The glimmerings of a plan...
So. We are being offered a 20ft travei trailer for $250. It's partially gutted - doesn't have refrigerator, stove or sink. The bathroom, I'm told, is intact, and the electrical is there and functioning. As long as these things are true, we can make it work. We just need to find an RV pad with power, sewer and water connections.
With those connections, we can put together a makeshift kitchen. We have a griddle, microwave and toaster. We have a coffeepot to heat water for tea if need be. If we can pick up a hot plate, we can make most of the foods we eat already...all without a stove. We can do dishes with the showerhead. A mini fridge can hold the items that need refrigeration.
Truth be told, we really don't need a lot of space. Beds can double as lounging spaces. Most of what we do is on our computers anyway, and we very rarely have anyone over. Cooking won't be an issue. We -might- need to find another option for showering (I don't know if the trailer's water heater works yet or not), laundry can be done at a laundromat if I cannot convince someone to let me use their washer and dryer for an afternoon every couple of weeks. The laundromat is not a difficult option, and if need be the truck stop in the Troutdale-ish area has pay-by-use showers.
Yes, we understand that this is a horrible idea. We've been told this repeatedly. However, considering that we barely saved the car (apparently if it had gone one more day, our debit cards would have been frozen by the bank - one reason to -never- have your car loan where you bank) and insurance (which I -don't- want to lose, as it'd screw with the terms of our loan), we cannot put anything toward rent this month. At all. This trailer has a very high potential to save our asses, and being a little uncomfortable for while is worth that.
Yes, we'll have heat. I'm pretty sure the heatdish we have is capable of heating the entire space, and if not other arrangements can be made. There's also a chance that the propane heater is still in the trailer - I don't see anyone gutting something like that when they're living in it, and the seller was until very recently. We also have a decent amount of blankets and warm clothing, and I've asked for more blankets for Christmas for the girls.
Honestly, the thing we'll be hurting for is space to put everything. I need to figure out how to weed as much as humanly possible out of our belongings so that we can fit within that space. In fact I -should- be doing that instead of writing this entry...
This is, when it comes down to it, a roof over our heads. When Winter has passed, we can reassess our financial situation. If at any time this fails spectacularly, we DO have a place to go. It's just...my mother's place is not exactly the most viable option.
*sighs* My mother went off at me for a bit about this decision, Shane's dad went off on him about it as well. I don't know why our parents seem to think that we haven't thought this through. We are adults, with two children to take care of...and this is a damned sight better than being on the streets.
I'm willing to do just about anything to stop -that- from happening.
With those connections, we can put together a makeshift kitchen. We have a griddle, microwave and toaster. We have a coffeepot to heat water for tea if need be. If we can pick up a hot plate, we can make most of the foods we eat already...all without a stove. We can do dishes with the showerhead. A mini fridge can hold the items that need refrigeration.
Truth be told, we really don't need a lot of space. Beds can double as lounging spaces. Most of what we do is on our computers anyway, and we very rarely have anyone over. Cooking won't be an issue. We -might- need to find another option for showering (I don't know if the trailer's water heater works yet or not), laundry can be done at a laundromat if I cannot convince someone to let me use their washer and dryer for an afternoon every couple of weeks. The laundromat is not a difficult option, and if need be the truck stop in the Troutdale-ish area has pay-by-use showers.
Yes, we understand that this is a horrible idea. We've been told this repeatedly. However, considering that we barely saved the car (apparently if it had gone one more day, our debit cards would have been frozen by the bank - one reason to -never- have your car loan where you bank) and insurance (which I -don't- want to lose, as it'd screw with the terms of our loan), we cannot put anything toward rent this month. At all. This trailer has a very high potential to save our asses, and being a little uncomfortable for while is worth that.
Yes, we'll have heat. I'm pretty sure the heatdish we have is capable of heating the entire space, and if not other arrangements can be made. There's also a chance that the propane heater is still in the trailer - I don't see anyone gutting something like that when they're living in it, and the seller was until very recently. We also have a decent amount of blankets and warm clothing, and I've asked for more blankets for Christmas for the girls.
Honestly, the thing we'll be hurting for is space to put everything. I need to figure out how to weed as much as humanly possible out of our belongings so that we can fit within that space. In fact I -should- be doing that instead of writing this entry...
This is, when it comes down to it, a roof over our heads. When Winter has passed, we can reassess our financial situation. If at any time this fails spectacularly, we DO have a place to go. It's just...my mother's place is not exactly the most viable option.
*sighs* My mother went off at me for a bit about this decision, Shane's dad went off on him about it as well. I don't know why our parents seem to think that we haven't thought this through. We are adults, with two children to take care of...and this is a damned sight better than being on the streets.
I'm willing to do just about anything to stop -that- from happening.