Houth Pith

The End

2010-03-22T03:25:00.007-05:00

OK, so this is a little out of order, but things have been a wee bit chaotic around here, and probably will be for the foreseeable future.

Here's a pic of Bob and his able assistant putting the finishing touches on the north window.

From House

And here's what we have been anticipating for 8 months--

From House

Many thanks to those of you who have followed along on this project. Words can not express how appreciative we are at your participation. When we look at the house now, it is filled with ideas, suggestions, considerations and participation from a wide variety of family members and friends. You helped in significant ways, weighing in on stain choice, window placement, and even room additions. So the house is in a very real sense, a group effort, not only from the craftsmen who designed and built it, but from you and your feedback. And the house reflects the personality of all of us.

And that makes us feel real good.

This will be the last entry to Houthpith.

If you would like to visit it sometime in the future to regale in the insouciance, you either (1) are desparate for entertainment, or (2) are aware that the web address will be changed to:

http://www.houthpith.blogspot.com

And finally this. If you wish to continue keeping up with whatever it is that goes on around here, check in at

http://www.northpith.blogspot.com

ARAMIS IS COMING!

From Drop Box

Numbers guys

2010-03-18T15:43:00.003-05:00

Big day today--the final evaluation of exactly how tight this house is.

Rich Urban from Focus on Energy conducts the blower door test which sucks air out of the house and checks the amount that the house will 'allow' to blow out. Clear as mud?

Here Charlie videotapes the mud.

And here's what the numbers say. The average new home has a relative number of 100. Charlie's best home until today, had a number of 56, which means that it was 44% more efficient than the average new home. Our house is 44.4, 12% more efficient than Charlie's best to date.

That was somewhat predicted. But here are the numbers that make more sense to me.

Predicted cost to heat the water for heat and domestic hot water? $513 (PER YEAR! Take that Wisconsin Public Service). However, even with that we will emit, get this, 10.6 tons of carbon dioxide, 57.2 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 29.1 somethings (I can't read my notes) of nitrous oxide.

Since these are only expected and do contain some variables, we will report a year's worth of data to Rich to determine how close they came--the therms, not the nitrous oxide, whatever that is.

If the Doorbell is On . . .

2010-03-08T17:52:00.003-06:00

. . . we must be getting close.

In fact the place was crowded again today with Bob the Builder and Brian the Electrician here. But the fireplace guys installed the gas stove so their truck and trailer were there,

and Alanna and her sister, Lisa were doing cleanup duty.

Alanna determines which end is the business end of the vacuum.

Brian is nearing the finish line as well with almost all the exterior lights up and running.

I almost forgot! There was one more visitor today--the building inspector. And we can move in!!!!!! Ann took a shower tonight while I gawked around. We'll move the bed in tomorrow (somehow) and the rest of the stuff over time.

And finally, the doorbell is in.

Let the Finishing Begin

2010-03-02T17:57:00.000-06:00

The only thing left in the bath is the mirror above the sink.

Comment from someone we know

2010-03-01T21:12:00.001-06:00

The comment section of the recent article in the Rhinelander Daily News holds this gem:

" Most interesting article. It appears that the Eshelman's have done a great job in building a true energy efficient home that compliments the natural surroundings they live in. We are LUCKY (emphasis added) to have conscientious energy minded home builders such as Scott and Ann. "

I Love Newspapers!

2010-02-27T08:14:00.003-06:00

The Web edition of the Rhinelander Daily News has an article about the house. It's a very well written piece and captures the local flavor of the building.

But, if you click on the link above, at least this weekend, you will see another headline next to a picture of the house. The headline reads, "Adult Gift Store May be On Way."

The full article here:

Sustainable home balances life with nature

By Sarah Juon
Daily News Correspondent

Anyone in a position to remodel or build a new home can assume that energy costs will be going up, not down.

When Scott and Ann Eshelman decided it was time to remodel their home — built by Ann’s parents Paul and Marian Munninghoff in the 1950s from wood recycled from an earlier home on the premises — they asked Rich Urban, a Rhinelander-based consultant with Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program, to do an assessment. They wanted his advice on how to remodel for energy efficiency.

“When I looked at their house I found a lot of issues,” Urban says. “It was very drafty. I wrote up a detailed report for them, outlining all my recommendations for making it tighter. But I questioned whether it would be worthwhile to go to all the expense of fixing it up.”

The contractor for the remodeling job, Charlie Sauter of Sauter Builders in Boulder Junction, had questions too.

As Ann puts it, “Charlie told us that Rich’s recommendations may be just the tip of the iceberg, that once we started opening walls, we’d find more things we needed to do. He cautioned that a home is only as good as its weakest link when remodeling. In the end, we’d just have a fixed-up old house.”

After weighing the pros and cons, the Eshelmans decided to take a hammer to the old house and build a new one on the same footprint.

While Urban’s report on the old house had to be scrapped, Sauter points out that his expertise became invaluable. “It’s great for me to have someone like Rich to qualify a house for the Energy Star program before the house is built or even designed,” he says.

“We provide one kind of house, the ‘envelope’ for an energy-efficient home,” Sauter continues, “but there are a lot of other choices that drive what the final product will be. Because of Rich’s help – and because Scott and Ann ‘walked the talk,’ putting their money in areas that will make a huge difference in energy savings in years to come — their house turned out to be one of the easiest we have built.”

Designs for the new home began last June and construction started at the end of July. Finishing touches are underway, and in March the Eshelmans will move in.

The home’s exterior, finished in natural materials of harmonious earth tones, evokes Frank Lloyd Wright’s elegant wood-and-glass structures in the way it blends into the wooded hillside.

The house appears more modest than its 3,000 square feet would suggest. It is slightly smaller than its predecessor and one-tenth as leaky, as measured by CFM (cubic feet per minute) air exchange rate.

“This is a super-tight house,” Sauter says, “with only .03 air changes per hour, compared to three times that much in a conventionally-constructed house. Yet it’s very healthy air because of these little ducts all around which mechanically vent the air, bringing between 70 to 80 percent of the energy lost back into the house.”

To qualify for the monetary incentives provided by the Wisconsin Energy Star program, a house must have a Home Energy Rating System score of 80 or lower, Urban explained. A conventional house built to Wisconsin construction code — the minimum standard a contractor can build — is assigned the score of 100.

The Eshelman home has an energy rating score of 48.

“This house is 52 percent more energy-efficient than conventional construction standards,” Urban notes.

Several choices were made by the homeowners that led to this outcome, Sauter said.

Structured plumbing

Sauter drew upon today’s most efficient technology for heating a home by installing an in-floor thermal radiant heating system. In addition, he installed “structured plumbing,” a technology that reduces the amount of water wasted.

“This is an insulated trunk line that works as an extension of the hot water heater,” Sauter explains. “In the morning, when you want to use hot water, you press a button that activates this line. When you turn on the water, about one cup comes out cold, that’s all. Then it’s hot.”

Urban observes that this is the first home he’s seen with structured plumbing.

“This is a homeowner pleaser,” he says. “Think about how in the shower you wait and wait for the hot water to come. No more wasting all that water.”

Windows

Sauter said the homeowners wanted lots of windows, so the design took this into account by orienting the home southward and installing windows and glazing that would provide passive solar heating.

High-performance windows are pricey, but by using Urban’s Energy Star software program, Sauter was able to do a cost-benefit analysis.

“It’s a powerful tool when you’re planning, because you can change the in-puts,” he says. “We were able to quantify the bang for the buck. No one has limitless funds, so this is important. Scott and Ann had been using propane gas for heating. They decided to run in a line for gas, and that enabled them to save enough money to spring for the high-performance Semco windows.”

Solar energy

After design, the most significant for energy savings, Sauter says, is the solar thermal component.

“Solar thermal can reduce the heat-load for heating both hot water and space,” he says.

Marc DeBrock, owner of the Rhinelander-based MMK Solar Thermal company, installed the solar thermal system.

“We didn’t have a lot of space to work with, and we wanted it to look good aesthetically,” DeBrock says. “Instead of using the normal 4x8-ft. or 4x10-ft. panels, we chose eight 4x4-ft. panels to stretch across the roof’s ridge line. And we installed a small photovoltaic panel on the end to use sun energy to turn on the pump that runs the fluid through the panels.”

DeBrock notes that the house’s south-southwest orientation helped. “This is a hard location for solar panels because of all the trees, but the orientation made it work perfectly.”

Solar energy is conducted through a heat exchanger to a 270-gallon tank in the basement. The tank is filled by well water that enters the house at 50 degrees. Once solar energy heats the tank water to a certain level, it can send its hot water to the hot water heater and to the in-floor radiant system.

“Solar thermal is always an add-on,” DeBrock explains. “If the solar thermal system produces enough heat to take care of 100 percent of your load on certain days, that’s great, but you always will need your other appliances – your hot water heater and your in-floor thermal system.

“By using the solar thermal system,” he continues, “you try to displace as much energy as possible — in this case the natural gas. If there’s plenty of sun out there, the hot water heater will never kick on. If it’s cloudier or colder and the tank only heats up to 100 degrees, it still goes to the hot water heater, but the heater will only have to make up the difference between 100 degrees and about 135 degrees, so you’re still saving on fuel.”

DeBrock says the system will take care of 70 percent of the hot water needs and 15 to 20 percent of space heating needs.

The 128-sq.-ft. solar panel system and all its accessories costs about $16,000, which may seem high, but over the life of the panels and tank, “an owner will see anywhere from a 7 to 15 percent return on investment,” he says. “Typically, these systems last 30 to 40 years. With a conventional furnace, you’re looking at replacing it in 10 to 20 years and meanwhile have all the cost of fuel.”

DeBrock notes there are a number of state and federal grants available that pay up to half or more of the cost of installing a renewable energy system. Focus on Energy is one such program, and a federal program currently gives a 30 percent tax credit on renewable energy systems.

Sustainability in

the details

Two other subcontractors provided valuable components to making the house eco-friendly, Scott notes.

Timothy Tripp of Marshfield, owner of T2 Techniques, constructed interior walls of earth clay, a surface that “breathes,” Scott says. “It self-adjusts to the humidity in the room – if there’s too much, it absorbs it; too little, and it releases it. It’s a natural material that requires no maintenance. It won’t shrink or crack. Think of a clay pot before it goes into the kiln. If there’s a dent, you just apply a little water and smooth it out.”

