The Schoolhouse came back to life in 1956, when Jesse’s grandparents, Arlie and Effie, purchased the 1830’s building from the Plantation. For years they used it as a seasonal home, staying throughout the summer right up to Thanksgiving, where they hosted dinner for the growing family. Years went by, age came along. Arlie passed away and Effie’s visits became fewer and fewer due to declining health. Although, at one point, a ramp was put up to get her in when she was able to visit. She truly loved the Old Schoolhouse. Eventually, the old building would just sit empty, with bits and pieces of their lives scattered about and tucked in drawers and it began showing its age as well.
The first time I stepped foot into the old building, I fell in love. The tin walls, ceilings…unbelievable. Dark hard wood floors and large windows that let in the afternoon sun..Cozy. The coat room turned into a galley kitchen with its farm sink..Quaint. And best of all…the chaulk boards…Amazing. It was covered in names of people who have been there to visit over the years. (That has remained a rule of the house)
After sitting vacant for 13 years, we decided it needed some love and attention. Fresh paint, endless replacement of glass panes, removal of the contents of drawers, since the mice had been living there quite comfortably for sometime, were just the beginning. For 16 years, here and there, we’ve put our hearts into the Schoolhouse. Replacing rotting sills, leaky roofs, a leaking front door that was rotting the wood floor, where water and snow just sat. More glass panes and even an entire window, that a porcupine had chewed to get out when it got trapped in the outhouse (that’s another story in it self).
July 2019, Jesse and I discussed selling our family home and downsizing. Once the girls all grew and moved out, it felt far too large and empty. That same week we listed the house and it sold in just as few months. The idea of packing up that house was daunting. STUFF. SO. MUCH. STUFF.
This is where my first tips of my blogs come in….
Downsizing & Simplifying
Since the Schoolhouse had been our 2nd home for the past 16 years, we actually had to go through two houses. It wasn’t easy deciding what would stay, be stored or go. And believe me, a lot went. GONE. By gone, I mean: definitely trash, donated, given away or sold. The easiest part was letting go of anything electric. Being off-grid you can only run so much off a 2200 watt generator. And it’s SO freeing and cleansing!! Look at it as a fresh start.
- Boxes and totes: boxes are used for items ‘going’ or for transport. Totes are ideal for storage. They hold their shape, have locking lids, and stack beautifully. Much easier to label than a cardboard box too.
- Start in one room. I started in our kitchen. Cabinet are a never ending abyss. The stuff that accumulates is ridiculous. I didn’t even know I had 2 blenders. And…I found spices that dated out 6 years prior. Throw expired foods. And…Why do we need 30 glasses? Or 3 crockpots? I’m not a caterer! Keep only what you actually use and need. Your favorite nesting mixing bowls, your pyrex cookware, what ever suits your fancy. Chances being if you haven’t used it in year, you DON’T NEED IT. Same thing happens in bathrooms. Out dated sunscreen and makeup, 6 bottles of shampoo under the sink, 4 hair brushes. We accumulate STUFF. Keep only what you need. The things you use daily.
- Choosing what to keep for decor/ knick knacks. I’m not a knick knack person. Unless it has meaning. Just something else to dust. One of the first trips I made was with my prize possessions. My few Willow Tree and Pixies figures, canvases of the grandkids and gnomes. Living in 400 square feet, you only have so much space. Especially when one entire wall is all windows. If it has sentimental meaning, makes you happy and you haven’t had it packed off in some closet, forgetting you even had it, by all means keep it. If you forgot about it, you probably don’t need it.
- Look at the space you actually have. Our house had numerous rooms. We moved to One room. Think about the furniture. Does this piece function? Can it be repurposed? Will it even fit? When it came time to move the large pieces we used a truck with a landscaping trailer and an SUV. One trip. Out of our entire house, that was all we had left.
- We tend to hold on to useless things. Even broken things. Thinking someday down the road it will be fixed and serve purpose. Be real…chances are it won’t. I personally used a tip from one of our daughters when she moved. If it’s been packed up for years and you don’t know what’s in it, you clearly haven’t used it or missed it. Send it…
It may sound harsh and maybe insensitive, but downsizing and simplifying does take will power. Once you’ve plowed through all the stuff, that is literally just that, you feel accomplished.
Off-Grid Soul 