We’ve been living tiny without running water or power for about two months now and things are remarkably easy.  We still manage to show up to our professional careers clean and shiny.  We have a few challenges but mostly it’s been easier than you might imagine.

How big is it?

Well, it’s 120sqf, 10×12, because that’s how large a shed you can build before you need a building permit for the county.  It also has a storage loft that is 5x10ft, where we are storing a queen sized bed.

No water?

Well, we have two 5 gallon containers that we fill up and bring in.  We put a spout on one and that’s made it much easier to fill water bottles, the jet-boil, or whatever.  The upgrade to having a spout feels way luxe.  I’m gonna get spoiled.

Where do you shower?

We got memberships to the county rec center, which is pretty plush, since we’re in Colorado and projects like a big rec center in a small town are funded by the obscene amount of money the govt gets from taxing legal week.  Thanks stoners; because of you, I shower almost every day.

Heat?

Um, no.  But it’s been ok.  We have a thick cozy comforter and it’s only dropped below 40F a few times so far.  We don’t have the shed insulated yet and we might do that.  Or we may just get the house done first.  Besides, one of my favorite theories about rising obesity rates is to blame central heating.  Cold mornings for health….

Do you cook?

Mostly it’s like camping with things that can be eaten cold or re-hydrated with boiling water from the jet boil.  Sometimes we BBQ.  We eat a lot of take out.

Bathroom?

We have the portapotty that’s required for a construction site and, you know, bushes.

The worst parts?

I like washing my hands in running water after using the bathroom.  I look forward to doing that in my future.  I also like doing dishes with running water, and bringing them into work and shlepping them home isn’t my favorite.

The best?

Sometimes there are deer within 20ft of the door.  Hummingbirds come in to the shed to check us out.  Sitting outside and watching the squirrels while drinking coffee in the morning is wonderfully relaxing.