee and cooking.  Sadly, I have nooo counter space!


So, know what happened?  I go on Amazon and look at "Organizer" stuff for cabinets and "Under Cabinet" items...

I found a damn coffee maker.  Knife holders, spice holders, K cups, ect ect...

Thank goodness I'm a cheapo.  I only bought a few organizer items like a lazy susan and some under shelf shelves.

But we all know I'm drooling over it.  Its a simple drip, not a K cup or anything but its soo tiny.

Sadly, I have 2 massive LED lights, one over the sink and another over the stove so I don't think I even have the room for one!  (Even if I had the 200 to blow on it..)


But, ah, I can dream...  The cabinets above the dinette might work too, hmm..

Linda

This is taking toooo long!

I'm not patient... I highly dislike waiting when I have a plan!

I also hate being forced to change my plans but that's a different ballpark.

Anywhooo!


We are still packing!  I want the house sold and moved.  :/  Don't get me wrong, i'd miss my grandparents home..  But they are long gone..  I need a change.  I hate this toowwnn! 


But, lets face it, were not ready.  :(  Money is a issue, it isss!


We got someone giving us sway bars (or atleast loaning us some), got several small items like hose and elbow attachment... But need a few things still.

Stabilizers for our Slides
Kitchen Caddy that rolls
Toilet (Just haven't built it..)
Ect...


I'd love solar panels, a new TV, more storage bins for pantry, and another doggy bed.


Plus were still packing, going through the Estate stuff, waiting on a buyer...


I got to tell you I HIGHLY regret buying this camper so early even though I got a awesome deal on the price.  The last 5 months of paying this loan, my grandfathers debt, Insurance on everything...  I have to work a extra 10 hours to afford it all and food..  We barely spent 250 a month in food!


I bit off waaay more then I can chew, i'll tell yah that.  :/  And I don't even pay all the bills.  But that extra 500 a month to cover our lawn ornament hurts when the plan was to drop about 300 bucks of my pay load when we moved and for someone else to chip in and pay the insurance! 

Word from the one who suffers...  I was originally quoted 50 a year for camper insurance for it to sit... That was for a pre 2000 Camper.  A 2016?  Oh that's 70 a month for STORAGE insurance.  But we were rushed, the buying process had been VERY stressful, and I screwed the pooch since it was my first major purchase (Interest and monthly payment, they aren't doing me any favors and the sells rep had tried to UP the price by removing the 30% off promised by the End of Year Sale!  That extra couple thousand could make a hundred dollar difference in my monthly payment!!)


So don't get rushed and quote the right year... Because after 10 years they aren't worth shit so they insure so much cheaper... You wouldn't think storage insurance would make such a jump, but oh it does... Because its a "Luxury" item.. And they don't want to insure when they know your living in it. 


But if you ARE looking to live in it..  Take your time, this is a big investment but its for your new HOME!  Would you buy a house you hate for a good price rather then wait for one you love that's a few grand more?


Well, I think I've ranted enough for one day.  I do hope to start posting real Camper based post soon, but for now... Its what I got!

Linda

Im thinking green...

So living in the country... Recycling is out but that wasn't what I meant!  I'm talking PLANTS!


Our house hasn't had central heat or air for most of my life and while in Apts with mom, utilities could be iffy so central AC and heat weren't used unless we were DYING.

But we've always had a few plants..  Not the sissy Orchids and other needy plants that cant take a temp drop...  But usually a Aloe plant or two and some Peace Lilies we got from funerals.

FYI, those are some freaking hearty plants...  Aloe is a Cacti little water needed and its use to hot days and FREEZING nights.  So it does great in the humid summer and rainy freezing winters Alabama tends to have...Even though it was butchered 12 times by my mother (I mean all but one leaf removed, this happens almost yearly... We've had the poor plant maybe 14 years).

