Thomas is sitting at Jill & Lee's diningroom table with Pete, Jill & Lee. He just asked if I'd updated the blog recently. Yep, six days ago.
We've congregated here for Christmas because Ruth's Ridge isn't ready for family gatherings yet. Claire, Cole and his girlfriend, Sara, should be here soon. The turkey is in the oven, the pumpkin pies are on the sideboard, the sweet potatoes are cooked, and now the younglings are heading out for a bit of iceskating on the community centre a block away.
Back up on Ruth's Ridge, the drywall – all 6,500 square feet of it – is now undercoated with a Level 5 surfacer, the paint equivalent of a skim or scratch coat. Ruth & I managed to get the job done in 5 relatively short days. The finish is amazing and should go a long way to ensuring that the top-coats of paint create a lovely finish for the interior.
Pictures to follow with the next blog.
The biggest challenge for the past three weeks has been humidity. Ruth picked up a humidistat which, upon setting it up, went to 78%. No wonder we had moisture dripping from every window and door. At any rate, the dehumidifier Jim & Johanna lent us has been crunching away since David & Dale showed up and, with the help of opened windows, we managed to get relative humidity down to 67% before we left Friday noon.
Speaking of Jim & Johanna, it was a very unusual experience to depart their place on Friday morning. Jim was on the front porch waving good-bye as Ruth & I, the dogs, and the last of my possessions headed down the driveway after just over two months of having Chez Argyle as the homebase for this DP (displaced person). Their extreme kindness in offering their hospitality to me/us is matched only by that of Audrey & Allan McPhaden, where Ruth stayed until this weekend. This demonstration of friendship has been greatly humbling for both of us, and we feel a debt of love to both sets of friends which we will be most pleased to work at repaying for decades to come.
Next week, we get busy with setting up the loft bathroom before we continue with ceiling painting and the application of the first top-coat.
We pulled away from Ruth's Ridge about noon yesterday with the car laden with gifts, food stuffs and a water sample for getting nutrient levels measured in anticipation of ordering a water softener. The most important stop for me was for a haircut; the uncut locks were becoming a working safety hazard, I confess.
Other than for Ruth's time off around the holidays, I will now be a work crew of one – attended by the two dogs and a burgeoning population of cats over the next month or so.
On other fronts, we will be hooked up to the www on Tuesday or so. Unfortunately, because MTS didn't inform me that rural hook-ups only happen during "the summer construction season," we'll be cell phone-accessible only for the winter. Ruth continues to be adamant that TV is not a part of our future on the ridge. Hallelujah.
Just as we were pulling up to Jill's yesterday, my cell rang and I answered it to find my motorcycling mentor, Chas Peters (no relation) on the line. I was immediately certain that his call would be to inform me that his wife, Viola, had finally succumbed to pancreatic cancer. She passed away this past Wednesday, and Chas phoned to invite me to a private ceremony tomorrow and/or the funeral Monday afternoon. He added that she had complained once throughout the grueling course that this particular cancer inflicts. Vi was not much older than I, and I am reminded again how important it is to take great comfort and joy in whatever life offers up in the day-to-day.
Ruth & I wish Chas, his daughters and their families much comfort in the face of such a loss during the Advent season.
We remember, too, Muriel and her family as they celebrate this Advent without Orville. It was our great blessing to be Muriel's "Advent Angels" last year.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I Think That We're Alone Now (Nudge, Nudge, Think, Think: A Nod's as Good a Drink to a....
It's December 11th. Well, I done chased ever-body off'n my propty. Now, 'cept fo ma 'lil lady hangin' aroun' fo a few days 'o paintin' the walls white, I done sceered off all the hep I could find.
It's now a few days shy of five months since Davis 'n Delaeno first showed up on Ruth's Ridge to plot out and direct the commencement of this place we will soon call home. Today, David 'n Dale finished the drywall taping & plastering job, packed up and left me to ready the the space for the commencement of painting tomorrow. Shortly after they pulled away, Dave Matthews, another fine neighbour, showed up with a commercial airless paint sprayer.
Here are David 'n Dale (then Dale 'n David) doing a dust-up of air guitar and American Gothic.
Ross, my dear bro-in-law, you said you'd ask if I would recommend this type of project to others once I'd completed Ruth's Ridge. I'm not going to wait that long to say, yes, I'd encourage others to consider this type of project. There are, however, a number of important caveats and considerations I'd throw in free of charge.
Firstly, if you're going to general-contract your own house build, DO make it a full-time time job. Hire people you care about. Work with them to ensure they and you find the building process rewarding in virtually every way. DO implement the 20% rule: DO your best planning, then add 20% to your best cost estimate and time estimate.... minimum. DO give yourself at least a year before groundbreaking to noodle on your ideas, research options, select fits/finishes/details. DO work with – and consider them allies – the inspectors who will vet the work of your crew for code compliance. DO plan to have the post-drywall phase to be more exhausting than the intense physical effort of the preceding months – because those preceding months will already have tapped most of your physical, intellectual and task-focused capacities. DO count on the experience of the people you hire to inform not only their tasks, but to provide a wealth of insight into other aspects of homebuilding – because most of them are practiced in many facets of construction and finishing. DO pay careful attention to retrospective insights that you or others have regarding the homebuilding process, because those insights may save others some head-scratching.
With regard to the last point, the cold of winter descended just as David 'n Dale began the taping and plastering. We found we have a six spots that tend to stay moist, namely the six inside corners on the ceiling that were not 90 degrees: on either side of the kitchen, and the four points at the front of the great-room. At each of these points, at least three roof trusses meet, creating a number of opportunities for cold air incursion past insulation and to the back of the drywall. In addition, the wood trusses do a fairly good job of transmitting cold in toward the ceiling. Hint to future builders of homes having this type of construction: caulk the joins between individual studs or plates AND spray-foam any such complicated wood joints in advance of closing in the area or moving to insulate and/or cover the area. A couple of dollars and ten minutes will save lots of anxiety and inadequate remedies. (Happily, we seem to have solved our six problem areas.)
David 'n Dale say many expensive homes by top-name builders do not address these kinds of issues despite repeated occurrences of such problems. I'm totally confident in saying that I won't build another house without doing this little big-value preemptive strike. Oh, right; I'm not going to build another house.
It's December 13th. Yesterday, after another fabulous breakfast at the hands of Jim 'n Johanna, Ruth & I headed up to the Ridge. While I tidied up, got the basement set up for painting and got acquainted with the paint sprayer, Ruth mused on colour palettes. By about 10:30, the level 5 primer was hitting the walls and, about 3 1/2 hours later, the contents of the first 5-gallon pail coated 80% of basement's perimeter walls.
So, we're less than 2 weeks to Christmas. This coming Friday Steve Hintz will hook up our Xplornet internet equipment. By then, we hope to be close to having one bathroom set up, at which point I hope to carry my bride across the threshold into our new home to stay.
It's now a few days shy of five months since Davis 'n Delaeno first showed up on Ruth's Ridge to plot out and direct the commencement of this place we will soon call home. Today, David 'n Dale finished the drywall taping & plastering job, packed up and left me to ready the the space for the commencement of painting tomorrow. Shortly after they pulled away, Dave Matthews, another fine neighbour, showed up with a commercial airless paint sprayer.
Here are David 'n Dale (then Dale 'n David) doing a dust-up of air guitar and American Gothic.
Ross, my dear bro-in-law, you said you'd ask if I would recommend this type of project to others once I'd completed Ruth's Ridge. I'm not going to wait that long to say, yes, I'd encourage others to consider this type of project. There are, however, a number of important caveats and considerations I'd throw in free of charge.