The walls are covered in a natural, soy-based paint, Scott points out. “We chose an acacia color, to capture the look of wild rice on the river in August.”

The floors are Brazilian hardwood, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified, guaranteeing the wood comes from forests that are sustainably managed.

One of the most unique features of the house resides in the bathroom: a molded concrete counter designed by Rich McAllister of Tomahawk, owner of Custom Concrete Innovations. The counter, custom-designed for the space, adds the artistic flourish of a curved broken-stone edge.

“This is solid, high-performance counter, not to be compared with the kind of concrete you see in a sidewalk,” McAllister explains. “I started my business in 2006 after falling in love with the look and versatility of concrete. You can do just about any kind of look with it. This counter is stained to give it an old-world look. I use diamond polishing equipment that allows me to give any surface up to a 3,000-level polish — a very high shine. This one is finished at about 800.”

About 50 percent of the counter consists of recycled glass produced by Glass Plus, another Tomahawk company. “The counter also uses CSA — calcium sulfate aluminate – as the glue factor,” McAllister says.

“CSA is very eco-friendly,” he says. “Ordinary Portland Cement is fired at 2,700 degrees to create the clinker, or the big ball, which you grind up. The ball comes out really hard. When you use CSA, you fire at only 2,000 degrees and you produce a softer, cleaner clinker. The grinding takes much less energy, amounting to a 62-percent savings in CO2 greenhouse emissions.”

‘Green’ vs. Sustainable

Charlie Sauter bristles at the word “green.”

“This has become a hot-button word for me,” he says. “It’s become a ploy, used by advertising to sell boutique, expensive up-end products. I prefer the word sustainable, because it implies a long-term relationship with the product. Sustainability is about how a homeowner can make decisions based on using less energy and recycling resources, like water.”

Sauter says it’s a misconception that a house constructed for energy efficiency is more expensive.

“A home like Scott’s and Ann’s exemplifies the practical, economical side to sustainability,” Sauter says. “You design a floor plan and you heat the house according to efficiency, and later, down the road, you can always add on things, like solar thermal and photovoltaics. The basics do not have to cost a lot.”

Information about state and federal renewable energyprograms can be found atwww.focusonenergy.com.

Students and Glue

2010-02-26T21:41:00.002-06:00

With apologies for the lack of posts, it seems as though the closer we get to moving in, the more there is to do.

On top of that, on Tuesday we hosted a couple of classes from Nicolet Technical College as well as some teachers and administrators who also attended.

Here Charlie dazzles the group with his display of the most minute detail using the most grandiose of hand gestures (or is he reaching for the food?).

The next day when Ann asked one of her students who attended what he came away with he said, "You're contractor really loves his work!"

Before the session began, Sarah Juon, from the local astonisher, errr, Rhinelander Daily News interviewed the key players in this venture and an article is to appear this weekend.

We'll keep you (ahem) posted here.

Also in the houth newth (that's house news for the unitiated. I gueth it should be altho in the houth newth . . .

Bob put his finishing masterful touches on the stairs.

The downside of this event is that we can't walk on them for 24 hours because the glue needs to set.

As a result we must go outside to go downstairs. And the outside slope looks and feels like a candidate for the luge at the next Winter Olympics (Potential theme: Hodags on Ice).

And, oh yes, in solar news, the panels were cranking out 150 degree heat today, another bright sunny beautiful day in the Northwoods. Take THAT power company!

This is How Tim Does It

2010-02-21T21:19:00.005-06:00

Over and over and over and over and . . .

Tubes and Wires and Clay and Stain and Varnish

2010-02-21T19:32:00.006-06:00

Quite a weekend of activity here in our little corner of the world.

Tim, from T2 Technologies, was finishing up the erthclay walls.

After claiming victory over staining, I found myself, well, staining.

And a thermonuclear device was installed in the basement.

Perhaps some further explanation is in order.

The solar panels on the roof have been waiting for a storage tank to appear and be installed. The stainless steel heat storage tank was manufactured in town, but took just a little longer than expected. But it arrived on Saturday. Here Marc and Jason struggle with the beast, . . .

. . .get it down to the basement,

. . .hook all sorts of pipes, and pumps and wires and meters to it with lots of colorful arrows going various directions, . . .

and pour a glycol mixture into the system . . .

(at least I hope it's glycol)

. . . check to see if it sprung any leaks and then check the readout to see what temperature the panels were producing on a late February hazy afternoon.

90 degrees!

But the real test was going to be today (Sunday) when the stainless steel tank will be filled with water (which retains the heat).

So this morning I got there a little early to do some staining (did I mention that I have been doing some staining and varnishing?) I just can't live without it.

And at about 9:30 the sun was just peeking over the nearby treetops despite the fact that it had been up since about 6:30.

And the westernmost panels were just thawing out,

And by the time we returned (30 minutes later), the temperature gauge read

about 110!!!!!! Marc stopped his pacing and, like a new father, breathed a sigh of relief.

And then the fun started.

I don't know all that this little doodad does, but I know that the power is on and the pump is running.

I think the numbers mean the following:

COL is collector, the temperature in the panels; STO is storage, the temperature in the nuclear, errrr stainless steel tank; PKH means Phukat Kim Han, former Cambodian Prime Minister and PKL was the general who overthrew him in a coup between 51.3 and 63.4 years ago.

So now this corner of the basement looks like something out of Willie Wonka.

All of that learning and attempts at understanding tuckered Emma and me out, so we went out to relax.

Doesn't Emma look relaxed? I didn't think so either.

Did I mention I was staining?

Here I examine the intricacies of opening a jar of something or other, maybe aresenic.

And Tim finished the walls and they look mahvelous. We even talked him into putting his initials on the Sisteen Chapel.

This wall contains the colors of the marsh when the wild rice is ready to pick.

Did you notice the little hints of autumn near the top? Here's a closer look.

The color of the wall and its texture change with the light (and with the camera settings).

And still with the staining.

Light Rail

2010-02-17T20:36:00.003-06:00

Each time we visit the house we find something newly completed or something new that we had not noticed before. Today it was both.

We love how the light plays across the walls, highlighting patterns and creating new ones as the sun moves (yes, I know the earth rotates--at least that's what I've been told) and the seasons change.

And this from the front door.

To me it sort of looks like those space ships from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Well, you may have to use your imagination a little bit.

And squint.

A lot.

Or all of the above.

But on to matters more down to earth.

Bob is busy making and installing the staircase railing. I must admit that I look at some of the stuff he does and just marvel.

If I would have been responsible for this we either would have the wobbliest hand rail in construction history.

Or I would have driven a spike to the core of the earth in hopes that would hold.

But the plain fact is that Bob installed these plates on the ledge, used an accompanying tapered screw on the underside of the post and tapped it into place tightening as it goes.

Ingenious!

Highs and Lows

2010-02-12T20:25:00.002-06:00

First the highs. Charlie and his family were over at the house late yesterday afternoon. They brought with them their kids, Emma (yes, confusion reigned) and Aaron--both wonderful children. They also brought with them their pet Samoyed, Moishe.

As you can see, Emma (the dog, not the daughter) played big sister to her new white friend . . .

. . . all the time keeping a watchful eye in case of competitiveness.

They also brought with them, Jeff Rennicke, an instructor, a writer, and a photographer, all of which he conducts with some fair renown--working for various publications, including Backpacker, and National Geographic Traveler. Some of his work can be seen here and here.

Charlie and Denise are having a television commercial produced promoting their construction business and announcing the opening of their new office in Boulder Junction. And Jef took scads of pictures in and around the house. I caught a glimpse of one of his shots on his viewfinder and I'm now hesitant to post any of my photos here. OK, I'm over that now. But his stuff is really good and I'm so looking forward to seeing the results.

So now the lows. Today was to have been appliance delivery and installation day. And it started out quite well. The guys from Jensen Akins arrived in plenty of time and went about their business methodically and professionally.

The washer and drier got put in in short order as well as the mini-fridge in the guest room. Then problems arose. It turns out that my special friends from the gas installation (more on that later, much more) did not install a shut off valve on any of the gas lines. To hook up the stove with out a shut off would have been illegal. So it's sort of half sitting as if it's about to be installed but isn't about to be installed.

And the refrigerator is hooked up, but not installed because the opening is too tight. And the microwave came with a dent. Ann tried to talk the guys into leaving it, but they would have none of that and left with it.

In mourning, we drove to Wausau to pick up some light fixtures that Ann had ordered, looked at some cafe tables/pub tables/bistro tables and headed back to our rental disappointed.

Big and Little; Walls, Doors and Drawers

2010-02-09T17:59:00.003-06:00

Sunday and today the place was humming with activity. Let me restate that. Today the place was humming with activity. Sunday it was yawning with activity for the amateurs were at work. Let me rephrase that. The amateurs were in the house.

And they were putting up knobs and drawer pulls. If you promise not to get out your micrometers, I'll show you a picture of our handiwork. Let me rephrase that. Our accomplishments.

Promise?

OK.

Here's a pretty boss picture and I think it's OK to take a micrometer to these two.

But those little swirly lines didn't make it any too easy.

And here's a picture of our cute little dishwasher. In case you're wondering, yes, indeed, we paid extra for 'cute.'

I must say, though, that it is quite groovy. The front will have a matching cherry face and all the controls are on the top of the drawer itself.

And here are Tim and Jason hard at work on the orange wall.

Let me rephrase that. Here are Tim and Jason hard at work on the orange wall . . .

. . . until Charlie walks in the front door.

It's about 6:30 as I write this and Tim is still working feverishly to have the walls dry out. Fans are humming and windows are open, but it will take some time I'm sure.

Charlie took a cfm measurement. Someday I'll take that seriously and look up what it means. The short version is this. It's how tight a house is as measured by covering an exterior door and blowing a fan in (or out?) to measure the resistance to air flow. As Emma and I were departing Charlie said they were hoping for over 400.

As soon as I know, you'll know.

I wish I could have stayed, but I had a meeting with the Paper Company. (Details forthcoming at Northpith.)