Peace Lilies... Why are they popular at funerals?  We don't know but they are HARDER TO KILL THEN WEEDS!  And no one ever wants them!  So we end up with them.  We've got 5... In large buckets...  One is older then me, another is almost 15.  They get watered maybe once or twice every few months.  But they are okay!  Why?  They pull water from the air!  Humid climate=Perfect for Lilies!


Did you know that Peace Lilies and Aloe Vera plants are 2 of the top 10 plants to produce air?  And Peace Lilies are one of the top 10 for pulling water from the air?  These are living dehumidifiers!


Whats a issue in small spaces live RVs and campers?  Condensation and probably a need for fresh air when 8 living beings are shoved in it..

So I plan to put one Lily in the bathroom, the Aloe Plant near the sink, and maybe a lily in each sleeping area if theres room to fit the massive planters..


But honestly, I enjoy nature but we have to work and theres times of the year you just CANT be outside...  Allergy season, 100+ F... Below 30 F (Unless theres snow..)  Its just not comfortable to sit outside in that.  Especially when your home isn't a steady 70 degree relief zone.  So having alittle nature inside ROCKS!

Plus the Aloe plant is great for Medical uses and a peace lily is like a dehumidifier that requires no juice! 


So here to the fresher air without going outside!

Linda

Personal Feelings: Linda

Ookay!  So, were not living in it quite yet but I want to keep posting to keep everyone up to date so I figured we could all post our personal feelings about this.  And um... To be honest?  I'm excited.


We've done ALOT of renting in my life so smalls not so much a thing and because I always slept and played and even watched TV in the same room I got use to everything being...  There.

I've mentioned before, we live out of 4 rooms.  The rooms we sleep in, kitchen, and bathroom.  Small is..  Normal.


This was why we wanted a bunk house for my mom and a small bedroom for us to sleep in... We don't need much.


Shockingly, I've got almost a walls worth of boxes though... *small tea boxes mind you!*


But these have books, kitchen items (like extra cast iron, a spare coffee maker, and a nice set of dishes), my VHS tapes and player, two small boxes of clothes (Their a tad bit tight and I'm trying to lose weight so I can wear those instead of buying more), more books (I had a WALL covered in books!  So give me a break...  And oh yes... I've read them and reread them), and a few nicknacks of value to me (This includes figurines, a few toys I loved, and just small collectables I just cant put on the camper).


Ah, and 4 large boxes of scrap materials and cloth...  Why?  I quilt and sew!  Sadly, my sewing machine is waaayy too big so I'm just taking my sewing box and knitting stuff and packing the rest.  But it'll be near the front so if I get the itch I cant take over someone elses kitchen and whip out a quilt or atleast a couple squares!  I sound like a old lady don't I?


For the most part my computer, knitting, and a couple books will be joining me on the camper...  I already miss my game systems and sewing machine..


Sadly theres not enough room for my crafty side on the camper.


Luckily, kindles and ebooks will save me from boredom! 


What REALLY has me down is the lack of internet!  Dish offers crappy data plans and the Cell Data is too expensive!

Either way, limited.  We have to get-ick-cable... No Netflix (streaming takes too much data) and our gaming lives will be limited too!  I hope kindle books wont eat too much when I buy more...


Oh, and the kitchen is toooo tiny!  I'm use to a small cooking appliances (We've had nooo stove for almost 10 years... Electric burners and a toaster oven... In fact this tiny RV stove is bigger then what I'm use to!  Aint that a shocker?  I get three burners!)  No, its the freaking counters that bother me!

I have this cheap espresso maker... Neither that or my coffee maker can sit out!  I'm use to a decent kitchen.  Atleast (even in Apts) having room to keep a Ninja blender and coffee maker out!

In truth, I might would if they hadn't put the sink in sooo stupid!  Huge, curved counter space... "Duurrr, lets put the sink right in the middle!"  More worried about storage then counter space...

So behind the sink is RIGHT next to the door.  This is kind of in the way to have... Anything.  In front of and to the left abit is a decent area that nothing can be put without knocking it into the sink or into the floor...  It'll probably be a prep or drying area.

