I'm still alive over here!

Just checking in, I'm still here and still alive! I have been downsizing for days and days. I've spent many days in my pajamas with a fire going, sorting things, organizing things to sell/give away/donate ... and BURNING stuff! It feels absolutely amazing to get rid of my things. Some things I been hanging on to for 15 years. Some of my Germany treasures (I spent a year there studying abroad in HS) I thought I would never be able to part with, but I have found ways to reduce most everything to something I can either take with me or remember somehow. I am donating all of my German books, and educational stuff to the high school's German class. Hopefully they will be able to benefit from it. I am keeping all of my photographs and post cards and maps from all of the amazing places I have visited to decoupage on the walls of my tiny house. I have SO MANY photos. And memories. And wonderful experiences with wonderful people. I am so grateful for my past, and the way it has formed me into the person I am. My goal is to get my things manageable so it doesn't hold me back. I am getting there, slowly. 

My house looks like a bomb went off. At the end of the month, I will have the pleasure of crashing my parents house for the months of November and December so I can start knocking out my building. 

Today I scored some real stone tiles at the habitat store, as well as a light, maybe for the boys loft, and some roof cover that retails for $250 that I got for $69!!! Whoa! I have also been keeping my eyes open for garden windows and sky lights. If anyone has a lead on those things, please pm me! 

I will be super busy getting rid of clothes and toys and clothes and stuff and clothes, so if anyone is looking for me, I'll have my nose deep in clothes and stuff. I'm being so brave, losing my attachments to "things" and trying to understand that there is so much more to life that the stuff that bogs us down. 

Thanks for reading. Thanks for thinking kind thoughts in my direction. Send me strength to let go of things that no longer serve me.

And so it begins! 

Above, you see my first tiny house purchase. I spent $1.50 at the local thrift store on these beautiful, colorful tiles. They are the epitome of my style and my energy. I decided recently when I died my hair rainbow, that rainbow was my favorite color. I always adopted my grandmas favorite color, which was green. I love green. In HS my favorite colors were bright orange and lime green. And today, I don't really love one color more than another. So, my favorite color is rainbow. My Dad keeps busting my chaps, checking in with me on my dating preferences. He thinks I am going to come out as lesbian one of these days. I think its funny. Maybe some day I will bring a girl home to meet him, just for shits and giggles. HAHA! But for now, I like the men... 

I have been working away thinning down my things. I have my best dear friend selling some of my furniture for me. I have gone thru a lot of my clothes and the stuff I have left in my closet is flowing, comfortable and bright colored! Sounds about right. 

I will be going thru my kids clothes and toys soon and we will be having a booth at the kids sale at their school, Five Acre in Sequim on the 17th of October. 

It feels so amazing to downsize. I feel so light and free already. I am enjoying my journey immensely, and it has only just begun. My wonderful friends and family are surrounding me with support and lovely kind words. I feel so fortunate and grateful to be in this community and to have so many resourceful loving people around me. If you are reading this, and sending me loving thoughts, thank you. There is no limit to what you can do, especially when your energy and thoughts are positive. Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. Please join me on my journey of awareness, self discovery and getting what you want in your own life, if you feel inspired to. I would love to see and hear about your paths. We learn a lot from each other in this life, so I invite you to teach me something if you choose. Leave a comment. 

Real Life v Screen Life

Yesterday my little family was in Seattle, and Gibson, scruffy and I were riding on a carousel. There was this younger girl in front of us, riding on a horse... Gibson was pretending our horses were racing, like on Mary Poppins, because I usually do that with him. We were playing make believe and laughing and smiling and looking around. The young girl was taking picture after picture and doing something which each one, snap chatting it, face booking it, instagraming it, texting it... It blew my mind a little. I thought for a few minutes about what it would be like to do things in life for the reason  of showing others what I am doing. Doing things in life just to give the illusion that you are busy doing something fun. 

The boys and I enjoy doing things for the experience. We do things in life because we want to. Nothing holds us back from doing what we want to do. Not people, not money, not circumstance, and especially not our own limitations that we can sometimes put on ourselves. Everything in life can be obtained, acquired, experienced if we want. If I could tell people of the world just one thing, today, it would be to "Do What You Want". 

Stop caring about other people. Because once you do things for you and not for anyone else, thats when you have the capacity to care for other people. Do what you want. Every day. Every minute. If you are about to do something, ask yourself why you are doing it. Is it for me? Is it because I want to? Or, am I doing it to please someone else? 

In my 30 years on this planet, in this body, I have finally learned that being selfish is so very important. Having a healthy view of "Self" is one of the most important lessons I have ever learned. When you take care of yourself, in every possible way (emotionally, physically, psychologically) you open yourself up to a higher level of living. You are suddenly capable of doing anything. You are available to help anyone around you. You are open to teach and learn. You are free to love and be loved. 

