More Framing/Sheathing and New Windows

In a move that is sure to amuse my Mentor, we are going to get new windows in place of the old ones that were left on the barn. We decided this, at the recommendation of PR and RR, after we had kicked and screamed to keep the old windows. They still seem perfectly functional to me, though after putting the new windows in, I can understand their shortcomings. Even still, I hate to think that they are a complete washout. We'll have to find something to do with them, or at least sell them. And I'm still holding out hope that we'll find a place for them on the barn, but we'll see.

In the meantime, that means more framing/sheathing, as well as getting new windows. Since this is the back of the barn, and now that we're framing pros over here, it should be a piece of cake... yeah, right. I do find it less intimidating, however, though the second story will present some challenges. I was so happy that we were going to leave it be, now I've got to get up on the roof and pull out the windows, after all.

Another bright note is that instead of having to order the windows, I'm going with what Home Depot has in stock. They aren't the perfect fit, which again means I'll have to re-frame, but they're a heck of a lot cheaper (about half the price), and I'm not locked in. I.e., I can return/exchange them since they aren't a special order. Something about not having to commit that appeals to me, maybe it's a guy thing.

With this in mind, I went to HD and got all the windows I'll need for the first floor. We are set, so it's just a question of getting it done. The doors and windows are in the house, they just need to be put in. A minor technical detail. Besides, I can always beg PR to come for a visit and he can do it with his eyes closed.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

Wood Revelations

We've realized that we might very well use around 5-6 cords of wood, but it's too soon to say. The problem is, it's only January and we've used up almost all of the first stack, which we estimated to be around 4 cords. At the current rate, we'll probably burn about 6 cords, which means that we might have to stack more wood.

Another problem that we're having is that the darn wood isn't dry. I did everything I was told, and the stuff still hisses when it burns. What a bummer. So, now I'm thinking I have to split more right now and give it more time to dry. The bright side of this is that I like to split wood, and that now is a good time because the wood is frozen (makes splitting easier) and it's cool outside.

I have about two cords of blocks in the woods, and about half a cord behind the barn. My plan is to split them over the course of winter, stack it to dry, and then add it to the pile. Hopefully that will be enough time to dry.

One additional note, I think I'm going to tackle sweeping the chimney. This should be interesting.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

More Pillars of the Community and Eggs

We've finally found what we consider to be a reliable source for eggs, and you can't beat the convenience. It's our neighbor. I didn't even know they had eggs for sale, I've never actually seen the hens, but I'd heard through the grapevine they had them available. When I inquired, KJ said yes, and if I wanted, I could get the regularly (chick not included). How cool is that? The only problem is, now that we're getting eggs regularly, we've got to eat them. Shouldn't be too hard, though we did run into a surplus situation. Nothing a good frittata can't solve.

Also, community wise, I've been asked, for whatever reason, to help out at the library. Somehow my name must have come up, and I got a phone call from the previous person who said I was being asked to help. Wow, I didn't think anybody even knew my name. My first thought was, why me? My second thought was, who are you? My third thought was, why aren't you doing it anymore? He told me who he was and I realized he was one of those, "I know you but I don't know you" people. We live in the same town and have crossed paths on numerous occasions.

Either way, I'd love to help, but am not sure if I am qualified (I don't even know what is expected of me) and am a little concerned about the time commitment. He assured me that on both counts, it was not rigorous, and I could even bring the kids along. Not sure how that would work out, but makes it more plausible

I talked to R about it and I do want to help, so I'm leaning towards saying yes. Besides, I love our library, they do such a nice job. I think I'll talk to head librarian get more info.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Aleksandra P. for the pic.

Pillars of the Community

Not that we need more things on our table, but we are becoming, if you can believe this one, active in our community. One of the things we love about our town is that there is a huge amount of community involvement, all on a completely volunteer basis. It's the reason so many things happen that are open to the public. Well, being a true Democrat, how can you not take a little without giving a little back? With this in mind, certain things have come our way, and we have jumped in, even in lieu of all the other "stuff" going on, mainly work for R and parenthood for both of us, not to mention the daily rigors of real man chores.

The whole Transition Towns movement is picking up momentum, and it really showed at the latest Community Connection "Pancake Breafast." There was a huge turnout, due in part to TT promoting it, and it was actually a nice affair. CC did a nice job.

R is in charge of a lot of TT stuff. The community and environmental lean strike a chord in her, and in me, as well. She is actually now the head of TT, though a lot gets done via CF, who seems to be in charge, though he won't acknowledge it. The reality is, TT needs the guy, so it works out well. We piled everyone into the car and had a nice breakfast. The spread was more extensive than I'd thought it would be. I figured they'd just crank out pancakes and be done, but there was fresh fruit, and eggs! A feast, though coffee was a little hard to come by. Addiction, you gotta love it.

The kids had fun sitting at the head of the table, next to the CF, and gobbling down the flapjacks. It was cute to watch. There was a lot of discussion about what was planned, including the farmer's market, which is really gaining steam. It's really a vestige of a bygone era of community government open to and run by the public. This scene is played out across the state.

At some point, all the talk about select boards and voting started to bore the kids (can you blame them?), so I had to take them outside. We went to the store and go cat food, then played in the snow, waiting for mom. Because she's in charge, she had to stay till the end, but it was fun just hanging out.