Even with my tiny rolling counter top I wanna get, I cant put that anywhere where its not in the way and keep appliances plugged in..

So I need a stove cover so I can plug a few things in and set them on the stove to use and then put away...

This to me is going to be a pain, but we had to give on something and this was the thing.

Worse case, i'll store my coffee maker in the out door kitchen, make my coffee while the dogs do their business.


So, its not all joy and perfect.  But overall, I'm still bursting at the seams with excitement. 


Well, I've ranted enough for one post!

I'm off, maybe next week you'll hear from one of the others.. (But whos to say!)

Linda

Cramp Quarters, Sleeping Arrangements are needed!

On the last post I mentioned the need for a dog bed...  Figured i'd expand.


First we'll start with the bunk house.

We plan to set a small desk in there for mom so we'll put one dog bed in there.  This leaves there bunks and a doggy bed.  The lower bunk is BIG ENOUGH for two dogs... But it most likely wont shared.

I imagine moms dogs BB and Wiggles will fight for the bunk and the other taking the dog bed if Lily doesn't first.  She'll be in a top bunk, but one bunk will be storage (due to the HORRIBLE step design.  Those things HURT to use and the bunk is so high its hard to move in it.)


Hubby and I have our own room which has no real room for dog beds and its way too hard to get on our bed for the pups.  They CAN but it takes awhile for them to maneuver in and then find a way to get up due to lack of space.  Plus, we sleep here.


The Couch is big enough for 3 people... This translates to one dog.  My girls and Wiggles enjoy the couch but River and Lily will most likely be the ones fighting for it.  Why?  Because Wiggles will enjoy the bunkhouse better due to his love of closeness.  Lily (while loving) enjoys window watching like River.  Plus, they both enjoy the cool faux leather and the stretching they can do.  They might would share but I see more of a trade off where the last one to it will attempt to get our bed or make us move the other.

Lastly is the Dinette when we'll keep the second doggy bed.  We'll be setting this one under the removable table.  I imagine Hoss will take this one but Lily will share or kick him out during storms and BB might try to take it in a bid to steal my hubby...Oh yes, that dog wants my husband allll to herself.  o.<


So, as you can see... At night were lacking a bed unless they share.  The boys will probably be the ones to not have one.  The girls are such bullies!  Hopefully, it'll be the youngest-Lily.  She enjoys sleeping with us and she'll have the easiest time getting on and off our bed thanks to her youth and long legs.

Hopefully the addition of the ottoman will entice someone.  I know Hoss enjoyed my grandpa's before we had to toss it, though it was ALOT bigger then what I plan to get.  BB would fit easily but she likes room to move.  River might take advantage since shes more graceful in her sleep... But whos to say?  Worse case i'll be splurging on a body pillow!  They love the fuzzy ones.


Linda

Things our camper didnt come with...

We got NOTHING with ours...

So we needed these things (That you might of got/get with yours)!

Sway Bars

Basic Sewer Kit (Hose attachment, hose, orange stuff...)

Short Water Hose

Extra Tire



Yah, we got none of that...  So BEFORE we started we knew we needed these things...


A 30 to 15 Adapter (We had a 30 Amp, good to have!)

Sewer Hose (We may not use it!)

Water Hose-White best

Level (I got a cute one on Amazon to stick outside ours)

Elbow Hose for water hose and a Water Pressure regulator (Both are pretty cheap)



These are the things we HAVE to get.. Heres what else I want.. ;3


Stick on toilet paper roll holder... Ours didn't have one.

Stick on paper towel roll holder

Rolling kitchen caddy (A mini roll-a-round!)

A new TV (We still have tubes... Need slimmer..)

Storage bins!  Need new food holders.

Pull out draws for our deep pantry... Actually REACH the back..

An extending Shower curtain road... (These showers are tiiinnnnyyyy!  But not having the curtain up on us will make life easier.)


A Composting toilet.  - 

This one has a reason... Where we plan to go, hooking electric and water-not so hard.  Sewer though... That's more a pain.  So, I said "Screw it, two of our options are farms, lets make a bigger compost bin."  Truth be told, i'd decided on compost and grey water system for my own home so that's how we went. 

