| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| mrstillery09 |
Posted - Aug 10 2012 : 10:14:46 AM
Sorry for such a vague subject line, I knew I couldn't fit it all in there! This may end up being a really silly question, but I'm kind of wondering what I should do. I've been lurking awhile and ya'll have such great advice so I thought I'd see what you have to say.
My husband and I just bought our first home, which happens to be a mobile home. This place just seems perfect for us, it'll be paid for in about 8 years, and it sits on 2/3 of an acre. It's not a lot of square footage, or a lot of acres, but it's great for starting out. My problem is I was raised thinking that people who lived in mobile homes are white trash. Everyone in my family knows we have a home of our own but they don't know that it's a mobile, and I don't know if I should mention it. Part of me thinks a home is a home and it shouldn't matter what it is, and another part of me feels awkward not mentioning it. My plan was for people to come see it and me not even broaching the subject.
What do you ladies think though? Am I worrying about nothing? |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| prayin granny |
Posted - Sep 15 2012 : 05:23:01 AM
Loved reading each of these posts!!!
Agree and like each one!
I live in an apt and often feel as you described?!
But I have slowly learned that it's how I feel that matters and if others think I'm not 'hi-end 'enough for them!? Then I guess phooey!!
I enjoy my place. I'm having fun decorating it, easier to maintain and as I get older and older? Really appreciate the on site maintenance guys. I feel safe and well taken care of! And my pretty balcony allows me my farmgirl fix with containergardening.
You enjoy your beautiful home!
Farmgirl blessings,
Linda
www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Country at Heart |
| Betty J. |
Posted - Sep 14 2012 : 3:53:54 PM
So you have a "mobile" home. Is it mobile or is it a manufactured home? My dream is to have a double wide on 20 acres of trees that I have planted myself. I now live in a stick built home, but it's nothing special except it's almost paid for. Hold your head high and know that you have a roof over your head and someone you love living with you. Couldn't ask for more.
Betty in Pasco |
| westfork woman |
Posted - Sep 14 2012 : 3:40:48 PM
I have been mulling this one around for awhile. Here is my input. Some the prettier places in our area are mobile homes, beautifully landscaped, clean and neat. Home is what you make it. In this day and age of folks losing houses they couldn't afford, or scraping by paying off underwater mortgages, a house you can pay off in 8 years looks good. Hold your head up and enjoy your home and family.
Greetings from the morning side of the hill. |
| Simple@heart |
Posted - Aug 26 2012 : 3:51:18 PM
Oh, honey I grew up in the country and I knew many wonderful people that lived in mobile homes. I wouldn't worry for a second about people not accepting where you live. Anyone that pokes fun at someone for the type of house they live in isn't worth knowing :) Hold your head up high farm girl and enjoy having your OWN home and your OWN yard.
~Andrea
Bloom where you are planted |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Aug 25 2012 : 7:27:31 PM
When I was younger I was living in an apartment in a bad area of town. A girl was murdered walking home 1 block away, and I decided I no longer wanted to live in that neighborhood.
I didn't have much money, but I borrowed a down payment from my grandmother, (which I prompty paid back) and purchased a mobile home. It was not a double-wide, it was 14x70, and I felt kind of the same way you are describing. It was definitely a trailer, but I was NOT trailer trash.... It was a new model and had several very nice features including a nice master bath and kitchen. The lot rent was not terribly exorbitant.
I lived there for about 5 years. I paid off the mortgage early (found out about the rule of '78's by the way, it is not a good thing, don't finance this way if you can avoid it) then when I got married my husband and I bought a conventionally built house. I rented the trailer out to a coworker who needed a temporary place to live. It served us well, then I sold it, I did not make money at all on the deal but if you evaluate it against paying rent it wasn't too bad.
There is no shame in living in a place that you can afford and you keep up properly. It may be just a means to get you further down the road.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blogs at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com (farming) http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com (knitting) or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| princesspatches |
Posted - Aug 25 2012 : 6:07:04 PM
The garage was there when we purchased the house. we did build a shed and a chicken coop in the backyard. The house is very bright and cheerful. We get alot of natural light.
