Well - it's done. http://tok.elainekain.com/ - and even got assignments submitted 12 hours early. That alone was quite an accomplishment - next round starts Feb. 25, so -. What to do for 2 weeks? (That's actually 10 days, but the first week or two is light, so I'll push things to March first, when survey work is again looming, and my optimism will be a few weeks off schedule, more than likely.)
But gosh, I have Styrofoam, some internal house repairs to do, and outside temps ranging around zero (sub-zero) nights - too cold to work outside if I don't have to. It's an opportunity to test temperature fluctuations throughout the house for weak spots, too.
I already know some of these areas from observation. For some reason, there's an area by the kitchen outside foundation exchanging cold and heat. That's like a trip into hell, since crawling under this crawlspace is Nasty. I'm about the only one suitable to stuff under there, being the skinniest and Val is still too young.
It's decades-dry, dusty dirt with scattered rocks and mummified mouse skeletons, cobwebs and spiders, fuel lines and electrical and sewer, insulation overhead and wriggling under trailer beams while grinding bones into concrete blocks. Previous experience, parts of this I can't roll over, in that my shoulders are too wide and jam under the beams. One has to wriggle flat-bellied or on one's back, like a Human Snake.
Lovely.
If you're a small Addams Family member.
THAT experience I hope to postpone for another day. It's seriously Nasty, and the thought of getting stuck under there - it pushes my threshold of sanity towards cracking wide open. (In other words, if I got stuck, the kindest thing to do involves 'lights out' drugs while rescue efforts commence with 'jaws of life' or digging me out.)
-- On the other hand, if they're digging me out, they could go for a full basement? Almost makes it seem worth it then!
This does make working Styrofoam seem pleasant. Since I'm doing it 'my way' - okay, it's 'my world' - I'm thinking of tearing out the makeshift closet and rebuilding a smaller one. Why? Because the porch area is too small for anything other than storage, and without this closet, it'd be 'sitting room size'. Right now it's a dumping-zone.
The creative part comes in while I'm trying to compact all the stuff into other areas. And designing a functional closet. While I'm at it, may incorporate a few useful projects...
I know how much stuff is crammed everywhere in these two rooms! I'm good at packing a lot into a small area, and when it's expanded - it's a bit like the Big Bang Theory. How do you 'stuff it all back in?'
I'll be working alone on it, in that Sera is tied up between work and watching Matt's three youngsters; this also means she won't be giving me the Evil Eye at 3:00 a.m. as I push to finish something. That's the good part of working alone - no one scowling or muttering or declaring you're nuts, which doesn't seem to get the job done any easier anyway, so they may as well suck it up, grit their teeth, and get on with it. - That's what I think.
The more difficult part is moving the heavier items alone. Luckily, I've done it before, so I can do it. Sanity suggests I try to organize it where a second pair of hands can assist in the un-doing before I get on with the insanity... Facing facts, no way to not create chaos, and as soon as I start, it will be in full force around here. oh, sigh...
Only thing to do is focus on the anticipated end results and get on with it as best I'm able, and same time hugely grateful for 1) the gift of Styrofoam in 'my world' and 2) that I am capable of doing it. So I will.
It's gonna be interesting, and messy... I better go take take some vitamins.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Deception of the Number Game
I'm going to speak my mind a bit on worldly things, and how I percolated out my own answers. There is a belief that "numbers don't lie," and usually a 2 is a 2. But one can manipulate numbers to support whatever one chooses - make the picture rosier or gloomier. This is a form of deception that is touted as gospel to manipulate the people.
I took accounting, and didn't get my degree only because my advisor failed to notice I had missed 3 credits. The manipulation of numbers showed up in analysis and ratios, the parts 'humans' had a hand in (of course). I would have been good at playing this game, but it left a bad taste in my mouth - I could professionally manipulate numbers and tweak them to reflect positive or negative outcomes on businesses and people's lives... Wasn't sure I'd be proud of the person in the mirror every morning if I pursued a career in it, because it'd be Enron on small-scale.
Ratios - one pulled what numbers would best shine their position and ignored ones that were less so. Easy enough. If a business had a good cash flow but not much inventory and you wanted to make them squirm (say, higher interest loan on new construction), you pulled inventory ratios. If they were pals with the bosses, you polished up the cash flow into a golden picture. -- Is this why there's a clique of 'good old boys' running most towns?
Favorite example: An annual game of baseball was played between two teams, and the winners were delighted. But the losing side came back with a message congratulating their team for losing only one game this season, and condolences for the other team on having only won 'one'.