Water's On! (And Just in Time)

2010-02-04T17:13:00.003-06:00

An explanation after the following update from last night--

The counter top that Dan was working on is complete and the back splash is ready for grout.

And on the opposite side, the stove is ready for insertion.

The island stands ready for someone to lean on it.

And/or to pour drinks from.

And the window sill is ready for an herb garden.

But the big news of the day is that Marc the Plumber has notified us that the water is hooked up and ready to go. This news comes just in time for two reasons: (1) since my upper respiratory infection (as they say in medical circles), I haven't taken a shower since Monday. I have noticed lately that people tend to back away from me when I talk. My olfactory sense must be failing me as well.

But more importantly (2) WE'VE BEEN EVICTED! This is very surprising and not particularly unpleasant notice was given to Ann attending a wake for a mutual friend. Our landlord sold this dump errr place much to our amazement. I think I can hear bulldozers idling as I key this in. We have to be out by March 19. When notified of our eviction to the guy whose house 4774 currently belongs, Bob the Builder, in his outspoken and extremely expressive manner, said, 'No problem.'

So running water and a date by which we have to be in. It's quite heady.

Bob will be working tomorrow on finishing up a couple of things. Tim is coming next week to finish the walls and the appliances should be hooked up by next Friday.

I think it's going to be a hootenanny.

This, That and the Other (Part 16)

2010-02-03T15:25:00.004-06:00

Sorry for the lack of posts of late. The Pith (pither?) came down with something akin to a viral infection somewhere between the common cold and the screaming mung, depending upon the hour. Back to virtually normal (whatever that is), we can now continue to see what's going on in the rest of our little corner of the world.

The house building is plugging along splendidly with major progress on the molding, the plumbing and counter tops.

Here's the back of Dan working on the counters between the refrigerator on the left, and the butcher block on the right. Dan's finishing the tile work as Perry is on a plane to Hollywood, CA, tomorrow for an annual SuperBowl party. Perry estimates that the temperature will be in the 70's and neither expected, nor received any sympathy from the rest of us.

And here's the opposite side of the kitchen. The sink and faucet are in as is the dishwasher on the right. We went with a Fisher and Paykel single drawer dishwasher (details here). We were sold on the small size, the customizable interior, the small water usage, and the matching cabinet doors that will be used. On top of all that, the sales guy said that during a conference they put a whole carrot cake in the dishwasher and by the time the meeting was over, the cake plate was clean and no one even heard the machine running. (He didn't say, however, that the meeting was to evaluate rock bands.)

The vanity in the guest bath is in place along with its faucet.

And the vanity and toilet are in place in the upstairs powder room/charging station.

You may have noticed how small the tank is on the toilet. Here's why. It's a dual flush with a button on the top of its tank.

One button, presumably the smaller one, is for (ahem) #1 and will use considerably less water, and the larger button is for larger deposits from my brothers. We have also tripled the size of the septic system in anticipation of their visits.

Patterns are developing on the exterior as well.

And critter tracks are evident on the river.

We may have some rather exciting news coming soon. Our builder has been discovered by various media outlets due to the opening of his office in Boulder Junction. And word has spread about our future home.

The local news outlet plans to do a feature and well as a super double secret trade mag. On top of all that a couple of the classes at Nicolet Technical College, where Ann works, will be visiting February 22. Various contributors to the construction will be there to discuss environmentally sound construction practices.

The Pith plans on being in attendance and nodding knowingly.

No Weekend Rest

2010-01-30T21:17:00.002-06:00

Ann took the camera over to the house this evening to get a few samples of the progress being made. Perry and Dan were there most of the day to work on the counter tops in the kitchen. Pictured below, the counter tops for the dishwasher, sink and stove (r to l) are forming up.

A closer look reveals some of the detail.

And the backsplash in the master bath is now complete.

One of those Flurry Days (and I Don't Mean Outside)

2010-01-28T17:15:00.003-06:00

From this:

To this:

Virtually overnight.

Here's how it happened:

Dennis steadies the cross beam while Jay (l) and Bob (r) position the vertical posts.

Jay and Bob attach the beams to the island.

Dennis, once again, does the heavy lifting while Jay and Bob get ready to screw the third cross beam into place.

Jay tightens things up and makes certain they're square. Marc flashes gang signs to Perry.

In other news, the powder room vanity made its way into the powder room.

And the guest vanity is in place.

And stuff is going on outside too. It's really cold.

So let the countdown begin! Here's ten, make that eleven, nope twelve, OK, a baker's dozen things needed to complete the job. (We have to count up before we count down.)

In no particular order, they are:

13. Cabinets from original house re-installed.

12. Gas fireplace installed. (late February)

11. Molding installed.

10. Stairs and railing installed.

9. Plumbing fixtures installed.

8. Appliances delivered and installed. (February 20 plus or minus)

7. Flooring completed.

6. Countertops installed. (by February 3)

5. Electric fixtures installed.

4. Glass installed in deck railings.

3. Ground floor ceiling installed.

2. Solar tank installed. (mid-February)

1. Erth clay walls finished. (mid-February)

And about a hundred different little things that I'm not counting. That sounds like a lot of work and it is, but it feels a lot closer to being done than it did last week.

Productive Weekend

2010-01-24T21:55:00.003-06:00

A little better view of the front door.

An unretouched picture of the living room floor. I can't get over how unusual this came out--the photo, not the floor.

The vanity in the bathroom is installed, well mostly.

And I may be wrong but I think our staining days are over. And even if they aren't, I'm CLAIMING VICTORY (CV)!

ps--It's the grubbiest, grungiest sweatshirt I could find.

More Pre-finishing Touches

2010-01-20T20:32:00.004-06:00

Ann proudly stands by the front door she selected. Looking at the design one might discern a pattern developing. (Don't make me hit you over the head with it. I'm feeling owlly today after the Mass election results. In truth it wasn't the results as much as the gloating at the gym today by those lesser representatives of the 'Y' chromosone.)

The screen porch now has all its screen frames in place. (I'm beginning to think that those dust spots are on my lens. Duh.)

The guest bath on the main floor looks ready for action--almost.

Tracks are Out and About

2010-01-19T17:49:00.004-06:00

The snow offers observers a chance to see what kind of critters are out and about. But it also provides designs from wind whipped branches.

I almost forgot. We're tracking a house building project here.
And look what's (ahem) afoot here. Deck railings are installed. The design is reflected in the windows of the screen porch.

Inside and Outside

2010-01-17T15:38:00.002-06:00

The tile is about half installed in the guest bathroom.

And this is the progress in the Master Bedroom.
The melting snow cascades off the garage.
An otter, possibly a female looking to 'den up' leaves its tracks on the river and marsh. It looks like it's making a temporary home under the pier.

Posts A'Poppin'

2010-01-14T16:34:00.002-06:00

Not exactly Iwo Jima, but it's importance for us is, shall we say, huge. The first of the beams has been placed through no small effort from Dennis (l), Jay (center) and Bob (flag planter).

Dennis and Bob put the finishing touches on the mast, also known as the cat post.

And what does Emma do during all this activity? Waits WITH HER NEW FRIEND, BUDDY!

Buddy is Perry's dog. He's 14 and a half, which is about 1289 human years. Buddy's a combination of about 23 dogs and is a sweet old guy. Emma agrees.

The post downstairs is stained as Perry works on the guest bath.

First Floor

2010-01-14T14:30:00.004-06:00

Nice to see the guys back. They've been working on another job since just before Christmas. But they're back at work on the homestead doing their usual great job. Here Jay begins laying the MBR floor.

Another Day; Another Step Toward Completion

2010-01-14T07:46:00.004-06:00

We received a photo of the master bathroom sink from our local manufacturer, which we understand will be installed this weekend. The countertop is made up of at least 70% recycled content. (Rich tells us that when people view some of his products, they often recognize the pieces of glass that he has scrounged from the Oneida County Landfill. We anticipate seeing our former wine bottles.)

In keeping with the fact that everyone around here has at least two jobs, Rich does these things on the side. See his website at customconcreteinnovations.com or click here.

In his other life he works at the local paper company where he is a union rep. (My kind of guy.)

In any case what you might see taking place is our disinterest in resale value. Our plans are to stay in this house forever and we're designing it in a way that pleases us. Any criticisms will be met with demands for partial mortgage payments (or full mortgage payments if the criticism is severe).

Palpable Progress

2010-01-12T16:53:00.002-06:00

After a brief respite from 'all house all the time', we were back at it today and arrived to these shots, some continuation of last week's and some shots of last week's accomplishments.

The screen porch off the master bedroom is taking shape.

And the ground floor floor nears its finishing wax and buff.

The master bath tiling is almost finished now.

Screen porch from the outside.

And interior.

Outside, nature works its wonders on the roof.

Into a Corner

2010-01-07T14:56:00.002-06:00

Our diligent and determined floor staining crew perfectly planned her escape route . . .

. . . which is easy egress up the staircase despite the pathway of drips to her application spot.

She claims victory!

Today's Progress (Well, some of it anyway)

2010-01-06T17:36:00.002-06:00

This is a shot from the bottom of the stairs looking toward the guest kitchenette and bath. I include this to show the floor stain that Ann has applied. Another coat will cover tomorrow and, after six hours, the first sealer coat.

But I also include it to show, once again, the particulates in the air that the flash has picked up. I think our lungs will be sprouting something in the days ahead.

Either that or I missed the indoor snowfall today.

A look from the bath out to the bedroom upstairs.
And back. As you can see the glass block is done along with 90% of the tile work.

Holidays Over; Back to Work

2010-01-04T17:17:00.002-06:00

A flurry of activity today and for the rest of the week it appears.

First, some more cabinetry was delivered including the vanity base for the master bath. It was temporarily placed in the bedroom where it became a convenient place to stack stained tongue and groove for the screen porch.

The bath itself is proceeding at a good clip thanks to Todd (aka Sleepy).

Meet Perry (Anything but Sleepy) who owns, operates and is CEO of Junkermann North. See their website here. One of the great things about this project is meeting local characters. Perry came through for us in a pinch and I'd like to think we came through for him as well.

And here's Dan and his assistant whom we stole from Perry (Dan, that is) to stain the concrete in the ground floor. His assistant was roped into duty whilst napping.

Big day tomorrow as the stain goes down!