Firstly, if you're going to general-contract your own house build, DO make it a full-time time job. Hire people you care about. Work with them to ensure they and you find the building process rewarding in virtually every way. DO implement the 20% rule: DO your best planning, then add 20% to your best cost estimate and time estimate.... minimum. DO give yourself at least a year before groundbreaking to noodle on your ideas, research options, select fits/finishes/details. DO work with – and consider them allies – the inspectors who will vet the work of your crew for code compliance. DO plan to have the post-drywall phase to be more exhausting than the intense physical effort of the preceding months – because those preceding months will already have tapped most of your physical, intellectual and task-focused capacities. DO count on the experience of the people you hire to inform not only their tasks, but to provide a wealth of insight into other aspects of homebuilding – because most of them are practiced in many facets of construction and finishing. DO pay careful attention to retrospective insights that you or others have regarding the homebuilding process, because those insights may save others some head-scratching.
With regard to the last point, the cold of winter descended just as David 'n Dale began the taping and plastering. We found we have a six spots that tend to stay moist, namely the six inside corners on the ceiling that were not 90 degrees: on either side of the kitchen, and the four points at the front of the great-room. At each of these points, at least three roof trusses meet, creating a number of opportunities for cold air incursion past insulation and to the back of the drywall. In addition, the wood trusses do a fairly good job of transmitting cold in toward the ceiling. Hint to future builders of homes having this type of construction: caulk the joins between individual studs or plates AND spray-foam any such complicated wood joints in advance of closing in the area or moving to insulate and/or cover the area. A couple of dollars and ten minutes will save lots of anxiety and inadequate remedies. (Happily, we seem to have solved our six problem areas.)
David 'n Dale say many expensive homes by top-name builders do not address these kinds of issues despite repeated occurrences of such problems. I'm totally confident in saying that I won't build another house without doing this little big-value preemptive strike. Oh, right; I'm not going to build another house.
It's December 13th. Yesterday, after another fabulous breakfast at the hands of Jim 'n Johanna, Ruth & I headed up to the Ridge. While I tidied up, got the basement set up for painting and got acquainted with the paint sprayer, Ruth mused on colour palettes. By about 10:30, the level 5 primer was hitting the walls and, about 3 1/2 hours later, the contents of the first 5-gallon pail coated 80% of basement's perimeter walls.
So, we're less than 2 weeks to Christmas. This coming Friday Steve Hintz will hook up our Xplornet internet equipment. By then, we hope to be close to having one bathroom set up, at which point I hope to carry my bride across the threshold into our new home to stay.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Farewell, Delaeno
Today was Delaeno's last day on Ruth's Ridge. With many thanks for your craftsmanship, diligence and commitment, Ruth & I want to wish you all the best. We don't know how you persevered for almost five months of weekdays away from home. And thanks to you, Miki, for your support in letting D be gone from home for the summer and fall. This isn't the end or good-bye.
Wishing you a happy re-entry into day-to-day life at home, and a Happy Advent season.
G&R
Wishing you a happy re-entry into day-to-day life at home, and a Happy Advent season.
G&R
Saturday, November 28, 2009
This Week, We're Getting Plastered
Dear Ridgers
This week we're down to a crew of two, with Nathan having worked his last day on Ruth's Ridge this Friday past. I'll miss him, his work, sardonic wit and love of all sayings pessimistic – his favourite website being despair.com.
Delaeno is also wrapping up his time on the Ridge, with some soffit installation to complete, garage door openers to install and a couple of doors to adjust. By week's end I will be the sole grunt on the project. I can hardly believe this phase is coming to an end.
That said our friend, David Ives, and his nephew, Dale, will join us on Tuesday to get Ruth's Ridge plastered.
It was a delight to find new followers of this blog this past week. This morning at church, Muriel Conner mentioned that even her sister in England was reading the blog. "Margaret Ivory is your sister?" I asked. Hi, Margaret. I'm sorry I haven't been giving Muriel enough hugs of late, but it's time to get back to regular church attendance now that we're close to having the world's most elaborate camping facility.
Yep, as soon as the taping and plastering are done and Ruth & I have primed the interior, we're going to camp out in the house. I should be able to get one washroom plumbed and, with a microwave, toaster oven, kettle, mini-convection oven, we'll muddle through as complete the finishing work that looms months into the future.
Anyway, it's the first Sunday of Advent and we need to be back at church in 30 minutes to prepare for the Festival of Lessons and Carols at 4:30.
Much for which to be grateful, much to look forward to, much energy to pray for. Soon we'll have an internet connection on the Ridge and, then, I'll be able to do a bit more extensive blogging, maybe filling in some of the gaps in the story of our little story.
This week we're down to a crew of two, with Nathan having worked his last day on Ruth's Ridge this Friday past. I'll miss him, his work, sardonic wit and love of all sayings pessimistic – his favourite website being despair.com.
Delaeno is also wrapping up his time on the Ridge, with some soffit installation to complete, garage door openers to install and a couple of doors to adjust. By week's end I will be the sole grunt on the project. I can hardly believe this phase is coming to an end.
That said our friend, David Ives, and his nephew, Dale, will join us on Tuesday to get Ruth's Ridge plastered.
It was a delight to find new followers of this blog this past week. This morning at church, Muriel Conner mentioned that even her sister in England was reading the blog. "Margaret Ivory is your sister?" I asked. Hi, Margaret. I'm sorry I haven't been giving Muriel enough hugs of late, but it's time to get back to regular church attendance now that we're close to having the world's most elaborate camping facility.
Yep, as soon as the taping and plastering are done and Ruth & I have primed the interior, we're going to camp out in the house. I should be able to get one washroom plumbed and, with a microwave, toaster oven, kettle, mini-convection oven, we'll muddle through as complete the finishing work that looms months into the future.
Anyway, it's the first Sunday of Advent and we need to be back at church in 30 minutes to prepare for the Festival of Lessons and Carols at 4:30.
Much for which to be grateful, much to look forward to, much energy to pray for. Soon we'll have an internet connection on the Ridge and, then, I'll be able to do a bit more extensive blogging, maybe filling in some of the gaps in the story of our little story.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
A Post from the Past
It's a mite staggering to realize that three weeks have passed since I last posted to this blog. But then I've been staggering from rising to bedtime with an ever-depleting energy reserve.
Back on November 1st, Bro Bob & Ronda were kind enough to drive Mom & Dad out for another visit of the project.
Ruth's Ridge has been dramatically transformed in these three weeks, although the changes are no longer as dramatic as when the foundation, framing and roof were being erected. The exterior is largely the same other than that the fascia and soffit are complete save another day of work on the verandah soffit.
The short course on progress goes as follows: the well has now been mated with a pressure system; the septic system is complete; the temporary electrical service has now been superseded by moving connection of the underground supply to the in-house distribution panel; drywalling is well underway.
We received approval of our insulation and vapour barrier a week ago last Thursday and drywalling of the ceilings commenced immediately thereafter. With a little luck getting some last-minute wiring and water-supply plumbing done, we'll be ready for drywall taping and plastering as of Thursday/Friday.
This past Tuesday, having completed all of the ceiling drywall installation, I volunteered to crawl up into the rafters to take care of the cellulose insulation blow-in. Eleven hours later, the job was done and I descended covered in the remnants of yesterday's news.
With luck our friend, David Ives, and his nephew, Dale, will be on-site this weekend or Monday to begin the process of taping and plastering.
Delaeno and Nathan are nearing the end of their tenure on Ruth's Ridge. Once the drywall is up, there are a few jobs awaiting completion: soffit, door adjustments, garage door openers, etc. Then, they too, will move on regular, non-commuting lives, leaving Rebus & I as the only regular labourers. Ruth & Sadie will, of course, join us as soon as Ruth & I get the primer paint on the drywall, then begins some weeks of camping and months of installation and finish work.
This year, maybe we'll just put a bow on the house and say Merry Christmas and as open the front door together.
Back on November 1st, Bro Bob & Ronda were kind enough to drive Mom & Dad out for another visit of the project.Ruth's Ridge has been dramatically transformed in these three weeks, although the changes are no longer as dramatic as when the foundation, framing and roof were being erected. The exterior is largely the same other than that the fascia and soffit are complete save another day of work on the verandah soffit.