So in the world today... Cheers are going up because Unemployment Numbers dipped! Unless one looks behind "where these numbers come from." Unemployment itself has a cut-off time, and folks that 'no longer qualify' aren't counted anymore. Unemployment requires job search to qualify - if someone grows discouraged locally and heads to Nevada (foreclosures, anyone?) to seek work and ends up in a tent city... not counted. Folks that are self-employed and struggling are 'not counted' - many in the construction trade locally have worked six weeks in the last year, desperate for work that no longer exists, and are scraping by in a panic.
So - is Unemployment really down? The hard-heads will say, "Go get a job!" Yet in a previous recession, one part-time fry-cook opening at KFC had over 35 applicants. An older construction worker who's never cooked probably won't get the job or be able to support his / her family well if he does. If he doesn't qualify for unemployment and fought to keep his business afloat... He's not even a number?
Other numbers irk me. Today a lawsuit about cigarette smoking killing someone - sue tobacco. What the hell is going to happen if we apply this premise to alcohol, much less donuts or fast food or pop? Logical extension, I can personally have lawsuits against alcohol within the family, pop for dental repair (dentists call it 'coke teeth' when pop eats up enamel), and schools for calling 'ketchup' a vegetable, thereby misleading me into thinking my children were getting healthy lunches.
I don't believe we should be advertising any of these, but bashing one over the other... Yes. I smoke. But I'm not overweight, the new "issue" in America. "Statistically..." whenever there's a statistic, there's highs and lows on each end. Each person is unique - some durned old fools live to be 104, smoking cigars and knocking back a fifth of whiskey daily. One farm couple died before the age of 40 from thyroid cancer 'living a clean life' - didn't smoke or drink and ate their own produce... which was toxic from the corporate farm runoff next door.
Mom died from breast cancer before the age of fifty, and her smoking sister is still with us; I can list a dozen people destroyed by alcohol, and the suffering their families endured. I'm not saying any of these are good or bad or better or worse.
Before we happily bash anyone's choices, we'd do well to examine our own lives. An excellent example of manipulation and deception exists with Aspartame (NutraSweet, etc.). Check out the video "Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World" and the political connections that develop halfway through the film. (available online at: www.netflix.com/Movie/Sweet_Misery_A_Poisoned_World/70041888)
This has not only been sold to the public, but continues to deceive; one new aspartame product is being touted as healthy 'with added fiber!' Friggin' nuts. Fluoride was an expensive toxin to get rid of, and was previously used as rat poison. So they chose to make a profit off it by mandatorily dumping it in our water as 'healthy', despite most of it going down the drain, anyway. (Eats pipes, too.) Dozens more of these examples surround us, including gas-guzzling engines and toxic fish in our rivers.
So - what is killing us?
We are...
I took accounting, and didn't get my degree only because my advisor failed to notice I had missed 3 credits. The manipulation of numbers showed up in analysis and ratios, the parts 'humans' had a hand in (of course). I would have been good at playing this game, but it left a bad taste in my mouth - I could professionally manipulate numbers and tweak them to reflect positive or negative outcomes on businesses and people's lives... Wasn't sure I'd be proud of the person in the mirror every morning if I pursued a career in it, because it'd be Enron on small-scale.
Ratios - one pulled what numbers would best shine their position and ignored ones that were less so. Easy enough. If a business had a good cash flow but not much inventory and you wanted to make them squirm (say, higher interest loan on new construction), you pulled inventory ratios. If they were pals with the bosses, you polished up the cash flow into a golden picture. -- Is this why there's a clique of 'good old boys' running most towns?
Favorite example: An annual game of baseball was played between two teams, and the winners were delighted. But the losing side came back with a message congratulating their team for losing only one game this season, and condolences for the other team on having only won 'one'.
So in the world today... Cheers are going up because Unemployment Numbers dipped! Unless one looks behind "where these numbers come from." Unemployment itself has a cut-off time, and folks that 'no longer qualify' aren't counted anymore. Unemployment requires job search to qualify - if someone grows discouraged locally and heads to Nevada (foreclosures, anyone?) to seek work and ends up in a tent city... not counted. Folks that are self-employed and struggling are 'not counted' - many in the construction trade locally have worked six weeks in the last year, desperate for work that no longer exists, and are scraping by in a panic.
So - is Unemployment really down? The hard-heads will say, "Go get a job!" Yet in a previous recession, one part-time fry-cook opening at KFC had over 35 applicants. An older construction worker who's never cooked probably won't get the job or be able to support his / her family well if he does. If he doesn't qualify for unemployment and fought to keep his business afloat... He's not even a number?
