Most middle schoolers probably have other things on their minds besides building houses.
But Luke Thill, a 13-year-old from Dubuque, Iowa, is unlike any other middle schooler you’ve seen before.
This talented and proactive boy has crafted his very own little house — in his parent’s backyard.
The project cost him roughly $1,500 USD — and now Luke is living his dream in his little cottage.
Come on in and have a look at what it looks like inside.
I think it’s safe to say that Luke is not like many of his 13-year-old peers. In a time of iPads, smartphones, gadgets, and X-Boxes, this young man decided to keep himself busy in a different and more ‘old-fashioned’ way. As he explains on his YouTube channel, his desire to build a small house grew out of feeling bored last summer.
After some thorough research, Luke had a pretty good idea of how he was going to put his plan into action.
The Process
It took him about a year to get the money and materials he needed to build the house. Luke mowed lawns, started a fund-raiser online, and ran errands for anyone who needed help in the neighborhood to make money.
An electrician Luke was friends with helped him install the electricity in exchange for Luke cleaning his garage out, for instance.
Luke used about 75 percent recycled material, many of which were things left over from his grandma’s house. The front door of the house was a gift from an uncle’s friend.
The 89-square-foot house is 10 feet long and 5 1/2 feet wide, with electricity but no plumbing, so no water or bathroom… yet.
“I liked the minimalism,” he told The Des Moines Register. “And I wanted to have a house without a huge mortgage.”
Luke has made several video clips and posted them online, where he talks about his project as many have grown curious about the little house.
As you can imagine, Luke also received some help from his parents, both financially and with the building itself.
But dad Greg made sure that it would be Luke himself who would pay for most of his project and also build most of it himself.
“It was a chance for a kid to do something more than play video games or sports,” Greg told The Des Moines Register. “It teaches life lessons.”
Teenager’s Dream
The house is in many ways a teenager’s dream, an oasis where you can chill and hang out in. It has a microwave, a TV, and a loft with a bed.
There’s even a barbecue and flowers at the back.
Luke usually does his homework after school at his new house and some nights during the week he gets to sleep there.
Luke already has aspirations to build another house — one that’s a little bigger for when he starts college. He also hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams:
“I want to show kids it’s possible to build at this age,” he says in one of his videos.
You can really see how proud he is about his project below.
Luke’s story is a great example of what a child can achieve with a clear goal, a strong worth ethic, and support from home.
Age Doesn’t Matter When It Comes To Love: 31-Year-Old Guy And 91-Year-Old Lady Share The Story Of Their Family Happiness!
In a society where love is frequently stifled by social conventions, meet Kyle Jones and Marjorie McCool—a couple who have deftly avoided the rules. Kyle, 31, and Marjorie, 91, have a striking 60-year age difference, which puts them in a unique position to defy the notion that love is determined by age.
Their exceptional friendship has caught the attention of the globe, and the media has not wasted any time in capturing the spirit of this special romance. The couple just had an honest conversation in which Marjorie talked candidly about the personal aspects of their relationship. Kyle was just as honest when he said that his love for Marjorie has nothing to do with money gain.
Their endearing tale started in 2009 under the luminously mundane lights of a neighborhood bookshop. Just looking through books, Marjorie—whose romantic history includes a 37-year split from her husband—was introduced to Kyle. She removed any uncertainty about Kyle’s intentions by being open about the fact that she had neither inherited money nor saved a sizable sum of money. Take note, critics: love, not money, is the driving force behind this love tale.
But my, how the plot deepens! In addition, Kyle has romantic ties to a number of older ladies. It would seem that jealousy would poison this delicate stream, but Marjorie is a serene beacon. Even though she experienced some initial jealousy, she is still Kyle’s top priority. She remains his first love because he always returns to her.
The chemistry between Marjorie and Kyle appears to defy biology and reason. When Marjorie talks about how physically they match, she beams. She makes a conscious effort to make sure she never loses her sensual attraction to Kyle, demonstrating that having romantic appeal at any age is just a number. She asks us to consider the dynamic, even ethereal aspect that allows their connection to glide between social waves through her candid admissions.
Leave a Reply