He's on San Juan this morning, picking up more supplies, renting a laser level (#3!), and stopping in on a friend who is a distributor for masonry stoves.
Uma had a hard time getting up for school; still hasn't caught up on her sleep after the play!
Monday, April 23, 2012
First Materials
On Monday, we called our local construction supply to ask for a discount structure for our project. It's all set up, so the 2x8's Neal picked up today will show our discount. I'll start keeping track of expenses on a spreadsheet.
He's on San Juan this morning, picking up more supplies, renting a laser level (#3!), and stopping in on a friend who is a distributor for masonry stoves.
Uma had a hard time getting up for school; still hasn't caught up on her sleep after the play!
He's on San Juan this morning, picking up more supplies, renting a laser level (#3!), and stopping in on a friend who is a distributor for masonry stoves.
Uma had a hard time getting up for school; still hasn't caught up on her sleep after the play!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Oh no...I forgot...
So in the excitment of yesterday, with the machines on site and the Wizard in the theatre, I forgot to do the evening horse feeding. This is the first time I've completely forgotten my horse. Ack.
Good news is, this morning it was sunny again. Uma slept in, then put a blanket near the site and made an e-card for Sonja's birthday on the i-Pad.
This morning I finished the 'draft' versions of the plan, elevations, roofing plan, and foundation plan. Now Neal will review them, and we'll try to get to a final stage to submit to the county as changes to our original design.
And that's it! A recovery day...
Got Clay
After hearing rain for half the night, we woke to sunshine. The site is wet, but not unworkable. Neal and Buck worked with a laser level to cut the area down to the correct elevation.
10:00
We just had our first serendipitous moment. We had a conversation with Buck - the fabulous excavator operator - about the 'piles'. We now have a pile of topsoil and a huge pile of topsoil/organic matter/clay saved on the site. We also used some to fill in an area that we hope to plant with more fruit trees and berries.
Now, he was about to excavate the area for the foundation footings, which would be mostly clay. Where to take it?
I called Sandy at the Lopez Community Land Trust (www.lopezclt.org). I worked there during the last project, and we used mountains of clay for the plasters over strawbale walls. I knew a new project was just beginning. Would she like some clay?
Sandy laughed with delight, telling me that she and the building team were in a meeting at that moment, wondering where they would find clay for the plasters. She'll put a stake with a ribbon to mark the location, so that Buck can drop the load with his truck later today.
3:00 Trouble with the laser level
They're trying to finish the work today, so Buck can head to another site on Monday. His laser level just stopped working. Who has another one that we can use?
The only person we knew with a similar level was our friend who owns a construction company. He immediately offered his, which was with Tom, our neighbor across the street. "He's either at home, or at one of two job sites. Try his cell."
Tom answered right away, and again offered the level. He described his job site location, and I headed off to mid-island. Within 20 minutes we were back in business.
5:00 Off to See the Wizard
Uma is a munchkin in the local stage production of The Wizard of Oz, and this is the week of the performances. She has to be at the theatre every night at 5:30, fed and ready to change into her first costume.
Since Neal is still trying to finish up with Buck, I'm on dinner/taxi/pick flowers to give to Uma/reserve seats at the theatre detail. At 6:30, I'm back at home. Neal has just finished, and we eat a quick dinner and change for the show. We're sitting in our seats at 7:30, tired but proud that the big day came together.
Wish I had a photo to show of Uma in her various dances on stage!
10:00
We just had our first serendipitous moment. We had a conversation with Buck - the fabulous excavator operator - about the 'piles'. We now have a pile of topsoil and a huge pile of topsoil/organic matter/clay saved on the site. We also used some to fill in an area that we hope to plant with more fruit trees and berries.
Now, he was about to excavate the area for the foundation footings, which would be mostly clay. Where to take it?
I called Sandy at the Lopez Community Land Trust (www.lopezclt.org). I worked there during the last project, and we used mountains of clay for the plasters over strawbale walls. I knew a new project was just beginning. Would she like some clay?Sandy laughed with delight, telling me that she and the building team were in a meeting at that moment, wondering where they would find clay for the plasters. She'll put a stake with a ribbon to mark the location, so that Buck can drop the load with his truck later today.
3:00 Trouble with the laser level
They're trying to finish the work today, so Buck can head to another site on Monday. His laser level just stopped working. Who has another one that we can use?
The only person we knew with a similar level was our friend who owns a construction company. He immediately offered his, which was with Tom, our neighbor across the street. "He's either at home, or at one of two job sites. Try his cell."
Tom answered right away, and again offered the level. He described his job site location, and I headed off to mid-island. Within 20 minutes we were back in business.
5:00 Off to See the Wizard
Uma is a munchkin in the local stage production of The Wizard of Oz, and this is the week of the performances. She has to be at the theatre every night at 5:30, fed and ready to change into her first costume.
Since Neal is still trying to finish up with Buck, I'm on dinner/taxi/pick flowers to give to Uma/reserve seats at the theatre detail. At 6:30, I'm back at home. Neal has just finished, and we eat a quick dinner and change for the show. We're sitting in our seats at 7:30, tired but proud that the big day came together.
Wish I had a photo to show of Uma in her various dances on stage!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The Day Before the Machines
Yesterday we came home to a message: the excavator will be arriving tomorrow afternoon. Our motivation kicked in.
Neal and I lurked around the site, peered out of imaginary windows, and walked out imaginary doors. We set stakes, located our property line, adjusted the stakes, stood in the grassy "living room" again.
We survived a few hours of "are we doing the right thing? Is this the right house? Is this the best way to orient it on our site?" We pulled out our long sequence of sketches, plans and modified plans.
In the end, we agreed - we've designed the home we want, and this is where we want it.
This morning, we started the day with a few quiet moments together. We smudged the site, and asked for patience with this process - for us and for the land, as well as the creatures and plants who live here.
Then the machine showed up!
Neal and I lurked around the site, peered out of imaginary windows, and walked out imaginary doors. We set stakes, located our property line, adjusted the stakes, stood in the grassy "living room" again.
We survived a few hours of "are we doing the right thing? Is this the right house? Is this the best way to orient it on our site?" We pulled out our long sequence of sketches, plans and modified plans.
In the end, we agreed - we've designed the home we want, and this is where we want it.
This morning, we started the day with a few quiet moments together. We smudged the site, and asked for patience with this process - for us and for the land, as well as the creatures and plants who live here.Then the machine showed up!
 |
 When I got home at 6:00, it had been raining since 3:00, and this is what I found. |
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