Author: debutont

Just a woman in search of self. Looking for meaning, direction & personal growth. Living each moment as if it were the last. Conquering fears & slaying dragons as I climb my own mountain, on my terms & forge my own path to create a life worth living. I created my blog hoping others will join me on my journey & forge their own path to pursue their lives & reach for dreams. The worlds a better place for those who have a dream.

Today I Shall Live

For life & all its glory. For all the moments still left to dream. For all the rocks lefts unturned. For all the roads still left untraveled. For all the love still left in the world . For all those who no longer have the will. For you;

Today I shall live. I shall love. I shall forgive & I shall always be grateful for all the minutes I am gifted on this earth with you.

Debbie Smalley ( Deb’e)

My Life, Building a Dream CH. 11 w/video

Up until this weekend, there was a big hole in the back of my house, where a door used to be. It lead into a little out room, that enters into my current living space. Once, this was my garage. Now, it is my bedroom/living room & soon, it will become my 3rd airbnb room/project.

This studio, flows into a little 5′ x 16′ alcove, that acts as a pass through dining area, leading into the kitchen and laundry room.

Between the out room and the garage, there was a hollow door with a large hole cut into the bottom. For years, the hole was used as dog door, that was eventually covered up with a piece of plywood.

I live in Idaho, where we have the Benifit of all four seasons. It’s currently November, so winter is upon us & the nights are becoming very cold. As you can imagine, the hole in the back of the house, has made the garage a very cold place to sleep.

I am not telling you this to whine or seek anyone’s pity. In fact it’s quite the opposite. I am writing about this, because it has made me so grateful, for the roof over my head.

Every night, as I lay under the layers of blankets, that kept me warm. I realized I was blessed with a choice. I thought of those who had no roof, no shelter, no bed & not enough blankets to keep them warm. It humbled me & gave me appreciation for everything I have, especially my home.

The next year of my life, I have chosen to sacrifice living in the comforts of a traditional home.

I have chosen to give up full access to a standard bathroom & instead will be roughing it, with my pimped out version, of a camping toilet. I have had a few people, who did not share my enthusiasm. I must confess, that as the reality of what I am about to do, gets closer. I too, have my doubts about The sanity, of my idea.

I think to myself; “What in Gods name are you doing? I must be crazy”… But each time this happens, I put my fears aside, knowing that there are people , who are homeless & would give anything to have the luxury of a camping bathroom.

I think of the time I lived in New York & the many moments, I spent in the big city, desperately looking for a public restroom. I often wondered how on earth the homeless survived there, with virtually, no public facilities available to use, anywhere.

I think of the scary outhouse, I was forced to use last year. We were on a winter road trip, traveling the great Alaskan highway. We were were at the very top of the Rocky Mountains. There was a snow everywhere and not a town around for miles.. I am not being over dramatic when I say, It was the most horrific bathroom I have EVER been forced to use & we were left with no choice.

Then my mind wanders, back in time to the days, when there was no plumbing & people were forced to use a chamber pot or dredge through the snow to relieve themselves, in the outhouse built next to there home.

It is those thoughts, that make me grateful, that I have a choice. It helps me see, that I am blessed with the luxury of my little homemade camping bathroom. I have comfort in knowing that when the guests checkout, I can take a shower & have use of the bathrooms, in my house, until the next guest arrives. I also have the security of knowing, I have many generous neighbors & friends, whom have all given me an opened invitation, to use there homes, anytime.

This weekend, I was sooo happy & grateful, to replace both of the doors, in my room. I no longer have a gaping hole, blasting the cold into back of my house. My living space is so much warmer and the heat vent into my room, can actually do its job.

Using my camping bathroom this winter is now a “little” less scary to think about.

I shared this moment with you, because I want everyone to know, good things can happen for those who are willing to make sacrifices to get there. Every challenge, is a stepping stone to success.

I feel very lucky to be alive and have the luxury of choice. As I sit here with my cold feet, I know, I have chosen to give up many luxuries now, so that I may reach my ultimate goal later.

I know a couple years from now. I will be sitting on my balcony, watching the sun set & rise, from my, newly built, addition. I will have 3 or 4, fully booked Airbnb’s, running within my home & I will look back, on these moments of sacrifice; knowing that I accomplished my goals. I will relish my many victories & start making plans for the next journey. My next dream, the next great moment, in this wonderful adventure, that I call my life.

I hope you have a dream to chase & if you don’t, I hope you find one soon. Life is a journey worth taking. Listen to your heart and seek the wondrous things. Find your strengths & fight your fears. Your not dead yet. It’s never to late to try. Get up & reach!!!!

Debbie Smalley (Deb’e)

For You I Paint the Wind

For you I paint the wind.

