Electric lights

Since we forgot the camera, I cannot add any pictures for this post. However that doesn't mean that there wasn't progress last week. We got the electrical system rough wired and had the inspection, and also had the framing and mechanical inspection. Now we are free to insulate and begin sheet rocking, hang cabinets, etc.
Another thing worthy of note is that the salmon returned to the rivers here last week. There were several big ones under the bridge near our house, and many more in other streams here in the valley. I tried to get a photo of some of the big (40in) ones, but they don't show up very well. We'll send more when we know what it is that we need to do to coordinate the finish phase of the project.

plumbing and wiring - progress

Well this week we don't have much in the way of photos to show, because plumbing and wiring aren't like that. But, take it from me, we did make a lot of progress. Getting the plumbing inspected and approved was a bid deal, and the wiring is on the way. As soon as that happens, we get the final framing inspection and we can start closing up the interior. So, what you see is a photo of me fillingf the last area of exposed plumbing because we are now able to connect to the septic tank.

And the big guy in the other photo is son Aaron pulling wire. He has worked with a friend, Brandon, who is an electrician, so he is competent to do this simple wiring job. We had all of the boxes in place, etc.

And the last one is of Pam about to eat some quiche that we made last weekend. Broccoli, mushrooms, onions, and lots of cream, cheese, and eggs. Beat still, my heart.

tankless and tiles

Well, another week has passed, and too quickly, it seems. Many details were dealt with, and a lot of rain fell, but only two things seemed worthy of photos for the blog. First, Pam finished tiling the balcony and got the grout on (except for 3 tiles - she ran out). It's a big deal!

Second, I got the rest of the plumbing finished (inspection next Tuesday), including the tankless propane water heater. Can't wait to try it out. I suppose it is just like the ones in Europe and Japan, but still, it is a different thing for here.

We did start laying out boxes for the wiring, and we have the electrical permit in hand, but that will be next week. Stay tuned.

The disappearig containers

We had a busy, productive week, with many things happening sooner than expected - which is good, for the rain is coming. Among the things accomplished, and not in any specific order, are that the windows and doors in the ends of the two (container) bedrooms arrived a week earlier than expected, so they got installed. The appearance of the house changed completely.

Next, Consumer's Power showed up a week earlier than expected, so there is now power to the house!! yippee, but no pictures. They just had to come and pull wire through the conduit and connect the panel.

Pam got lots more shingles put up on the North wall. Lots of detail and patience.

I cut out the inside hallway into the lower bedroom. I used up several abrasive cutting disks and had a lot of pinpoint burns on my arms (they go away quickly).

I installed an urbanite (broken concrete) porch. Just in time for the mud!! And notice that we put in the main entry door/window. I was going to wait in order to avoid possible damage, but seeing that the rains were coming, I decided to put the big doors in while the weather was still good so I wouldn't be working in the mud. What a concept!

Finally, there are no pictures of the plumbing rough'-in or of the new chimney cap or the framing for the downstairs bedroom closet. but it all happened.

gatargoyles

We made some progress this week, as you can see. First I must report that 2 gargoyles have started roosting on the edge of the balcony. We hope that you will recognize him if he should stray. Pam hasn't quite finished the tile on the balcony, but the gargoyle doesn't seem to care.

Next, we got most of the windows in (finally). The large one is for the dining/living area, and inside it offers a window seat for those who want to sit in the sun(?) and read.

You can also see some of the final earth color coat of lime plaster that we applied. At least we think that this is the final coat.

Finally you can see Pam and some of her work which lately has been putting shingles on the upper story surfaces that will not get a lime plaster (like the upper portion of the straw bales). She is enjoying using her creativity.

more lime renders

So this week we made many seemingly small, but significant, changes. We started laying the tile up on the balcony, but we won't post a picture till there is more to see. We also connected the water line that goes inside the house, and added a hydrant style outside faucet. Mostly, we got all of the first and second coast of lime render on the walls, which is a bid deal to us. And, before it rained!!!! The best mix seemed to be 5 shovels of hydrated lime to 8 of clean mason's sand. Seems like a lot of lime, but the mix acted best when applied that way.

roofline

To end the week, glossing over many of the things that we did, I enclose a shot of the western roofline so that you can get somewhat of an idea of what the finished product will look like. Bear in mind that much of the back (north) wall will be buried under a berm, along with part of the west wall. Stay tuned for whatever happens next week.