Sunday, October 30, 2011

Boo

Is your costume ready for tomorrow? We are still working on ours.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Not much

Isolated Thunder Storms 20% for today and tonight. We will see!

So what we have here is the continuation of Alan's Gin Pole. Looks like he added a counter balance trash can on the back.

Sierra County road work on Walnut Street. Lets just place a bunch of concrete without rebar or properly sloping apron side wings over the creek crossing and see what happens. All bets are on with the neighbors that this is a failure waiting for a big rain event next summer.  I call it the road show.  Something to watch over time.

New roof time. This is a small job I have lined up here in town.

Besides the roof the same cabin needs some foundation repair work on the garage. Have not sent this picture to the owner yet. Figure I had better finish the roof first. Then there's the plumbing......

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Lets talk space

As in

Nice Logo
As in sort of a disappointing tour we went on yesterday. Just that we could not get very close due to construction clean up for the big dedication happening on Monday. Had hoped to be able to get out on the 10,000 foot runway and into the buildings.


Buildings from a far

Maintenance building and hanger in the back ground

Main entrance to the hanger building.

Hanger doors

Maintenance building again

Basically this building was constructed using a big blow up dome covered in spray foam, then rebar and concrete covered with 12" x12" porcelain floor tile. As in an experiment.

A launch pad

A landing pad
These small pads are part of Space Port America's partnership with firms wanting to use the facility to do testing.

There are a few areospace firms sort of taking over where NASA has loft off. The industry as a whole now has potential to commercialize space travel. For only $200,000 you too can fly into space. Already there are 400 people signed up. Starting next year flights begin.



Monday, October 10, 2011

Ready

How quickly one forgets. It was just a few days ago that we were without phone and internet. No matter, we had plenty to keep us busy. It seamed each day I had 5 things going on at once. Today though it all ended about 8 pm in the dark. I had run out of time but we are ready for my folks visit.

A big project was to fabricate a temporary railing and two more steps

Plumbing wise the water softener is finally functioning

Every bathroom needs a toilet. Always wanted a Kohler but we bought an American Standard instead. Should have bought the Kohler.

Even added a cheep mirror and a toilet paper rack

The shower is even grouted and ready to go. Ran out of time to tile the floor so we just painted on a white elastomeric coating. Left overs from another job. Some day the curtain will go and we will install double glass doors.

Check out the 2 x 2 tile stripe, Satomi's idea

and two cats in the house
So, my folks should be cosy staying up in our Timber Frame Cottage. We moved our queen bed in for them along with a chest of drawers, a couple night stands and a bed side light. New sheets too. All the electrical is now complete, the hot water is now on as is the radiant heat. Only things missing are the refridgerator and a oven, those will have to wait.

Time for a vacation. Tomorrow we leave here around 8 for the 3 hour drive to Albuquerque to shop and then pick up dad and mom.

Let the party begin.....

Saturday, October 8, 2011

No Service

What would life be like with no phone or internet service. Frustrating to say the least.

It all started Sunday evening when the first of two major lightning storms blew over the region. Monday the second storm hit. Something like 2.5 inches of rain and great lightning shows. Not sure when but the phone lines into town went dead along with our Satellite internet.

Thankfully the crews were out and we are back to sort of being calm. The lull before the storm. Another storm you say, no just that my folks will be here Tuesday and we are a still a bit frantic.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Tanked

We have 6 days left to complete our projects before my folks arrive for their ten day visit. Yesterday I started setting up a water softening system in our Load Bearing Straw Bale Pump House. Now I'm waiting on UPS and parts. Then I have to re read the manual and figure out how to use it.

I have just been doing an online chat with my plumbing supplier, my parts have not shipped. Been a week. Now I am asking them to ship out second day. This is going to be tight. I see myself plumbing late Monday night.

Inside our pump house

New concrete at the well head manifold

Top View

New Water Softener

Monday, October 3, 2011

Dripping

20 percent rain predicted for yesterday. We woke up to a dripping wet Kingston. The storm started last evening just about the time were were heading over to a neighbors for a light dinner and a beer. We had to drive with the wipers on and were dripping wet just going from the car to their front door.

 The storm was a major thunder and lightning show. The gauge showed 1 inch. Still in shorts and a tee shirt this morning but that will soon change. Winter is coming and so our my folks........