Mish Mash

Went to visit my daughter in AZ. I only intended to stay a few days, but was there nearly 2 weeks. It was difficult trying to get home because of storms in Arizona and New Mexico. When there were no storms, the mountain roads coming home were still too bad to drive. I took these photos on my way home just outside Strawberry, AZ...

There were still lots of areas on the road with ice, snow, slush, and black ice.

Then I got home...yaaaaay! My shower, water heater, pump, and inside water tank were all installed.

100 gallon water tank to the left; center low down pump; 19 gallon water heater to the right.

 I had originally planned to set up my water this way, but with an on-demand water heater. Then, I decided to just hook up to the well, so I got a small water heater instead of an on-demand. And...no well pump. And...I neeeeeeed running water...thank you very much. Have had the water heater too long to return it, and nowhere else to use it...so, we stuck with that option. Takes up a bit of under-counter  space, but I'm ok with that.

The water tank has an RV inlet that allows me to fill it from outside. Perfection! The Shur-flo pump works great...really good water pressure to the shower. My friends put a switch on the wall for the pump, so it's only on when I need to use it. Actually saw this set up a couple years ago on someone's blog, or Youtube...can't remember which one for certain. Guy turned an older panel truck into an RV, and did this set up for running water. He used a smaller fresh water tank, but same idea. Works really well.

Ahhhhh...beautiful shower I love you!

 I installed the kitchen counter and sink, and hung that cool handmade, rustic cabinet that I found at a secondhand store for about $20. Walls aren't finished yet because I need to have the cabin re-leveled first, and can't do that until the ground firms up quite a bit more. I needed the storage, so began hanging shelves, and cabinets anyway. I can always take them down and rehang once walls are taped and painted. No biggie.

My little $4 Habitat for Humanity sink is perfect!

Sink isn't usable yet...need a few parts to finish, but...can't get in and out of my property to purchase them just yet.

 I've been collecting appropriate stones to use as a back splash behind the sink, and have enough tile collected from various Habit for Humanities for the counter top. Little bit at a time...one thing at a time.

Cool rustic cabinet...holds my dishes so they don't get so dusty hangin' on a shelf.

My little IKEA table folds against the wall. I found this at a secondhand store for $4.99!

 Haven't installed the table just yet. Need to pick up some of those drywall anchors...metal ones I'm thinkin'...when I can get off my property...lol

KiKi on her window shelf.

KiKi chillin'.

I put a wider shelf in the window for my KiKi. She's...well...she's fat, and the window ledge isn't wide enough for her. Sooooo...she has a spot in the sun to laze about now. She actually knocked one of the other cats off of it when he (Tippy) tried to get up there with her. That's officially her spot now!

Pluggin' along...doin' my deal.
Thanks for reading...ciao

Overwhelmed...

Sunday I finally had a nice day here at home where I could get part of the roof on the hen house completed. I covered it with tar paper, and then with flashing around the edges. I used 6" flashing for a little overhang in order to somewhat shield the vent that runs around the top of the coop. Hopefully, that'll cut down on rain and snow that might get inside while still allowing for the vent to do its job venting.

Yesterday saw no work done here at home as I was traipsing around one of the closer towns (60 miles away) for medical tests, and some shopping. Long day...late getting home.

We're possibly expecting our first snow up here...tomorrow night through Thursday. I need to get the roof on, but am not feeling up to it. I fell in the shower/tub Sunday, and hurt my back when it hit the faucet. After yesterday's drive, I'm stiff and really sore. I'll get up there and do the roof anyway, or my work on Sunday will be for naught.

I also start that nasty colonoscopy prep today...through Friday when I have the test.