The idea was that I can flush grey water twice a week.  Once to our plants and once to nearby trees and such via a hose.  Being three of us, I might need to do it MORE often but for the time being I'm hoping twice will do.  If not, i'll look at building a small system to run it elsewhere. 

Also, we lack anything could haul the camper at any time to a dumping station or just haul a huge tank of black and or grey water... We really no wanna do that anyway.. o.<  Soo, were cheating.  Good compost isn't hard to make if you have some ideas on what your doing, and it can be used for heat and or electricity. 


Storage/table/seating Ottoman!  We had one of these when I was younger and it was great.  Made a decent seat, foot rest, and we kept controllers in it.  It also had this tray attached to the underside so we could flip it and use our old heavy laptop on it or just have it as a dinner tray.  We don't really need seating per say, but a longer one will probably get used by the dogs or atleast storage.  I want one nearly as long as our sofa bed to keep board games and/or canned goods.

Mini Roll-a-round.  I have a full sized one now that belonged to my granny and I love it.  Its storage that moves, has a towel rack, and it acts as a butcher block.  While that one is too big for the camper doors and will be in storage, a smaller version can be found via amazon!  I'm looking at some that hold fruits/veggies and small wine racks and have a durable counter top or a butcher block.  Surprisingly, the small ones are super affordable.  Running from $30 to 200 bucks!  Needless to say, I'm staying under 100 though my budget screams under 50...  Sometimes its worth it to splurge for better rated and more function.

Solar Panels.  Oh yes, I want these sooooo bad!  Sadly?  I cant afford that shit...  I'm hoping that after we work our payment down I can get a small loan for some to keep detached and carry over to my home once its built but with starting cost easily over a grand for one panel and batteries i'll be keeping that dream alive in Lala land..  Sad Panda...

And lastly, One.  More.  Dog bed.  We have a couch and a lower bunk in their reach..  (Our bed will be taken nightly by us so its a no go-plus they have trouble getting on it because its a tiny room with a tiny bed and only a foot of space on either side while being higher up... Not easy for them to get up there, though River does love it because of the windows being just the right height...

So we have two built in dog beds... And no, they don't really share.  We have a spoiled Westie, a uptight coon dog, and a fat arse.  These three cant or wont share.  Plus, that tiny westie can stretch enough to take over a queen sized bed... Trust me.  This leaves Buddy and River to share, but Hoss doesn't climb well.  Luckily, we have two dog beds already.  This still leaves one lacking though.  So a fifth bed would be great but no idea where we'd put it!

But more on that later on.


Keep reading in future months when were living in our new home to see what we got, what we didn't, and what else we needed or want!


Linda

Sorting... What goes, What Stays?

2500 to 250 sq ft?  That's not a typo!

So, decluttering... Donating... But what can we keep?


First:  What can we use on the camper!


Well... We need atleast 3 of each dish/silverware, dog bowls, cookware... You get the idea.  Multi purpose is the key.


I ended up donating 90% of the dishes and cookware.  Gas stove and ceramic cookware?  No go.


I donated that extra breakable dishes too.


I was given cast iron for Christmas!  A skillet and deep pot that turned into a dutch oven.  Perfect.  It was JUST the right size for our ultra tiny gas oven.  Multipurpose cookware!  Naturally, I kept one durable pot too for boiling, tomato sauce, making tea, ect.

We had three plastic cups... Kept those out.  And I bought 4 plastic plates to use.  They all stack great and take little space.

We kept our large café style bowl/coffee mugs (Bowls with handles..) for bowl needs and our coffee/hot teas.

Oh, and a stainless steel kettle. 

Three spoons, forks, and 1 butter knife.  A few basic cutting knifes..  Its the minimal amount of everything and everything has to have a use.

As someone who loves cooking, it was a big blow... But when you think about it you don't need much. 