The short course on progress goes as follows: the well has now been mated with a pressure system; the septic system is complete; the temporary electrical service has now been superseded by moving connection of the underground supply to the in-house distribution panel; drywalling is well underway.
We received approval of our insulation and vapour barrier a week ago last Thursday and drywalling of the ceilings commenced immediately thereafter. With a little luck getting some last-minute wiring and water-supply plumbing done, we'll be ready for drywall taping and plastering as of Thursday/Friday.
This past Tuesday, having completed all of the ceiling drywall installation, I volunteered to crawl up into the rafters to take care of the cellulose insulation blow-in. Eleven hours later, the job was done and I descended covered in the remnants of yesterday's news.
With luck our friend, David Ives, and his nephew, Dale, will be on-site this weekend or Monday to begin the process of taping and plastering.
Delaeno and Nathan are nearing the end of their tenure on Ruth's Ridge. Once the drywall is up, there are a few jobs awaiting completion: soffit, door adjustments, garage door openers, etc. Then, they too, will move on regular, non-commuting lives, leaving Rebus & I as the only regular labourers. Ruth & Sadie will, of course, join us as soon as Ruth & I get the primer paint on the drywall, then begins some weeks of camping and months of installation and finish work.
This year, maybe we'll just put a bow on the house and say Merry Christmas and as open the front door together.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Why Have I Written Before?
Time for a little Firesign Theatre nonsense (with a little ad libbing and forgotten lines - help, Geoff).
Dear Dr. Whiplash
Why have I written before? Cause I still suffering froma sama complaint? What should I do?
Still
Hideo Gump
I can't believe where my energy has gone since the move from Niagara St. Although I am well and lovingly ensconced at the Rodger's home near Ruth's Ridge, I am living out of boxes, without a Mac hook-up to the internet and exhausted almost beyond belief. I am typically in bed well before 9 p.m. and find it almost impossible to rouse myself before 7 a.m.
As I mentioned to DND yesterday, it seems that the Gold Ring seems further out of reach the closer we get to it, and closer we are.
This is Davis' last week. As of a week ago Monday, his contract with the Pembina Valley Humane Society is confirmed and he will commence with that project with the ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday. Ruth & I wish him all the best with this new and challenging project.
What has moved forward since last I blogged? Today Don Morrison of Manitoba Hydro came by and inspected the electrical rough-in (not entirely completed). With the exception of having to increase the size of a number of receptacle boxes, he was sufficiently pleased with Nathan's & my work to sign-off. Tomorrow, Deryl Brook, one of the inspectors with the South Interlake Planning District will be by to check the dozen small fixes on the structure and framing. That means we can start installing the insulation, vapour barrier and drywall that arrived yesterday.
Yesterday was fraught with a little frustration as the drywall delivery truck rolled off my new driveway and required almost 2 hours of our combined efforts to get him on the road again. That was followed by my wrenching my left ankle as Delaeno & I wrestled 2 sheets of drywall into the basement. Happily the ankle swelling was down by half this morning and caused little discomfort. Very lucky.
Today, we also got our well and pressure system hooked up. The plumbing rough-in is approved, as is the heating & ventilation rough-in. Wiring rough-in should be completed by Monday. Thanks, Nathan. (And a happy birthday to you this Friday.)
What else? The siding is out in the back of the house awaiting installation, likely in spring. Soffit and fascia should be installed by Friday. All the interior stairs are in, and Deryl says they are beautiful compared with most prefabs he sees. Thanks, Delaeno.
My life experience has narrowed dramatically in the past couple of weeks. Haven't attended church but once since the beginning of September and, hence, have desperately missed singing and the people in the choir... and Muriel Conner and Ray Turner and Rev. Jim Draper and Jeanne and so many others. Haven't seen Winnipeg friends like Geoff & Barb or Allan & Audrey, haven't seen much at all of the five children. This house increasingly continues to absorb all my time and thought.
I have to keep reminding myself that this is the major project I wanted and that I am truly home already - despite not having a bed, wife or animals, family & friends there with me.
That said, I can't begin to describe the breathtaking and soul-stirring sights I've experienced driving to and from the Ridge over the past couple of weeks. The sun rising through frozen, whisper-thin layers of cloud. A scrawny oak growing out of clump of field boulders haloed in glowing mist. A crescent moon, all bleeding against a deep blue evening sky. The dying golden fields ablaze in fused morning light.
Must simply push on.
Love to all.
Dear Dr. Whiplash
Why have I written before? Cause I still suffering froma sama complaint? What should I do?
Still
Hideo Gump
I can't believe where my energy has gone since the move from Niagara St. Although I am well and lovingly ensconced at the Rodger's home near Ruth's Ridge, I am living out of boxes, without a Mac hook-up to the internet and exhausted almost beyond belief. I am typically in bed well before 9 p.m. and find it almost impossible to rouse myself before 7 a.m.
As I mentioned to DND yesterday, it seems that the Gold Ring seems further out of reach the closer we get to it, and closer we are.
This is Davis' last week. As of a week ago Monday, his contract with the Pembina Valley Humane Society is confirmed and he will commence with that project with the ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday. Ruth & I wish him all the best with this new and challenging project.
What has moved forward since last I blogged? Today Don Morrison of Manitoba Hydro came by and inspected the electrical rough-in (not entirely completed). With the exception of having to increase the size of a number of receptacle boxes, he was sufficiently pleased with Nathan's & my work to sign-off. Tomorrow, Deryl Brook, one of the inspectors with the South Interlake Planning District will be by to check the dozen small fixes on the structure and framing. That means we can start installing the insulation, vapour barrier and drywall that arrived yesterday.
Yesterday was fraught with a little frustration as the drywall delivery truck rolled off my new driveway and required almost 2 hours of our combined efforts to get him on the road again. That was followed by my wrenching my left ankle as Delaeno & I wrestled 2 sheets of drywall into the basement. Happily the ankle swelling was down by half this morning and caused little discomfort. Very lucky.
Today, we also got our well and pressure system hooked up. The plumbing rough-in is approved, as is the heating & ventilation rough-in. Wiring rough-in should be completed by Monday. Thanks, Nathan. (And a happy birthday to you this Friday.)
What else? The siding is out in the back of the house awaiting installation, likely in spring. Soffit and fascia should be installed by Friday. All the interior stairs are in, and Deryl says they are beautiful compared with most prefabs he sees. Thanks, Delaeno.
My life experience has narrowed dramatically in the past couple of weeks. Haven't attended church but once since the beginning of September and, hence, have desperately missed singing and the people in the choir... and Muriel Conner and Ray Turner and Rev. Jim Draper and Jeanne and so many others. Haven't seen Winnipeg friends like Geoff & Barb or Allan & Audrey, haven't seen much at all of the five children. This house increasingly continues to absorb all my time and thought.
I have to keep reminding myself that this is the major project I wanted and that I am truly home already - despite not having a bed, wife or animals, family & friends there with me.
That said, I can't begin to describe the breathtaking and soul-stirring sights I've experienced driving to and from the Ridge over the past couple of weeks. The sun rising through frozen, whisper-thin layers of cloud. A scrawny oak growing out of clump of field boulders haloed in glowing mist. A crescent moon, all bleeding against a deep blue evening sky. The dying golden fields ablaze in fused morning light.
Must simply push on.
Love to all.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Where Have all the Flowers Gone?
Long time passing, as with so many other things. Ruth & I are now homeless, although not without warm friends and beds to give us solace.
The move from Niagara Street occurred on October 13th and 14th, when Lee & Brendan of Rolly's Transfer swept in and away with our worldly possessions. Happily, and most thankfully, Davis asked me at about 9:15 a.m. on the 13th whether we had considered using a semi-trailer to store our stuff until the house was done. Truth was, I had and had also dismissed the idea because we thought at the time that we'd be further along on the house build by now. Also, there was the issue of miserliness. Then he mentioned the added difficulty of drywall dust coating everything. Well, I rushed off to Jim & Johanna's and, within three hours, a trailer was parked on Ruth's Ridge awaiting the arrival of our stuff.