So many things to do before winter hits hard:

- enclose chicken run with 4' chicken wire
- get water running inside, which includes ordering the water tank, pump, and paraphernalia needed for installation, and having the work done around my friend's schedual
- install septic (hole will be dug this week), and toilet, and pick up the barrels, and other supplies needed for this job
- install shower and kitchen sink/counter
- put up some kind of skirting around the bottom of the cabin to help with heat coming from underneath
- talk to the local fella about hauling water to my place...again...to make sure he's still willing to top my water off along with his
-  I have several medical tests scheduled within the next couple of weeks, and will have stretches of time where I won't be able to do things :-(

My well was dug quite some time ago. The driller finally got ahold of me 2 1/2 weeks ago to let me know he was sending all the paperwork to me, and we discussed the well pump again...my needs, etc...to determine what he would be installing. Still haven't received the paperwork and/or estimate for the well pump. So, I've decided to go with my original plan to install a fresh water RV tank inside (won't freeze) with RV inlet running out of the cabin to allow tank to be filled, a small SHURflo pump, and water heater. I'd already purchased a 19 gallon electric water heater to be used in here, so I won't purchase an on demand to go with this system as originally planned. Will just have to watch my water use carefully.

That doesn't mean that I won't install my well pump. It just means I'm done dealing with this guy, and will put that on hold till next Spring/Summer.

I've had so many situations like this where I've had to shift and change plans because it's so difficult getting work done up here. I feel I rely too heavily on a couple of friends up here to help me get this stuff done, but there's no other way to finish meeting basic needs right now.

I'm feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment, but know this will pass as I scratch off each job completed. With that said, I'm out to finish the hen house roof today. It's just life on life's terms.

ciao...

Welllllll...

I was going to work on the hen house/run today, but it's raining again. Yesterday would have been a perfect day for this work, but I had to spend the day in Grants yesterday...doing laundry, grocery shopping, running other errands. Any activity that takes me off property has to be done on dry days, too...and I wasn't prepared for the rain today. As a matter of fact, I didn't think it was supposed to rain today at all.

So, I'm taking a quiet day today. Just chillin' here at home with the critters.

I picked up an indoor/outdoor thermometer yesterday, and am monitoring the temp while using my oil-filled radiator heater. Wood stove not installed yet, and heat (when needed) is currently being supplied by this little heater. I ran it last night for a couple of hours, and warmed the cabin up to 73 degrees, after which I turned the heater off. Turned on my heated mattress pad about an hour before bed, then to low when I laid down for sleep. Woke up to a 60 degree temp inside, and 40 degrees outside. It felt colder with the dampness outside permeating the interior...though I was quite toasty while sleeping. So I turned the little heater on along with the ceiling fan on low (winter usage to push heat down with no cooling effect) to take the chill off.

It's a very comfortable, steady 68 degrees in here now, 46 degrees outside. I'll have to do a little documentation of times and temps to see how long it takes, but it seems to do the trick so far.

I have a small 2300 watt generator for power outages, but I don't believe it'll handle the heater on a high setting (1500 watts) along with the compact fridge, and cell phone amplifier/booster (the only phone access I have up here). So, I'll have to test it out on lower settings as well to be sure I won't be without heat when it gets cold.

I'd never used an electric heater of any type prior to this, and feel very cautious/nervous about doing so now. I haven't had to leave it on at night thus far, but imagine there will come a time when I'll have to at some point. That makes me nervous because of my critters. With the small space inside, I worry about them knocking it over at night, and creating a fire hazard. They've shown no interest in it so far, and haven't even come close to disturbing it in any way, but the caution is still there.

And that's my day for today! Well...I think I'll make some fresh bread today.

Ciao...

Lazy Bones...And now I'm found!

July 19, 2015

Lazy Bones

I’ve been quite remiss in doing any entries. I think I started this blog too soon…one can only post about plans so much before it becomes…monotonous?

 

I’m here on my property now. I left Illinois for New Mexico on May 10, 2015, though I was supposed to leave earlier. I was delayed by the tornadic storms stretching across the US…North to South. Horrible flooding and tornadoes hitting so many people during the week prior to my actually leaving. Anyway…I arrived in NM May 12^th.

  

I towed a very small Uhaul…5’x 8’, so I only brought ‘must have’ things…kitchen stuff, camping gear, tools, camp chairs, etc. Even so, it was loaded for bear! As a matter of fact, my son took a day off to help load it. The next day, as I attempted to leave, my vehicle just didn’t feel right. I drove to the local tire place only to be told that the Uhaul was overloaded, and putting too much weight/pressure on my tires…rear tires were actually bulging. Sooooo…I hightailed it back to my son’s home, and proceeded to unload, and repack the trailer. Took me a couple of hours, but I got it done.