Other numbers irk me. Today a lawsuit about cigarette smoking killing someone - sue tobacco. What the hell is going to happen if we apply this premise to alcohol, much less donuts or fast food or pop? Logical extension, I can personally have lawsuits against alcohol within the family, pop for dental repair (dentists call it 'coke teeth' when pop eats up enamel), and schools for calling 'ketchup' a vegetable, thereby misleading me into thinking my children were getting healthy lunches.
I don't believe we should be advertising any of these, but bashing one over the other... Yes. I smoke. But I'm not overweight, the new "issue" in America. "Statistically..." whenever there's a statistic, there's highs and lows on each end. Each person is unique - some durned old fools live to be 104, smoking cigars and knocking back a fifth of whiskey daily. One farm couple died before the age of 40 from thyroid cancer 'living a clean life' - didn't smoke or drink and ate their own produce... which was toxic from the corporate farm runoff next door.
Mom died from breast cancer before the age of fifty, and her smoking sister is still with us; I can list a dozen people destroyed by alcohol, and the suffering their families endured. I'm not saying any of these are good or bad or better or worse.
Before we happily bash anyone's choices, we'd do well to examine our own lives. An excellent example of manipulation and deception exists with Aspartame (NutraSweet, etc.). Check out the video "Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World" and the political connections that develop halfway through the film. (available online at: www.netflix.com/Movie/Sweet_Misery_A_Poisoned_World/70041888)
This has not only been sold to the public, but continues to deceive; one new aspartame product is being touted as healthy 'with added fiber!' Friggin' nuts. Fluoride was an expensive toxin to get rid of, and was previously used as rat poison. So they chose to make a profit off it by mandatorily dumping it in our water as 'healthy', despite most of it going down the drain, anyway. (Eats pipes, too.) Dozens more of these examples surround us, including gas-guzzling engines and toxic fish in our rivers.
So - what is killing us?
We are...
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Universe Delivers...
Multitasking of late, working into the wee hours on final projects and pondering how to best use the two weeks before more classes start. In my world, 'two weeks' is a pretty good chunk of time. With the blogs from Jim on ceilings, and knowing my desire for finished walls, and fully admitting these ceilings are shot...
So what could I do on a nickel and prayer that'd be worthy for a two-week opening? I was contemplating these things when I took a break from the computer. I was on it until 3 a.m., and back on it at 8 a.m., but satisfied with what I'd gotten done by noon. 'Napping' is a kid's word, so I 'meditate' - by letting my mind roam where it will while my body takes a break.
It wandered to ceilings and walls, took an inventory of what is on hand, pushed the envelope of wacky ideas that may be feasible, and contemplated costs. Then it kicked me back out of bed.
I needed to multitask on some survey work and run through Towne, which had been nibbling in my brain all morning. Stopped by son Matt's to drop off some bread and visited a short time; one question from the 'meditation' was if I could borrow his truck when he takes a vacation. Then I wandered over to my other favorite used shop - recycled construction items and furniture.
The Universe timed it -- as I pulled up, there was a truck and trailer unloading a huge batch of 4-inch thick, 4 foot by 4 foot Styrofoam blocks. I was too dazzled to do Math well, so I asked them to hold 50 of them for me. :)
Then I called Sera for funds to cover it...
My room is 'the addition', which doesn't get full furnace heat or hold it well. I can beef up these walls and do the ceiling! Things are just coming together for it, so -. It'll be interesting? Seriously needs it, and I accept this Window of Opportunity!
- Current class projects will done done tomorrow.
- I can use Matt's truck without inconveniencing him.
- Styrofoam is LIGHT. I can appreciate that!
- Sera and Val will be staying at Matt's, so not home in the chaos for a week.
- Styrofoam is insulating, and I can appreciate that!
- I have some awesome curtains to put up when it's done...
It'll take a bit to get the finish on the inside, I'll have to play with electric outlets and move a lot of stuff around (read: tear the house up), but - it'll end good. One outlet is 'kind of loose' and tends to crackle when I use it, so I'll replace that and run the extra outside light from my room...
Before I start, I'll try to mail out my Christmas letters.
I suspected the shoveling was simply a way of getting me in shape for things to come, and it looks like they're coming! And I'm fully aware this type of product doesn't stay long at the recycling store and doesn't come in often.
This is 'my world'. Sometimes things just happen this way, and today was one of those gifted ones. "Windows" where you least expect them...
