Silence Is Golden

Wow , I am so excited  to receive pictures from Paul from the house... they have been busy! The shingling is done the windows are in and the siding is complete. Funny... things seem to move faster when I'm not around...perhaps I ask to many questions and talk too much!?  Dad, has dug  the trench for the hydro and when I get back we will get that going. Enjoying my time in the sunny south... but anxious to get back at it.

Day# 55

Extra Large Decaf 3 Cream 2 Sweetner Please

It has been a week since my last blog , so I have lots to share. Paul  went moose hunting for a week, but  he was able to shingle half the roof prior to leaving. Building inspector made his appearance so we could proceed with back filling around the house (yeah no more ladders). Prepping the basement for cement required shoveling  allot  (Tons) of stone through the window and  raking into place... who needs piloties, I guarante a workout with this job! So you might be thinking... why so much stone... well stone is about $10  a ton and cement is $120 a ton, saved some money  but the trips required to the message therapist  will make up the difference I'm sure..  note to self.. some things are not worth it! With the assistance of "Jimmy" the block layer we began the task of making a basement floor. Starting in one corner we made our way around measuring and leveling about every 2 ft. . I think  I mentioned that Paul got 1/2 the shingles on...well it rained on Thursday, so like rain does it drips and drips eventually making its way  through the aspinite onto the wet cement... BIG problem. Quick trip to Canadian Tire for some tarps for the roof..note to self again, tarp before the rain...Dripping continues. If you have ever had a leaking roof and needed a quick fix I am sure you solved the  problem with this age old remedy... put a pot underneath to catch the water. Well  I'm not carrying allot of pots or buckets with me these day I have to think fast, what did I have allot of lying around that could catch water? Who ever thought that coffee would be the answer ! (the picture speaks for itself). I am sure the guy running the cement truck had a good laugh.So Paul's back today, sorry no moose burgers in store.  I'm heading away to Myrtle Beach tomorrow for 2 weeks, I know I will see a big change when I get back, Paul and Dad will have to hold down the fort while I'm gone, sure they will enjoy the quiet... Dad say I talk to much, you think he would be used to it after having 6 daughters!

Off to the Sun and sand!

Day #45

Tared & Feathered

 The last few days have been busy as you can see. Donning  thick yellow rubber gloves and  rubber boots I began to coat  with tar the cynder blocks that makeup the basement  this  prevents moisture from entering . What I realized after is.. that tar doesn't come off your cloths and actually doesn't come off your skin with out gasoline! Enough said I'm sure...The frames for the walls were built  and then raised into position , Paul and a few other guys were able to construct them with such ease I guess they all had Lego sets. Roof trusses were delivered and set into place, they are actually  made very flimsy, I am surprised that they can bear the weight of a winter snow storm, I was told that is all has too do with the
design and the way they were engineered..... kind of reminds me of
building a  house of cards, alone a card can do nothing but  put them together you can build
almost anything. Waiting for the next inspection from the building inspector before we can
proceed to back fill around the house, will be great to walk right up and in
to the house with out a ladder... good thing I'm not afraid of heights..

Still smell like tar!
Day #37



A Recipe For Success

 Jimmy I think  is the last of a dying bread as a cynder  block layer, because I don't know anyone who would want this back breaking job! Approximately 1700 block in 3 full days, He arrived before I did and was still there when I left. Never saw him sit down and I think he ate some lunch standing up with a trowel in one hand. You know the old saying about building your house on a solid foundation... well that's why we have Jimmy doing the work. Sun was setting as I pulled off the lot tonight, long day but a good day.I realized that everyone should have a backhoe... you no there not just for digging. After the centre beam was build we were able to use the trusty backhoe the maneuver  it into place.We filled the bucket with leftover cynder blocks from the basement and even used it to retrieve  much needed water for the cement from the neighbours in the oil drum. Jimmy parged the walls( covering with cement) so I can tar them on Wednesday(rain Permitting). Paul quickly  installed the floor Joyce's and was able to move in and around the high walls like a kid  walking on a curb... Dad and I weren't so agile, thought a trip to the emergency was coming a few times, a few trips, spills  and tumbles along the way but lucky for us no major injuries. (sure we will  be feeling it tomorrow) Trying to learn how to make cement from my Dad reminded me of my Mother-in law. She would make great home made bread so wanting to please my husband I inquired as to the the recipe. Unfortunately there really wasn't  any precise measurement of the ingredients, she would say, well I can tell by the feel of the dough theres enough floor..Needless to say many loafs were uneatable before I mastered the technique. Dad tells me that a good cement has a green color, that's how you know its ready.. What!?I can't rely on years of hands on knowledge to make cement so...What I learned today was... that 3 scoops of sand.. 3 scoops of gravel  1 scoop of mortar  powder(give or take) and a little water, and Viola.. you make cement! Well actually I just scoop it in.. the mixer does all the work... still didn't look green!

Needing a manicure.

Day #34