House Developments

 On August 21 we had this big truck bring up all of the Faswall block that will be the first floor of our home.  Tanner loves seeing big trucks come up our quaint little road, and this one was no exception.  I was floored at how many pallets came off of the truck, and especially how quickly they are diminishing as we stack our way toward our structure.

The forklift unloading block, and Buddy helping, as usual

Tanner's first order of business in getting the block-stacking project underway, was to line the first layer of block along the footing.  Each block was affixed to the footing with mortar, and painstakingly leveled and straightened so that the subsequent layers could simply be stacked atop the first. 

Beginning at the corners and working his way in, Tanner lined up the first row.

The blocks were placed on top of the rebar set into the footing to help secure the wall as it is stacked to its final height. Once we reach that stage, the cement truck will come back and fill the wall, forming a stellar first floor to our house.

This will be our house some day soon!

Moose, surveying the new digs

Friend of the year, Kyle, worked for several days helping Tanner stack, level, and haul block, and cut rebar.

 Soon, enough layers were stacked and the door and window frames needed to be accommodated for in the wall.  This step really reinforced the visual of our new home in my minds eye.  The frame to Tanner's right will be our main entrance from the carport on the ground floor.

Tanner cutting rebar

Buddy, supervising

Kyle in the pit

 Needless to say, we are thrilled to see our house coming together.  As we are looking at the building site, we can see the impact our home will be making on the space.  Our huge hole in the ground is now a visual for what will be our basement.  We are beginning to see what kind of view we will have from the second floor, and main living space of our home.  We have yet to be disappointed!

In the meantime, Tanner and I spent another afternoon taping more insulation.  Yes, there was still more to do!  One of the small chores left to accomplish on the yurt, but one which needed two people.  When we were raising the yurt, and several of us were taping the roof insulation together, we only taped one side.  In doing this we had seams on the ceiling of the yurt that needed to be closed up, both for keeping air out, and strengthening the layer of insulation.  

Tanner got to be up on the big ladder, he is far less clumsy than myself.

I stayed on a step ladder, and together we got this dreaded chore done relatively fast.

 Still, the same mess of paper backing from the tape...

Never a fun job, however, Tanner and I found, once again, that we make a pretty good team.  He puts up with my crankiness initially, then I get over it.  We carry on, and soon find our stride in efficiency.  Before we know it, we're done! 

The house building, we know, will be a long, and at times arduous task, but being that we make a good team, the process has been a lot of fun.  Tanner has been the ultimate rock star in keeping his head on straight in the face of an intimidating to do list.  My chore has been to make sure he is fed, and has all of the comforts of home in our yurt when he has time to enjoy them, as in his favorite beer and ice cream!  I can only imagine what the next few months hold, but as we look at the house plans and the calender for which things will come together, I am filled with joy and a constant buzz of happiness.

Cheers!