So what could I do on a nickel and prayer that'd be worthy for a two-week opening? I was contemplating these things when I took a break from the computer. I was on it until 3 a.m., and back on it at 8 a.m., but satisfied with what I'd gotten done by noon. 'Napping' is a kid's word, so I 'meditate' - by letting my mind roam where it will while my body takes a break.
It wandered to ceilings and walls, took an inventory of what is on hand, pushed the envelope of wacky ideas that may be feasible, and contemplated costs. Then it kicked me back out of bed.
I needed to multitask on some survey work and run through Towne, which had been nibbling in my brain all morning. Stopped by son Matt's to drop off some bread and visited a short time; one question from the 'meditation' was if I could borrow his truck when he takes a vacation. Then I wandered over to my other favorite used shop - recycled construction items and furniture.
The Universe timed it -- as I pulled up, there was a truck and trailer unloading a huge batch of 4-inch thick, 4 foot by 4 foot Styrofoam blocks. I was too dazzled to do Math well, so I asked them to hold 50 of them for me. :)
Then I called Sera for funds to cover it...
My room is 'the addition', which doesn't get full furnace heat or hold it well. I can beef up these walls and do the ceiling! Things are just coming together for it, so -. It'll be interesting? Seriously needs it, and I accept this Window of Opportunity!
- Current class projects will done done tomorrow.
- I can use Matt's truck without inconveniencing him.
- Styrofoam is LIGHT. I can appreciate that!
- Sera and Val will be staying at Matt's, so not home in the chaos for a week.
- Styrofoam is insulating, and I can appreciate that!
- I have some awesome curtains to put up when it's done...
It'll take a bit to get the finish on the inside, I'll have to play with electric outlets and move a lot of stuff around (read: tear the house up), but - it'll end good. One outlet is 'kind of loose' and tends to crackle when I use it, so I'll replace that and run the extra outside light from my room...
Before I start, I'll try to mail out my Christmas letters.
I suspected the shoveling was simply a way of getting me in shape for things to come, and it looks like they're coming! And I'm fully aware this type of product doesn't stay long at the recycling store and doesn't come in often.
This is 'my world'. Sometimes things just happen this way, and today was one of those gifted ones. "Windows" where you least expect them...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Typical Unusual Day
As usual, I plan, and then the Universe trumps me. Luckily, I'm flexible and try not to be miffed about it. My expectations for the day was "computer" - assignments were due last night (not yet started, since I was busy on the computer with other areas of the combined project) and the finals are due by the end of the week.
So I got up.
It was early so I think I blogged a bit while 'the kids' got on out of here... which is when the first clue from the Universe alerted me that plans were changing. We've had rain, weird as that is, and it was settling under the snow-pack on the roof - i.e. leaking in around the bathroom ceiling light. This is not a good thing.
We were supposed to get snow and freezing following the rain, so figured the day would include some roof-side explorations. And figured I should run to Towne before the weather got crappy and before I got soaked and exhausted. Two reasons to go to Towne - bank deposit and bread store. The roof wasn't going anywhere in the mean time.
So... reality check. I thought I should cut the breaker off to the bathroom as a safety measure, so headed to my room for my 'breaker list' instead of randomly switch things on and off. On my way to my room, there was dog puddle on the carpet - obviously, the one that sleeps in hadn't been let out earlier and wasn't able to get my attention. I fetched my breaker list and on the way through the kitchen, grabbed some cleanser and hit the dog spot with a towel and proceeded to the breaker box, but the bathroom also controls the small bedrooms - i.e., if I flipped it off, the lizard's electrical 'hot rock' wouldn't be.
Left it on after all, but gingerly unscrewed the globe - nothing like electicity and metal and water to lend an air of caution? Didn't get zapped, knocked back an antibiotic for a tooth infection (and I do hope my Alaska sister doesn't read this, because she'll scold again) I'm regaining control over, got my stuff together and headed to Towne. Felt pretty good, which may be a sign of insanity.
Open to Opportunity. The bread store had 10 / $10, so I bought more than I expected - which is good. They also had 'bags for sale' - huh? Chunks of unused bread bags, neatly pinned through, for $3... Hamburger-size is great for yard cleaning and other yukky things as gloves, and the regular size is great for doubling to freeze loaves - so I got a stack of both. About 400 in each bundle, and should last awhile, I'd think, and no, I don't intend to crochet a bread-bag rug, though it is possible. Wasn't expecting this, either.