As that day and the next passed, I was repeatedly grateful for Davis' suggestion as Nathan & I began the task of wiring the garage and workshop. The congestion would have absolutely driven me to distraction, not a trip I seem to need any help with these days.
I can't believe what Ruth and daughter, Jill, accomplished in preparing for the move and cleaning up thereafter. The new owners called last night to express their gratitude for the effort that went into preparing the house for their arrival. When I arrived at Niagara St. on the evening of the 14th, Ruth was nearly delirious from exhaustion and lack of food, but she persisted that she was nearly done cleaning. She'd swept and washed sidewalks and garages, touched up paint, etc., etc. Jill had vacuumed and dusted and cleaned and washed windows, etc.
There was a moment's concern when, upon arriving at the McPhadens' to drop off some of Ruth's stuff, I saw that she'd sent over the Gucci boots I've never seen her wear. She has since, however, made a couple of visits to Ruth's Ridge and I am comforted that she intends to bring her boots with her when she rejoins me.
I, on the other hand, have been brought into the proverbial bosom of Abraham.... I am now a most happy and contented resident of The Olde Tree Farm, otherwise known as Chez Argyle, the home of Jim & Johanna Rodger. The food and wine are wonderful and liberal (uh, sorry, socially democratic) and the hospitality and friendship even better. Rebus & I have happy hour with J&J, enjoy a completely home-cooked country meal, head to bed, rise to a country breakfast, head 6.5 miles to Ruth's Ridge. It's as close to being home as one might wish. I'm even allowed conjugal visits from Ruth on weekends. Will blunders never cease, I hope.
On the Ridge front, we've accomplished a lot since last I posted, I think. What did I last report? The mind is addled at this time of night.
The basement floor has been poured, the driveway is complete, the septic tank has a pump, the stairs from basement to loft are complete, the structural framing necessities are all but complete, the soffit & fascia should be commenced this week (a little late), the DWV plumbing is done and awaiting inspection, we're well along with rough-in wiring and hope to be near complete this week. The heating & ventilation folks should be in this week to being installation, the water system will be installed shortly, the siding will be delivered mid-week, and I finally have pictures of Ruth on Ruth's Ridge - as well as her new pooch, Sadie, the white earth-bound comet.
Unfortunately, I'll have to figure out how to upload photos to Picasa from a PC so that I can populate this blog with images. Another learning curve, another day.
Anyway, the really stressful issue - the move - is now behind us and the weather has decided to cooperate with warmer temperatures for this week. Must head to bed in order to be at the site by 8 a.m. on the morrow.
Sleep well, Ruth (and all).
Love
Gord, the Excited but Weary
The move from Niagara Street occurred on October 13th and 14th, when Lee & Brendan of Rolly's Transfer swept in and away with our worldly possessions. Happily, and most thankfully, Davis asked me at about 9:15 a.m. on the 13th whether we had considered using a semi-trailer to store our stuff until the house was done. Truth was, I had and had also dismissed the idea because we thought at the time that we'd be further along on the house build by now. Also, there was the issue of miserliness. Then he mentioned the added difficulty of drywall dust coating everything. Well, I rushed off to Jim & Johanna's and, within three hours, a trailer was parked on Ruth's Ridge awaiting the arrival of our stuff.
As that day and the next passed, I was repeatedly grateful for Davis' suggestion as Nathan & I began the task of wiring the garage and workshop. The congestion would have absolutely driven me to distraction, not a trip I seem to need any help with these days.
I can't believe what Ruth and daughter, Jill, accomplished in preparing for the move and cleaning up thereafter. The new owners called last night to express their gratitude for the effort that went into preparing the house for their arrival. When I arrived at Niagara St. on the evening of the 14th, Ruth was nearly delirious from exhaustion and lack of food, but she persisted that she was nearly done cleaning. She'd swept and washed sidewalks and garages, touched up paint, etc., etc. Jill had vacuumed and dusted and cleaned and washed windows, etc.
There was a moment's concern when, upon arriving at the McPhadens' to drop off some of Ruth's stuff, I saw that she'd sent over the Gucci boots I've never seen her wear. She has since, however, made a couple of visits to Ruth's Ridge and I am comforted that she intends to bring her boots with her when she rejoins me.
I, on the other hand, have been brought into the proverbial bosom of Abraham.... I am now a most happy and contented resident of The Olde Tree Farm, otherwise known as Chez Argyle, the home of Jim & Johanna Rodger. The food and wine are wonderful and liberal (uh, sorry, socially democratic) and the hospitality and friendship even better. Rebus & I have happy hour with J&J, enjoy a completely home-cooked country meal, head to bed, rise to a country breakfast, head 6.5 miles to Ruth's Ridge. It's as close to being home as one might wish. I'm even allowed conjugal visits from Ruth on weekends. Will blunders never cease, I hope.
On the Ridge front, we've accomplished a lot since last I posted, I think. What did I last report? The mind is addled at this time of night.
The basement floor has been poured, the driveway is complete, the septic tank has a pump, the stairs from basement to loft are complete, the structural framing necessities are all but complete, the soffit & fascia should be commenced this week (a little late), the DWV plumbing is done and awaiting inspection, we're well along with rough-in wiring and hope to be near complete this week. The heating & ventilation folks should be in this week to being installation, the water system will be installed shortly, the siding will be delivered mid-week, and I finally have pictures of Ruth on Ruth's Ridge - as well as her new pooch, Sadie, the white earth-bound comet.
Unfortunately, I'll have to figure out how to upload photos to Picasa from a PC so that I can populate this blog with images. Another learning curve, another day.
Anyway, the really stressful issue - the move - is now behind us and the weather has decided to cooperate with warmer temperatures for this week. Must head to bed in order to be at the site by 8 a.m. on the morrow.
Sleep well, Ruth (and all).
Love
Gord, the Excited but Weary
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Okay, Now it gets Interesting
It's October 10th, a day after Ruth's birthday and the day she returns from a well-deserved getaway with daughter, Allison, and granddaughter, Kate.
It's also the morning of first big snow for Ruth's Ridge and much of southern Manitoba. The garage roof at Niagara is blanketed in about 4" of the white stuff. What a mess. The temperatures are accordingly cool at a couple of degrees below freezing.
And Tuesday is move day.
And, with freezing temperatures now hitting the Lake of the Woods, we'll need to take a day to get up to the cottage to winterize it after an entire season of not having made use of it. One wonders how there will be enough hours to accomplish even the absolutely necessary.
As of yesterday afternoon, we have lock-up on the house, except that soffit and fascia need to be installed next week to effectively close up the house. Then, build stairs, get the electrical rough-in done, pray for a satisfactory inspection of the framing, plumbing rough-in and electrical (when Manitoba Hydro ends its first-ever strike), install insulation , vapour barrier and drywall.
And Davis is getting anxious to get started on a contract he was just awarded after months of maybe's.
Yep, it's time to stop blogging and get packing.
More sometime soon.
It's also the morning of first big snow for Ruth's Ridge and much of southern Manitoba. The garage roof at Niagara is blanketed in about 4" of the white stuff. What a mess. The temperatures are accordingly cool at a couple of degrees below freezing.
And Tuesday is move day.
And, with freezing temperatures now hitting the Lake of the Woods, we'll need to take a day to get up to the cottage to winterize it after an entire season of not having made use of it. One wonders how there will be enough hours to accomplish even the absolutely necessary.
As of yesterday afternoon, we have lock-up on the house, except that soffit and fascia need to be installed next week to effectively close up the house. Then, build stairs, get the electrical rough-in done, pray for a satisfactory inspection of the framing, plumbing rough-in and electrical (when Manitoba Hydro ends its first-ever strike), install insulation , vapour barrier and drywall.
And Davis is getting anxious to get started on a contract he was just awarded after months of maybe's.
Yep, it's time to stop blogging and get packing.