Thanks for the compliment.
Arttie |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Aug 25 2012 : 5:57:51 PM
Arttie, your home is really pretty :) I especially like the curved window by the door. I'm sure that makes it nice and bright inside -- something I miss in our old farmhouse with the smallish windows. Did you build the garage on the left? |
| princesspatches |
Posted - Aug 24 2012 : 10:21:17 AM
P.S. I just finished repainting the decks in this picture......any suggestions for a new color on the shutters?
Arttie |
| princesspatches |
Posted - Aug 24 2012 : 10:19:46 AM
When hubby and I were looking for houses to fit our newly meshed family. We looked at sooooo many houses. And we stumbles upon our house by accident. When we came up the driveway and seen our house parked on tha back of 5 beautiful acres. And how well it was maintained and taken care of. We were taken aback and we new it was our dream home. It is a mobile home.
Hubby always teases me about being the 'Queen of his Double-wide' or that we should name our farm the 'Polish Paradise Trailer park'. But I wouldn't give up our home for anything.
Personally, I don't feel the need to keep up with other peoples expectations. We love it and are happy and that is all that matters.
Arttie |
| MtnGrlByTheBay |
Posted - Aug 24 2012 : 09:39:39 AM
I have to laugh at this for two reasons.
1- When we were all graduating from high school, I was so IN AWE of a couple of my friends who rented a trailor. It was just SO cool.
2- Think of how many people RETIRE and buy an RV! It's something they long for and strive for - including me! My husband and I would LOVE to do this when we retire. Just totally downsize, simplify and get basic.
I'm a RidgeRunner, and will always feel best when surrounded by the PA mountains.
lastlapgang.com |
| Emily Anna |
Posted - Aug 19 2012 : 4:47:19 PM
I think it's all about how you maintain it. My mom owns a mobile home and there is no way in heck she is white trash. She keeps up her lawn and has pretty flowers planted. She has some lawn ornaments but doesn't have junk all over the place. I think when people have junk all over and let their lawns go crazy it tends to look a little "trashy." I've seen houses like that. It has nothing to do with what type of home it is.
Forget anyone that would tell you you're white trash for owning a mobile home. I say congratulations on your new home!!
Emily |
| summer girl |
Posted - Aug 19 2012 : 12:24:07 AM
Your friends and family do know that you are not white trash and if someone says you are tell them to leave your property now. There are worce living arangements then mobile homes. Take it form some one who has lived in houces, tents, cars, ships, and a teepee or two a house is just a house it takes a heart to make it a home.
do what you love, love what you do |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Aug 17 2012 : 2:19:38 PM
You are right!!!!! A home is a home. And it is also what you make it. Make it cozy, full of love, warm and welcoming. I have not read all the posts, but I am sure you have been very encouraged by all others as well. There was a time when a sod house or a log house was also thought of as too rustic or too unsohpisticated. And look how they turned out!!! They made history!
Farmgirl #31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Aug 16 2012 : 3:47:04 PM
all I can say is...is here cars with no wheels jacked up in your front yard?........is your lawn furniture car & truck seats.....are the candles placed in old used smelly beer cans?...do you have a 'crew' spit can near the front door?...if no to these then honey you sure ain't white trash...xoxo....Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com |
| queenmushroom |
Posted - Aug 16 2012 : 12:39:22 PM
Count your blessings and be lucky that you are one of the more fortunate people who have not been foreclosed on because you spent way beyond your means on purchasing a home. Trailers, even though they lose value over time, are a good place to start. You can build at the back of your lot later when you can afford something more.
Lorie
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
| RedHoopWoman |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 10:26:26 PM
We have a trailer too and I say to Hades with the people who have a problem with it,it's paid for,the land is paid for and not many people with big fancy homes can say that anytime soon.
Trailers can be real cute and cozy and easy on the budget to decorate.
I have dealt with a few comments from friends and relations about our home but I don't let it bother me,I just put on my good old Johnny Cash album with the song "Country Trash" and I sing along with old Johnny while washing dishes in my little trailer home,that song always makes me smile and feel content wherever I am and with whatever I have.