Off again the next day…much more lightly packed, and vehicle driving much smoother. Wish I had a picture to share of my SUV and the Uhaul trailer, but didn’t think to get one.

As per usual, it took 2 ½ days to do the drive…same as the drive to Arizona. Unremarkable except for the moment when I looked in my rear view mirror and wondered aloud, “WTF! Get off my ass, asshole!” lol…the “asshole” was the Uhaul I was pulling behind my car. Took me a second to go, “Doy! Seriously?” Gave me a good chuckle each time I glanced in my mirrors and saw the Uhaul behind me.

I’ve been documenting everything with videos and pictures, so I’ll post each step in order until I’m all caught up to date. Right now several things are in a hold…i.e….I’m waiting for the electrician to lay the conduit in the trench I had dug (Done now), and to install the electrical service panel prior to the electric company installing poles (Done now), etc to connect electricity to my little cabin. I’m also still waiting on the well driller to come out and get that project started (Well drilled, but no well pump as of today 9/23)! So, it’s a good time to play catch up, though I’m doing small projects while waiting on the biggies.

These are all photos of parts of my property prior to doing any of the road work, tree cutting, etc. Taken just after I arrived here in May.

Ciao…

Change is good...right?

I have to laugh...have to...'cause it is kinda funny. As I mentioned before, I'm living with my son, and family...saving money, preparing my property, helping with the GrandBabies...etc. Moving onto property by Spring 2015. Son and daughter in law are both active military...Army. We live in a NorthWest suburb of Chicago...they're both recruiters...both just received promotions...both second in command of their respective stations/offices. Next step...commander of their respective stations/offices.

In the Army's infinite wisdom, after 3 yrs in the same place, there's no stations for them both..."both" being the key word. They're on a special married couple's 'plan' where they can't be stationed more than 50 miles from one another. Can't both be accommodated here...or nearby.

Soooooo...new duty station in Southern California...move date will be end of June...first of July. They report for new duties August 1. Sooooo...we're moving. chuckles...Nice thing is...I'll be about a 10 hr drive from my property rather than the current 22 hr drive. I'll more easily be able to drive on up to property...long, but easy day drive. I know the route well as I lived in the AZ mountains for 30 years, and have family in Southern California that we visited from time to time. Plus...my daughter will be along the route to NM, and I can even stop to visit her half way to property...break up the drive. Soooooo doable, and convenient. I'm choosing to focus on that rather than the tremendous amount of work ahead of us to prepare for this move. chucklin'...yeah...that.

Mhmmm...change is good!

Thanks for reading...ciao!

Lu

Been thinking...researching...just messin' around

Wood Stoves

Since I'll be heating my cabin with wood, this is a huge deal...big purchase...and I don't mind spending a bit of money to get the 'right' stove. I want the best bang for my buck, too. Scary purchase...lots of pressure to 'get it right' the first time. So...primary (only) heat source is the first priority. Having a flat top...not those split leveled tops...so I can throw one of my cast iron pots on top for a slow cooked meal, and have room for the cast iron water filled tea pot for humidity is a secondary concern. Also...an oven to play with...eh...not necessary as I'll have a small propane stove/oven for cooking, but would be 'fun'. Finally, I'd like to be able to create a small water heating system hooked into the stove/pipe. I'm likin' the set up for water heater below. That can be done on any stove/pipe though, so that's not part of the decision.

Originally, my plan was to purchase and have installed a Vermont Bun Maker wood stove...without the soapstone surround. I like the idea of a small oven that I can play around with during cold weather stove usage, but the fire box is too small...heating for a max of 5 hours. Now, 5 hours would be enough to tend during daytime, but waking up to a freezing cabin after 6 or 7 hours sleep doesn't quite cut it for me.

 So, I started looking at other wood stoves with larger fire boxes...longer burn times. I've been looking at Vermont Castings stoves. The three I'm looking at are all EPA certified according to the EPA website on wood stoves, are also UL/ULC certified, OMNI (on the Aspen and Resolute models), and CSA Design on the Intrepid. One is catalytic, and the other two are non-catalytic. Catalytic seem to be more environmentally friendly, but have more parts to replace after about a 5 yr period from what I understand. That part of my decision is somewhat in limbo...not sure which way to go in regards to catalytic/non-catalytic.