More sometime soon.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Long Time No Blog
It's been a week of rejigging, general contracting duties, seeing Ruth off on a much-needed vacation, trying to dam the leaks in the project management schema. Add to that, I sent my point & shoot camera with Ruth, so I didn't take any pictures until today.When last I blogged, we had installed 19 or the 20 windows and had much of the roofing done. As of yesterday, we have the windows done, the roofing done, 70% of the doors done, the basement ready for concrete, the plumbing almost complete, and the electrical just barely started.
I've been able to secure the best possible option for our drywall finishing... in the person of a longtime and not-often-enough-seen friend, David Ives. David is a British-trained plasterer who has done work for us in the past and, beyond being a prince of a fellow, is a superb craftsman. More good karma is headed for Ruth's Ridge.
That said, winter is heading our way. Ruth and I spoke on Wednesday night after they arrived in Wyoming on their way to Brian Head, Utah. They drove through lots of snow from Belle Fourche, SD to their destination that night. Here on the asteroid, we've already had one night of frost, with bone-chilling winds and cloud during the days. Among my multi-various medical complaints is one recently identified as pernio. Bluntly put, I am biologically allergic to cold. Anything below +8° C causes infarcts on my fingers and toes. These, in turn, cause the skin to split and create such nerve damage that even the slightest touch is excruciating. So far, gloves have both protected me from its onset and have provided a great excuse for my non-productivity this past week. Unfortunately, excuses will not get the house done any sooner and, given that the plumbing and electrical must be done and approved before we can apply vapour barrier and insulation, I can't afford any excuses or delays. I'll have to find some way of soldiering on.
Speaking of soldiering, we have a new canine in the family. The mnenonic connection is her adoptive name of Sadie. Ruth obviously missed Judee much more than she'd imagined, as she began poring over online listings and fielding many offers from her fellow-pooch loving friends. Long story short, she inquired about a four year-old Maltese/Bichon cross and, two weeks ago tomorrow, she answered the door to a woman carrying a kennel with said dog. She (Ruth) was apparently an answer to prayer, the woman having reverse-searched our address from the name and having driven 80 miles into Winnipeg. After five or six days of abject confusion, Sadie seems to have adopted us. Unfortunately, having identified Ruth as her alpha, alpha left for Utah. I, the non-alpha, became the principle caregiver. As such, Sadie joined the daily pilgrimage to Ruth's Ridge. Yesterday and today, after a couple of days of orientation, I unleashed the hound and, in the process, discovered that Sadie is really a white comet. She screams over the terrain, white hair flapping violently in the vortex she creates. Hers is, literally, a boundless exultation in joy of movement. I need to learn from her, although my limping, muscle-strained dance of housebuilding is an attempt to express that same joie de vivre.
So, today (Saturday) I did my best to be onsite by 9 a.m. As I pulled in around 9:12, I found Rick & Julie Fast's car already there. They are friends from All Saints' Anglican, who were first friends from our abortive attempts at ballroom dancing. While they and Ruth glided, I bombed.
Anyway, Rick & Julie love building projects, having for the past number of years worked together on their dream cottage north of Gimli. They and I share an employment history in corporate communications: Rick as Director of Communications for MCC Canada, and Julie as owner of a graphic design business. Based on a conversation with Julie at church, Rick opted not to work on their cottage today, and offered to help me get started with the electrical wiring phase of Ruth's Ridge instead.
To add historical meat to the mix, Jim Rodger had been an admirer of Rick's first professional work as a communicator when he was editor of the Stonewall Argus. Jim & Johanna showed up with Freya, their pooch, and a loaf of Zuccini bread in the early afternoon. Between mouthfuls of baked goods they got reacquainted. A six-some for dinner on Ruth's Ridge is to follow sometime after 11/15.
Last night, I arrived at Home Depot around 9 p.m. Happily, I found Gord (not the Gord in plumbing) working in the electrical section. Within 45 minutes, he helped me source and spend $3,000 on wiring bits & pieces. Today, after a leisurely introduction to my past 11 weeks' work, Rick & I began installing same around 10 a.m. By 4 p.m. we had installed the boxes in the workshop and garage... slowly having found our rhythm, as Rick put it.
I've had personal experience with the trinity of Gord. Most evenings when I walk into Home Depot Polo Park, I enjoy communion with Gord in electrical or Gord in plumbing. Both are about my age and know alot more about their respective areas of expertise than I do so, when I buy with their help, I become enlightened by their knowledge. What a deal. And fun. And educational. And relational. What this project was meant to be.
Time for some sleep and another kick at the Ridge tomorrow. (Unfortunately, both Ruth and I will miss participating in an All Saints' evensong featuring Bach's "Jesu, meine Freude." The prices we pay.
Monday, September 28, 2009
It Has Windows
A nice way to start a new week... with 19 of the 20 windows installed while we waited for the mist to lift on our shingling delay. Also, got the worst half of the DWV plumbing done.
Tomorrow, on to shingling, more plumbing and prepping the basement for concrete.
Gotta move, fall is blowing down the ridge from the north.
Happy 8th anniversary, my love.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Reminded of our Wedding Year
September 28th, 2001. A glorious Friday in fall. The temperatures hit 28º and, between noon and 4 p.m., we had a memorable wedding and reception. We left the following morning on a two-week motorcycle camping honeymoon, with the destination being Moab, Utah. For those of you not immediately conversant with Biblical allusions, Ruth married a Moabite, so I took my Ruth home for her honeymoon.
Anyway, our neighbour, Ian Soroka, stopped by last evening to say they'd never had this kind of September until we decided to build and shingle our home. We have been blessed with phenomenal weather throughout this build, the record-setting moisture in Manitoba for the past umpteen months notwithstanding.
All of us on the construction crew have been grateful for the benevolent weather, but frustrated by our rate of progress. Seems the owner keeps adding "little" changes that add a day here or there. For example, everyone has been aware of our intention to install a woodstove, but today was the day to incorporate that intention into the actual structure. Delaeno, having intended to shingle the great room today, spent it building a chimney box instead, while Davis continued the arduous task of shingling the 9/12 pitch roof of the garage.
I, on the other hand, spent most of the morning chasing ghosts. First, I arrived at our HVAC supplier's offices around 7:40 for a 7:30 meeting. Unfortunately, I was early. At about 8:25 the manager found my file, we sorted out options, I left a deposit, and departed just before 9 a.m. A 30 minute stop at Rona managed to generate the paperwork necessary to purchase two bundles of reject shingles for "starters" on Ruth's Ridge. I finally got to the house around 10:25, well over 90 minutes after I'd expected to arrive and carry on with the plumbing project.
By day's end, we had a chimney chase constructed and I'd managed to drill most of a vent pipe hole through a floor plate/sub-floor and two LVLs laminated together.
Tomorrow, I'll drive to Winkler; have breakfast with the folks; pick up the garage doors/openers/cladding and, maybe, chimney covering; drive to Ruth's Ridge; unload; clean up the site; do some plumbing; go home to have an anniversary celebration with Ruth; miss church; go to Ruth's Ridge to do more plumbing.
We've called for inspection of a number of things on Tuesday and, as of Wednesday, we want DND to be installing doors & windows. I'll continue with plumbing through Tuesday, then switch immediately to electrical when that's done.
I leave me breathless. Oh, the joys of C.I. ( conscious incompetence).
For those of you who are text-allergic, here are the most recent images:
Anyway, our neighbour, Ian Soroka, stopped by last evening to say they'd never had this kind of September until we decided to build and shingle our home. We have been blessed with phenomenal weather throughout this build, the record-setting moisture in Manitoba for the past umpteen months notwithstanding.
All of us on the construction crew have been grateful for the benevolent weather, but frustrated by our rate of progress. Seems the owner keeps adding "little" changes that add a day here or there. For example, everyone has been aware of our intention to install a woodstove, but today was the day to incorporate that intention into the actual structure. Delaeno, having intended to shingle the great room today, spent it building a chimney box instead, while Davis continued the arduous task of shingling the 9/12 pitch roof of the garage.
