CHILL OUT!

Or should we say, we've been chilled out.  For those of you that are not living in this polar vortex, let me try to explain.  It's cold.  That's it; it is just plain cold, very cold, really cold, extremely cold.  Right now, it is colder in Wisconsin than Alaska; the current temperature is -18 deg F with -45 deg windcills and Anchorage, Alaska is 37 deg F and overcast.  Basically, it is so cold, that the thermometers give up and builder's freeze.  All of this to say that no progress was made last week and no progress this week.  Actually, no progress will be made until we thaw out (usually no wind chill and double digit temperatures -- 10 deg F is okay).  So, for now, we will just keep chilling.

JEFF FOXWORTHY ON WISCONSIN WINTERS:
1) If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 38 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will swim by, you might live in Wisconsin.
2) If you're proud that your region makes the national news 96 nights each year because Park Falls is the coldest spot in the nation, you might live in Wisconsin.
3) If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you might live in Wisconsin.
4) If you instinctively walk like a penguin for five months out of the year, you might live in Wisconsin.
5) If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live in Wisconsin.
YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE WISCONSINITE WHEN:
1) You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard, without flinching.
2) You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.
3) Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.
4) You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction.
5) You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.
6) You find minus twenty degrees "a little chilly."

Setting Trusses

Thursday, January 16, 2013:  We took a "field trip" out to watch the crane set trusses.

It was awfully tall for a "little" crane.

The builders had "all hands on deck": 2 men on the ground; 3 on top of the house and 1 crane operator.

The Inspectors arriving onsite to give their approval.  Today they brought a cousin, who's only had 2 years experience in inspecting things.

New view coming up the driveway.

Facing the garage.

See how the crane's wheels are suspended in the air...

Our most experienced Inspector looking on.

Heading home for lunch.

Now, trusses from the inside.

Sadly, we have to cover all this artistry with drywall.  (But you and me will know how intricate it used to look.)

From the Living Room, looking under the Loft, at the Kitchen.  We strategically put the Kitchen in the very center of the house, so Mom is near everything!  (I'll let you know how that plan works someday.) 

Front of the house.  (You could tell by my lawn ornament, yes?)



Structural Engineer Brother came to take a look-see.

Next up: Sheathing the roof.  With wind chills like we're expecting this week (ugh), it may take a week or two...

Lofty Progress

Now the loft is framed-- Lots and lots of pictures today.  (Thanks to my brother T. for taking them all.)

Sorting out the myriad of trusses.  Turns out that a few of them that were shipped to us were the wrong size, so there's been a few days' delay while we wait for the replacement ones. 

New view of the front of the house.  Like my chic blue curtains?  Everyone knows I'm not much of an interior (exterior?)  decorator...



Doorway into the School room.  I think.

Walking in the front door towards the living room (dodging some temporary bracing.)

Living Room view.  This ceiling (and several other rooms) are 17' tall.

Now I'm sitting on the imaginary couch, looking through the imaginary kitchen and laundry room, and out the nursery windows. 

Husband and my tall brother checking the view from the loft.  D. wishes that we didn't have to put walls and a roof around the loft, because it will definitely detract from the view up there...

On the same imaginary couch, now looking through the library and future patio door.

Future patio doors in the dining room.  This hill would be a great Olympic luge run.  Or it would at least buy me a few moments of quiet while the children sled down and have to walk 800' back up.



Laundry room taking shape.  Kitchen on the left and stair to the loft on the right.  Bathroom straight ahead.

Standing on the loft, looking out the living room windows.  (My youngest brother took all these pictures.  The guys won't let me up the ladder to the loft.  So the only way I can enjoy the supposedly gorgeous view from the loft, is the same way you are--from the blog.)

By the by, J. is planning a future addition of a "look-out tower" above the Loft, so we can re-capture the view that will be lost by adding a roof.  Mommy told him to get a part-time job. 

And then he asked Daddy where we will put the swimming pool.  The what?!? 

Looking from the loft into the nursery.  Garage on the Left.

Living room view again.  Sorry, now I'm repeating myself.

From loft out the "front door."

D. and tall brother M.

From Loft out the dining room.

Master Bedroom.

Bathroom (which will feel more private once we add walls and a ceiling and paint...)



Dining room into the Library.

Master Bedroom window.

Garage.

Front of the house again.

We've had quite a heat wave today.  Got to about 40 degrees.  Trust me-- it feels like a heat wave after last week's -40 windchill (and I'm not complaining, but this house is awfully drafty.) 

The boys are eager: we're hoping to round up some friends to go watch the crane (a real-live crane in our own front yard!  How cool is that?) set trusses on Wednesday.  I'll be sure to take some pictures for you.

More 1st Floor Framing



Looking into the library from the front entry.



Our view out the living room windows (and, consequently, out the roof.)

Library and living room again...



My Laundry Room is framed ('tis kind of reminiscent of a jail right now, but I plan to paint it a cheery color.)





These next few are of the front of the house-- Bathroom window on the Left; Schoolroom window on the Right; the tall section is the Living Room.



Mr. Builder working on the Loft above the Kitchen.

View from the Garage into the Schoolroom.

More Loft framing.





Temporary door added to the basement (by my favorite father-in-law and brother-in-law) to keep it "warm"er, so we can lay the radiant floor tubing as soon as possible.  We aren't supposed to work with the tubing below 50 degrees, and tomorrow we're facing a High of  -11 with a -40 windchill...  so heating the basement up by 90 degrees sometime soon might be a bit trixy. 

And all ya'll faithful readers in California, don't keep all the warmth to yourselves.