While I was in Towne... I'd seen some interesting things at my favorite used store, so thought I'd fetch them home while "I was in Towne." I allotted this expense at the bank, and stopped by to get these intriguing items: the old bottle cutter, which I've never had the opportunity to explore, but the way glasses break around here, figured I'd just hand them a jar or bottle and tell them to make another; and a yogurt maker. I'd had one of these years ago, and thought I'd give it a try one day again.
But... while the Opportunity Window was open, there... in the store... all by itself surrounded by 'junk'... was -- a Hamster Habitat! I'd spent what I'd pulled from the bank, but I knew this item wouldn't be there long - so I crossed the street to my bank's other branch and took out extra funds for this, returned to the store and brought it home. One happy hamster, and I knew Sera and Val would want it. (Okay, so my purpose was to make a hamster happy, as dictated the Universe? Actually a rare find.)
By that time I was getting hungry since I hadn't eaten, but I had a loaf of raisin bread next to me and it did taste good while I was driving. Got home with my bottle-cutter and yogurt maker and two sacks of bread and two bundles of bags and hamster house with one crown missing and treating infection with two assignments due that night after eating some bread while the bathroom light leaked...
I was good though? (Richard, if you're sending energy, don't stop!) Cold rain, but I knew where my raincoat was and donned snow pants to stay a bit drier and went roof-side with my shovel to resolve the problem. With the steady rain, a layer of slush was building under the snow; without a place to run to, it was backing up around vents and such. Since it's all gonna freeze again (unless something weird happens with the weather), figured I should remove all of it. Luckily, my area of the roof was good from the last shoveling. Luckily, it wasn't leaking in close to my computer, which would have caused Panic. Luckily, my little plastic shovel is light, because the snow was water-heavy! I have no use for a 20-pound shovel and prefer the lightest that will get the job done, which it did.
I was up and down with dogs going in and out, and the shortest route is simply swinging myself onto a tree and sliding down to the porch railing - good stretching, and smoother than clambering down the ladder; harder going up, which is why the ladder's propped on the other end of the house.
While I was up there, the plastic that is temporarily waiting for me to cut end-boards was loose on one portion, so I fetched up the stapler and hung over the peak by one leg to refasten it - easier than moving the ladder, which is stuck in the snowbank. While I was in the shed getting the stapler, I realized the snow on that roof was blocking the rain and coming through the screw-holes that I hadn't sealed, so -. Dumped the laundry out of a basket and fetched a garbage can to catch these leaks, which isn't critical and can be addressed another day. Easy fix, really, but will use the shop-vac to help dry the carpet when it thaws again.
On my way around and through the house to fetch the stapler, I realized the snow I'd shoveled was against the side door, about three feet deep. Truthfully, about the only place to clear snow on that portion of the roof, but it'd need to be cleared before I was done, or it'd be leaking in the door - and the dogs would have to leap in and out.
So... I finally got in, pretty soaked and a bit sore. Not sure why the chiropractor said "tennis elbow", in that I've never played tennis! I have found cutting the tops off a pair of socks make excellent elbow supports, and one can pull them down around wrists if a bit chilly. Looks like kind of cool sleeves, too, without adding a full shirt! Tip: worn-out socks filled with dog food and knotted makes a great doggie-treat, but we've used up all of our spares - I'm wearing the tops and the dogs finished off the bottoms.
Bonus: I had made oatmeal cookies the day before, so enjoyed a few with coffee.
Sera came home early not feeling well, Val came home from the bus and built a hamster house, and I took a break before tackling assignments.
The light gradually stopped leaking and I even got the assignments done on time.
So I got up.
It was early so I think I blogged a bit while 'the kids' got on out of here... which is when the first clue from the Universe alerted me that plans were changing. We've had rain, weird as that is, and it was settling under the snow-pack on the roof - i.e. leaking in around the bathroom ceiling light. This is not a good thing.
We were supposed to get snow and freezing following the rain, so figured the day would include some roof-side explorations. And figured I should run to Towne before the weather got crappy and before I got soaked and exhausted. Two reasons to go to Towne - bank deposit and bread store. The roof wasn't going anywhere in the mean time.
So... reality check. I thought I should cut the breaker off to the bathroom as a safety measure, so headed to my room for my 'breaker list' instead of randomly switch things on and off. On my way to my room, there was dog puddle on the carpet - obviously, the one that sleeps in hadn't been let out earlier and wasn't able to get my attention. I fetched my breaker list and on the way through the kitchen, grabbed some cleanser and hit the dog spot with a towel and proceeded to the breaker box, but the bathroom also controls the small bedrooms - i.e., if I flipped it off, the lizard's electrical 'hot rock' wouldn't be.