I did keep a few items that were too good... My hand mixer that has a stand...  Hey, its nice to mix in under 5 secs rather then doing it for 5 minutes!  Crockpot, hundred and one uses.  I would not avoid taking it, even with lack of counter space.  Last, my pressure cooker...  I don't cook with it much, but I keep it in my outdoor kitchen because I use it for canning!



Next was our closets.  Easy enough.  Josh has little for clothes, I had little but I slimmed it more by packing too small and donating too big, mom though... There was a HUGE box of shoes alone...

But down to a weeks worth of clothes each... 2-3 pairs of shoes each.  We each have our own closet space so, yay.


Next, Entertainment... Naturally we each had our computers, tablets... So we downsized our games and Dvds...  We moved to DvD binders for our games and dvds.  A wall of DvDs squished to a couple binders.  Awesome!

Game systems... Were gamers... We've collected.  But we narrowed it down.  But these were our DvD/blue ray players too.  Multi uses!


My books... Beloved books...  They were sent to storage..  Whine...

But a special few might get snuck on.

Dog beds...  These had to be adjusted... You see we had kiddie pools we'd fill with old pillows, blankets, ect.  The dogs love these but they take soo much room.

But we have two regular beds too.  We plan to set one under the dinette and under in the desk we'll set in the bunk house.


Next furniture...  Most is going bye bye!  I inherted most and others of it are just old and on the last leg...  So some is being given to family and others donated.  The worn out just tossed.  Mattresses, beds, tossed... Desks, entertainment center... Donated.  Of course we have a few antiques, those will be stored.



All the same your getting the idea.  Were going in with little to nothing.  Which is the idea.

We want to live small now and small later.  I actually have plans for my hobbit hole (which is my husband, me, and possible kids) will be living in 500 sq ft.  But I'm willing to go up to 700 because I want plenty of pantry space and a small craft room.  Were simple people.  My mom feels about the same.

So we'll be living and working in these spaces.  For the next few years, all three of us will work and live in this 250 sq ft tin can!


Awesome, huh?  Were going to kill each other aren't we?

Linda

Mutt's Reactions

So the mutts first time, hmm...

Well the first was River. She was SO nervous..

That's a lie... The first thing on that RV was a CAT. He got on while I was laying out irish soap to keep rats out. He explored the nooks and crannies, purred on my bed, sniffed the bunks, and favored the leather couch. Cats got good taste.

Sadly he couldn't stay but the moving walls from the slides made him not like it as much. They are loud going in or out...


But River was our first mutt in it.

She was so scared of our packing that we took her out to see it hoping it would help.


So she was untrusting of the stairs but was eager to check out the camper. We let her off the leash and let her sniff.

She eyed our bedroom (abit cramp for her taste), crawled along the bunk house bottom bunk (next to a window), ENJOYED the bunk house window (It is big), our dinette wasn't good for her sitting but she tried, then her favorite spot. That leather couch. She sat on it, tail thumping and panting as she looked up at me.

Then I showed her a special thing in my bedroom... Took some crafty adjusting to get on that bed but she did. And then she saw the window, just the right height for her to look out while laying. She hit me till I pulled the blinds up. Tail thumps... Happy River.


Then, I did something we cant do... You see, the windows of our current house were painted shut.. WILL NOT OPEN. Period. But these... As you can imagine, this was a happy pup. Cushy bed, new comforter, window, window opened for breeze and smells...


She smacked me when I tried to close it and kept smacking me when I put the blinds down.


She was a sad panda over that... But then she got back on the couch. Unbothered by the moving walls as I pulled the slides in... Which was shocking.


Then she went back in the house. No where near as nervous. Happy in fact.

Next time she went out, she went with all the dogs. A realtor was coming!


So one at a time they went out... First River and Lily (together) as Josh carried BB. River hoped right in, followed by Lily who followed her example and also wanting to explore. They were followed by Josh and BB who let the slide out while I fetched Wiggles...


Fat arse, he was the worse. I was tired and he weighs close to 100 pds but he squirms making him feel HEAVIER.


