I n 2004 my husband and I were living in an upscale suburban town, barely making ends meet and dreaming of owning our own home. We didn’t have any money to speak of and getting a mortgage was out of the question, but we believed we could find a way. And so began, our journey to building our own cordwood masonry home with our own hands. Seven years later, here I sit outside my own mortgage free home, in my fenced in garden/patio finding it hard to express what this journey has done for myself and my family.
I won’t tell you it was an easy road. I won’t tell you I didn’t make a million mistakes. I will tell you, that it has all been worth it. Every tear, every bruised limb and drop of sweat was a milestone in my path to self-awareness and it empowered me in ways no one could have foreseen. This blog is not about the “right” way to do anything. It’s about doing everything in ways that work and resonate for you. My goal is to inspire and perhaps enlighten rather than impress.
My home is far from finished. We still walk on the original floor sheathing and the bathroom doesn’t have any drywall, still its all beautiful to me, because we built it. I know every log in my walls, every nail, screw and truss. They are a part of me and each contains a story. As, you read this blog, you will hear some of those stories, some funny, some scary, but each a lesson learned. I was never one to do anything the easy way. Perhaps you will learn from my mistakes or better yet, decide you can do it better and embark on your own path to self-reliance. Or maybe, you’re already walking your own path and you’re looking for inspiration to keep you going. Either way, I hope you will join me on this journey, because although I’ve gained much, there is still much to do and I need your thoughts for inspiration too.