Left it on after all, but gingerly unscrewed the globe - nothing like electicity and metal and water to lend an air of caution? Didn't get zapped, knocked back an antibiotic for a tooth infection (and I do hope my Alaska sister doesn't read this, because she'll scold again) I'm regaining control over, got my stuff together and headed to Towne. Felt pretty good, which may be a sign of insanity.
Open to Opportunity. The bread store had 10 / $10, so I bought more than I expected - which is good. They also had 'bags for sale' - huh? Chunks of unused bread bags, neatly pinned through, for $3... Hamburger-size is great for yard cleaning and other yukky things as gloves, and the regular size is great for doubling to freeze loaves - so I got a stack of both. About 400 in each bundle, and should last awhile, I'd think, and no, I don't intend to crochet a bread-bag rug, though it is possible. Wasn't expecting this, either.
While I was in Towne... I'd seen some interesting things at my favorite used store, so thought I'd fetch them home while "I was in Towne." I allotted this expense at the bank, and stopped by to get these intriguing items: the old bottle cutter, which I've never had the opportunity to explore, but the way glasses break around here, figured I'd just hand them a jar or bottle and tell them to make another; and a yogurt maker. I'd had one of these years ago, and thought I'd give it a try one day again.
But... while the Opportunity Window was open, there... in the store... all by itself surrounded by 'junk'... was -- a Hamster Habitat! I'd spent what I'd pulled from the bank, but I knew this item wouldn't be there long - so I crossed the street to my bank's other branch and took out extra funds for this, returned to the store and brought it home. One happy hamster, and I knew Sera and Val would want it. (Okay, so my purpose was to make a hamster happy, as dictated the Universe? Actually a rare find.)
By that time I was getting hungry since I hadn't eaten, but I had a loaf of raisin bread next to me and it did taste good while I was driving. Got home with my bottle-cutter and yogurt maker and two sacks of bread and two bundles of bags and hamster house with one crown missing and treating infection with two assignments due that night after eating some bread while the bathroom light leaked...
I was good though? (Richard, if you're sending energy, don't stop!) Cold rain, but I knew where my raincoat was and donned snow pants to stay a bit drier and went roof-side with my shovel to resolve the problem. With the steady rain, a layer of slush was building under the snow; without a place to run to, it was backing up around vents and such. Since it's all gonna freeze again (unless something weird happens with the weather), figured I should remove all of it. Luckily, my area of the roof was good from the last shoveling. Luckily, it wasn't leaking in close to my computer, which would have caused Panic. Luckily, my little plastic shovel is light, because the snow was water-heavy! I have no use for a 20-pound shovel and prefer the lightest that will get the job done, which it did.
I was up and down with dogs going in and out, and the shortest route is simply swinging myself onto a tree and sliding down to the porch railing - good stretching, and smoother than clambering down the ladder; harder going up, which is why the ladder's propped on the other end of the house.
While I was up there, the plastic that is temporarily waiting for me to cut end-boards was loose on one portion, so I fetched up the stapler and hung over the peak by one leg to refasten it - easier than moving the ladder, which is stuck in the snowbank. While I was in the shed getting the stapler, I realized the snow on that roof was blocking the rain and coming through the screw-holes that I hadn't sealed, so -. Dumped the laundry out of a basket and fetched a garbage can to catch these leaks, which isn't critical and can be addressed another day. Easy fix, really, but will use the shop-vac to help dry the carpet when it thaws again.
On my way around and through the house to fetch the stapler, I realized the snow I'd shoveled was against the side door, about three feet deep. Truthfully, about the only place to clear snow on that portion of the roof, but it'd need to be cleared before I was done, or it'd be leaking in the door - and the dogs would have to leap in and out.
So... I finally got in, pretty soaked and a bit sore. Not sure why the chiropractor said "tennis elbow", in that I've never played tennis! I have found cutting the tops off a pair of socks make excellent elbow supports, and one can pull them down around wrists if a bit chilly. Looks like kind of cool sleeves, too, without adding a full shirt! Tip: worn-out socks filled with dog food and knotted makes a great doggie-treat, but we've used up all of our spares - I'm wearing the tops and the dogs finished off the bottoms.
Bonus: I had made oatmeal cookies the day before, so enjoyed a few with coffee.
Sera came home early not feeling well, Val came home from the bus and built a hamster house, and I took a break before tackling assignments.