Slogging Along

2010-01-03T18:18:00.002-06:00

The master bathroom is taking shape with the tile about 70% done and the glass block about 15% done.

Staining and varnishing? We think we've now got the upper hand. Of course the upper hand is full of stain and varnish and we are awaiting the next shipment of wood, but everyday we do a little more and the end is in sight.

And through it all, Emma waits and waits.

Nuts and Bolts (and Therms and Kilowatts)

2009-12-30T10:03:00.003-06:00

We have had some big days here at Houthpith--days with workers swarming everywhere jabberjawing at one another; days with gigantic, noisy machines doing huge things; days where the progress on the house is readily observable, and days where something cool was installed.

And I must confess here and now that, while I have been involved in the house design, Charlie and Ann have done the heavy lifting.

And I also must confess that the nuts and bolts of the place are what intrigue me most, even if I don't understand it all (see any entry on the heating system). And it's nice to plan to implement something in theory that will work. I say 'in theory' here because while others may have experience in these matters, I don't.

So this is a long way of saying that one of those theories, namely heat retention, has produced objective results.

The bill for gas and electric has arrived for the dates from November 17 to December 17. Last year we spent approximately $525 on propane and $212 for electric for a total of $737, for the same time period.

This year we had some windows partially open, some doors that blew open overnight, compressors, and saws, and things operating--not to mention the heating of the chicken coop with heat lamps and space heaters.

And while the solar panels are installed, they are not yet connected.

And the monthly bill for both gas and electric came to--get this--$171.

To quote Meriwether Lewis (or was it Clark?)--"O the Joy!"

Bathroom Floor Down . . .

2009-12-27T17:49:00.001-06:00

. . . and lots of staining and varnishing got done.

A Traditional Christmas

2009-12-25T15:28:00.002-06:00

As you are no doubt aware, we are staunch conservatives around here and traditionalists as well.

And we spent Christmas in the traditional way--by staining and varnishing.

What did you say? Not traditional! We differ.

It turns out that recent research has ever so slightly altered the story of the birth of Jesus. Yes, Mary and Joseph spent the night in a stable, but not because there was no room left in the inn.

It was because inside the inn, they were staining and varnishing, and Mary, being large with child, could not stand the fumes.

When we discovered that our favorite past time was part of the birth of Jesus, we just had to go over and celebrate. And celebrate we did, recognizing the important event over and over and over for almost 5 straight hours.

We are exhausted now and looking for a stable ourselves.

The 100th Post!

2009-12-22T20:32:00.002-06:00

It's hard to believe that we have posted 100 of these rambling benedictions. It can only mean one of two things, or probably both.

One, we are getting close to completion (relatively speaking), and/or two, you, faithful reader have been bestowed with inordinate patience.

To give credence to the 'getting close' part, the entryway tile has been laid and extends into the hall closet and the guest bath.

To give credence to the 'inordinate patience', here's Bob, who has a black belt in inordinate patience, precariously perched on a plank perchance to put up window framing.

On, Over, In and Out

2009-12-19T14:50:00.002-06:00

Ah, another beautiful day (25 degrees (Fahrenheit) in the Northwoods allowed Marc and his solar crew up on the roof to insulate pipes and install the DC motor drive. This will derive energy from the sun to pump the liquid through the pipes in the panel downstairs to the heat storage device.

Inside, where it's toasty warm the varnishing crew is hard at work. (NOTE: Fingernails intact and remain unharmed.)
And just where's Emma? Waiting, waiting waiting. Oh, by the way, the garage door is up.

Interior-A-Go-Go

2009-12-16T17:39:00.003-06:00

These are a portion of the bath tiles.
This is the tile for the front entry (I think).
Perry, the tile guy, is getting the DuRock in and lining up the plan for the glass block.
With the tile and all the associated equipment, plus the soundproofing going in downstairs, plus the finish carpentry, plus the staining and varnishing, the upshot is that we are all sort of running into and over one another around here . . .
. . . and it's going to take a little sorting out.

Frank Lloyd Wright Would be Proud (or Horrified)

2009-12-13T17:13:00.004-06:00

An explanation for the paucity of posts of late is in order.

The short story is, it's our fault.

The longer version is that we bit off much, much more than we could chew with this staining and varnishing.

We have hit the varnishing wall so many times that our foreheads are bruised. So the guys started another job while waiting for us to finish.

We have decided to plug along as best we can while looking for a professional stainer/varnisher type to complete the work.

I didn't think pictures of us banging our heads against the wall would be particularly interesting, nor would actual pictures of us varnishing.

But today some additional action occurred!

Meet Matt.

Matt is putting in the base cedar tree trunk and the platforms to hold the . . .

. . . OK, I don't know what to call it. I've been calling it the 'Twig Thing'. But as Brian reminds others, that only shows that I don't know what it is.

Matt called it a 'Thicket', which I sort of like too.

The idea is that a placement of tree limbs in various layouts will grace the top of the ground floor wall, providing guests with some privacy while also allowing for a connection to the outdoors.

Frank Lloyd Wright, the originator or 'Organic Architecture' in the early 20th Century, created a belief that attempted to bring the outdoors into his buildings. He was so fanatical about it that when a client complained of a leaky roof, he convinced them that that was a necessary by-product of his architectural style.

I think I draw the line at leaky roofs and openings to the outside, but can deal with a 'Twig Thing.'

Oh, my gosh! Everywhere we look there are boards to varnish.

Accident Reconstruction

2009-12-01T16:35:00.004-06:00

It'a difficult to understand all the hoohah over Tiger Woods, when my dear wife was caught in a life struggle at our (temporary) finger chewing garage door.

Heroically cradling four eggs in her left hand, her right hand became caught in the maw of this beast.

Note the claw marks on the steel framed door. Her valiant attempt to free herself while preserving the four brown eggs rivals Tiger Woods' wife's heroic attempt to free him from his disabled vehicle.

Ann's superpowers allow her fingers to do some damage to the garage door, cratering the panels above and below her hand.

But the eggs; oh, the eggs survived giving testimony to her bravery and determination.

S and V

2009-11-29T21:06:00.002-06:00

So what have we been doing since, oh, I don't know, since we graduated from college almost 40 years ago? Staining. Staining. And even more staining. Oh, and varnishing. Varnishing. Varnishing. And even more varnishing.

And we're not even done staining or varnishing.

Ann has even varnished after she should have filed a Worker's Comp Claim. Last night after getting home after dark from, you guessed it, varnishing, she parked the Gator in the garage. She collected four eggs on the way back and was gingerly cradling them in her left hand. In her right she closed the garage door.

Since the garage door, like everything else around here, doesn't work as it has no handle, she grabbed the opening between two upper panels and proceeded to pull the door closed.

Unfortunately, she forgot to remove her hand before the opening between the panels became non-existant leaving her fingers squished.

If it hadn't been so painful, it might have been funny.

12 hours in a cold pack helped with the pain. The picture remains.

(Editor's Note: She tells me this evening that she looked at the door and swore she could see where her fingers indented the panels.) Photos tomorrow.

Luci, You Got Some Staining to Do

2009-11-28T16:17:00.003-06:00

Yes, we have lollygagged, footdragged and whined enough.

We have some staining to do--a whole lotta staining to do. We were even going to stain on Thanksgiving morning, but our lollygagging overtook us then as well. But yesterday and today we have been machines.

Ann varnishes (two coats with a light sanding in between) upstairs in the bedroom previously stained boards (pictures tomorrow). Pith Boy works on fresh boards downstairs.

The stain, as reported earlier, is sweet citrussy smelling. Well, that's outdoors. Indoors it's like getting squirted in the eye with a combination of lemon juice and battery acid. Plus it makes my nose run. This is in keeping with our organic approach to house building but does not reflect well upon the outcome, at least as far as the boards are concerned.

We will be running at the nose for the forseeable future.

In other news we made a major shift in who's going to do the tile. At this moment we have no one, but hope to have an installer by early next week.

In the meantime we'll be astaining.

Happy Thanksgiving to You, Dear Reader

2009-11-26T13:19:00.002-06:00

One of the (many) challenges of building a tight, environmentally conservative house is what to do with air circulation. The solution is Fantech, a heat and energy recovery ventilator. This unit will provide fresh air year 'round without the concommitant loss of heat.

The beige unit is against the wall and the tube above it is connected to the bathroom, I believe, where the stinkiest air resides. Vegetation will be a challenge to grow near the exhaust.

The system is filtered and will require a little maintenance so I will be returning for college credits to be able to live in this house.

Last week I was doing some staining in the basement when a dust pan tipped over on the floor above me. The explosive sound seemed as though a duck hunter shot its prey in the living room.

So we asked Charlie to explore soundproofing the basement. The guys are prepared to do this themselves instead of calling back the insulation team.

Exterior near completion

2009-11-25T14:36:00.003-06:00

The exterior of the house is quickly coming to completion. And just in time too. The last three days up here have been dreary and drizzly.

It is November after all, late November at that. And I guess we have to face the music eventually. But it's still depressing to see cars with their headlights on at 1 pm.

Jay and Dennis finished the stone work yesterday.

And today they're working on the front deck . . .
. . . while I sit inside all cozy and warm.

When They Leave the Theater, They Won't Be Humming the Lighting

2009-11-24T14:25:00.002-06:00

Meet Brian.

Brian owns Neblock Electric in a town we call (up in these parts at least) Lando, short for Land O' Lakes.

Brian is the unsung hero of this operation as he has received very little (if any) mention on this site. But his contribution is substantial. He's installing the nerve center of the place from electric to audio to cable to satellite to phone. We should be ready for just about anything, including wireless.

We're very glad Brian's contributing to the house project.

Brian's real love is music, well, after his wife of course. He plays lead guitar in the JoJo Marsh
Band. Check out their website by clicking here. And see them in action here.

Cutting and Laying Stone

2009-11-23T21:22:00.002-06:00

As with all major projects, there are fits and starts and this one is no exception. The stone for the exterior was ordered correctly, but somewhere along the way the corner pieces got mixed with the straight across pieces. So when it came time to do the corners, not enough corner pieces were available.

So that all got rectified over the weekend and Jay set to work on the two exterior corners on the water side of the house.

With winter predicted to finally arrive on Wednesday, the guys hustled to get the stone up before then.

