Sagebrush & Solar

Spoiler alert: this blog post is full of updates, but none of them really have to do with the build. It’s been a brisk 35 F and below out here, which, when you pair slow melting snow with below freezing temperatures (and the occasional biting wind), it creates a unique mix of ice and slick mud, depending on the time of day. It’s not exactly conducive to efficient and quick home building.

The bracing is erected and the exterior walls are slowly going up. You can see the beginnings of doors and windows. Trusses are supposed to be delivered next week. Will our exterior walls be finished, inspected and poured? Probably not, but maybe I’m just a cynic.

On that cynical (I prefer “realist”) note – Keith and I have realized something, and that is that we have been optimistically naive as to when our house will be move-in ready (because it will never be “done”, at least according to those who have built their own houses and have a steady stream of constant projects). When we first moved into my parents’ house six months ago, we thought FOR SURE we would be good to move in by Thanksgiving…worst case – Christmas.

Hahaha.

We recently decided February was a more realistic timeframe. And now realize — as our finances dwindle and delays crop up — maybe April or May.

Once we’re dried in (which still includes finishing the exterior walls, placing trusses, installing the roof and shingles, covering window openings and hanging doors), then we’re onto framing, electrical, plumbing, insulation, drywall, painting, flooring — and finishing bathrooms and the kitchen. This doesn’t include installing our septic tank and making a leach field, or installing our solar system and battery bank, or installing our above ground water tanks. We will be doing most of this ourselves, with the exception of trusses, drywall and solar. So…May, amiright?

After discussing it with each other and with my parents, we’ve decided to begin casually looking for a small apartment in town. My parents have been extremely gracious and patient and we don’t want to overstay our welcome. We all signed up for a few months; but a year? No, not really. This plan comes with its own list of pros and cons, but we feel it’s the best choice for all of us. We’re hoping to find an relatively affordable month-to-month or six month lease. This will set us back slightly financially, but will pay dividends for everyone’s sanity.

I mentioned that it’s cold. Due to the house being, well, open and not dried in — Keith and my dad moved our (half painted) shed we bought earlier this year. The plan is to store tools and supplies, but to also have a small propane heater in there so whoever is working on the house can go warm up.

We didn’t hiring a shed moving service. No, we MacGyver stuff around here and use what we’ve got. Is it terrifying? Yes, most of the time. Satisfying when it works? Probably, but I usually steer clear and hope I don’t have to call 911.

The move was a success and all appendages are still intact.

Earlier this summer, Keith and dad reset fence lines and cut some wire (our fence line) to allow access to our build site. One oversight on our behalf: every winter, the local ranch releases their herd of cattle to graze. That land is next to ours.

Cows are destructive. They’re ruined our walking paths, mucked up our driveway, and I panic everytime I visit the build site that Bessy might be stuck in the house pit/frozen moat. Ruby, our old lady Akita/German Shepherd mix, has proven herself a surprisingly proficient (though chunky) cattle dog and enjoys gently herding them back to the adjacent pasture.

Needless to say, putting up fence line is going to be on the boys’ honey do lists real soon.