The light gradually stopped leaking and I even got the assignments done on time.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Construction thoughts revisited and quirks
I've gained some ideas and some insights and will let them lie fallow until the proper elements come together for something to germinate. Not the usual way to go about these things, but you're visiting in 'Elaine's world'. I'll ask the house and the land what it wants, and even if I don't really get an answer one can hear, if one has any belief in a unified universe or earth-energy -- then it can't hurt.
(For those wishing to skip any construction thoughts, skip to the spacing --------- below.)
One of my favorite examples of 'how to build a root cellar' is intriguing. Dome structures tend to be stronger than box, and one simply (that's the word that leads me into strenuous labor) digs the perimeter down, piling the dirt in the center to form the dome. Framing is supported by this, and whatever materials one chooses to use are applied. Once it has firmed up, the dirt is dug out and loaded on the sides and top. Two points: one, don't forget to space in a door, and two, remember to put in a vent.
I will assume a bit of concrete floor could be poured and sealed from the inside. Sigh, once again, my leveling skills may be questioned - generally I have two measurements: 'obviously not' and 'good enough'.
That, too, came from previous exploration when friend Jim mentioned a roof construction using framed burlap and concrete (or spray foam insulation?). I added a papercreters group to my list, but much of it requires one to be a member - free - to prevent spam. Some of this is much like large-scale paper mache, and that I can understand!
Added bonus of rootcellar - doesn't show up in arial photos for tax purposes, and if one conceals the door behind piles of junk, they'll never know it's there - long as your neighbors aren't nosy. Blame this on my youth when the older kids played "Man from U.N.C.L.E." at Grandma's, designing underground torture chambers and rooms to create one day. I was a susceptible at age six, and thought the big kids knew what they were talking about. Right... have a ten-year-old draw your shelter plans... they'll incorporate a pool with a diving board.
I don't sit idle meantime, but continue gathering potential useful bits. This includes ferrocement found on the 'net. One photo-site is http://paisite.com/sunlife/index.htm and a major site, including ratios, is http://ferrocement.com/Page_1/english.html - available in other languages, too. Has some verrry interesting aquaculture uses given, too? Another site diagrammed a root cellar / storm shelter / fallout shelter at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/robert_conroy/rootcell.htm.
Stir this in with my previous exploration of papercrete -'net search produces a lot of information, and one example is at http://www.doityourself.com/stry/papercrete - this product is light and other sites 'waterproofed' by adding acrylic paint to the mix and other options are out there. Papercrete group site is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/papercreters/.
---------------- enough of this? Moving on....
This may confound a few people. In 'my world' the rules seem to bend a little bit. I was driving out in the middle of nowhere headed for one of our small, isolated towns when my temperature gauge began gasping, as if in death throes. It wasn't heating, it was cooling! No warning lights came on, but the gauge was wheezing feebly up, then sinking. This hasn't occurred to me before, so I knew something was up. I did have oil with, having purchased a few quarts when I'd finally made my last Wal-mart trip, previous blog (it's GOOD to listen to those inner nudges).
In case things didn't want to start again, and being on a narrow two-lane, I mildly-panicked the car into said small town, which appeared devoid of human life. I couldn't quite understand why oil may be connected to the temp. gauge, but last I checked, the radiator was full - and if it'd sprung a leak, one would have thought overheating would occur? I stopped and checked the oil, and the car was low, so I fed it a quart with apologies for being absent-minded on this.
The gauge went back to normal and has behaved since.
NOW - is this typical mechanics? I shared this with one friend, who quizzed me about checking the radiator - of course I didn't at the time, it was hot and I know better. A day or so later, I checked the radiator and it's perfectly fine. He insisted oil wouldn't affect this gauge, but then -- it is 'my world'?
I have my own weird explanations. If the oil or check engine light had come on, I may have panicked myself right into the ditch. This, to me, is like a heartbeat monitor straight-lining. Since it was a quirky, mystifying 'backwards temperature gauge' that I've never experienced before, I didn't know what was going on and if full-blown, hit-the-ditch panic was called for - so I didn't. Since the car can't actually say, "Hey, Elaine, could you pop some oil down me? I'd appreciate it" in a non-panicking way, this "Wake up, Dummy, and pay attention to me!" worked just fine.