He wanted in but was scared of the steps. So after 30 minutes he put his paws on step one... And tried to then step to step 3 by skipped 2 and still staying on ground. We tried to help him, nooo go.


Josh had to lift his arse right into the camper bathroom (where our second door is and where we could close the others out). So his big butt and my love-able were then shut in so the big rump could go into the rest of the camper. Needless to say, he hated me shutting him in but loved the glomping the girls gave him.


Lastly was Big Hoss. Same issue as Wiggles but he weighs about 70 pds and goes tense when lifted... MUCH easier. So I gave him a minute with the stairs before lifting him up. He has arthritis and joint issues so shiny floors scare him (due to MANY falls) and he has trouble with stairs anyway. Same deal, close the door, let him go from bathroom and then I went in.


New place, the boys were nervous. The girls.. Well they were mixed. River knew it, loved it. Lily was cold and nervous but was so happy to have me join and also enjoyed the couch... She got use to it fast and laid around with Riv.


BB didn't know what to do but settled with the lowest bunk that was the size of a full size bed... Little dog, huge space. Made sense!


Buddy paced, scared of the new shiny floors. But tail wagging as he watched me put stuff in our pantry. He loves the kitchen and enjoys being with me as I cook. He never found a space but I think the carpet under the dinette will be his.


Wiggles being the biggest paced and sniffed but naturally he wasn't fitting on that couch (which he also enjoyed when the girls weren't on it), the dinette was too tight for him, and ended up crawling up onto our high bed in the cramp room... Walked in to see him laying on the pillows nosing Josh's head. Was cute.


After the realtor left, mom joined and Wiggles showed us a new trick... He knew how to turn on our gas stove burners..




Needless to say, they were all happy to see the camper but just as happy to go back inside.


I also learned a lesson... The couch was no longer for us. Same with bottom bunk.


We knew we'd lose the lowest bunk but the couch was where we were going to set up our PCs! Now were rethinking placement. o.<


Linda

Picking the Mutt's Hutt

So for us it was going to be a huge downgrade... BIGGER was better, it was 3 people, 5 dogs after all.


We wanted:

Slides (because RVs are CRAMPT)

Functioning Kitchen (I cook and one mutt has a special diet..)

Two different bed areas... (Its a couple and a third wheel..)

Room for Computers (Two hardcore gamers, and a work station for moms business)

Plenty of storage (We have food, I need a few books, crafts, dog food, clothes, game systems... Ect ect)

No carpet... (BB likes to mark those)

TWO doors (one that can be shut off to allow us to get in and out without pups.)

Full size fridge (This is full time!)

Oh, and the beds couldn't be pull out-per mom...




NOW! Budget... Under 200 a month, Priced under 17k, might push 20k.

I know, asking for the moon... But were on a budget and they had a sale of 30% off! So we looked online first, they had some as cheap as 10k with the sale but they were under 20 feet...

We were wanting 25+ or a toy hauler. Why a toy hauler? Because half the camper is EMPTY! Hello computer desk space, bed space, ect!

Before you ask we DID look for used... But we couldn't haul, we work full time, only had 3 grand in cash, couldn't have major issues, and had nothing within a hours drive EVERYTHING was atleast 2 hours away.

We looked at a couple and lost out due to bad titles, couldn't move it right then, couple of scams... After 4 months we were burned out.

So for us new meant a loan, but it also meant new, no issues, warranty, more options, CLEAN, no worry over mold...

We had a couple reasons for wanting new, but were not looking at debt free living so much as escaping a bad reality...


So... Off we went. After 20, we had three we liked. A 35 and 31 that had the same lay outs, two slides, full fridges, two doors.. Almost exactly what we wanted! And a 25 foot toy hauler that had a pull down bunk bed, huge kitchen, and a all in one bathroom... Needless to say the refusal to shower while on the toilet had my mom turned against that hauler... Sad panda..


So the 35 or 31. Both had a bunk house with a entertainment center, slides in living room and bunk house, full baths and kitchens, two doors, ect.

