First 40 days

I closed October 17th in a vault... literally. Afterwards my relator, John, came by to let me in and pose for this picture. This 1894 duplex was all mine. Within the hour after closing I was half moved in and a contractor was on site to estimate some work. Apart from the what's detailed below, we had two dual-flush toilets installed, started a couple compost beds, replaced both garbage disposals and one water heater, demolished most of the basement walls, got a new main drain pipe, and hosted a housewarming party. We also hung some decorative lights and got a deep freezer so I could stop hoarding food in all my friends' freezers. I've learned some property management skills by renting out the four rooms downstairs, and two garage stalls. I'm working now on creating a studio and office in the basement. All while doing regular unpacking and moving in stuff.


For the show and tell portion of the post: the house hadn't had a washer and dryer... in its 122 year history. So that was fixed first by running some pipe (shown left) and then we got a shiny new set :)

I also got lockers for everyone so they could put their laundry stuff in there.



Next came time to demo what we were thought were hideous kitchen cabinets. Turns out they weren't actually cabinets, but individual pieces of wood L-bracketed together. So it took Lindsey and I six hours to remove them. We hoped to remove just the bottom cabinets and head out of town, but soon realized everything was connected and we had to start demo from the top and work our way down. During demolition we discovered a door! Lindsey and I were excited until we realized that the house had settled to the point of making it a load-bearing door so we couldn't open it. It appears to have been the original basement door when the house was a single-family dwelling. The nice ship planks were a nice surprise too!

We had primed and painted some new unfinished cabinets. After setting in the new cabinets with some Victorian-style door knobs and drawer pulls we realized just how badly the floor looked. Which meant the floor was my next project.

 

Meanwhile, I called around looking for a dishwasher for each unit. I requested white, stainless steel tub, internal controls and a third rack. I was informed this was my option and it'd be $200 off the following day. I said great, I'll take two! (Received skeptical pause on the phone.) No really, I need two dishwashers; I do a lot of dishes. Installing dishwasher into a house that's never had them turned out to be a larger task than I estimated. New pipes, new electrical boxes, and for downstairs, also a new fuse. But, they work wonderfully!




So while I expected some surprises with an old house, each task is definitely taking longer than hoped. I look forward to having my housemates settled into a space that's not a construction zone extremely soon! On to the next 40 days!

Acknowledgements: Lindsey & I want to thank these Dee, Amber, Jesse, Julianne for their help moving. And thank these humans for their help with random things from sanding cabinets, pulling up, running electrical, hanging lights, drilling holes, reassembling small kitchens, making countless trips to the hardware store/Habitat for Humanity and the like: Tay, Julianne, Kelsey, Chloé, Claib, and Dee. Thank you to Jane for all your time spent drawing up sketches and paying for random things as they've come up in addition to the things I thought I budgeted for!

Our Values

Service and Resilient Living
Our outlook and values are pragmatic and centered on making life easier for our housemates by sharing the work of the home together with a focus on permaculture, sustainability and yogic principles. We do form strong bonds among members that are reminiscent of an idealized family. The central purpose of our community is derived from shared values of generosity toward co-living members, the earth and the wider community, a sense of service both to the home we inhabit and the members we live with, and a strong central work ethic both in our own lives and in service of the home, earth and community with which we live in partnership.

Yogic Values
Yamas (1-5) and Niyamas (6-10) are the main moral principles and guidelines to support us towards self-realization. They are mentioned in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

1. Ahimsa/Non-violence We are to be non-violence in our thoughts, words, and actions. Non-violence builds peaceful which is based upon the idea that all life is sacred and we all have the divine within us. We are learn to love deeply as well as learn to receive love from others. Fear, weakness, ignorance, and suffering are the causes of violence and we are to having compassion for those who are violent. Violence can also be expecting too much from self or others. 

2. Satyam/Truth Truthfulness in thoughts originates from purity of mind and honesty with the self. Truthfulness in words is achieved by not lying. Truthfulness in action means one is true their own principles while remaining flexible to the present.

3. Asteya/Non-stealing Non-stealing focuses us to cultivate a sense of self-sufficiency, gratitude, and contentment with what we have while not taking what we haven't been given, be it emotions, time, space, or stuff. Minimalism, simple living is the best practice of asteya. It's also important to look at the desires or reasons for stealing. 

4. Brachmacharya/Restraint To control or restrain the senses and energies and to develop more meaningful relationships. Since happiness comes from our source, this keeps us from looking to externals for happiness with keeping everything in moderation. 