Jay has had experience in this kind of work, but not this specific product. He says it's easy to work with.

But the work is quite detailed.

Sol is Our New Special Friend

2009-11-20T16:55:00.003-06:00

From across the way.

All the solar panels are up!

They're not only looking good, but the guys said that they could feel the panels warm up in the sun. Kindly note that even on a late November day, the shadows from the trees still don't touch the panels.

And what's going to provide the electricity to run the pumps to heat the water which heats the house? If you guessed another solar panel, you guessed correctly. Here, Marc holds a 40w panel that will be installed on the far left of the array to do just that.

No Sun Today; Solar Panels Go Up

2009-11-19T17:47:00.004-06:00

What does Emma do while construction goes on (look closely)?

She waits. Oh, she also greets and sleeps, occasionally she digs and sleeps. But mostly she waits. What a sweet dog.

What is she waiting for?

Today she was waiting for me to get done taking pics of the solar panel guys.

Weather wise it was London today. Dreary and cold, not exactly an ideal time for solar panels to go up (one would think). But the key criteria, as Marc pointed out, was that the winds were calm.

Four up today; four tomorrow.

The Heat is On (Sung to the tune of The Heat is On)

2009-11-18T18:19:00.003-06:00

As Emma and I were rounding out of the final turn this morning, we noticed a light colored smoke coming from the back of the house. At first I thought Jay was cutting stone, but as we drew closer it was clear that something else was afoot.

Could it be? Exhaust heat? Yup the boiler is boiling and radiant floors are radiatin'. And even better the boiler is virtually noiseless.

I decided to stay all day and stain. (Is this what they mean by suSTAINability?)

And not only the floors proved wonderful, but Bob is busy installing the kitchen cabs, so that the cabinets are . . . uhhh cabbing?

In and Out; Up and Down

2009-11-17T18:41:00.002-06:00

As you may be able to tell from the following images, we are in the midst of yet another stretch of spectacular weather. The thermometer dives into the 20's overnight, but comes back to 50 plus during the day.

Pictured below, Marc from SDK Solar readies the roof for the panels.

In the front of the house the deck railings are being prepared. Jay looks askance at the photographer to ensure that he follows his 'no butt crack' policy--that is, when it comes to photos. When it comes to evenings around the house, all bets are off.

The dappled sunlight plays upon the building's exterior.

And inside the cabinets are being installed. Here is the guest kitchen. To the right will go a small refrigerator for guests. When my brothers visit they may need something with a little more substance.

Comin' Together

2009-11-13T16:10:00.002-06:00

The inclusion of the stone on the bumpout not only completes its exterior look, it seems to pull all the colors together.

And the porch corner column gives it some height.

Inside the kitchen cabinets have been delivered and the walls have received their initial covering.

The Beauty Part

2009-11-09T21:10:00.000-06:00

The long awaited treatment for the walls begins this week. Here's Tim from T2Technologies applying something to kill bugs I think. Or maybe trying to grow plants. I interrupted his assault with about 26 questions about those stilts.

For those of similar spirit, . . .

. . .Yes, they're easy to learn.

. . .Walking on stilts is like riding a bike.

. . .No, he hasn't fallen to the ground, but has knocked up against a wall. (NOTE: Two seconds after answering that question, he stumbled but didn't fall.)

. . .No, he doesn't moonlight in parades.

And the early glimpses of his work whet our appetites for more.

Outside the weather has been nothing short of spectacular as you can see by the sky in this shot. Jay and Dennis finish up the stucco outside and soon will begin the last external siding application, stone.

Stain Alive

2009-11-09T21:01:00.000-06:00

Over the weekend the Tom Sawyeresque staining crew was hard at work diligently applying the stain everywhere they could (and some places they weren't supposed to!).

Oh Pith has mentioned the name of this stain before, but feels as though it is worth another mention because it is so easy to work with and oh, by the way, sweet smelling.

It's Timber Ox Green and here's their website. For you Illinoisans, they have a store in Libertyville.

Below one of their proponents applies stain on the ground floor windows.

Even More Improvements

2009-11-05T16:17:00.000-06:00

The latest (and final?) change to the windows facing the marsh has been installed and I must say, it looks stunning, both from inside and out.

Jay (l) and Dennis (r) continue their assault on the cedar siding, which if I may be allowed also looks grand. We are very fortunate to have such great builders working on our house.

I tiptoed out on the former catwalk to take a shot down its length. We have been assigned to stain the decking this weekend so it should be traversable Monday.

Yes, Tom Sawyer and his staining gang will be hard at work this weekend putting the finishing touches on the windows and putting the beginning touches on the decking and the jamb extensions. (I don't know what those last things are but it sounds like a great name for a rock band.

Out and In

2009-11-04T16:14:00.000-06:00

I have finally had it with my camera, a Canon, after they refused to honor the warranty because it was purchased on eBay (through an eBay store I might add). I'll save that discussion with them for another day, but in the meantime Ann purchased a new one for my birthday.

Here it is. In addition to the 8x optical zoom, image stabilization and Leica lens, I picked this because it was shockproof when dropped from 5 feet (Linda please note) and can take pics underwater (up to 10 feet.) St. Croix here we come!

But it also allowed me to catch up on the house progress. The interior ceiling is now painted and the Erthclay walls will be going up next week.

You may be sick, by now, of hearing about this from thith writer, but he doesn't care. You'll hear some more and like it.

The living room wall that meets the eye at the entrance will be an attempt to duplicate the color and shape (although impressionistically) of wild rice in August. The other walls including the kitchen will be acacia, the color of rice about now. The bedroom will feature an adobe/sierra/siena look and the bath will be some other color that has a funny name.

Tim from T2Techniques will be spending the week applying these ideas.

But much has also been accomplished outside.

Here's a snap of the 'back side' of the house (facing north). It shows the screen porch on the left and the deck for the hot tub in the center of the frame. To the right the remnants of Scott's futile efforts to thwarts squirrels remain.

By the way, when Dennis was excavating for the deck posts he uncovered a drainage tile that was packed solid with sunflower seeds.

Ann holds up a stone sample that will be installed some time next week (weather permitting.)

A little closer look at the deck and exterior wall.

Staging

2009-11-03T14:19:00.001-06:00

All of the time spent planning, predicting, ordering and delivering pays off handsomely when building a house.

Stuff that arrives late or incomplete or misordered means doing the two steps forward, one step back shuffle. Because of a number of things, that has not occurred here. Or if it has it's impossible to notice. And that's because things continue to plug along swimmingly.

Here's a case on this point. Ann wanted a special paint for the ceiling on the main floor and the walls on the ground floor. The drywall guy was going to just do the standard apartment manager's off white color. The new color was going to take a couple extra days to get ready from a store in Antigo--The Green Design Center (click here for their web site).

The store and the painter worked together to get all the products together and at the house as soon as the painter was ready to roll.

So the interior is being primed today, painted tomorrow. And the Erthclay will be delivered tomorrow as well as a visit from the installer to receive the product. And the progress is not limited to the interior.

Jay is busy doing prep for the stone work which should begin on Thursday. And below Dennis and Bob have built the deck for the hot tub and are now installing the vertical cedar that was so expertly stained.

You might also note the supports on the roof which will receive the solar panels sometime in the next week or two.

Our (Current) Digs

2009-11-02T09:23:00.000-06:00

You, faithful reader, have been subject to many things in this space. And if you have had the misfortune of hearing directly from the Pith, you have no doubt been regaled with all the deficiencies, quirks, and inconveniences from living in our temporary quarters.

There is one member of our little family who is thrilled to be here.

In the past Luna could only look longingly through the screen door to the bird room. Sometimes she longed for hours.

In our temporary digs here, the bird cage is readily available and accessible. The birds, much to her chagrin, are not.

That does not prevent her from looking longingly at them or even finding a new perch to get a 'bird's eye' view.

She will no doubt be the only one disappointed when we move back (sometime this winter).

Making Hay While the Sun Shines . . .

2009-10-29T22:28:00.000-05:00

. . . more like doing the outside stuff while the temperature is above freezing. There's stucco to finish, nailing up cedar, and putting up the rock that is to arrive tomorrow.

The Durock is ready to receive it and, I'm not going to miss that pink around the base of the house.

The sand at the east end of the house has been moved about 23 times I believe.

The wood surrounding the front door is in place.

Bees or Locusts?

2009-10-26T16:38:00.000-05:00

I'd say that the house witnessed a beehive of activity today. The roofers swarmed all over the roof. Mark the Plumber was doing his magic. Bob and Jay and Dennis continued their assault on the work.

But the locusts, errrrr roofers dominated the scene and everyone else including this writer walked gingerly around them. Clearly they had worked together for a long time as insults, barbs, teases and trash talking occurred frequently. I thought I was at one of our family gatherings for a minute.

Without attempting to enter into the GAF vs. Certainteed debate, we chose GAF for the quality of the installer and the warranty, which is 20 years material and labor for virtually any reason.

Charlie chose Northwoods Roofing and Construction to do the install. I spent a little time with the owner, Mike Kegley, who told me how much the roofing industry has changed just in the past few years. He is required now by the state to certify his business and earn continuing education credits. The insurance industry led the push for this and while the adjustment was a little difficult because of paperwork, Mike feels it has resulted in a better product for home builders.

His business has not fallen off (excuse the expression) because of the recession. It turns out that instead of building, most people are fixing up. So he finishes about 200 roofs a year including a little winter slowdown.

Working on the front porch, Dennis and Jay continue nailing up the vertical cedar siding.

The Pith is headed down to Madison and Chicago for the next two days for a quick visit and a sudden turnaround in order to get back by his anniversary. This blog will be barren, which is not much of a change, but will be back in full force by Thursday. Check out North Pith, too, for even more rambling benedictions.

The Latest Poop

2009-10-24T15:54:00.000-05:00

The hookups for the radiant floor heating are installed. I looked (stared) at this system for at least 15 minutes yesterday trying to figure it out. I'm still not certain that I understand it. But I'm certain that Ann had the all-time best reaction to seeing this.

"My, isn't the red pretty?"

Here's a look from the ground floor looking up the staircase. I'm still considering putting the cat box under the stairs, but am given pause when it comes to reaching in and cleaning it out.

