Band of Women
an alternative lifestyle option for women
THE THEORY
The basic concept of a Band of Women or ' BOW ' is simply a small group of women sharing a living space and the expenses and duties associated with it. The idea allows each woman to live a lifestyle she might not otherwise be able to afford. It also provides a level of companionship, safety, security and convenience. A BOW is a very versitle idea and could have an infinant number of expressions. Below are some obvious examples:
1. Single moms sharing a large house, child care and meals
2. Elderly women sharing a house, a house keeper and/or nurse
3. Professional women sharing a vacation cabin, house by the lake or houseboat
4. Handicapped women sharing a house designed for their specific abilities
5. Women with a passion for horses share a ranch or stable
6. Women sharing and rehabbing a big, old manision
7. Artists needing work/studio space sharing a converted warehouse
Some of types who might be interested are:
1. Women who work from home like web designers, writers, artists
2. Women who travel for work such as sales reps, consultants, airline stewards
3. Women who are retired and can live anywhere they want
4. Women looking for a weekend place with investment potential
5 Women looking for a weekend place with potential as a retirement property
6. Women who want to come home to a group of friends in the evenings
7. Women looking for the safety and security of having other people in the house
8. Married women who are 'sports widows' and want a place of their own on weekends
"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one." Jane Howard
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable." Helen Keller
"Maybe the greatest challenge now is to find a way to keep independence while also committing ourselve to the ties that bind people, families and ultimately societies together." Jane O'Reilly
THE EXAMPLE
Gilbriar Farm is not a theory; it is an actual place, my place, and it is ready right now. My particular Band of Women (BOW) is tailored to a specific set of interests, including native plants, gardening, wildlife habitat, healthly eating, exercise and pleasant companionship. It is probably best suited to women middle age and older. Below are some of the types of women to whom it might appeal.
1. women who work in San Antonio or Austin and want a country place in Fredericksburg
2. women who love to garden, enjoy being outside and know (or want to learn) about native plants
3. women looking for a weekend place with potential as a retirement property
4 women who want to come home to a group of sociable friends
5. women looking for the safety and security of having other people close by
Gilbriar Farm has three suites in the main house and two suites in the gasthaus. Each suite has a private bath, private closet, bed area and sitting area with television. They range from about 450-600 square feet and have lockable doors. The main house has common space that contains the living room-dining room-kitchen as well as the laundry. The large, covered porch on the front of the main house is shaded by pecan trees and has an outdoor fireplace. The gasthaus porch is also covered and has a honeysuckle trellis and a hammock. The 10 acre property is set up for gardening and outdoor living and the rural atmosphere belies the fact that it is only three miles from main street in Fredericksburg, TX. It is my desire to find four other women who want to share it with me.
The first year, I will lease the suites for $1,000/mo with a 1 year lease. At the end of the year, if all has gone well and we are compatable, the leasee will be offered a chance to buy into the property. I plan to offer financing for those who qualify. At the time of purchase, the member may chose her suite from the ones that are unsold. See bylaws for more specifics about Gilbriar Farm.
If my BOW is not exactly what you are looking for, I would encourage you to start your own. This is one of the most logical ways to combat the various problems of growing older alone. Please feel free to forward this site to any of your friends who might be interested either in the theory or Gilbriar Farm.
Thanks for looking,
Paula Stone
paula@gilbriar.com
 The large covered porch has an outdoor fireplace and is a great place for a glass of wine with friends. |
Main House front porch |
 The uncovered part of the same porch faces south and catches the prevailing breeze. The shaded parking area holds four cars. |
 The main house was built in 1882 and has the original stone walls, longleaf pine ceiling and stone lintels. This is the west end. |
Main House Common Area . |
 This is the east end and has the dining area & kitchen. The kitchen has an induction cooktop, dishwasher and convection oven. |
 The bed area has a north window looking out to the backyard and barn. The room also has a ceiling fan and Direct TV. |
Main House West Bedroom Suite appr. 450 square feet |
 The sitting area has a south window, vaulted ceiling, concrete floor with Aubusson style rug and French furniture |
 This is the suite I will take. |
Main House East Bedroom Suite appr. 465 square feet |
.jpg) This is actually the bathroom for the West Bedroom shown above. |
 The loft above the original main house has 36" stone walls and sloping ceiling characteristic of the old German construction. It is carpeted, has two ceiling fans (one in the bathroom) and a kitchenette. |
Main House Loft Suite appr. 545 square feet |
 There is a walk-in closet in the bathroom. An outside staircase provides a private entrance and a small balcony that is a great place to watch the sun set. |
 The gasthaus is about 40' behind the main house. It is divided into the north suite and the south suite, each of which have private entrances. The porch extends across the south side and the entrance to the south suite is shown above. |
Gasthaus Porch |
 The honeysuckle trellises give privacy and fragrance for anyone napping in the hammock. |
 This is the largest of the suites and was originally a dairy barn with 6" solid concrete walls. It has a wall mounted 46" television, concrete floors, two ceiling fans and vaulted ceilings. |
Gasthaus South Bedroom Suite appr. 600 square feet |
 The seperate bedroom is 15x15' and has two windows. It has a vaulted ceiling and fan like the sitting room. It is one step down from the sitting room level. |
 This is the most private suite. It has concrete floors, three ceiling fans, the most closet space and a private entrance on the north side of the gasthaus. |
Gasthaus North Bedroom Suite appr.450 square feet |
 A seperate sitting room (not shown) connects the bedroom and bathroom. This suite has the largest bathroom and the only tub. |