I spoke to LouAnn about the trailer, we agreed on a price and I am going to meet her tonight to give her cash and get the paperwork! Now all I need to do is decide where it will go and then make arrangements to move it. Then I can begin cleaning and making all the small repairs needed so it is perfect to live in. I went to look at it again today (she left a key so I could go in) and took Mom with me, and she agrees that it is ideal.
We were talking about what would need to be removed for it to be a great comfortable living space and it seems like we agree that I won't remove the kitchen or other cabinetry, at least not right away, I can just use the stove and fridge for storage and not hook them up. The space is actually pretty big with them in place still, since they are all along one wall, and they are very cute vintage appliances.
I can just build some shelving in the shower stall and leave that in place until I am absolutely sure that I want to remove it.
I'm pretty sure I will do the floor in bamboo, and that should cost between $300 and $500 depending on how much of it I end up doing. Obviously the less built-in stuff I remove the cheaper the floor will cost because there will be less of it to cover. Another consideration. I am estimating around 175 square feet need to be covered without removing anything, but it may actually be less. I may just leave the linoleum in the bedroom since it will not show anyway once my bed is in there, and I will want some nice rug there too. I envision a patchwork of nice old rugs scattered throughout the trailer anyway. Maybe I will try to measure it out when I go meet with her tonight.
Just look at that beautiful wood in the bedroom. Remove the various hanging sheets, particle board book shelves and misplaced mattresses from your imagination and see it for what it is behind the clutter.
So! It is going to happen, and it is an immediate reality! We're going to the bank in a little while to take care of paying off Mom's equity line and to pick up the cash for LouAnn. I'm pasting an excerpt from one of her emails here about the trailer:
Dear Rupa, What a beautiful letter you took such care and time to write. I can tell by your words that you fell in love with the trailer the way I did when I first stepped into it. I am not insulted by your offer at all but instead very impressed with your like-minded gypsy spirit and drive. Even though I had the trailer for a short time, I so much enjoyed living in it and was a little sad at the time that I was not able to complete all the renovations I had dreamed and planned. Better yet, for me I learned many lessons from the trailer as I filled it full of very positive loving energy. I'm a practicing Buddhist and I had the front room decorated like a beautiful meditation temple. As I would practice, a herd of deer would come up and circle the trailer. Their energy was very healing to be around. I called the trailer my dharma wagon. My life is calling me to live closer to the bay area... It seems to me that the trailer is calling for you to be it's next owner. I'm sure you will love it as much as I have. Congratulations on your new home! ~ LouAnn
Well I'll post more, and with more pics soon, no doubt.