But..



The smaller had a GREAT look. Modern, nice décor, huge farm style sink, counter space, it was nice. But the bunk house was carpet...

The bigger only had carpet under the dinette, less counter space (sad panda is sad), no shelves for books, more painful bunk ladder apparently, but more pantry space (those missing feet of the other are pantries to this one).

The smaller was 5 grand cheaper... We learned towards the smaller.. But, no.. The day we went to sign we were told there was MOLD in a damaged section we'd pointed out and we had to take our camper that day for end of the month sweeps...

So we were rushed, spent 6 hours there after the closed, 10 hours total, getting insurance so they could haul it, paying hidden fees, calling banks to say they could take the down payment out, going over this and that, being told we wouldn't get sway bars or ANYTHING like we were suppose to get in the deal cause we couldn't haul it, and paying 5k more to boot plus a extra 3k in hidden fees, oh and a extra 2k in supplies we'll have to buy since no sewer, water, sway bars, hitch, nothing...

I will never buy from that Camper World again. Upside? That sales rep got a fucking promotion off that sale. -.- And paid for a couple of fees they "forgot" to tell us about. So hah.

But.. Were happy with our camper. Its big, roomy. Nice.

Linda

What the Fleck are we thinking?

Well i'll tell you!


I was given a home when I was younger... Oh how lucky right?  Go Flick yourself...  I got screwed!

It was a home i'd been raised in... But it was in disrepair before I got it (major, like termite damage falling in major...)  Oh, and a ungodly amount of debt attached to it.  Still think it was a good deal?


Over 10 years we added a new roof, paid about 28 grand in debt (none of which we made), paid a couple grand in minor fixes for busted pipes, paint, new water heater, basic home repairs... A few major plumbing repairs, new deck (The old was 40 years old and falling in), filled in a pool that had turned into a mess due to the fact that it was built OVER a underground spring and had become a bug pit!, oh and don't forget having to rewire it because it was running fuse box (illegal here..).

Ah!  This house would of been illegal to RENT!  NO HEAT!  NO AC!  No really, the furnace is broken, leaks gas, and ducts were trashed.  The AC hasn't worked since I was a toddler...  100+ degrees?  Sweaty Mess.  Below 30?  Burr.

People whine when its 90?  Oh, this isn't that bad to us...  70-80?  Oh that's freaking heaven!  Personally I like cold so 60-75 is wonderful...  Winter?  50?  Oh that's great!  No really... Without AC or heat you adapt to all but extremes.

Years of pain, torture, eating ramen... At this point, we've almost paid for a brand new house... And then the kicker.  "Your Sub floor is shot."  Well shoot me and put me out of my misery!  This is a HUGE house!  Water, termites, time... We were walking on rotten beams and plywood.

So... After 10 years...Of Torture.  We threw in the towel.  In fact, as I write this were looking for a flipper to take this off our hands!


This is what lead up to the choice:  Get a camper.  Live small.


We'd go park on a cheap lot or with family while we paid off debt (and work off the camper loan).  We also wanted to look for land of our own and build homes.  What homes you may ask?  Hobbit Holes!  Were nerds.


So that's our reasoning.  Be cheap, pay off debt, get homes.


But we do want to do some traveling... Yes, yes, we do..  Maybe while we build or for our honeymoon... (Hah, I wish...)


But for now, that's the game plan!

Linda

Mutt's Hutt, Where?

Playing off the first post I figured i'd share the where for us!


As of now were living in a craptastic town in Beautiful Alabama.

Oh yes, I love the state.  Its wonderful.  Thick forest, plenty of water ways (creeks, rivers, and lakes), mountains...

Don't get me wrong, this towns in a nice setting.  BUT its run by moronic, elite-socialite-wannabes.  We've lost tons of business, more care is put into a Library (that does not need the amount their given because they make enough), a shelter that is in disarray (Yes, Animal Lovers), and a Museum that lacks funds because its all about the public.

