Living off the Grid

Some people have asked me “what does it mean you’re living off the grid”? A year ago I would’ve never heard of this mumbo jumbo, living off the grid, but unbeknownst to me I would soon learn quickly. Rewinding back a year ago, our home being foreclosed, my husband and I had to take a serious look at our current lifestyle choices. We were living way beyond our means and plummeted into financial difficulties due to the Washington state building industry screeching into a halt and went belly up–almost over night. My husband wasn’t making the big bucks anymore, I still had a good job but couldn’t keep up. So, We collapsed like a deck of cards-and had a come to Jesus meeting.

We only had one choice, move to our cabin permanently. I learned that this mumbo jumbo; Living off the grid means living completely disconnected from water and power. I have living proof that sustainable living can be done and life can be feasible and fulfilling. I’m proud to admit I’m a new off-gridder! I’m thriving and completely encompassed in this new lifestyle choice.

Take a peek into my new life:

Power: We have a Honda EU26001 quiet gasoline generator and inverter battery system. *future plans: Hydroelectric-using water from our river

Water: Well, the water is piped into the shower, sinks, and toilet. We have an 18 gallon hot water tank for heating up our shower water. I have the best hot steamy showers ever! 20 minuites of pure ORGASMIC bliss. You better believe I stay in until the hot water runs out. I use the wood stove or the propane stove to heat up my dish water.

Heat: Wood ~we have been fortunate to get permits from the forestry department to cut wood for $20 for 4 cords of wood. The permits can be renewed in every two weeks. The trees are already down due fall and winter storms.

Television: Dish Network Satellite

Internet: Hughes Satellite

Refuge: I recycle everything!

Waste: Septic System

Cooking: Wood stove, propane Stove, dutch oven and a microwave oven

Laundry: My husband hand washes some of his clothes and hangs them to dry on the antlers above the fire; but most of our clothes are taken to the laundry mat in Northbend which is 50 miles round trip. It’s very expensive–$2.50 to wash and 25 cents per 5 minutes to dry. It really adds up. I need to find me an old wash board and do it the old fashion way–like my great grandmother did. I should also learn how to make my own soap too. The clothes from the laundry mat come out dirty still and I have a problem using a community washing machine-ick ick and double ICK ICK.

Beautiful Franklin Falls–it’s almost in my neck of the woods. 1 mile away from our cabin