The guest room is not ready for guests, but is acting like it.

The staining crew was hard at work again today. (Pics tomorrow). With the heat and lights on it was good to be back and working on something productive. We have a whole lotta staining left to do and just ran out of stain today. So we'll have some shipped next week and bend to it.

The kitchen is going to be laden with beams and these are some big honkin' beams. One of them looks to be about a quarter mile long. So we'll need lots of stain I'm afraid.

Apropos of nothing (except the title): I often was asked to attend conferences in Washington, DC and reported on the discussions.

Once when I returned I was introduced as 'the poop from Washington.'

Mud

2009-10-22T17:08:00.000-05:00

The mystery of the lens spots continues. I cleaned the lens before taking this shot. Still with the 'noise'. And it happens only when the flash is used. I have some other pics taken from the same location without the flash--no spots.

Oh yes, the mudding got mostly done today.
And Ann saw fit to leave her mark.

One Day Drywall; the Next Day HEAT

2009-10-21T19:08:00.000-05:00

From the Master Bedroom to the bath (l) and closet (r).
A peek at both floors.

The little heater in the kitchen area provided a comfortable temperature.

Today the electric company (finally) hooked up the meter allowing for light and heat inside. The insulation guys returned to insulate the ceilings now that the drywall is up. The shingles were delivered and the stone was ordered for the exterior.

Additionally the floor samples arrived; the landscaper made some initial design impressions and some other stuff happened that I have forgotten about because my head's spinning.

It looks like my buddy and I will be doing some interior staining this weekend because some more posts arrived.

It's Drywall cough

2009-10-20T18:02:00.001-05:00

With apologies for the paucity of posts and updates, I beg your indulgence gentle reader (and I do mean you, Dad!) It seems my cameras and I are engaged in a power struggle--literally. For some reason my batteries last about 1/100th of the normal charge. Canon will see to the cause.

In exchange for your understanding I will offer a couple of snaps of a nature bent at the end of this post.

For now, here's the houth news.

Last Friday we arrived to find the drywall being delivered by a machine right out of a science fiction movie. This thing had an arm that could pluck duck hunters out of the marsh in a New York minute. (Hey, that's not a bad use for the thing.)

Of course I didn't have my camera so this enormous event went unrecorded.

But very quickly on Monday the drywallers got busy and a cracked through this stuff like nobody's business.

Here's a shot from the living room looking through the bookcase into the master bedroom. I wasn't aware of all the drywall dust in the room until I downloaded this picture. I will be seeing my doctor tomorrow. I think the longevity of drywallers must be short.

In other news, our solar panel project has been approved by the Wisconsin Focus on Energy program. The program offers $25oo and the federal government will offer a tax credit of 30%. So this makes the idea very affordable. The panels should go up fairly soon so you can look forward to seeing them in a future post.

As you can easily see from the following images, the tamaracks are in their full glory. These wonderful trees will shed their yellow needles soon and will reemerge in the spring with the softest green you can find.

This angle looks north from the rental.

Oh, and here's another drywall shot (in case your lungs are getting too much fresh air) looking toward the dining room.

Mile Posts

2009-10-16T08:41:00.000-05:00

It's funny how some things that are constructed are incremental, putting things together slowly and carefully. And sometimes it's a little taxing to see the progress despite knowing that it's there.

And then there are other things, big things, BIG things that gives one pause.

Sometimes it involves big machines like when the roof trusses were installed.

And sometimes it's when something big, like one of the decks takes shape.

And yet another is when the whole place is dug up, looking like a World War I trench. This is the gas and electric being installed.

The next big thing will be to have heat and electric inside!

2009-10-12T20:56:00.000-05:00

Looking like Han Solo when frozen in carbonite, out handprints are planted in the insulation causing the R value to drop to R-1,298.

The shower base is installed downstairs in the guest bath.
The Pith came home from the ALDS in Minneapolis after driving through snow to see this scene at the construction site. A review of the brief trip to Minny may be seen here.

Coming Together

2009-10-08T15:59:00.001-05:00

The guys began the installation of the tongue and groove cedar siding in the back of the house, and I must say, 'A blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in a while.' All the work and negotiations on the color of stain; all the work by Kurt and Ann to put it on the wood; all the design work that Charlie did, and all the work to install it has certainly paid off and made to look as though things are really coming together.

When the stone is installed it should complete the package.

In the interior, the insulation is done and it appears as though the guys cleaned up very well after me and the students.

We underestimated the sound-proofing of this material. One of the installers mentioned that a lot of houses use the insulation on the interior walls for sound proofing. WARNING TO HOUSE GUESTS: We didn't.
Meanwhile, back in the back, Dennis (l) and Jay (r) keep plugging along.

What a Day!

2009-10-07T17:54:00.000-05:00

Everyone was here today, it seemed. Marc dug in the water line from the well to the house in preparation for the gas line.

The usual suspects Bob, Jay and Dennis were doing their excellent work--Dennis and Jay putting the finishing touches on the garage roof and supervising the grill; Bob attempting to keep everything under control and in perspective all while putting in the central vac system.

The insulation guys were doing prep, installation and education.

And on top ofevery thing else, a portion of the senior class at Conserve School taking a class in sustainability was given a tour by Charlie, our contractor.

We here at Houthpith believe in the power of education and were well pleased to find out that these fine young people would use our project to further their interests in sustainability.

The class came prepared for Charlie's instruction as seen below:

Haz mat suits were recommended, but these young people willingly accepted the risk of contamination.

Of course, as is our wont here at Houthpith, we are just kidding.

These are their Senior portraits.

Here's Charlie in action:

Charlie's Class from Northpith on Vimeo.

But on to more important matters, such as insulation.

We (the generic 'we' including the building crew, sub-contractors and law enforcement) are using cellulose insulation. According to Wikipedia, the source of all knowledge, "the word cellulose comes from the French word for a living cellule and glucose, which is sugar. Building insulation is low-thermal-conductivity material used to separate the internal climate and sounds of a building from the external climate and sounds. Cellulose insulation is plant fiber used in wall and roof cavities to separate the inside and outside of the building thermally and acoustically."

(Editor's worthless note: Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello is insulated with cellulose.)

Applegate is one of the premier brands of cellulose insulation. See their website here. (Don't miss the 1200 degree test video.) Another use of this insulation evidently is to protect one's hand when using a blowtorch to burn off countless layers of skin.

The insulation is blown in through the use of powerful motors located in their truck. The material is wetted as its installed to expand it slightly and provide adhesive qualities.

OK, this next part I'm going to sound like I know what I'm talking about. Let me assure you, I don't.

Because the cellulose is made up of so many different materials, including newspaper, it contains many, many little pockets of air, which act as the insulators. The R value of the walls will be a minimum of 27. The ceilings, get this, R-90.

I sometimes feels as though our body heat and breath will heat the house. (More on that later.)

Here's a closer look at this stuff:

Student Cellulose from Northpith on Vimeo.

The insulation guys were informative and helpful, encouraging the kids to apply the cellulose themselves and assisting with their technique.

After applying the stuff to the walls the whole thing is smoothed out with the rotating bar held together with bicycle handle grips.

The students, well one of them, jumped in with gusto. Eventually they all gave it a try including this writer. The cleanup went well.

And in other news, it's time to play . . .

. . .

PICK OUT THE STAIN (YET AGAIN!)

This time it's floor stain. You have five concrete stains to choose from beginning from the left.

#1 I'm calling Baby Poop

#2 is Car Grease

#3 (above and below the pinkish square) is Concrete

#4 is Dried Blood

#5 is No Country for This Stain

It must be stated that stains in the picture are darker than they appear to the eye.

Pick out the stain you like best. Let the Pith know in the Comments section.

Prizes include the undying thanks of grateful homeowners.

Stucco in Place on Both Fronts

2009-10-05T17:22:00.000-05:00

The stucco we selected came out looking very good, but mostly because of Jay's expertise in applying it. Stucco is sort of weird. When it dries, it darkens. Jay was working on the rear of hte house and it looked significantly lighter. He evidently did the more trecherous side first.

Emma says, "Go Pack."

As Promised

2009-10-03T15:37:00.000-05:00

It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times

2009-09-30T20:21:00.000-05:00

I can't say I wasn't warned about this, because I was.

It's that time when most of the big stuff is done, particularly on the outside of the house. It's also the time when most of the stuff that is being worked on is on the inside--the wiring, the plumbing, the insulation, the drywall, the painting, the moving in.

Ok, ok, I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

But the wiring is almost done, the plumbing is roughed in and the insulation will be going in next week.

So in lieu of closeups of wires and pipes, I'll stretch what little credibility I have to show you some of the things still going on on the outside.

Well, there's some new posts on the front porch.

And some of the detail work on those posts has been completed.

And the stucco base has been applied and almosts circles the house.

Maybe next time will be pictures of wires and pipes.

A Post About Posts (And Some Other Stuff)

2009-09-28T19:00:00.000-05:00

Four of those big honkin' cedar posts were installed today, giving the front porch a feeling of substance.

And we needed it today, too.

In about 21.8 hours we went from summer, skipped autumn and are in the early stages of winter. At least it feels like it.

This sudden and unwelcome change was accompanied by fierce winds, a deluge of biblical proportions, and stuff roiling through the air.

Did it deter the duck hunters? In a word, no.

Ann had a gathering of the Inalienables and we all we glued to the windows watching the stuff march across the marsh. We were enthralled. (When I say 'we' that doesn't include Emma. She was anything but enthralled; more like scared spitless.)

I have always wanted a house where I could be out in the weather and stay dry. With these big overhangs and the large front porch, my wishes were realized.

I tried to capture the force of the water coming off the roof, but had to stick my head out in the rain to capture it, but only succeeded in soaking it; my head that is.

Stucco and Ducks

2009-09-24T22:56:00.000-05:00

For fear of jinxing this weather, it has been another in a long series of beeeeeeeeeeeautiful days here in the northwooods. The only downside is that we haven't had any rain since September 8 and things are dangerously dry.

But the work on the house proceeds steadily. Below you can see that the stucco base has been applied and is ready for the actual mud.

The stucco run spans the back of the house.

And the metal roof has been applied to the north side of the garage and a portion of the south.