I, on the other hand, spent most of the morning chasing ghosts. First, I arrived at our HVAC supplier's offices around 7:40 for a 7:30 meeting. Unfortunately, I was early. At about 8:25 the manager found my file, we sorted out options, I left a deposit, and departed just before 9 a.m. A 30 minute stop at Rona managed to generate the paperwork necessary to purchase two bundles of reject shingles for "starters" on Ruth's Ridge. I finally got to the house around 10:25, well over 90 minutes after I'd expected to arrive and carry on with the plumbing project.
By day's end, we had a chimney chase constructed and I'd managed to drill most of a vent pipe hole through a floor plate/sub-floor and two LVLs laminated together.
Tomorrow, I'll drive to Winkler; have breakfast with the folks; pick up the garage doors/openers/cladding and, maybe, chimney covering; drive to Ruth's Ridge; unload; clean up the site; do some plumbing; go home to have an anniversary celebration with Ruth; miss church; go to Ruth's Ridge to do more plumbing.
We've called for inspection of a number of things on Tuesday and, as of Wednesday, we want DND to be installing doors & windows. I'll continue with plumbing through Tuesday, then switch immediately to electrical when that's done.
I leave me breathless. Oh, the joys of C.I. ( conscious incompetence).
For those of you who are text-allergic, here are the most recent images:
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Alas, I Must Report that Clearwater Colon is No More
On our first drive out to Ruth's Ridge as a construction crew of four, Nathan hooted as he pointed out a sign just south of Road 85N. Set just outside the trees next to a driveway was a large white sign which, in bold black letters, declaimed the locale of "CLEARWATER COLON FARMS."
For nine weeks we have watched the last bit of the errant, drooping, hardly-there Y come completely unglued and finally disappear. Apparently, the Hutterite colony of the above truncated name decided enough entropy had occurred and, today, as I drove back to Winnipeg for a few errant plumbing bits, there were a few of the men of the colony and the signpainter admiring a colourful, newly-installed diarama of pastoral bliss ala Clearwater.
And we never got a picture of the old sign. Pity.
For nine weeks we have watched the last bit of the errant, drooping, hardly-there Y come completely unglued and finally disappear. Apparently, the Hutterite colony of the above truncated name decided enough entropy had occurred and, today, as I drove back to Winnipeg for a few errant plumbing bits, there were a few of the men of the colony and the signpainter admiring a colourful, newly-installed diarama of pastoral bliss ala Clearwater.
And we never got a picture of the old sign. Pity.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Into Every Week, a Little Rain...
We simply cannot complain about the rain's ill effects on our build schedule, given how much has fallen in Manitoba and out here on the asteroid this summer. About half of Monday's schedule, however, was slowed or altered due to a really solid four hours of rain.
As it happened, I wasn't on-site to be beleaguered by the deluge, although I got a decent soaking while loading the car with plumbing supplies at Home Depot. I drove Nathan and the lunch bucket up to the site first thing in the morning, helped get things set up for D 'n D's arrival from Morden, then headed back to Winnipeg to summarize the plumbing shopping list, do the buy, then wait for Dave Raynor's visit to discuss the woodstove installation. Another fine set of options to sort our way through, but Dave is the go-to guy for stove and fireplace installs. When his crew installed a gas fireplace insert at our Westgate home, he phoned to say they would be arriving on time, swept into the house with drop-cloths rolling out ahead of them, then vanished in less than three hours leaving only a fire burning in the hearth and no other sign that they'd been there.
Anyway, it looks like we'll have to move one great room roof truss to accommodate the fireplace, plus build a chimney box to enhance the aesthetic of the finished job. It will be worth it. Ruth's Kijiji find was a 1977 Vermont Castings Vigilant woodstove, I believe the first year they were manufactured. Patrick Nelson's father, a professor of architecture at the U. of Manitoba ordered it and kept it very well, until Patrick decided it needed to go to make way for home updates. It will now have a fine home in the middle of treeline and keep us warm through these nasty asteroid winters we experience up here, north of Manitoba.
With the meeting concluded, I headed back up to Ruth's Ridge with the plumbing supplies and to bring the fellows back to Winnipeg. As of Monday evening, the roof sheathing had been completed and all the interior walls had been framed up. On to the shingling.
And shingle DND did today. By evening, the workshop was done, and the valleys rising into the garage ceiling were complete. Davis got close to finishing the loft roof as well.
I, on the other hand, tried to immerse myself in plumbing the basement and main drain. And, no, Rick, while I may sound calm and organized, the veil is pretty thin. After a couple of panic attacks, I did manage to settle in a get a fair start on the planning and initial cutting & gluing. I think tomorrow will fare better now that I'm reacquainting myself with the process.
I had another neighbour drop by today; Jim Millar lives 1.5 miles east of us but says he doesn't often head west on Road 88N. Today he did and, having an interest in things architectural (among many others), he stopped in to introduce himself and have a look around. It was heartening – in the face of ABS challenges lurking in the basement – to receive his commendation of our project. It was doubly interesting to find that he grew up three doors south of our home on Niagara St. Then, too, he's known Jim & Johanna for many years, as Johanna used to board her horses at his farm.
After lunch, Davis, Delaeno & I spent a couple of minutes reviewing the timeline – and it appears we may be able to be ready for drywall taping and plastering around the end of October – and broaching the issue of how to mange the last two weeks when Ruth & I can no longer offer meals and accommodation at Niagara St. More on this to follow.
Then, at 3:15, Davis called down to say I had more visitors. Turns out they were more interested in the Bros. Rempel, given that Dorothy & Norman are their parents. No one knew they were coming or that homemade chocolate chip cookies and coffee would accompany them. I've heard much from Delaeno & Nathan about their father's building skills and achievements and, although I heard very little about our project from him (it's likely he saves his comments for his jobsites), I sensed that he appreciated the quality of the work that DND have put into Ruth's Ridge .
For a change, I was very sorry to hear that the fellows were ready to call it a day at 6 p.m. I very much wanted to stay and keep playing with the plumbing puzzle. Feeling the pressure as we begin to lose the heat.
As it happened, I wasn't on-site to be beleaguered by the deluge, although I got a decent soaking while loading the car with plumbing supplies at Home Depot. I drove Nathan and the lunch bucket up to the site first thing in the morning, helped get things set up for D 'n D's arrival from Morden, then headed back to Winnipeg to summarize the plumbing shopping list, do the buy, then wait for Dave Raynor's visit to discuss the woodstove installation. Another fine set of options to sort our way through, but Dave is the go-to guy for stove and fireplace installs. When his crew installed a gas fireplace insert at our Westgate home, he phoned to say they would be arriving on time, swept into the house with drop-cloths rolling out ahead of them, then vanished in less than three hours leaving only a fire burning in the hearth and no other sign that they'd been there.
Anyway, it looks like we'll have to move one great room roof truss to accommodate the fireplace, plus build a chimney box to enhance the aesthetic of the finished job. It will be worth it. Ruth's Kijiji find was a 1977 Vermont Castings Vigilant woodstove, I believe the first year they were manufactured. Patrick Nelson's father, a professor of architecture at the U. of Manitoba ordered it and kept it very well, until Patrick decided it needed to go to make way for home updates. It will now have a fine home in the middle of treeline and keep us warm through these nasty asteroid winters we experience up here, north of Manitoba.
With the meeting concluded, I headed back up to Ruth's Ridge with the plumbing supplies and to bring the fellows back to Winnipeg. As of Monday evening, the roof sheathing had been completed and all the interior walls had been framed up. On to the shingling.
And shingle DND did today. By evening, the workshop was done, and the valleys rising into the garage ceiling were complete. Davis got close to finishing the loft roof as well.
I, on the other hand, tried to immerse myself in plumbing the basement and main drain. And, no, Rick, while I may sound calm and organized, the veil is pretty thin. After a couple of panic attacks, I did manage to settle in a get a fair start on the planning and initial cutting & gluing. I think tomorrow will fare better now that I'm reacquainting myself with the process.