For my boys to see me in a completely whole state, happy, doing what I want in my life - its gives them the ability to do the same. They see me beaming with joy. They are happy when I am happy. And thru my ability to do and be what I want, my wanting is to create the most perfect life for them. I want their lives to be full of adventure and learning and new experiences and love... so much love. I want to harness so much positive energy through my experience in raising them that they should never need to heal from their childhood. I have chosen to be responsible for the wellbeing and growth of two human beings, and this task I plan to exceed at in every possible way. 

For those of you out there searching for a path for healing, set an intention, ask for help, allow the change. My tiny house journey is more than just building a tiny house, so much more, it is also a journey towards a life and lifestyle that is more aligned with me and who I am and what I am here to do. 

Crazy Birthday faces...

Do I find it coincidental that on the eve of my thirtieth birthday I had the most intense dream about snakes? I woke up at 6 am from this dream, not terrified, but heavy with exhaustion from that dream. I was with my favorite family, my friend Jenna and her two girls and her husband, and who even knows where we were, but we were suddenly overcome by water, and snakes everywhere! We were each taking turns scooping the girls up from the snakes. I wasn't terrified tho, I was so brave! And, at one point a big giant one bit me... but without a second thought I bend down to my leg and sucked the venom out, and then blew thru the hole in my leg to make sure it was all out. 

Apparently snake dreams, on a positive note represent healing, transformation, knowledge and wisdom.  It is indicative of self renewal and positive change. I count myself lucky to have such a dream as my last night as a 29 year old. :) Just last week, I had a dream that I had a baby, but it was asian... haha (my friend will think thats funny.) These kinds of dreams point to positive change as well.

Perhaps the one person I really care to hear from today, I know I won't ... because in getting on my right path, and saving my heart, I broke his. 

My boys and I are headed out of the Country for my birthday! Be back this evening. Hopefully we don't encounter any snakes there! 

Hopefully everyone is up for a laugh...

I love getting on my computer and finding hilarious pictures of my boys. One day they are sitting over in the corner somewhere in the house with my computer on their laps and just giggling and laughing away. These are some of the gems from that sitting. Enjoy, laugh, heal, smile, enjoy joy. 

This one is so sweet. <3<3<3

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

These ones came from an early morning where Nickolas swiped my computer while the whole house was asleep and went out into the field with a blanket and enjoyed some alone time. I love what he created. <3<3<3

You will do great things, Son.

I thought you all might enjoy these. They make me smile and laugh. It's all for them. 

We are so near our goal, just waiting on a call that the trailer is ready, then it's go time! Thank you for checking in on us. Please send your positive thoughts our way. :)

Plans came in the mail!!! 

How exciting! I came home today to plans in the mail. They must have come yesterday, but I was so busy doing the flea market all day, I didn't even check the mail. I spent over an hour today just pouring over them; the supply list, the measurements, all the angles. I am beyond excited. The trailer will be ready to pick up an hour or two away within a week or two. And, I am so close to my goal, at least to pay for the trailer. ;) One step at a time people. 

Few of you know I quit my job a few weeks ago. My Dad said to me, "Oh wise, intelligent, sweet daughter of mine... if you wanted to build this tiny house, why would you quit your job? How will you pay for it?" I said, Dad... that's not important. If I want it enough, I will find a way. Interesting enough, I have been offered three different jobs in two days. And, if I can, I will do them all, and build this tiny house too. The power of positive thinking and attracting exactly what you want in life is so powerful and amazing. 

Our flea market went so well. Nick and I were there all day together, and Gibson lasted a few hours. (Thank goodness for family) Nick said it was the best day of his life. He enjoyed the market atmosphere immensely. He is a salesman at heart, although it's not a surprise at all, seeing as both of his parents have sold things most of their careers. I sold like a mad person. It was rare for anyone to walk away from my booth without at the very least pulling a dollar out to buy a cookie or loaf of bread. A sale is a sale. We are well on our way. We have really appreciated all of the support thus far. We had several friends come visit us at the booth and buy things and family visit and buy things, and the day wouldn't have been as amazing without you all who visited. I had friends buy things from my websites since they couldn't make it to the sale. Thank you all in every way you have been a support to us. We are just getting started, so please don't stop supporting us, even just with your thoughts. They are powerful. 

A sense of community can be quite amazing. If everyone helped everyone, we could all prosper. I have an intention of starting a tiny house community in the future sometime. We all would have like visions. Simplicity in lifestyle and pure use of time, not doing anything in life (within reason) that we don't want to do. Living life to it's fullest. Etc. Etc. If anyone is interested in that kind of a community, and has any ideas to add to it, leave a comment. Let's talk. 

I am grateful for this opportunity to grow and learn and experience life, and I seek joy in every aspect of this journey. Thanks for reading. 

These boys tho...

These two have been a pleasure for me to raise for the last 8 years. What a ride it has been. We have had some really wonderful experiences. Some of my most treasured ones are the quiet moments spent with each, where I catch a glimpse of the extraordinary people they are. 