A closeup of the stucco base is shown below. Hey! I remember staining that board.

Of course I must add the obligatory Northwoods nature shot--this on Highway D on the way to Hazelhurst.

Last weekend was the opening of duck hunting season, inaugurated with the youth hunt. Emma was traumatized. She was so shook, her teeth were chattering for some time.

This weekend the duck hunt begins in earnest. Lawn chairs will emerge, pontoon boats equipped with radios and beer and guns. All manner of looney behavior will be exhibited.

And guns will blast loudly.

So we're taking off for Duluth with Emma for the weekend. Maybe things will calm down by Sunday evening.

Lots O' Activity Today

2009-09-23T21:11:00.000-05:00

Our stretch of exceptional weather continues and seems to be getting even better (if that's possible). As a result things are really getting cranked out. Below is a shot of the base course, sort of a horizontal wrap around the house, highlighted in beautiful russet.

And the ceiling in both the front porch and the screen porch in the back is complete.

From across the marsh.

Emma answers the door.

This next picture is of my favorite part of the house. Tim from Marshfield came up today with lots and lots of samples to choose from. Take a look at his website here to get a feel for this unique material.

Fortunately for us all, the drywaller was in house as well. So they spoke to each other in a language unfamiliar to most of us present.

For now it looks like the top sample and combination will be for the living room/dining room/kitchen and the bottom sample will be for the bedroom upstairs.

I can't wait.

Our Staining Job Makes Its Debut

2009-09-22T12:03:00.000-05:00

After the endurance test of staining half of the cedar planks pruned from the Northwest Peninsula of the state of Washington, we can now take a step of two back and watch the guys go to work, not to mention admire our own.

The garage is almost a garage now, needing only lights a door and opener as well as some hardware.

But it came out terrific don't you think? We wanted it to blend in with the surrounding woods and believe that we achieved our goal.

And here is the beginning of the band course that will give the house more of a horizontal feel.

The guys have laid out the height that the stone will rise.

And if you look very closely you can see that the stone will wrap around the back corner of the house, but the rest of the wall will be the dark walnut stained cedar.

My Mind is Cluttered with (Not So) Worthless Information

2009-09-20T22:32:00.000-05:00

Some where I read or heard or learned that whenever we human beings estimate the time it would take to complete a task, we should multiply it by 3 because it invariably, for whatever reason, takes three times longer than anticipated.

I thought the staining would take about three days and use about 6 gallons of stain. It took 9 days and 18 gallons of stain. This despite the yeoman-like efforts of Kurt and Ann. Or maybe it was because of the efforts of Kurt and Ann.

We ended up using the dark walnut stain for the garage and the cedar siding. We used Russett for the trim and ceiling of the porches.

While the colors didn't exactly match what we saw, working with the stain was easy and smelled good too.

Here Kurt finishes the front of the garage; Ann supervises.

Kurt touches up the last little spot above the garage door . . .
. . . and then admires his handiwork.
Judging by the comments and the emails I received it appears that the audience is split regarding whether or not to put in a window (see previous post).

And one would think there is little to no middle ground on an issue like this. But leave it up to Charlie to come up with one. He suggested framing in the window; living in the house for a while; and then add it if we think it works.

This is where we are leaning for the moment anyway.

Thank you for all your suggestions (except for you, Jeff); they were insightful (except for yours, Jeff) and helpful.

Your Assistance Once Again is Requested

2009-09-16T20:01:00.000-05:00

We've had some intense lobbying by various friends two family members to add a window to the west facing wall overlooking the marsh.

Here's what it currently looks like.
Here's the wall with the proposed additional window looking southwest across the dining room.

From the dining room.

From the kitchen.

And from the deck.

So here are the pro's and con's of adding a window at this location.

PRO'S

Takes greater advantage of the view.

More light.

CON'S

More light (greater intensity in the summer.)

Less insulation value of wall.

View is somewhat obstructed by deck.

Less room for erthclay.

A row of windows is Northwoods trite.

Extra cost.

So here's what we need from you. In the comment section please voice your opinion about adding the window or leaving as is. If your opinion is to add the window, what's the maximum you would pay to add such a window?

Please bend to this task as soon as . . .

Plugging Along

2009-09-16T19:56:00.000-05:00

The kitchen begins to take shape.
Kurt's determination, skill and knowledge conquers yet another building.

The bookcase frame in the living room with its back to the staircase appears.

Kurt Attempts Theft of Natural Resources

2009-09-14T17:40:00.000-05:00

Typical of many visitors from the Southern area of our country, my brother Kurt believed he could drive his Buick cross country, over the river and through the woods. Unfortunately the woods won. Fortunately for Kurt, it didn't puncture the radiator. But unfortunately for Kurt, we teased him unmercifully.

He wanted to take this back home as a souvenir but we thought that he might end up skewering critters along the way.

Our staining project met with Bob's approval and the installation of the fascia and the shadowboard is already near completion. Here Bob installs the shadowboard along the southern edge of the house.

Dennis cuts the next piece while Bob tacks up his previous slice.

I must put in a plug for the stain that we are using. Ann has been scouring the internet for 'green' products and stain is traditionally one of the most 'ungreen'--petroleum based and stinky.

After examining any number of products she concluded that Timber Ox met her criteria--non-petroleum, but bio based stain. Any details you wish may be seen by clicking here.

But here's the one detail that means the most to me: the stuff smells like citrus. It was the singular most satisfying staining experience I have ever had--especially watching Kurt get it all over him.

Over the weekend visitors commented on its unique quality. And the stuff looks really, really good.

We will be using it on our interior as well once we begin negotiations with one another.

Stains 'R Us

2009-09-11T18:34:00.000-05:00

After a long and heartfelt debate, much gnashing of teeth and sleepless nights, Walnut #9 won out as the stain of choice.

Here Kurt graciously agreed to model the stain for all to see.

Mya demonstrates her approval.

On the left is the sample we made our decision from. On the right is the completed board. It doesn't even look like the sample, to my eye.

Here's what we accomplished on Day #1--78 boards front and back.

Walnut (#9) Wins Out

2009-09-09T12:10:00.000-05:00

OK, here's Charlie's rendition of the house with WALNUT stain. Understanding that no rendition is perfect, we're going to go with this look. For those of you who would wish for a lighter cast, we have these things called winter that appear every year. So we're looking for warm any where we can get it.

In other news, progress continues at break neck speed, despite all the sidewalk superintendents that show up from time to time either via driveway or the river. Here are Jay (l) and Dennis (r) working up high.

And Jay finds a precarious perch to nail in these things, whatever they're called.

Bob opened up the stairway yesterday giving the space less of a roller rink feeling.

And the downstairs also is framed in as well as the windows facing the marsh on the ground floor.

As always, click here for more pictures of the project sprinkled with the occasional other diversion.

A Stain on Us All

2009-09-09T08:33:00.000-05:00

Well, that worked out not very well. I think every stain was mentioned at least once, except for the ones we were leaning toward.

In all fairness, since the last picture, we put some samples of the shingles, the metal roof and the rock/brick exterior up next to the samples and landed on #8 (Redwood). I also did a sample of the rough sawn side, which will also need sealing and most of the colors came out dark.

To complicate matters, the garage, which also needs staining, is a rough sawn exterior which will certainly melt the garage into the woods.

So we are all poised here waiting for Ann to get off the phone with our builder, his assistant, his CFO Denise who are also weighing in on the stain color with #9.

For my part I went through the same thought process as Wendy. To wit: Step 1--'I'm not good at this stuff.' Step 2--the lighter stains. Step 3--the darker stains.

Ann wants tinges of red to come through.

All the time I picture Kurt poised in his driveway with the car running and his hand on the transmission shifter waiting to go to Mundelein or Libertyville to pick up the stain. The stain manufacturer is pacing back and forth among 5 gallon buckets waiting for us to decide upon the color. At the same time the builders are at the ready with their hammers to put up the siding.

Welcome to the Houthbuilding challenges.

Oh, yeah, I've got to order the in-house vacuum system this morning and get some materials for staining.

The First (and Only) Pick a Stain Contest

2009-09-06T15:08:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the first pick a stain contest. The stains are numbered 1-9 left to right. Pick your favorite and mention it in the comments. Contest ends at 8 am on Tuesday, September 8.

2009-09-04T21:03:00.000-05:00

One of the guys, Jay, pulled up sick today after taking his family to Pizza Hut last night. We hope he (and his family) are feeling better today. It's scheduled to be a terrific weekend up here in the Northwoods. It certainly would be a great weekend for staining!

With one guy down, Bob and Dennis made a valiant effort at getting all the windows in. They did well to get virtually all the windows in on the main floor.

Here one of the homeowners checks things out.

And the view from the pier is looking suspiciously like the renderings.

Today Ann took an excursion up to Conover to meet with our kitchen designer to pick out some appliances. I think you'll find them (ahem) unique. Here's one. It uses about 2 gallons of water per load, will be soundless (at least until I get hearing aids), but the selling point was this:

When one of the sales guys was in training for these units, they put a whole carrot cake in their and it cleaned the plate. Little did he know that I was hiding behind the unit.

'Swindows!

2009-09-03T10:17:00.000-05:00

Ann took charge of feeding and letting out the chickens early this morning, so I got the pleasure of Emma's company on our morning stroll.

Ann had told me when we crossed paths this morning that the first window was installed. (We take what might be considered as over-the-top joy at such occurrences.) So I was very anxious to see what they looked like.

When Emma and I rounded the bend near the fire pit, my heart exploded with joy (See? Hyperbole? I don't think so.)

The shadows in the above picture are fairly stark, but I think you can make out the windows on the Martin porch and if you squint hard and strain your eyesight, you should be able to make out the windows in the back of the house, specifically the color.

Notice how the reddish tint on the window sets off the bright tape on the Tyvek giving it that substantial and secure feel. The red tape is one additional measure of protection and service used by the professional installers to insure homeowners receive the best value.

Can you tell we've been reading brochures? Lots of them?

Progressives in the House

2009-09-02T20:21:00.000-05:00

After a quick trip to Madison, we gathered up Emma, anxious to see the progress the guys made today. And what progress there was.

The scaffolding was installed so that the exterior plywood and Tyvek could be put in place.

and remains in place so that the windows that arrived today can be installed.