Or... other cars routinely grow cold when the oil is low, I don't know. None of mine have previously, and - I do seem to be getting a little more eccentric. Now when the car radio is on, if it's 'abrasive or angry or belittling to anyone' music, I turn the channel to something more pleasant for my car. :)
Strange but harmless, and if the sci-fi shows where machines seek revenge ever come true, 'my mechanical friends' won't try to run me over. How are you treating your vehicles lately, anyway? Maybe the Universe is listening... (theme music)
(For those wishing to skip any construction thoughts, skip to the spacing --------- below.)
One of my favorite examples of 'how to build a root cellar' is intriguing. Dome structures tend to be stronger than box, and one simply (that's the word that leads me into strenuous labor) digs the perimeter down, piling the dirt in the center to form the dome. Framing is supported by this, and whatever materials one chooses to use are applied. Once it has firmed up, the dirt is dug out and loaded on the sides and top. Two points: one, don't forget to space in a door, and two, remember to put in a vent.
I will assume a bit of concrete floor could be poured and sealed from the inside. Sigh, once again, my leveling skills may be questioned - generally I have two measurements: 'obviously not' and 'good enough'.
That, too, came from previous exploration when friend Jim mentioned a roof construction using framed burlap and concrete (or spray foam insulation?). I added a papercreters group to my list, but much of it requires one to be a member - free - to prevent spam. Some of this is much like large-scale paper mache, and that I can understand!
Added bonus of rootcellar - doesn't show up in arial photos for tax purposes, and if one conceals the door behind piles of junk, they'll never know it's there - long as your neighbors aren't nosy. Blame this on my youth when the older kids played "Man from U.N.C.L.E." at Grandma's, designing underground torture chambers and rooms to create one day. I was a susceptible at age six, and thought the big kids knew what they were talking about. Right... have a ten-year-old draw your shelter plans... they'll incorporate a pool with a diving board.
I don't sit idle meantime, but continue gathering potential useful bits. This includes ferrocement found on the 'net. One photo-site is http://paisite.com/sunlife/index.htm and a major site, including ratios, is http://ferrocement.com/Page_1/english.html - available in other languages, too. Has some verrry interesting aquaculture uses given, too? Another site diagrammed a root cellar / storm shelter / fallout shelter at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/robert_conroy/rootcell.htm.
Stir this in with my previous exploration of papercrete -'net search produces a lot of information, and one example is at http://www.doityourself.com/stry/papercrete - this product is light and other sites 'waterproofed' by adding acrylic paint to the mix and other options are out there. Papercrete group site is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/papercreters/.
---------------- enough of this? Moving on....
This may confound a few people. In 'my world' the rules seem to bend a little bit. I was driving out in the middle of nowhere headed for one of our small, isolated towns when my temperature gauge began gasping, as if in death throes. It wasn't heating, it was cooling! No warning lights came on, but the gauge was wheezing feebly up, then sinking. This hasn't occurred to me before, so I knew something was up. I did have oil with, having purchased a few quarts when I'd finally made my last Wal-mart trip, previous blog (it's GOOD to listen to those inner nudges).
In case things didn't want to start again, and being on a narrow two-lane, I mildly-panicked the car into said small town, which appeared devoid of human life. I couldn't quite understand why oil may be connected to the temp. gauge, but last I checked, the radiator was full - and if it'd sprung a leak, one would have thought overheating would occur? I stopped and checked the oil, and the car was low, so I fed it a quart with apologies for being absent-minded on this.
The gauge went back to normal and has behaved since.
NOW - is this typical mechanics? I shared this with one friend, who quizzed me about checking the radiator - of course I didn't at the time, it was hot and I know better. A day or so later, I checked the radiator and it's perfectly fine. He insisted oil wouldn't affect this gauge, but then -- it is 'my world'?
I have my own weird explanations. If the oil or check engine light had come on, I may have panicked myself right into the ditch. This, to me, is like a heartbeat monitor straight-lining. Since it was a quirky, mystifying 'backwards temperature gauge' that I've never experienced before, I didn't know what was going on and if full-blown, hit-the-ditch panic was called for - so I didn't. Since the car can't actually say, "Hey, Elaine, could you pop some oil down me? I'd appreciate it" in a non-panicking way, this "Wake up, Dummy, and pay attention to me!" worked just fine.
Or... other cars routinely grow cold when the oil is low, I don't know. None of mine have previously, and - I do seem to be getting a little more eccentric. Now when the car radio is on, if it's 'abrasive or angry or belittling to anyone' music, I turn the channel to something more pleasant for my car. :)
Strange but harmless, and if the sci-fi shows where machines seek revenge ever come true, 'my mechanical friends' won't try to run me over. How are you treating your vehicles lately, anyway? Maybe the Universe is listening... (theme music)
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