September 13, 2011

  • A Plan Slowly Forms

     

    TALES FROM THE BRAT FARM

    The Beast and I have noticed a trend here that intrigued us.  Sheds are very popular and so are playhouses for kids.  Some of the manufacturers of sheds have taken things a little further so that a family can make use of the *playhouse* after the kids are grown.  They have some of the neatest storage sheds because they look like cottages even to having a porch on them.  Some are a little more barn-like with a loft, too.  One that I am really fond of but had a lot of useless or should I say WASTED area was this one that had a bay window in it. 

    The outsides look fantastic but the insides are 2x4's and in need of finishing, depending on what you plan to do with it.  Well, looks like we are going to get one of those.  A 12X32 cabin.  A bit on the plain side but....it will go in a spot in the backyard so there can be no complaints nor any code violations (as per minimum size).  The Beast measured it out with the Princess's help and it will fit nicely.  It WILL require the Beast removing one section of fence and one post besides the gate in order to get it in but, since it's the fence that was tipped over at an angle by the tornado winds we had in April, not a big deal.

    The Beast is excited because it can easily be converted into part storage and part bedroom/study for the Princess.  We have AC for it and even heat.  He is going to insulate it and put up paneling in the area the Princess will use.  He'll bring electric and water to it but ... it will only have a port-o-potty in it (like ones used on some boats) for emergency use at night when she sleeps out there.  It will have a sink for washing up in the morning although I told the Beast that I know the Princess will be taking showers here in the house.

    But she will be able to watch TV out there with Chewlee when she's not working.  When she finally moves out, we can use it as a spare room for company.  We've needed that and this will have comforts.  It won't be like being sent out to a tent.  The Beast will build a long closet on one side and put up shelves along the other.  There will be a divide so that part can be closed off when someone is occupying the *other guest room*. 

    When they went to go look at the actual units, Chewlee was totally fascinated although she told me that Grampa was going to buy a house with NOTHING IN IT!!!!  She was mystified over it.  I told her that it would look very different because grampa was planning on fixing it up.  She just shrugged.  She does that when she really doesn't think you know what you are talking about.  She'll learn.  She will also be amazed.  I have to give the Beast credit; he really can do a good and quick job on anything he sets his mind to.  He DID tell the Princess she had to help out, however.  I think he's going to try using Tara's boys, too, so they can earn a few bucks with Christmas ahead.  They will be able to learn something as well as earn money.

    Neither one of us is really happy about the outlay of cash for all this but....it does solve several problems.  AND...later, the Beast can actually screen in the porch on the *cabin* and put in a screen door so it will be nice to sit out on during the spring, summer and fall.  The Princess plans on living here until she graduates as per our pointed conversation.  **Sigh**  Will we NEVER have one of the kids NOT living with us for more than a year or so?  At least the older ones seem situated finally.  Well, except for Mustachio but he's heading for Afghanistan to work and build up some savings for himself.  New truck and who knws?  Maybe buy a house?  Whatever it is he wants to do, he should be able to do.  He loves traveling anyway (he's like me) and this will put him within reasonable distances to many places he likes and some he's wanted to visit.

    Well, love you all.  Enjoy the cooler weather.  We don't get ours until later in the week but there's nothing in the nineties or triple digits in the forecast for us, thank goodness!  Have some fun.  Be careful driving.  Smile.