Sagebrush & Solar

There haven’t been any major projects this month – nothing super visual or “man, we feel so accomplished!”

At the risk of writing a down in the dumps post, I’ve just refrained.

When we decided to do this, we thought it was going to be like a roller coaster ride — slow to get to the top, but once there, nonstop forward progression.

It’s turned out to be more like a wave pool at a water park. Sometimes fun and exciting, sometimes boring, sometimes chill — sometimes no fun at all, because you’ve fallen out of your tube and might drown with the wave chaos around you. That’s a core childhood memory right there. I digress.

Keith finished fixing the windows, so they’re ready for installation. My dad was able to show us how to install windows and helped install the big slider, so we’ve got that guy done.

We need to build columns for the big windows, so they’re boarded up and will be on hold.

Keith has been working 12-hour overtime shifts 2 of his 4 days off, so while the bank account is making progress to hire subcontractors, we aren’t making much physical progress at the site.

Last weekend, my mom offered to watch Luke so we could have a date night. Dinner is overrated — so we installed our first window instead.

As it turns out, it’s not difficult to install windows — but there is certainly a lengthy process to it.

First, we applied primer to the styrofoam and let it cure for an hour (next time we’ll try two hours, but when you have a babysitter…sometimes you do what you gotta do). Once tacky, we cut strips of black flashing (this wicks moisture and water away from the seams) and applied them to the edges of the window frame.

We then set the window into the frame (aka clung to it for dear life) to ensure it was level. We then removed it and applied silicone to the sides and top edges.

Next: the nerve wracking task of setting it perfectly into the window frame and double checking for levelness. Lastly, screwing it in place.

And just like that — one of many windows installed. Now that we have an idea of the hands on time for Person #2, we can feasibly have our two-year-old running around while we install these.

What’s next?

Install windows. Blow out / suction the crawlspace. Frame around the garage door and install soffits. Install garage man door. Figure out light and light switch placement for electrical. Apply parge coat. Sand and stain front door beams. Hire a plumber. Install septic.

It’s a lot. And for those who kindly ask “so, when will it be done?” — we apologize in advance for our exasperation. The answer is “hopefully Spring 2024”.