Friday, March 30, 2012

A quick and dirty update...

So, We haven't been writing in quite a while, due to a week spent on vacation in Canada and celebrating Jeff's birthday this month. BUT, that doesn't mean that we aren't getting things done. We have the trailer, all of our insulation, and lumber at the build site. We spent two days grinding all the surface rust off of the trailer and spraying it with Rust Reformer and then Rustoleum paint. Pictures for your viewing pleasure:

The trailer all jacked up with the new jacks we bought.

Pretty rims...


Jeff is down at the other end, already started used the wire brush attachment on the angle grinder to grind off the surface rust. We worked simultaneously with two grinders.

BEFORE GRINDING

AFTER GRINDING

BEFORE GRINDING

AFTER GRINDING





So much fun.... He had black specks of paint on his forehead for a few days afterwards.

Finished product! So much nicer!



Step 1

Step 2

We're going to try to get better about updating. I think we'll post next about our recent supply purchases.

-M.

Monday, February 27, 2012

House Project Goals

Our Tiny House project is going well so far and we have gathered quite a bit of materials up to this point.
We want to create a basic timeline for holding us accountable so that we can finish our home by our goal date of July 2012.

So far we have gathered...

1 large pallet of 1.5" foam insulation (R-90)-  Free.99
A lot of lumber- Free.99 + a little elbow grease and good friends (we spent $80.00 at the dump)
2 rectangular Windows 35 1/2"x 65 3/8"- $20.00
1 large picture window 47 1/2"x 35 1/2"- $15.00
1 long skinny window 11 1/4x 71 3/8"- $15.00
15 sq ft (ish) misc tile- Free.99
misc interior trim pieces- Free.99
Cabinet doors- Free.99
20'x8' Trailer- $600.00
10 12volt batteries for Solar Battery Bank- Free.99
Metal Roofing- Free.99
Found a perfect building site at our friend Jeff and Danice's home in North Eastern Tacoma!

Free lumber from a shed we tore down with friends

FREE Insulation donated to us by Codel Entry Systems in Tacoma

 $20 worth of windows

FREE batteries donated to us by Jeff's Work

Our goals for March:

  • Finalize Designs and print into usable plans
  • Finish de-nailing salvaged lumber and take inventory
  • Bring all supplies to build site
  • Clean and seal trailer, add lights, and wire brakes
  • Gather/purchase remaining Lumber
  • Frame and insulate Floor
  • Sell our Jeep and get a Diesel for hauling our home (converted to waste vegetable oil) 
  • Gather remaining windows and door
  • Gather all tools that we will need

Goals for April:

  • Complete framing exterior walls and roof 
  • Install metal roofing
  • Frame interior
  • Rough in areas for Propane, Electrical, and Plumbing
  • Gather interior appliances
  • Insulate walls and roof
  • Wrap home in moisture barrier
  • Install Electrical, Plumbing, and Propane
Goals for May:
  • Install windows
  • Add siding and trim to exterior
  • Build in interior furniture
  • Install shower 
  • Start purchasing Solar Panels
  • Install flooring
  • Finish interior walls
  • Stain/ paint
  • Search for a place to live once finished
Goals for June:
  • Install appliances
  • Finish electrical/solar systems
  • Install counter tops
  • Install toilet
  • Finish interior
  • Finish all the small things that we have forgotten
July:

LIVE IN OUR HOME!!!


-Jeff








Thursday, February 16, 2012

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

A fresh new idea



“Where do I want to be in my life 4 years from this day?”

That is the question I am trying to pull myself along with as I struggle to find motivation for where we live, where I work, and many other things in our life right now. We have been married a whopping 9 months, and so far they have been the best nine months I could ever ask for with my partner, but the most difficult nine months I could imagine throughout the rest of my life.

I believe that Hope is the only truly positive motivation that I have for pursuing my goals. Hope that those goals will be a better place for me to rest that where we are now. Hope that pushing towards those goals will not wear out the patience of a fresh young marriage. Hope that those around us might also be blessed as we achieve our goals.

I’m not sure if that is all too much to ask, but I feel strongly that without asking those questions, we could never be satisfied once we’ve actually reached our goals. There are far too many unknowns for us to step out blindly and say that it will be good because we have all the answers already.

So, I have to pose this as a question, not as a statement;

“Where do I want to be in my life 4 years from this day?”

And of course, I mean not only “where,” but also “what” and “with whom.”

Along the road to those goals, I want to be engaging with and writing about ideas that matter. I want to wrestle with issues of great significance in our world as well as our own community. I know that we will not reach our goals tomorrow, or even the day after that. And so as we trudge along through the day-to-day madness of our world, I want to be grounded by healthy discussion and fresh new ideas.

Because that is all the great minds ever started with, wasn’t it? A fresh new idea, and the willingness to take a risk on it.