I know I sound like a bleeding heart, but when you worked for someone who had the books for these places...  You can tell who got the money and who didn't but seeing it on paper... Oooh it makes a girl livid!

I love to read but that Library sucks, didn't have Lord of the Rings till after the third movie came out. It had a very poor selection once I was out of goosebumps reading level...

But I digress, the point was none of us like the town or the way its run.  It didn't help that we were really on the outside looking in.  No family nearby really, kind of anti social by nature/loners, strong opinioned...  Oh, Crazy Dog Family.  We don't fit the mold. 

But I rant!

So yes, we live in Central Alabama.

Our plans are to head to the Country.  Looking at a place to rent outside of city limits, a place with my old man in another county, or up to my grandparents.  Either way, we look for a new beginning.

You might be asking yourself... "Why the Fleck did they get a mobile home to go park it?"

Well, for the time... You'll have to see us next week find that answer.  Because that's a whole nother can of worms.


Linda

Mutt's Hutt Schedule

So I've given my first intro post, now I figure i'll take time to set up a couple posts explaining everything.  Including the When we'll post.



For the time, were not yet camper bound so bare with us while we get there.

So for the time being we'll be posting Saturday nights while we work our way to it so to speak.


So look for us every Saturday night till another announcement is made!

Linda

Who, What, When, Where? A Intro Post!

Well, first post... I never know how to start these.

First off, hi.  Im Linda, owner of two mutts: River and Big Hoss; as well as the full coon dog Lily.

We also have a Westie:  BB, and another mutt named Wiggles.

Three humans, 5 dogs, one roof.  Needless to say, the dogs rule the household and because its such a close knit pack, they all share similar interest and habits.  Hunting (Anything, Deer to rabbit they love it all), Baying (One hound mix plus a coon dog... It was going to happen-Though one of the mutts has the most beautiful howl!), cross legged sitting/letting it all hang out... (My three enjoy the crossed legs like Lovely Lily.  The other two like to spread their legs nice and wide... While sitting up.  The little bellies are used for supports)

As for the humans... Were not as close knit ourselves.  In truth, we belong on a sitcom the way we mesh!

You have 1 mother-spoils the crap out of Wiggles and BB, bit tempermental, slightly OCD.  Needless to say, my mother... Kind of the average mom.  We butt heads alot but she needs me as much as I need her (Oh, and you cant separate River from her two... Shes the "Den Mother" and Wiggles needs her and BB grew up with her.  So we make due!)

Next is my husband.  Cute, shy, Explosive anger to match my own...  Hes a gamer at heart and he enjoys scaring my River-Boat and spoils the itty BB too... (Weird guy, he likes small dogs more then big ones... Gah, he had Yorkies and a pit bull when I met him and he likes YORKIES better!  That Pittie is so freaking loveable too.)  But were a happy couple.

Last is me.  Struggling artist has new meaning-I struggled to attempt to go to Art school (Hah, they were a joke, got my money and then wouldnt give me a schedule..), I struggle to try and get supplies (I just want a freaking touch screen!  I cant afford the nice Wacom tablets... So I just want a decent resolution touch screen moniter.  Cant afford that either!), and now I struggle with a wanderlusting Coondog... Wouldnt trade her for the world.

At this point, your probably wandering about the long intro and the unconvential blog title...

Well, the tiny home movement is a good start.  But for us, we spent alot of time in Apts under 500 ft before we ended up with a old house from a relative.  Needless to say... ITS TOO MUCH SPACE!
Both my mom and I are simple but the more space there is, the more junk we aquire.  We live out of our rooms and share a bathroom and kitchen.  Half of the house is just wasted because we dont need it.  My husband, Josh only takes up so much room and spends most of his time in the house with me, as do the dogs... Were cleaning atleast 3 rooms that never get used.

On that note, we decided to take the plung.  We looked at Tiny Homes and RV/Campers... Ended up picking the cheaper Camper.

We looked for months and found our DREAM camper!  Now we start the process of downsizing, selling, and moving into our new 250 sq ft of trailer.  ^.^