Details

Last night we purchased some covers for light switches and electrical outlets. It was an in & out visit to the store, but that was the whole visit. I'm not complaining; I'm just drawing attention to the fact that some details shouldn't be overlooked, especially when they relate to electrical safety!

Joist Spacing

So, I did a little measuring last night, and the floor joists appear to be about 16.5 or 17 inches from center to center. I was concerned about this! Does insulation batting come in this width?

After a quick look on a home improvement store's website, it readily comes in 16-inch widths! And it's in stock at the store that's on my way home! I forgot to measure the actual square footage I'll need, though.

I guess I'll be measuring that tonight! I hope they have the quantity I'll need!

It's been a long time...

Hi, Everyone! We've been gone for a while, but we did manage to get some things done since the last post. There are two main advances:

1) We have a working set of washing and drying machines.

2) We have decorations on the walls.

Announcing item number two may be a bit premature. You know how sometimes you hold things up against the wall in several configurations and then decide the perfect arrangement and then you put it up?

And then you realize that you want it completely different?

We did that on Saturday. Maybe we'll post pictures when we're happy with it!

Cancellation

Hi, Everyone,

The Tentatively Scheduled Sand Displacement Extravaganza is cancelled until further notice. Thank you for those who were interested, but a situation has arisen that prevents us from preparing for that event. Also, this blog probably won't be updated again until Friday. Thanks for your understanding!

Further Improvements

Sometimes, you know that you need something, but circumstances may press the point home. For example, half the windows in your house may be the old-style Drafty Port Plus models. A 19 degree morning will help you understand that more efficient windows are required to keep those 19 degrees outside.

Another consideration is that, if we get efficient windows, we'll get a tax credit! Yay! Maybe that'll offset the proposed tax increases they're talking about in Washington!

Have a great weekend! Stay warm! We might have to light a fire in our house this weekend!

Exodus 35:3 - Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.

Okay, it's not so bad as all that. Our heater works great.

Cold Floors

The floors in our house are pretty cold right now. I think it's because there's no insulation in the crawlspace. What an adventure! Maybe that'll be a task for next week...along with laying down plastic under the house.

First step is estimating material. I need to get under there and measure the joist spacing so I know what width of insulation batts to get. While I'm at it, I need to inspect the floor from beneath and note any rotted portions. Those will need to be replaced.

After this, I'll need to measure inside the house to estimate total square footage. This will also tell me about how much plastic sheeting to get for the crawlspace.

Once all this is done, I'll have to get the materials, and then spend an evening or two under the house with a light and some duct tape and get busy.

Let me know if you have any tips!

Luke 14:28 - For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]?

I don't think I mentioned books since I made such a big deal about them.

If you'll recall, a coupla weeks ago I made a big deal about getting to our books after we finished the trim. Well, the trim got finished, and we got those books out.

Not all of them, but two bookcases now stand filled. It feels good. I can enter my bedroom now and feel a little more whole. Also, the television is out, so we can watch VHS tapes again. I can tell that this is minor progress because we have not watched any VHS tapes yet, but we have reveled in our newly exhumed books.

Also, I found the change jar so we can take advantage of the Coinstar bonus.

Life is pretty good right now. Really because of Jesus, though; the books pale in comparison.

Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but [when] the desire cometh, [it is] a tree of life.

In the Trenches

Wondering how you can justify unbridled feasting over the holidays? How about some strenuous work under unforgiving conditions?

Tentatively, we're planning to dig a long trench on Saturday, December 12th. What will the weather be like? I don't know, but cold and rainy might be real possibilities. That's why we're calling this the...

TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED SAND DISPLACEMENT EXTRAVAGANZA!

If you enjoy moving large amounts of earth, gravel, and landscaping fabric, then this party is for you! Also, there will be some indoor activities for the ladies. Food will be provided, and for a project of this magnitude, it ought to be awesome.

Once we have more information about the weather, we may edit the name to read

DEFINITIVELY SCHEDULED SAND DISPLACEMENT EXTRAVAGANZA!

Genesis 5:29 - And he called his name Noah, saying, This [same] shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.