Bold, strong, unwavering through the storm;

Relentless & fierce;

Or a gentle breeze easing its way across the earth;

Pushing the waters, you fill the sails, as they billow, across the lake;

Whispering words, with secrets, that only few can hear;

Never to be captured or held back,

Until the day, I finally touch you;

I’ll forever paint the wind;

Debbie Smalley ( Deb’e)

My Life Building a Dream CH. 10

Well it’s just been a little over 1 1/2 years since I started renovating my home and turning it into an airbnb business. After I opened my first 2 room suite. I renovated another room, with 2 beds, to be used as an add on room for extra guests.

Renovating this room gave me an opportunity to make a second website for guests who were looking to rent a room for 4 people. Or just add on a bed.

As luck would have it.

The next, Private entrance suite that I am in the process of building, is also connected to this room. So it can be added on to any reservation. This makes it financially versatile, in so many ways. When it’s finished, all three spaces, will be interconnected; allowing 6 guests to stay together & still have the privacy of two suites, by simply closing a door.

When it’s all finished, My home will be separated into 3, private entrance, airbnb Suites. Once this happens, I will be at the stage, that allows me to build my own personal, dream, space.

There are a lot of people out there jumping into the airbnb business. They are buying apartment buildings and 4 plexus and extra houses. I think that is amazing and maybe once I get my place developed and going strong, I will look at expanding my business, outside of my own home. But right now for me and my life, it’s important that I am able to maintain a happy, financially balanced existence.

I never want to lose site of my vision. To be self sustaining and Happy in life. I can not afford to take on more debt. than I can maintain. It would be counterproductive to my goal. I can never forget what caused me to make my life changing decision, to open my business.

A snowstorm nearly shut down our town & forced me to stay home, for 3 weeks, with out pay. It really could of been a devastating thing. A sane, person, would of spent their time worrying, about how they were going to make it. Not me!!! instead of stressing, I decided I would just close my eyes & pretend I was skipping school. I would just let go of my worries and embrace it, as a 3 weeks vacation.

It was the best 3 weeks of my life!!!! Staying up, sleeping in, painting at whim & writing. It was a beautiful, quiet moment in time. I had never, had so much alone time, in my life. It was so freeing, So emotionally & spiritually cleansing; to be alone with myself.

It was such an uplifting & eye opening experience. I loved it so much, I wanted to find a way, to keep that feeling, for the rest of my life. The calm, the peace, the clarity & the security of self.

My stay-cation, gave me a chance to evaluate my life & realize, that I really wasn’t very happy, with the way things were going. I didn’t have a retirement & I was almost 50. What would I do, if I really did lose my job.

I had no one else to financially, fall back on & a new career was the scariest thought. I couldn’t even imagine wanting to go back to college or start over again, after all these years. I needed to make some big changes.

That night I went to sleep, looking for answers and praying for a miracle!!! The next day, I found an ad for airbnb & knew, that was my miracle. That was what I had to do & I jumped… feet first into the idea, with no reservations. I drained all $4,300 out of my retirement, Threw $1000 at, Uncle Sam, for the Tax’s & used the rest to start a dream.

There have been many moments during this new adventure, when I was lost and uncertain, about what I was doing. So many construction projects that I had to do myself. I was afraid of messing up and honestly didn’t feel my body or mind was strong enough for the task. But I was determined, I could not give up. I had a vision & I was going to do everything humanly possible & muster up the strength to accomplish it.

I am now about 2 weeks out from finishing my next suite. I am physically tired, but emotionally strong. I have pulled down Sheetrock, put up walls, tape, textured, painted & tiled the walls and floors.

Every time I got close to being finished, the task master, in my brain, would hand me another idea, to make my dream better. Sleep has not been a luxury, it has only been time, for my mind to work and figure out what projects, I needed to do next.

These are the days, I wished I was born a man, with strong hands and muscles, suited for the task. Lol. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a woman & I have found myself empowered, by what I have achieved, in such a short period of time. It truly has been a life altering experience.

Because I tried, fear can no longer stop me. I will never use the words, I can’t, ever again. Challenges in life are now, only the building blocks to my amazing future. I will no longer quit, when I’m tired or stop reaching, when it seems to hard. I will dig deeper, when I’m tired & face life head on. I will gain strength with every struggle and believe, I can achieve anything, if I put my mind to it.

We all have struggles. We all have dreams. We all have times, when we are tired and afraid, but we can’t quit. We must get up, look fear in the face and fight for what ever we believe in.

Whether it’s Love, life or situation.

Life is full of opportunities ready to be taken. Follow your heart and fight for what you love. Dreams can come true, for those, who are willing to reach and work hard.

Dream big & reach higher, life’s an adventure. Love it, before you leave it. Rise up to the challenge, your not dead yet. Get up and reach for another day!!

Debbie Smalley (Deb’e)