Bloom where you are planted!
"Today's Mighty Oak is just Yesterday's Nut" |
| rubyleesmom |
Posted - Aug 15 2012 : 10:01:52 AM
We moved from a block home in a nice subdivision to a doublewide and acreage and I would not trade it for the world! It is not the home you live in that makes you, it is the life you make in that home that counts! I agree with the others.. family or not, noone has the right to judge you on something like that. |
| Rustic Reb |
Posted - Aug 14 2012 : 04:48:43 AM
Rosemary! Loved the classing up the neighborhood idea! I am rentiing a trailer while I work on my project property.
Don't be sorry that it's over... Be glad that it happened. |
| alterationsbyemily |
Posted - Aug 11 2012 : 6:14:59 PM
Enjoy your home, I had to have a sit down with my mom when we started looking for houses and told her not to say anything if we bought a "pre-fabricated" home. It was hard for me because, I was raised the same way, but there are so many that I know that have pre-fab homes and they are truely wonderful.
---
Farmgirl #2951
No longer renting, offical farmgirl.
Check out my new blog at http://simpileeliving.blogspot.com/
And my new Etsy listings http://www.etsy.com/shop/alterationsbyemily |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Aug 11 2012 : 3:20:04 PM
Congratulations on outgrowing the prejudice behind terms like "white trash." I've known trashy people of all races who live in palatial houses, penthouse apartments and more than a few governor's mansions, and the most wonderful people who live very modestly. I wouldn't hesitate to cross anyone off my friend list who still harbors such backward thinking. Who needs that?
That said, if you want to face people's prejudices with humor, you could send out "we've moved" with pink flamingos and beer cans on the front and inside, "Come visit us to see how we're classing up the neighborhood." |
| Dorinda |
Posted - Aug 11 2012 : 05:44:30 AM
Wow I agree with all the other ladies you should not worry about such a thing. Enjoy your home. My DH and I started out in a mobile home . I loved it. We lived there for 9 years. We saved as much as possible and then built our home. I would go back to my little mobile home in a heart beat. Such wonderful memories there. Thanks for bringing those memories back to me.
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
| rphelps4 |
Posted - Aug 10 2012 : 9:19:34 PM
I agree with everyone else, friends like that you don"t need, the house I raised my kids in and still live most people would turn the noses up too, but I don't care I have 13 acres, when I divorced my husband not one room in the house was finished, the kids and worked on, and as I can I am still working on it 34 years later. It's my little piece of heaven! Roxanna |
| laurentany |
Posted - Aug 10 2012 : 6:57:19 PM
Embrace what you have and who you are- not the type of "structure" that you live in. Regardless of he actual structure, it is your home. I actually think you are one smart cookie!!! How many of us here can say we could pay off our homes in 8 years??? Good for you. As the other gals said- if someone were to judge you for the "type" of home that you live in, then they are not worth having in your life.
Enjoy your wonderful home!
Hugs,
~Laurie
"Little Hen House on the Island"
Farmgirl Sister#1403
View my New Blog:
http://simplesuburbanpleasures.blogspot.com
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.. |
| emtfarmer |
Posted - Aug 10 2012 : 6:52:44 PM
What is important is that it is your home. I have rented for all of my adult life. As I get older, I realize I don't want to have a large home: Too much to clean, too much to furnish, higher taxes, etc. Now that my husband and I are finally employed full-time again (as of this past Monday!) after 18 months of unemployment, I would love to have a mobile home and that is what we are planning for. In fact, I almost made a post last weekend asking farmgirls to post pictures of their mobile home "decorating".
I'd rather spend time decorating a smaller home, crafting, and gardening rather than concerning myself with what others may think. I wish you many happy times in your new home!
Call to farmgirls. . . I'm sure Monteca (like me!) would enjoy seeing pictures of how you make the best of a mobile home, inside and out!
Darlene
"Support your local fire departments and rescue squads...volunteers making a difference" |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Aug 10 2012 : 2:00:42 PM
Monteca: If you are truly happy and content you will pass it own to any one who visits. You sound like a beautiful and joyful person, I bet you are.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