I like the look of the Aspen (below)...size is a real plus, but it only has a 5 hr burn time @ 18,000 max BTU's. It heats up to 600 sq ft...well within the size of my cabin...but from what I'm reading are best used as supplement heat for a single room, or heat an occasional use cabin...not full-time use. I think I've pretty much decided this one's a no go for me. But it sure is pretty to look at!

Then there's the Intrepid II (below)...a beautiful stove. Catalytic, heats up to 1200 sq ft (overkill for a 560 sq ft cabin), 6 hr burn time @ 27,000 max BTU's, 81% efficient with a 2.1 g/hr. Very environmentally friendly...again, a sorta short burn time, but 6 hrs would be my minimum. Nice big fire box to handle a decent sized log. Matches all my criteria really. And...it's pretty to look at...even comes in different colors if I chose to do a color.

The Resolute Acclaim (below)...another beautiful stove...is non-catalytic, has a whopping 9 hr. burn time @ 40,000 BTU's heating up to 1600 sq ft (again, overkill for my 560 sq ft cabin), 72% efficiency with 3.4 g/hr. Again, very nice to look at, and with different colors. I kinda like the warming shelves on the side, but am not sure there'd be room for that once it's all said and done.

 

All three of these stoves are well within the EPA limits for g/hr...non-catalytic max @ 7.5 g/hr, and catalytic max @ 4.1 g/hr. So...I got that goin' for me. Everything I've read suggests that a small stove (like the Aspen) wouldn't work for full-time use, and that I need a medium sized stove...like the Resolute Acclaim or the Intrepid II. I looked at Jotuls, also...nice stoves...just got better reviews for the Vermont Castings. If there are others out there I'm not finding, I'd sure like to know about them. While I'll talk with a 'dealer' once I'm in NM and ready to decide on/order my stove, I'm wary of a dealer who might want to sell me something that's not really what I need. Paranoid wench!

Still thinkin' on my water heating issue, too. I know I won't be using a traditional water heater, and am leaning toward the on-demand propane fired water heaters, but I worry about the draw on my solar once that's being used. Talking with a solar pro will help me make that decision...when the time comes. This one can ride for now.

I make jewelry...still...just don't sell it these days. Eh...I give it away most of the time. However, I started making larger pieces out of wire and beads...not jewelry, but wall hangings, wind (type) chimes, weaving wire baskets, and the like. Have also been putzin' around making pieces for my fairy garden...houses, fences, doors, gates, furniture, etc. So...just messin' around these days.

Thanks for reading...Ciao!

House on the hill...

So...this is a smaller version of the Tuffshed cabin I'll be getting for my property. It will have a few custom changes when it's all said and done...like a metal roof (safer fire hazard in NM mountains), a different siding (this beautiful example isn't available in my area), a sliding door on the front...off the porch...rather than a regular door as shown, and a second back door, as well as a few other tweeks. There won't be a loft...not available with this particular model, and I would prefer not to have one anyway. Stairs and graceless me (particularly in the middle of the night) are best not paired. I wanted the higher ceiling in this model because it gives a greater sense of size, and will allow me to do some taller storage units on walls. The 20 x 28 space will be more than large enough for me, Gracie, and the Brat Kat.

 The drawing below is a rough version of what will be done inside. Though not accounted for in this rendition, all the space taken up by wall studs and the like are accounted for in the original plans. I just did this to give an idea of what I'll be doing. Everything has been measured, and re-measured for accurate placement...furniture, appliances, wood stove placement, and cabinets.

I opted for a 6' porch because...well...I like that extension of living space to the outside, and I'm a porch dweller for times of relaxation. The cabin will sit on a cement slab, which will certainly be better than a gravel foundation. Sometime during the 2nd year there will be a small lean-to attached on the side near the back door...room left and allowed for that with window placement, etc. The lean-to will house all the solar electronics...battery bank, inverter, etc...everything that doesn't need to be inside for monitoring purposes.

I'll actually get a solar company out to the property prior to the cabin's placement (and the cement pad, of course) in order to determine best placement for solar panels...and the cabin to accommodate them. I probably won't be putting them on the cabin, but will use stationary mounting poles instead...nothing I need to decide for now.

Thanks for reading! Ciao