As Summer winds down, I want to reflect on where I am with this house of mine. It’s been a busy 6-8 weeks of work, starting with mudding, texturing, then painting the walls of the living room where I sleep. Next came the decision to pull out the carpet and lay down flooring that matched the kitchen. Then I built a bed (more on that later).
Found in the side yard rubble.
Unimaginable as it may seem, I finally moved into my own house, a place I have referred to as a filthy hovel for years. Over an 8 week period - April through May, I made a concentrated push to get the most important tasks done that would allow for a minimal, man-cave-ish existence.
The hovel is without a real water heater, so I rigged up a solar water warmer with black tubing on the roof.
And no play, will make the old hovel a home some day. I hope.
Before I get a real water heater, I’m rigging up a solar variety - a very simple one - using a black hose on the roof. Of course this is nothing new. It’s done all over the world and makes such sense. Why wouldn’t you want to cut pollution and save money by letting the sun heat, or pre-heat your water?
Happens to be of the solar variety. Gonna hook it up myself.
Paleo diet - beef and veggies.
Small steps forward and back, along with help from friends (thanks so much Lorne and Chris!) and here I am. My kitchen is forming and so close to being usable - in a man cave sense. Just finished the floor. I should have cold water working in the sink today, with warm/hot water from passive solar working by end of next week. Then I’ll move on to putting up pantries and figuring out what to do with these plywood counter tops. Next, maybe some painting and cabinet doors.
Today, I vow to finish laying down my new kitchen floor! It’s taken me about a week. More pics to follow.