5. Aparigraha/Non-possessiveness Not being dependent on our belongings, our self-worth or happiness. A simple life that lets go of greed, negative feelings and unforgiveness that leaves room for our passions and allows us to be more generous. 

6. Saucha/Purity Creating clean, distinct and organized spaces we want to live in with a pure body and mind that can enjoy the space. 

7. Santosha/Contentment Falling in love with life. Celebrating the life we have, being content with the gifts we have. It also means we're avoiding anything negative when we can.

8. Tapas/Discipline Developing perseverance, passion, and discipline that moves us to self-realization, burning off impure thoughts, and giving us better tools to serve others.

9. Svadhyaya/Self-study Understanding what guides and motivates us, what our intentions and fears are, and what in our subconscious prevent us from being free in our thoughts, words, and actions.

10. Ishwarapranidhana/Surrender Learning to surrender to the present moment and being fully available to that moment, thought, person. Trusting that whatever happens is for a reason. Having an open heart and mind full of curiosity and sensitivity. 

Permaculture Ethics:

1. Care for the Earth

The earth holds our resources and we must care for it if we are to continue to receive its benefits. 

2. Care for People

We need organized, collaborative efforts to affect change.

3. Fair Share - Return of Surplus to Earth & People

Take only what you need/will use and leave the rest.

Co-living/Commune-living Defined

What

Co·liv·ing
noun

1. Shared housing designed to support a purpose-driven life.
2. A modern, urban lifestyle that values openness, sharing, and collaboration.
3. Synonyms: intentional living, intentional community, co-housing, modern nomad.

Why
The purpose of co-living is to create a home environment that inspires and empowers its residents to be active creators and participants in the world around them. These environments cultivate collaboration and serendipity amongst residents and the extended community. Co-living houses enable resilient lifestyles through sharing and efficient use of resources and space.

Who
Co-living is for people who want a home environment that actively supports them in living with service, purpose and intention. People who choose co-living include professionals, makers, entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives.

How
Residents unite around a common interest to collaboratively manage a space, share resources, and coordinate activities which contribute creatively and intellectually to the world around them. Many co-living houses offer short-term accommodation and host outward facing events, increasing connections with the broader community and world. The community at Living Room Yoga Commune is focused on the principles of permaculture, yoga, and resilient living. (See "Our Values" post our other values.)

P.S. This post was adapted from my old home at 616Shebang 

House Agreements Around Cleanliness and Tidiness

As a co-living house, we share significant amounts of space and common areas.  As such, we have made the following agreements such that we can collectively manage these spaces in a way that makes them clean and usable for everyone. As housemates, we agree to keep common spaces in a general state of cleanliness and organization.

A. Cultural/Values Agreements

1. Always assume good intent. We recognize that people here are loving and want to help each other when they know how.
2. Leave a place as good or better than you found it (pay it forward).
3. Never clean up after another person if you are feeling resentful.
4. No use of stereotypes or other prejudices will be tolerated.

B. Kitchen Agreements

1. A clean kitchen has no dishes in the sink, no food or ingredients left out (a full drying rack is not an excuse).
2. Always clean up after yourself.
3. The person cooking/preparing a shared meal is ultimately responsible that the kitchen is clean afterwards. They are also granted power to delegate cleaning to anyone and everyone.

C. Bathroom Agreements

1. Always clean up after yourself; this includes ensuring that the toilet seat is down, drains are clear and surfaces are dry and clean of debris and disorganization after each use.
2. Be considerate of housemate schedules.

D. Common Spaces Agreements

1. No personal stuff left overnight or for significant time in common spaces.
2. Exceptions:  (to be added if discussed and agreed on by current co-living members)

E. Communication / Accountability Agreements

1. We agree to communicate in a loving and kind way when we notice someone has broken an agreement, whether or not we ultimately choose to clean up;
1. If we know who has broken the agreement, we agree to communicate directly with that person and don’t call them out publicly, or speak about them to someone else.
2. If we don’t know who broke the agreement, we agree to communicate publicly what has occurred.
3. In keeping with our agreement, assume good intent.
4. We all agree to let others hold us to account to the agreements we’ve made above.
2. We agree to hold a learning (rather than blame) stance around accountability.
3. We agree to follow the LYRC Chore Chart and complete our responsibilities. 