I had another neighbour drop by today; Jim Millar lives 1.5 miles east of us but says he doesn't often head west on Road 88N. Today he did and, having an interest in things architectural (among many others), he stopped in to introduce himself and have a look around. It was heartening – in the face of ABS challenges lurking in the basement – to receive his commendation of our project. It was doubly interesting to find that he grew up three doors south of our home on Niagara St. Then, too, he's known Jim & Johanna for many years, as Johanna used to board her horses at his farm.
After lunch, Davis, Delaeno & I spent a couple of minutes reviewing the timeline – and it appears we may be able to be ready for drywall taping and plastering around the end of October – and broaching the issue of how to mange the last two weeks when Ruth & I can no longer offer meals and accommodation at Niagara St. More on this to follow.
Then, at 3:15, Davis called down to say I had more visitors. Turns out they were more interested in the Bros. Rempel, given that Dorothy & Norman are their parents. No one knew they were coming or that homemade chocolate chip cookies and coffee would accompany them. I've heard much from Delaeno & Nathan about their father's building skills and achievements and, although I heard very little about our project from him (it's likely he saves his comments for his jobsites), I sensed that he appreciated the quality of the work that DND have put into Ruth's Ridge .
For a change, I was very sorry to hear that the fellows were ready to call it a day at 6 p.m. I very much wanted to stay and keep playing with the plumbing puzzle. Feeling the pressure as we begin to lose the heat.
Friday, September 18, 2009
End of Week 9
A half day today, with dental visits and weddings commanding the afternoon.
Yesterday, Delaeno finally broke the roof truss juggernaut, with truss erection having begun on September 1st.
Coincidentally, Davis working alone, shingled half the second-storey roof yesterday afternoon and this morning.
I began to reacquaint myself with my plumbing plan yesterday. I've found it really challenging to think it three dimensions while, simultaneously, trying to hold in mind all the constraints regarding pipe run limits, acceptable joins, etc. Actually standing in the space made the process very considerably more straight-forward and understandable. This morning I laid out the connectors and pipe for the main drain lines that will be buried under the basement floor. Tomorrow, having exchanged a few pieces, I'll head back to the site, delineate the footprint for a future potential basement washroom, then position the basement DWV (drain, waste-water, vent) and confirm that stacks from the upper floors will "marry" readily with it, before gluing the joints.
This morning, Delaeno & Nathan got to work on the loft's interior walls, then moved on the prepare the plates for the mudroom walls which, along with the kitchen wall, should go up on Monday.
Then, back to Winnipeg for more packing and change of address stuff.
Yesterday, while Davis was shingling the loft roof, he took a few photos of the view. Here's what he saw:
Sometimes it seems things aren't moving quickly enough – particularly as we are now less than four weeks from departing Niagara St. I can't fault DND's efforts, which have been outstanding, both in quality and volume. Then I look at the picture of the site as of July 20th, and the most recent shot of what stands on that once vacant ridge today. This project is moving along very well. We'll have a new home as soon as it's ready.
Yesterday, Delaeno finally broke the roof truss juggernaut, with truss erection having begun on September 1st.
Coincidentally, Davis working alone, shingled half the second-storey roof yesterday afternoon and this morning.
I began to reacquaint myself with my plumbing plan yesterday. I've found it really challenging to think it three dimensions while, simultaneously, trying to hold in mind all the constraints regarding pipe run limits, acceptable joins, etc. Actually standing in the space made the process very considerably more straight-forward and understandable. This morning I laid out the connectors and pipe for the main drain lines that will be buried under the basement floor. Tomorrow, having exchanged a few pieces, I'll head back to the site, delineate the footprint for a future potential basement washroom, then position the basement DWV (drain, waste-water, vent) and confirm that stacks from the upper floors will "marry" readily with it, before gluing the joints.
This morning, Delaeno & Nathan got to work on the loft's interior walls, then moved on the prepare the plates for the mudroom walls which, along with the kitchen wall, should go up on Monday.
Then, back to Winnipeg for more packing and change of address stuff.
Yesterday, while Davis was shingling the loft roof, he took a few photos of the view. Here's what he saw:
Sometimes it seems things aren't moving quickly enough – particularly as we are now less than four weeks from departing Niagara St. I can't fault DND's efforts, which have been outstanding, both in quality and volume. Then I look at the picture of the site as of July 20th, and the most recent shot of what stands on that once vacant ridge today. This project is moving along very well. We'll have a new home as soon as it's ready.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Doctor, I Have Shingles
Another watershed moment. Well, it will be once the 162 bundles of shingles have been applied to the roof.
Yesterday all the interior braces came down after enough of the great room roof sheathing had been applied. Today, while Delaeno & Nathan worked on tuning the mudroom roof trusses and Davis finished up sheathing the garage and installing the basement window wells, I played char-man by tossing all debris out of the house, organizing the remaining materials and sweeping the floors. In true shlepper spirit, I then cleared all of the exterior debris in anticipation of the shingle delivery and George Taplin's return to do a little more backfiling. Finally, I moved all of the studs for the loft interior walls up to that level, then finished up the master bedroom wall framing.
DND completed the mudroom sheathing and moved on to the last challenge, the kitchen trusses.
Hear no evil, see no evil, do no evil... all sitting down – up – on the job.
The arrival of the shingles signals an immanent move for me from carpentry to electrical and plumbing where, for better or worse, I'll be captain of the ship. Sink or swim time.
Yesterday all the interior braces came down after enough of the great room roof sheathing had been applied. Today, while Delaeno & Nathan worked on tuning the mudroom roof trusses and Davis finished up sheathing the garage and installing the basement window wells, I played char-man by tossing all debris out of the house, organizing the remaining materials and sweeping the floors. In true shlepper spirit, I then cleared all of the exterior debris in anticipation of the shingle delivery and George Taplin's return to do a little more backfiling. Finally, I moved all of the studs for the loft interior walls up to that level, then finished up the master bedroom wall framing.
DND completed the mudroom sheathing and moved on to the last challenge, the kitchen trusses.
Hear no evil, see no evil, do no evil... all sitting down – up – on the job.
The arrival of the shingles signals an immanent move for me from carpentry to electrical and plumbing where, for better or worse, I'll be captain of the ship. Sink or swim time.
Monday, September 14, 2009
A Subterranean & Superstructure Day
Just a quick update this evening... the day's efforts and the warm temperatures have drained my batteries.
A fortuitous call from George Taplin last evening to say they'd be up today to install the septic tank. An unfortunate call from Davis this morning to say that some bad food on Sunday had him playing Pong between his bed and the washroom.
The morning was glorious, though, as the sun filtered through early morning fog. After tidying the site, I started in on the master bedroom interior walls which, of course, prompted the Taplins' arrival. Unfortunately, the utility pump that has been at work in the sump pit for the past few weeks had partially clogged over the weekend, so we set to work draining the basement swamp with the gas-powered trash pump.
Meanwhile Delaeno & Nathan got to work on sheathing the great room and tweaking the trusses as they worked their way around.
By 6:30, the Taplins (with the help of their new hire, Phil) had also trenched about half of the septic line out to the field, the Bros. Rempel had largely completed the sheathing – and finally debugged all the trusses, and I had managed to frame up half of the MBR walls.
Another magnificent four days are forecast for our build site.
A fortuitous call from George Taplin last evening to say they'd be up today to install the septic tank. An unfortunate call from Davis this morning to say that some bad food on Sunday had him playing Pong between his bed and the washroom.
The morning was glorious, though, as the sun filtered through early morning fog. After tidying the site, I started in on the master bedroom interior walls which, of course, prompted the Taplins' arrival. Unfortunately, the utility pump that has been at work in the sump pit for the past few weeks had partially clogged over the weekend, so we set to work draining the basement swamp with the gas-powered trash pump.
Meanwhile Delaeno & Nathan got to work on sheathing the great room and tweaking the trusses as they worked their way around.
By 6:30, the Taplins (with the help of their new hire, Phil) had also trenched about half of the septic line out to the field, the Bros. Rempel had largely completed the sheathing – and finally debugged all the trusses, and I had managed to frame up half of the MBR walls.
