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  • 4. Living the Dream, One Cozy Day at a Time

    Date: May 25, 2025
    Author: Gage (Community Builder)

    It’s hard to believe how far this journey has come—from dreaming about a tiny home, to sketching breezeways on napkins, to now living semi-independently in a space that fits me just right.

    Every day brings new lessons, small wins, and moments of gratitude.

    Morning Routines That Work for Me

    My days start with Alexa reading my daily calendar, followed by a short stretch and feeding my cat, Peanut. Breakfast is simple—toast, eggs, and some peaceful music while I plan my day.

    Having routines makes me feel grounded. I now set medication reminders through Alexa and track my budget in a spreadsheet I actually enjoy using.

    Favorite Moments This Month

    • Painting in the breezeway while the evening sun pours in.
    • Hosting our first “tiny trivia night” with neighbors (we had snacks and lots of laughs).
    • Completing my first solo online grocery order—delivered right to my tiny doorstep!

    What I’ve Learned

    • Tiny homes require smart storage—but you can make it stylish!
    • Good communication with support staff makes everything smoother.
    • Feeling independent doesn’t mean doing everything alone—it means having the right supports in place.

    Looking Ahead

    Next up? I’m working on building a raised garden bed just outside my breezeway door. I’ve even sketched out a plan for a wheelchair-accessible picnic table so everyone can enjoy time outside.

    Living tiny doesn’t mean thinking small. This journey is about building a life that’s full of heart, support, creativity—and connection.

  • 3. Building My Breezeway Community

    Date: May 24, 2025
    Author: Gage (Community Builder)

    Living next to my support person is more than convenience—it’s about building a small, caring community. Here’s how I plan to make our tiny-home duo thrive:

    Clear Roles & Privacy

    • My support roommate and I have “office hours” so we both get quiet time.
    • We agreed that grocery runs and light housekeeping are their help tasks; I handle cooking and decorating our shared breezeway lounge.

    Shared vs. Personal Spaces

    • My home: All my art supplies and personal library.
    • Support home: Their workspace and private zone.
    • Breezeway lounge: A comfy loveseat, a small table for board games, and fairy lights for evening chats.

    Regular Check-Ins

    • Every Sunday evening we review the week ahead: meal plans, appointments, and any errands.
    • Monthly “tiny-home potluck” on our little shared deck—neighbors are welcome!

    Emergency & Communication Plan

    • A laminated list of emergency contacts and our personalized evacuation map hangs by the breezeway door.
    • We keep a shared GroupMe chat for quick updates—whether it’s a sudden power outage or celebrating that I finally mastered online banking.

    Community Goal: By next quarter, I’d love to host a block cookout with nearby tiny-home neighbors—food, music, and new friends!


  • 2. My Favorite Tech Tools for Daily Living

    Date: May 23, 2025
    Author: Gage (Tech Enthusiast)

    I’m a huge fan of smart home tech—anything that makes life smoother and gives me more confidence living on my own. Here are my must-have gadgets and apps:

    1. Voice-Activated Calendar & Reminders

    • I’ve linked Google Calendar to my Echo Dot:
      • “Alexa, remind me to take vitamins at 8 AM”
      • Alerts pop up on my phone, too—never miss an event!

    2. Medication Management Made Simple

    • My MedMinder dispenser locks until it’s time, then lights up and beeps. If I miss a dose, it texts my support person automatically.

    3. Grocery Lists by Voice

    • “Alexa, add almond milk to my list” → done.
    • I use Instacart for delivery; on busy days, I just ask my support person to click “place order” once everything’s in the cart.

    4. Budgeting Apps That Actually Work

    • Mint categorizes my spending and sends weekly summaries. Seeing it on my phone helps me stick to my $300 monthly grocery budget.

    5. Safety & Check-Ins

    • I wear a pendant with an emergency button—one press calls for help.
    • A daily check-in via the BeClose app sends a quick “I’m OK” signal; if I forget, it alerts my support circle.

    Pro Tip: Pair your voice assistant with your grocery and budget apps for a truly hands-free routine—mine even reads my daily agenda as I make coffee!

  • 1. Designing My Tiny Home for Independence

    Date: May 22, 2025
    Author: Gage

    Welcome to Cozy Connect Tiny Homes, where I’m documenting every step of creating my dream semi-independent space. Today, I’m sharing the design choices I’ve made to keep things safe, accessible, and completely on one level.

    My Floor Plan Vision

    • Zero-step entry right from the breezeway into my living room—no thresholds to trip over.
    • Open layout with a 36″ clear path so I can move freely, even if I need a walker one day.

    Kitchen & Bathroom Features I Love

    • Lowered countertops at 34″ so I don’t have to stretch or bend too much, plus pull-out drawers for easy access.
    • roll-in shower with built-in seat and grab bars—my morning routine will feel spa-level!

    Connecting to Support

    • I’ve planned a covered breezeway that links my home to the next tiny house where my support person lives. Rain or shine, help is just a few steps away.

    Adding Sensory Cues

    • I’m using color zones (soft blue in the kitchen, green in the bathroom) so I always know where I am.
    • Tactile labels on light switches let me flip the right one without second-guessing.

    Next Steps: I’ll be sketching these ideas in CAD next week—can’t wait to share screenshots!