F. Guest Agreements

1. It is the responsibility of the host to communicate the rules to their guests.
2. The host is ultimately responsible for their guests impact on the house.
3. The house agrees to communicate to the host or guests as appropriate if a guest breaks the above agreements.
4. It is the responsibility of the housemate to inform all other housemates in group text when someone will be spending the night. 
5. No guess should spend the night more than three nights in a week unless discussed with current co-living members.

Introductions: Who We Are

Who we are:
Who lives here:
We are humans who believe that all humans should be treated well. Therefore, we communication directly, kindly and aim to have no unresolved conflicts that would lead to a toxic living environment. We are committed to calling out one another on acts and words of oppression. We have zero tolerance for unapologetic racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ableism, and xenophobia. We welcome all relationships of our housemates including non-monogamous formations.
Currently we are all queer-identified humans. While queer identity is not a requirement, it is necessary to be actively anti-racist and anti-*phobic. You must be an ally.

Upstairs
Name: Bulldozer (a.k.a. Dozer)
Pronouns: He/His/His
About me: I'm a puppy that knows how to shake, other paw, sit, lay, and high-5. I wish I could comply with "stay" but I'm usually too excited. I'm still pretty curious on walks. I love snuggles, pets, fetch, doggie playdates, hiking, camping, and treats. I am very afraid of large bodies of water.

Name: Emerson (a.k.a. Emme, Em, Mama to Grey)
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
About me: Mid-30s, Jesus-loving, bigendered, biracial, INFP/mediator, adoptive Mama that loves all things water. Project Director at University of Michigan, Licensed Psychologist and Owner of Living Room Yoga Commune.

Name: Lindsey
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
About me: Mid-30s, INFJ/protector, motorcycle riding, student. Maintenance for Living Room Yoga Commune. Jill of all trades, master of none.

Name: Graeme (a.k.a. Grey)
Pronouns: He/Him/His
About me: Kindergartner bi-racial, active, happy, talkative, ESFJ/caregiver, mammal-loving                human that also that also loves all things water.

Downstairs
Name: Callie 
Pronouns: She/Her/hers
About me: I'm a black, petite cat. That's all you need to know about me. 

Name: Emily
Pronouns: she/her/hers
About me: About: 23 year old art degree holder. Loves movies, games and breakfast food! I have grand dreams of comic writing and podcast hosting. I also have less grand dreams of regular dungeon and dragons games and cool hair cuts.

Name: Karen
Pronouns: She/her/hers
About me: Outgoing, not afraid to be challenged. Wanted to live in community.

Name: Maxx
Pronouns: He/Him/His
About me: 7yo Boxer, gentle, loves getting pets and going on walks. 

Name: Oakley

Pronouns: he/him/his

About: 6ish year old long haired black cat. The crooked tail makes me that much more of a witch cat. Loves naps and head scritches.

Name: Olivia (Liv, Livee, Olive, O)
Pronouns: She/her/hers

About me: I'm from Tennessee In Michigan to see some snowfall. I'm freshly 23 and last time I took my Myers Briggs test I was an ENFJ I'm a Leo, I love people and hanging out collectively, I love video games and food and that's basically it. I'm a student at Eastern on my last semester and going into law school in the future.

Name: Steph 
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
About me: Student. Non-binary.

Name: Tiger Lily
Pronouns: cat
About me: I'm a loving cat that makes you work for my affection, I keep to myself, and love pets and sun rays. I'm one years old.

Where did we get the name, Living Room Yoga Commune?

Perhaps an explanation of the name should come first. If you've met me (Emerson) you know that I'm known for my characteristics of impulsivity and non-compliance. Recently, a couple friends and I took a spontaneous trip to see a mutual friend of ours who moved to Ohio and was having a bad week. After meeting our friend for dinner, we headed back to her place to hang out and see where she's living now. And then I started doing yoga... in the middle of her living room, while my friends just sat there, in silence, watching me. I was told it was very relaxing and they felt like they got a good workout just from observing. Someone suggested this should be the name of my commune and the others agreed. Because, well, this is my life.

I want the Living Room Yoga Commune to be a space where you feel so comfortable you spontaneously bust out Warrior 3 or Savasana (for those who prefer to play corpse). I want to create space for people to be themselves in all their queer and quirky beauty. I want to encourage social justice, feminist, racially healing, body positive conversations that allow one another to feel challenged and empowered.

So come relax, be empowered, eat well and healthy, be loved and heal. Welcome to the Living Room Yoga Commune.