They are the best of friends, and less often the worst of enemies. They laugh together, make believe, sing, play crazy boy games, go off jumps they know they shouldn't... 

Their giggles are timeless and some of my favorite sounds. 

 They are so smart and curious, and I can't wait to see all they have to offer in this new experience we are embarking on. 

It's all for them. <3

How can you help?

I'm so glad you asked! Let me tell you! You can send me happy loving successful thoughts first of all. Then, if you so desire, you could donate to our cause at our site here:

https://www.gofundme.com/w635rdnc

And, what would be awesome is if you bought something we make! Our lavender products:

www.bluemoonlavender.com

Or, you could buy that special someone some of our homemade jewelry:

chillgems.storenvy.com

Also, for you locals out there who love us and want us to succeed, we are doing a flea market booth on Saturday the 19th at the pumpkin patch in Sequim, WA, that is off of kitchendick road. (hee hee)

We are going to be selling anything and everything! For starters, we are unloading some of our possessions so we can fit into our tiny house when it is done. I have collected some vintage things I will be parting with. There will be buckets of homemade jewelry. Lavender products. Paintings done by yours truly. Hand sewn bags. And, most excitingly homemade cookies and breads, all organic and gluten free. YUM!! 

Thank you for your support, even in just reading this and sending happy thoughts our way, everything helps. We are so excited to build a tiny house!!!

Why do I want to live in a Tiny House?

It's the lifestyle. I want to be free of the hold that the world has on people. It is a vicious money cycle that I hope to slip right around and not have to deal with much anymore, and teach my kids to skirt it as well. People in this world work to afford their lifestyles, and I just don't want to be driven by money. I want to do something in life not because I can or cannot afford it, but because I want to do it. And, I intend on teaching my children the same thought patterns. 

What kind of wonderful people will they grow up to be if I teach them about wanting experiences instead of things? There is a generation gap that is currently being bridged. Our parents (the baby boomers) grew up working hard, for everything. They also taught our generation to work hard. But, when it comes to us teaching our kids, the newest generation, the baby boomers have harsh judgements for them. "They think life comes easy, they don't have to work for anything, they get things handed to them and are now feeling entitled."

But, here is where we bridge the gap, the middle generation is learning things. New things. That our parents weren't necessarily right, about how we should go about life. So, we build tiny houses and we make them roll their eyes. And, we teach our kids that anything in the world can be theirs if they but want it enough.
Thinking with your heart creates attraction and pull for things to simply come to you, if you are wanting them. I grew up working hard for everything I had. And now I have realized that it does take action, but it also takes attraction.
Building this tiny house is my movement into what I have learned. I have worked my butt off in the past to pay my bills. What bills? Rent? ----> I'm building a tiny house CHECK Food? ----> Gardening, Foraging, Berries, Canning, Hunting, Trapping etc CHECK ... and so on ... I do have a business, I work HARD at collecting food and preserving it, BUT it is something I LOVE to do. CHECK
Moral of the story: do what you love. Don't work in the hopes of doing what you love on your days off.

Check out this guys blog post about all the things he got wrong about tiny houses, its cool.
http://thetinylife.com/5-things-i-got-totally-wrong-about-tiny-houses/

Our adventures in Tiny House Building

Picture credit to tinyhousebasics.com

For those of you who don't know who I am, my name is Jamie C. Hill. I have two small boys named Nickolas (8) and Gibson (4) and we are excited to be embarking on building our own Tiny House. 
We seek a life of freedom, adventure and carefree joy. Recently I (Jamie) decided to quit my job and build a tiny house for my children and I. I was missing their growth. I was missing their evenings. I was missing bedtime and stories and snuggles. This tiny house is our solution to more quality time with each other. 
We enjoy eating off the land, catching sea food, foraging mushrooms, gardening, berry picking and preserving any and all food we can aquire. Food around the North Olympic Peninsula, which is where we live, is easy to come by if you are resourceful and a hard worker. The next largest expense in life is housing, so we are now going to tackle that with our current tiny house plans! Then, we are free to spend all of our free time with each other!

The picture above is a picture of Joshua and Shelley's house that they built on the Tiny House TV show. I just purchased my plans from them and I am excited to be building a very similar tiny house, because it is one that the boys and I like and can see ourselves living in, happily. 

With building a tiny house, I am excited for the possibilities of feed the kids dinner at night, and bathing them, and reading them stories and tucking them in for bed. And I will no longer worry about working to live, or living to work. Our goal is to enjoy life as a family and explore and seek joy in all aspects of life.

We do own a small lavender business ( www.bluemoonlavender.com) and I also make and sell jewelry (www.chillgems.storenvy.com) if you would like to support us by buying product, we would love that!!
Thank you for supporting us in any way, a donation (https://www.gofundme.com/w635rdnc) THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, a purchase from one of our websites THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, or just sending us good vibes and love. <3<3<3 Thank you just for reading.

Jamie Hill, Nickolas Hill and Gibson Hill