THE RITTERS
Hi. We are the Ritter-Lopatowski's, and we have built a shipping container home. It's been a rollercoaster, with our biggest headaches coming in the forms of finding the right contractors and subcontractors, securing construction funding, and having one of us be really impatient about the whole thing.
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If Jason wasn't an architect (and man of MANY trades), we are not sure this project would have been feasible for us. But we've made it, even with funding fiascos, welcoming two new members to our family, saying goodbye to multiple family members, and a global pandemic. But we've prevailed, which is why we've created a whole website to share our stories and experiences during this process. We don't do anything half-ass!
WIFE. MOTHER. LOVER OF NATURE.
gretchen
Gretchen's life and business model is to create "Order & Beauty." Order and organization is beautiful, organization keeps things simple, and there is beauty in simplicity. Gretchen runs her own graphic design business and enjoys working with multiple local nonprofits, and designing for a purpose.
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Gretchen enjoys hiking, sailing, and reading books...really anything that keeps her away from people.
ARCHITECT. MAN OF ALL TRADES.
JASON
Fun fact: he currently has over 52 different types of bourbon in his "office." We say it's in his office because during this pandemic he has set up his work station at our home bar. No, he does not have a drinking problem.
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He enjoys hiking, sailing, and woodworking in the garage. Yes, he has designed his own workshop into the floorplan of our home.
THE "CONTRACTOR"
david
Ax wielder, sous chef, and "contractor," this kid does it all...all while never seeming to get tired. Ever. But when he sleeps, thank goodness he sleeps for 12 hours, giving his loving parents a much-needed break.
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At the time of breaking-ground, David is four and a half years-old, super talkative, and a know-it-all about construction equipment. He enjoys hiking, sailing, chopping veggies, getting read to, watching tv, and of course, construction.
THE SECURITY SYSTEM
sequoia
Sequoia is a Blue Lacy dog, if you don't know what that is, google it. He is exactly seven months older than his brother David, making him five years old. He flew here from Texas and stole our hearts the second we picked him up from the airport. He is funny, smart, loves his family, and dutifully watches over his home.
His hobbies consist of cuddling, smothering his mother, squeaking toys right in your face but not letting you get it, running really fast, playing hide and seek, and more smothering and cuddling.