Another magnificent four days are forecast for our build site.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Another Day of Summer
Dear Ridge Riders
The things I often forget to do or note. For example, I got no pictures of Ruth wearing my Stihl hardhat while mowing the ridge on her first ever use of the JD hydrostatic tractor. Or the last, long overdue dinner on Niagara with dear friends, Geoff & Barb. I forgot to mention that Cole and his girlfriend, Sarah, stopped by on Sunday. I also forgot to photograph them. A mind of single and boring focus is a terrible thing. There's so much more I would like to – should – comment on, but the level of physical fatigue is mostly overwhelming, and the urge to luxuriate in lactic acid overdose will not be denied. So, the proverbial flying joy is not shared as much as one might wish.
We were back to a full complement of workers up on Ruth's Ridge today. Given the uncertainty of the weather forecast for yesterday (Tuesday), Davis & Delaeno did a careful review of the work potential before setting out from Morden. As it was, we again received only a fraction of the forecast 15-20 mm of rain, all of which fell between 9 and 11 a.m.
D 'n D worked on the verandah lintels and posts, leaving me free to do more clean-up in the trees. I felled another three trees in the garage entry area, then sawed all of the ten or so felled trees to manageable lengths. Then we got to head home to a delicious mixed grille prepared by Ruth for us "woikers" and Claire, and Allison & Pete (with grand-daughter, Kate) just returned from holidays in Nova Scotia.
Today (Wednesday) the skies were again clear, with the temperatures around 13 degrees C. We started the day by weaving a maze of sticks above the great room. This task, perhaps the most complex to date, again required all of us. For a change, your humble blogger was the one perched at the top of the barely-secured trusses. I think Delaeno managed to capture a few photos of my terrified visage as I clung to the trusses with five appendages and hammered nails with my hardhat.
The Bros. Rempel got to work on the verandah trusses, while Davis & I, with Nathan's help, got 30 sheets of OSB up onto the loft floor in preparation for sheathing the roof. Then the white hairless monkeys ascended again into the loft canopy where we managed, by closing time, to have the north half of the loft roof sheathed, the sub-fascia attached on the north and west, and most of the west hip roof covered. Meanwhile Delaeno & Nathan had completed the majority of the verandah truss puzzle.
A wonderful, productive day. To add sweetness to it all, Manitoba Public Insurance called today to offer a generous settlement on the utility trailer that was stolen from our back lane in Winnipeg at the end of July.
The one bittersweet note was the death of our nearly 17 year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Judee, this afternoon. Judee was Allison's 12th birthday present 17 years ago this coming November. She fit into a teacup when she was brought home. I'd come to refer to her as the canine incarnation of the fabled Phoenix: she had been on death's doorstep more often than the number of her years, yet she continued – until this weekend – to bark her enthusiasm for a meal or a walk, and to demand the attention due a grand dame such as herself.
Over the past few years, in addition to encounters with German Shepherds, Rottweilers, a pair of adolescent skunks (I smell a pun there), deafness, blindness, arrhythmia, kidney failure, UTIs, tumours, loss of all but seven teeth, severe arthritis and God only knows what else, she continued to live with fierce determination and indomitable spirit. This weekend, looking rather unsteady on her feet, she exited a most unwelcome bath on Friday and immediately began a wild bark-fest when she sensed a walk was immanent. Back legs flailing wildly and unsteadily, she led the charge down Niagara toward Wellington Crescent. She actually did a block before sideline smells caused her to be swept up in Ruth's arms. On Sunday, the rapid and final slide began. By Tuesday morning around 4 a.m., it seemed she might not make it to daylight, as Ruth held Judee to her chest. But, true to her character, she rallied a little on Tuesday – just to make Ruth & I liars again. This morning, though, it was clear that her spirit could not fend off all the ills that had befallen her.
Ruth took her for one last walk to our vet's clinic, where she was ushered into that grand and limitless woolen mill in the sky, forever to chase and capture the rats that had escaped her in this life. Way to go "The Dude," Lil Dude, Dudilicious, Dudders. Love you, Ruth.
The things I often forget to do or note. For example, I got no pictures of Ruth wearing my Stihl hardhat while mowing the ridge on her first ever use of the JD hydrostatic tractor. Or the last, long overdue dinner on Niagara with dear friends, Geoff & Barb. I forgot to mention that Cole and his girlfriend, Sarah, stopped by on Sunday. I also forgot to photograph them. A mind of single and boring focus is a terrible thing. There's so much more I would like to – should – comment on, but the level of physical fatigue is mostly overwhelming, and the urge to luxuriate in lactic acid overdose will not be denied. So, the proverbial flying joy is not shared as much as one might wish.
We were back to a full complement of workers up on Ruth's Ridge today. Given the uncertainty of the weather forecast for yesterday (Tuesday), Davis & Delaeno did a careful review of the work potential before setting out from Morden. As it was, we again received only a fraction of the forecast 15-20 mm of rain, all of which fell between 9 and 11 a.m.
D 'n D worked on the verandah lintels and posts, leaving me free to do more clean-up in the trees. I felled another three trees in the garage entry area, then sawed all of the ten or so felled trees to manageable lengths. Then we got to head home to a delicious mixed grille prepared by Ruth for us "woikers" and Claire, and Allison & Pete (with grand-daughter, Kate) just returned from holidays in Nova Scotia.
Today (Wednesday) the skies were again clear, with the temperatures around 13 degrees C. We started the day by weaving a maze of sticks above the great room. This task, perhaps the most complex to date, again required all of us. For a change, your humble blogger was the one perched at the top of the barely-secured trusses. I think Delaeno managed to capture a few photos of my terrified visage as I clung to the trusses with five appendages and hammered nails with my hardhat.
The Bros. Rempel got to work on the verandah trusses, while Davis & I, with Nathan's help, got 30 sheets of OSB up onto the loft floor in preparation for sheathing the roof. Then the white hairless monkeys ascended again into the loft canopy where we managed, by closing time, to have the north half of the loft roof sheathed, the sub-fascia attached on the north and west, and most of the west hip roof covered. Meanwhile Delaeno & Nathan had completed the majority of the verandah truss puzzle.
A wonderful, productive day. To add sweetness to it all, Manitoba Public Insurance called today to offer a generous settlement on the utility trailer that was stolen from our back lane in Winnipeg at the end of July.
The one bittersweet note was the death of our nearly 17 year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Judee, this afternoon. Judee was Allison's 12th birthday present 17 years ago this coming November. She fit into a teacup when she was brought home. I'd come to refer to her as the canine incarnation of the fabled Phoenix: she had been on death's doorstep more often than the number of her years, yet she continued – until this weekend – to bark her enthusiasm for a meal or a walk, and to demand the attention due a grand dame such as herself.
Over the past few years, in addition to encounters with German Shepherds, Rottweilers, a pair of adolescent skunks (I smell a pun there), deafness, blindness, arrhythmia, kidney failure, UTIs, tumours, loss of all but seven teeth, severe arthritis and God only knows what else, she continued to live with fierce determination and indomitable spirit. This weekend, looking rather unsteady on her feet, she exited a most unwelcome bath on Friday and immediately began a wild bark-fest when she sensed a walk was immanent. Back legs flailing wildly and unsteadily, she led the charge down Niagara toward Wellington Crescent. She actually did a block before sideline smells caused her to be swept up in Ruth's arms. On Sunday, the rapid and final slide began. By Tuesday morning around 4 a.m., it seemed she might not make it to daylight, as Ruth held Judee to her chest. But, true to her character, she rallied a little on Tuesday – just to make Ruth & I liars again. This morning, though, it was clear that her spirit could not fend off all the ills that had befallen her.
Ruth took her for one last walk to our vet's clinic, where she was ushered into that grand and limitless woolen mill in the sky, forever to chase and capture the rats that had escaped her in this life. Way to go "The Dude," Lil Dude, Dudilicious, Dudders. Love you, Ruth.
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