SB: Intro

[Elizabeth Diestler <elizabeth@kca.net>]

While I haven't been overwhelmed with requests for an introduction,
there have been one or two that say, Sure, why not?  Maybe if we know
more about your circumstances we can be more help.
A little over four years ago my husband was in a devastating trucking
accident, costing us our truck, and his ability to make a living.  He is
considered a high functioning, mild to moderate head/brain injury, and
with fibromyalgia subsequent to his other injuries.  This means at some
time in the future we will need a house all on one level.  It also means
that when we build, I need to make allowances for easy conversion to
walker or wheel chair accessibility.
We are in our mid fifties, thrifty people.  We take joy in beating the
system, meaning buying what we need as cheaply as possible, or
converting a specific item to another use.  Hey!  Whatever works!  We
believe in 'use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without'.  On the
other hand, I am proud, very proud, of my Royal Doultan china pieces!
Both of Bruce's main disabilities leave him unable to regulate his body
temperature with any comfort.  Pre accident, he could handle cold
readily, and never seemed bothered by the heat.  I mean, when you are
slinging chains and binders on a load in the middle of the parking lot,
how well you handle temperature fluctuations is a major factor in
getting the job done.  Now, however, is a different story.  He needs air
conditioning in the summer.  And this winter I have been very cruel,
mandating the thermostat be turned down..... last winter I kept it at 72
to keep him comfortable, and about 70 in the summer.  This year I first
turned it down to 68, still got hit by those horrendous gas bills, and
turned it down to 65.... he is cold all the time, even with his long
johns, and sweats, but we can't pay the utility bill as is!  It jumped
from $162 per month on total 12, to $356!
So, we are looking for cost effective building methods, good r-value,
and alternative sources of energy.  With Bruce's health issues, we
cannot afford to be off the grid totally, or self sufficient, but would
like adjunct sources to lessen our dependency.
We intend to buy a building site of several acres, some of which would
be used for orchard space, some back to trees, some for flowers, which
feed my soul.
We both love to scrounge, and we have several resources for various
materials.  As I come across something, I tend to make a mental of note
of 'what, where, who, how much' and let it work through my mind a bit to
see how I can use it.
Right now, one of the found items I'm most pleased with is my dog
sink.... we have a pair of standard poodles, the large ones, big like a
setter.  One of which we hope to show to her finish as a champion.
These guys take a lot of care!  And they are part of Bruce's therapy.
Anyhow, he had a chance to buy a lab sink with the faucets, all in a
cabinet, for like $25!  He cut the cabinet to the right height, hooked
it up in the basement, used washing machine Y connector with a ten foot
hose, screwed a hose end sprayer on it, like you use in the yard, and
voila!  a great dog bathing tub was born!  The real thing can cost $2500
or so.  So our piddling little $35 investment really pleased us.
We want what a lot of you would consider overkill, on living space.  We
want a large area, area enough for us to sprawl and not get in each
other's hair.  Bruce wants at least a partial basement, and I want some
attic storage.  I am not a neat freak, more like a genial slob.  And I
usually have a lot of different projects going at once.  I hate putting
them away!  Out of sight, out of mind is the operative here.... if they
are put away neatly, they don't get done!  Space itself is more
important to us than having high tech, latest thing out.  Buying and
using a used restaurant stove appeals to me more than spending $4000 for
the latest yuppie stove.  The important thing is things be functional.
And this includes the whole house.
I visualize about 2,000 square feet on the main base... kitchen, dining
room, quiet room (for reading, meditating, whatever), an active room
(small projects done here, music, media, etc) office, l/2 bath
assessable from office and quiet room, master bedroom with bath, and
having a separate shower from a whirlpool, and a large
mud/dog/laundry/potting etc room.  With it's own shower, toilet so you
can come in from dirty stuff outside and take a shower without traipsing
all through the house.  Something that can be hosed out, not mopped!
Second story or partial story would have 2 or 3 more bedrooms, one bath,
common space, and storage space.  All which could be finished at a later
time.  Oh!  And an air-lock entry system!  The house we live in now is
over 100 years old and the person who designed it was really thinking!
This is a two story house.... when you come in the front door, the foyer
is small with stairs rising to the second story and a door between the
foyer and living room, saving us from being blasted with ice cold air in
the winter, and getting the torrid air in the summer each time someone
comes or goes.... makes it much easier to keep an even temperature
throughout the downstairs.  Each floor has only two windows to the
north, and two to the west!
Good heavens!  I have run on, haven't I?  But I am so looking forward to
learning from this list!

Elizabeth in Iowa


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