And I think the meeting was a success. Good turnout, good discussion/debate, and things are moving along. People around here are really passionate about a clean environment and a strong community. The big thing is the market, and because we don't have enough to do, we are toying with the idea of opening a booth and selling pizza. The best part of this plan is that we have absolutely no idea what we're doing, which I've found is all the more reason to go for it and jump in head first.

Besides, what a great topic for blogging. You can't make this sort of stuff up. Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Alicia Solario for the pic.

Maintaining Credibility, If Nothing Else

I haven't done a thing on the barn, and I think it's bumming R out, but it's cold, and I need to get over to HD to order new windows. Plus, I have to haul all my tools back into the barn to revisit the whole framing business. I realize I mentioned how I liked framing, but somehow the idea of re-framing is not as appealing. Whatever be the case, it's on my mind, and that is usually the first step to either getting it done, or doing nothing and having it eat away at you. I often embrace the latter.

I did take care of a few things, however. I finally contacted the excavator to tell him the septic project was on hold until Spring. The guy probably thinks I'm insane because we have pushed this back at least a year, if not more, but such is life. I did mention that we'd cut some trees down and were in the process of clearing them, so that might have given me some credibility... yeah, right.

We've also managed to get the roof project reserved but also delayed until Spring, which will give me a chance to get up there on the roof (am I crazy, or what?) to clean off all that nasty moss. I'm not looking forward to it, but I think I can do it. At least if I fall off, it's only the first floor, and if I'm lucky, one of the cats will be under me to break my fall. Just kidding.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.

The Return of Karate Man

I went to my first karate class two weeks ago post-injury, and it wasn't so bad. I still couldn't spar for fear of re-injuring my foot, but I know that when you're dealing with real men like CH and JH, there's no room for cowards. Broken bones are all part of the program.

Either way, it felt good to be back and active, though I felt rusty. I have this grand notion that I'll work out at home and practice the things I need to know to become a one-man wrecking crew, but whenever I have the time, all I want to do is lay down and close my eyes. Funny how that works. My goal is to look like this guy, flying off into the sunset.

We are preparing for our next belt test, however, and it will require that I get my next kata down, not to mention master using the bo staff. You have to love weapons.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Christopher Bruno for the pic.

Completed Projects

Well, if you can believe it, I finally managed to get that darn skirt around the chimney frame, and I think it may have made a difference. I still need to go up and fill the wire holes with foam, but the big source of heat loss may very well have been addressed. First, a little background.

As I may have mentioned, we were experiencing significant heat loss in our attic, mainly through the frame around the chimney. I could feel the heat rising up, and there were huge problems with ice formation on the roof, a big no-no. I thought that I could simply layer more fiberglass insulation over it, but the gap between the chimney and frame was big enough to let a fairly substantial flow of air through. I tried stuffing the gaps with insulation, something several people at assorted home improvement stores suggested, but I was told that was in violation of fire codes. Then again, who's going to know? It's not as if fire inspectors are checking out our attic.

Either way, after speaking with the resident expert on energy efficiency, KK (how many towns have their own energy committee and chairman?), and he guided me in the ways of the law. From what I could gather, I was allowed to block the flow of air, but I wasn't allowed to stuff anything into the gap. It had to be a cover.

KK suggested a metal skirt, as did KB and PD, so there was finally a consensus on what to do. Using fireproof caulk, I could fill in the gaps and make it air tight. I opted for aluminum flashing and actually pulled it off using one piece and some tin snips. It ain't pretty, but I think it's fairly well sealed. Amazing what a little, or should I say a lot, of caulk can do. That stuff is black, however, and kind of messy. I tore my gloves on the sharp edge of the flashing and ended up getting the caulk all over my fingers. Bummer.

Working in the attic is a chore, as well. Not only do I have to squat the entire time, which is murder on my back, but it's dusty as heck up there, and there are clear signs that assorted critters are living up there. The proof is the profusion of stool samples scattered throughout the insulation. They are mainly near the chimney, where it's nice and toasty. Also, I have to be careful when I stand up or else get roofing nails through my scalp. I've been there, and it ain't pretty. Finally, just to whine a little more, it's dark working near the chimney. The lights are on one side, and don't illuminate the other side, so I have to hold a flashlight while working with my other hand. Meanwhile, I'm squatting on all fours and breathing through a mask that is fogging up my glasses, all the while swimming in fireproof caulk. Geez, should I just kill myself now, or what?

Because the job was so unpleasant, I ended up doing it in two stages. First, I went up there and cut the skirt. The next time I went up and nailed/sealed it to the frame/chimney. I thought it was a pretty good plan.

Now I can't help but think there's less snow melting on the roof. The house feels warmer, too, though now I'm all paranoid that since the chimney shaft can no longer vent all that warm air, it's going to build up to a critical mass and become a fire hazard. Is there no end to the drama?

I did have this brilliant idea that I'll have to bounce off my Mentor to cut a hole in the chimney shaft and install a vent to harness all that heat energy to warm the second floor. It seems like a good idea, which means it will be close to impossible and will end up taking years. This, of course, is right up my alley.

Until the next time, thanks for reading.