It makes the view out the living room a little funny, but the yellow haze had a nice effect indoors.

And in other arrivals, these big honkin' cedar posts came to support the roofs over the front porch and the Martin porch.

It's a Wrap, Tyvek Wrap

2009-09-01T21:55:00.000-05:00

After dodging raindrips and drops the past few weeks, sometime successfully, usually not, the roof has that underlayment (overlayment?) on it which should keep things relatively dry inside. The weather forecast for the next week? Sunny and mild.

Scaffolding stands at the ready to help with the last exterior plywood to be installed. (See below.)

The exterior cedar is ready for staining; stain to follow.

The view from the kitchen area takes shape.

The downstairs bath also takes shape.

And the face of the house also approaches enclosure.

Clark and the New House

2009-08-28T00:06:00.000-05:00

Ann and I decided to bury Clark near the house and near the river. So just off the bedroom porch under a pine tree he lies. The stuff covering his grave is so some critter doesn't dig him up while we aren't living there. Eventually we'll make this more fitting. But for now his body is down there with all the tennis balls I could find.

Catching Up

2009-08-26T21:35:00.000-05:00

With recent events along with rain events, several days of work on my part have been missed and a couple have been lost from the construction crew.

Yesterday they studied the radar, read the forecast and decided they might make three hours of work before the rains came. So they drove two hours only to get one hour of work in, and then drove two home.

Jay (l) and Bob connect the peaks.

The Eagle Has Landed

2009-08-25T09:54:00.000-05:00

For those who visited our neck of the woods earlier this month, you were able to see a remarkable event--fledging baby eagles. Of course, to our eyes they look less like cuddly little things than juvenile delinquesnt neer-do-wells.

What you have not been able to see (and hear) is what happens after they fledge. They are inexperienced at fending for themselves, so they fly around (as best they can) and hunt for food (as best they can) and screech (which they are very good at doing).

And what they're screeching for is their parent to feed them. After they dive bomb ducks and generally make a nuisance of themselves, they'll perch on a limb and . . . . there's no other word for it, bitch.

It's been a screech-a-palooza, a cacophony of complaints around here.

So you may ask what this has to do with homebuilding.

It's because almost two months into the project (almost 5 if you count the beginning discussions), with the house almost one-fourth completed despite rain delays, we now have a construction loan. This after one last requirement of the bank--to get the elevation for the certificate--for the garage no less.

I joke about home building, that it's only a matter of writing out checks for $1000 every day, sometimes multiple checks in a day.

Each time the surveyor visits, it's $1k. So for the bank to demand this last visit, cost yet another grand.

But at least Charlie can get paid. Yes, indeed, the eagle has landed.

A Boat Ride

2009-08-18T20:59:00.000-05:00

Ann walks the plank; Emma escorts; Dennis measures; Jay installs; Bob builds; Scott observes.

Ducks

From the river.

Dog view.

The First Truss (Video)

2009-08-17T18:32:00.000-05:00

You'll have to turn your monitor (or your head) sideways. Sorry. I'll get the hang of this yet.

The First Truss from Northpith on Vimeo.

It Takes Truss

2009-08-17T16:19:00.000-05:00

A big, honkin' crane hoists the first joist, errr truss into place.

It's beginning to look like a house.

Funky angles.

Friday's progress

2009-08-16T09:53:00.000-05:00

Stamps set.

Dreams of my wife

On the 'Martin' porch

Hard Stuff

2009-08-13T14:59:00.000-05:00

Steve, the owner of the concrete company, does this the 'Grandpa' way (his word, not mine), by pouring the concrete down a tube, into a wheelbarrow and schlepping it over to the work area and dumping it out.

By the way, Steve, no slouch in these matters, says that when the trusses are up the house is one-fourth done. He predicts we'll be in by December. FEMA willing (my words).

Before . . .

I was mesmerized by this whirling, silent laser beam that the guys used to test the level of the poured concrete. It only took about 3000 snaps before I was able to capture the laser light on an adjacent block of wood.

And after . . .

I noted that Ann spent an unusual amount of time observing the intricacies of concrete pouring. So I decided to investigate and uncovered, shall we say, the root of the problem--this tanned, rippling young man trying to do his job avoiding the drool of a middle aged onlooker.

Here the punk stamps concrete.

We have been trying to preserve as much of the old house into the new as we can. Ann's father used this symbol on his birchbark projects and here we incorporate it into the front porch.

'X' marks the spot

2009-08-11T19:42:00.000-05:00

A quick recap--we've been in the midst of a tripartite tornado with the players barometric forces, Peoples Bank (lender), Wilderness Surveyors, and Hartford Insurance (since replaced by a local insurer, Insurance Center).

The crux of the matter is this: Zone AE vs. Zone X; the bank insists we're in Zone AE, the most risky of zones and requires the most expensive insurance.

All the other players, including some lesser players, engineers and DNR experts say that we're in Zone X, the least risky in terms of potential flooding. Despite the fact that we (used to) live mere feet from the river, it's a very safe body of water regulated at both ends by federal dams.

The surveyor was out this morning, took measurements, took pictures, filled out the elevation certificate, which says that we are in Zone X.

To date we have spent over a thousand dollars on this alone, and lost hours of sleep. I can not imagine that the bank will require us to keep hiring surveyors until we find one that agrees with their assessment. But I wouldn't put it past them.

Stay tuned.

August 10 status

2009-08-10T21:47:00.000-05:00

Patterns

Master Bedroom Corner

From the Pier

Interior Walls Appear (Don't Know what the white stuff is.)

Ann showers.

Sunday Update

2009-08-09T15:31:00.000-05:00

The guys building the house work four 10-hour days per week, so during the week, much progress is made. At the project's onset, one guy (Bob) worked that schedule; then Jay joined him a couple of weeks ago; and last week Dennis jumped in.

Next week a fourth will be added, so we should be screaming along by the close of Thursday.

But weekends have become time for examining, dreaming, and generally anxiety-ridden fantasizing whilst catching up on pics.

The deck supports protrude from the west wall facing the river.

Every once in a while I'll throw in a shot of the approach from the drive. Chaos reigns.

We've had our share of rain lately--not enough to erase the drought--but a fair amount anyway. This view shows the effect of gluing and screwing plywood. To the left, no warping; to the right (unscrewed and unglued) warping. To the far left, Ann shoes (definitely warped).

We tried a little something different with the garage that will repeat on the house. In addition to an extra large overhang, we angled the fascia (or is it the soffit?) 90 degrees instead of the usual straight down method.

Standing at the wester edge of the house and looking out where the windows will be, I notice a dramatic difference in the view. This comes from spending an inordinate amount of time gazing out over the marsh.

As the house is a few feet higher than the old one and a few feet back up the hill, more of the marsh surface appears.

This upcoming week will bring us big things. Perhaps the biggest is that we will actually sign a construction loan. Our surveyor comes back from vacation and filing an elevation certificate will be at the top of his list (we all hope).

On the construction side, more exterior walls will go up; the slab will be poured over the ground level foam and PEX; and trusses are poised for placement.

As always we will try our best here at the Pith to keep you up to date with the latest and hope that you will allow a little pride (boastfulness) to creep (blast?) through.

PEX and Emma and Studs

2009-08-07T17:09:00.000-05:00

The PEX tubing arrived the other day via Fed Ex as mentioned in the prior entry. But today I noticed that the box said, "For Radiant Floor Heating and Snow Melting." SNOW MELTING!!!

What could we possibly be thinking? With the garage and landscaping the distance to our cars is more that 10 times as long. I think a new snow removal implement is in our future.

Ready for something.

An eerie view of the ground floor with dappled sunlight leaking through the main floor.

Everything is sealed.

Emma and her (2X8) Studs.

Emma seems to be saying, "Me and My New House--Exactly what I deserve."

Visible Progress; Invisible Torment

2009-08-05T16:22:00.000-05:00

Floor joists up in less than a day.

Pex (sp?) tubing installed after . . .

. . . arriving via Fed Ex.

Dennis installs the joists.

A view out the guest room windows.

Oh yeah, the torment. The FEMA, insurance company, lender merry-go-round returns. It turns out we do need the elevation certificate if we wish to be insured in the zone that the bank says we belong in.

And our surveyor is on vacation until Monday. I'm sure he'll be glad to hear from me as the last time he tried to convince me to convince my insurer and my lender that an elevation certificate was unnnecessary.

This seems to be lasting about 3/4 of a lifetime.

What's This?

2009-07-31T09:33:00.000-05:00

So I'm sure you're asking yourself, gentle reader, what in the world a picture of some ragtag band is doing on this wonderful website dedicated solely to the adventures of building a house?

Aren't you?

Really, come on now, you are, are you not?

You're not?

Well, I'll tell you anyway.

Reconfirming my theory that everyone up here has at least two jobs, except me, pictured above are our builders--Denise and Charlie Sauter.

Denise is the vocalist for the group Jazzworks (website here) and does other stuff with Mama's Little Hippies (website here). Charlie is the bass player and sound mixer on the far right--of the picture, not the political spectrum.

Their websites (with audio) and their performance last night was terrific. Weather threatened to cancel the performance, but it eventually cleared into a crisp late autumn evening on July 30.

Charlie said afterwards that his hands felt numb for most of the performance. As for us we had to resort to bundling up with a blanket and a Minnesota sweatshirt.

The Stuff of Nightmares

2009-07-30T16:57:00.000-05:00

In reference to this.

Pink is In!

2009-07-29T20:23:00.000-05:00

Foam in basement floor is a radiant pink, presumably to radiate heat better. The pex tubing is next.

Mud room on the left; guest room on the right.

A river creature ponders her new/old digs.

Ann dreams.

Ahead of Schedule?

2009-07-29T08:19:00.000-05:00

Is this even possible? After all the wrangling with banks/insurance/FEMA/etc. etc. etc. that we are ahead of schedule? According to Charlie, we are. And according to the timeline he provided, we are.

Ann called it correctly. When we pondered whether to undertake this adventure she said that the time was right--interest rates were low; folks needed work; the best builders had no waiting. And all those things turned out to be true. Charlie's company has only this project that's active whereas normally they have five at a time and a waiting list to boot.

The ability to devote resources and attention to one job is to our benefit as well as his.