Little Home, Big Heart

 

Back in February, when I decided to move to Wolfe City, my emotions were on full display — part thrilling, part terrifying, and all kinds of what in the world am I doing? But here I am, settled in nicely and happier than ever. My house is wonderful… and also a tad too big for one person (unless you count the animals, and honestly, they don’t help with the cleaning).

So, I started dreaming smaller — literally. I began working with a Mennonite family business that builds small homes, made-to-order. My vision: a one-bedroom, one-bath home with a real kitchen, laundry room, and space that feels “just right.”

Enter Josiah — the wizard behind the hammer. He and his family have built my little home by hand, and it’s pure magic. Now, I could call it a “tiny house,” but technically, that’s anything under 399 square feet. Mine’s a whopping 800 square feet — basically a penthouse in the world of tiny homes. It’s the perfect size for the things (and creatures) I love, and the rest? Donated, recycled, or joyfully tossed.

Let’s just say I’ve done “The Home Edit” on steroids. Less is more… especially when “less” means less to clean.

The Great Delivery Day

Me

When the big day came to deliver my new home, my neighbor Sherry came to the rescue. She graciously allowed the truck to cross her pasture to get to my land — because, apparently, “wide load” really means WIDE load.

Here it comes down my county road!

As fate (and small-town life) would have it, Sherry already knew Josiah and his family! They had a grand ol’ reunion right there at the fence while my new home waited patiently for its grand entrance. A few trimmed tree limbs later — courtesy of Josiah, of course — and we were in business.

There seems to be nothing that Josiah
can't do, along with his sons

Meanwhile, Dutch and Penny (the self-appointed Welcome Committee) supervised the whole operation like they were on payroll.

Don't know what I'd do without these
two goofballs 😍

Down my 'new' gravel road to my new place

And the placement beside the huge awning begins

Settling the Dust and Hooking Up the Dreams

Now that the dust has settled, the water, septic, and electricity are all hooked up. Just a few finishing touches left before move-in day! Josiah has truly thought of everything — outlets galore, non-freezing outdoor faucets, window ledges that double as shelves, soft-close handmade cabinets, and even outlets high on the wall just in case I want to mount a TV, which I thought was funny. It's normal for normal people, right? But I don't even have a TV for me. That's something to think about though.

I'm loving the awning beside my little home. This is
technically the front door.

This is the side door that opens to my cars
under the awning.

This is all very raw at this point. The placement, the finishing of it. It's all a matter of time. 

In progress

As I await the finishing touches, I'll deliver inside photos (next time) that may be more telling of the size. My phone takes photos like it's in a capsule. Or on a subway train. But to give some reference, it reminds me of the size of an apartment. 

There have been many ups and downs along this journey. I’ve learned a big lesson through this process of building a small home: sometimes, the best results come when I don’t try to control every detail. When I step back, the blessings multiply. God is good — every day.

The Master Plan (and the Master Plan Jr.)

Now here’s the fun part: when I move into my little home, the “big house” becomes Lauren and Ryan’s. Which means — cue the trumpets — Brooks and Olive will be just next door!

My grand plan of having the grandkids close by? Complete success. Sleepovers at Nana’s, adventures on the land, and daily doses of hugs and chaos — all within shouting distance.

Lauren and Ryan will move here next year and Lauren hopes to start nursing school in the upcoming future, and Brooks begins kindergarten right here in Wolfe City. The population of Peace and Love Acres will increase by four humans and two cats. And I’m completely here for it.

He's A She

Speaking of cats — let’s talk about my latest emotional rollercoaster. 

This sweet sweet thing

My “little boy” foster kitten turned out to be… a girl. Oops. How did this happen? Somewhere between the eye ointments, eye drops and the warm compresses for her poor eyes, everyone just went with “he.” But surprise! Lady Bug (formerly known as Buddah Bear) is thriving — tiny, blind, and full of personality.

Her eyes are so improved that it brings
tears to my eyes. She will remain blind,
but she's transformed 100 times over.

She’s now roommates with Cricket, a mama cat I also failed to foster “properly” (meaning, I adopted her). Lady Bug will be go for her spay surgery soon, and they will likely take her "bad" right eye, and leave her left eye. Wonder if she'll get a kitty eye patch? 

Cricket was living in the barn with June Bug 
and Kitty, but she makes a wonderful
roommate for lil Lady Bug - for now

These two occupy The Cat Room and seem to love it there together. I'm so glad they have each other. And although I don't know how the living arrangements will work in my little home, I can't wait to see! I've been acclimating the Littles with them, in preparation.

Char thinks Lady Bug is hers to keep....
for her very own.

Nonstop play on her low-to-the-ground 
 play structure. 
Her lack of sight doesn't damper her 
desire to live life on the edge

Lady Bug may bump into walls, but she’s unstoppable. She’s a fighter, a lover, and quite possibly the bravest little thing I’ve ever met.

And Finally… the Heart of It All

Brooks and Olive — my human “Littles” — hold a sacred spot in my heart. 

These two 💕

Their love for discovery?
Infinity and beyond.

The best moments....

Watching them grow up close by is a dream come true. Half of my 20 acres will be theirs, half mine, and a whole lot of love in between.

Mia has shown us all what resilience truly is 💖

My journey to Wolfe City has been full of surprises, laughter, lessons, and more love than I could’ve imagined. My little home may be small, but the life it holds? Big.

Less stuff. Less stress. Less cleaning.
More love. More laughter. More peace. 💗

So much love,

Cyndi