Project Recap

It seemed that the JayBee project was on a tiny roll during the autumn months, but that ended when winter cold moved in and I came down with a heavy cold. Even though I'm recovering from the illness part, the winter and the holiday season will keep me busy and away from making real progress on the JayBee for awhile.

I celebrated a birthday some days ago. Take a look at this unique and appropriate gift from my sister. She painstakingly colorized my JayBee drawing and then had the image put on a set of postage stamps. So cute! Also the perfect gift for someone who is diligently (and ever so slowly) downsizing (and doesn't need more "stuff").

As I was recently recapping the project in my mind--going over how far along things are and how much more there is to do--I went back and reviewed photos of the project thus far. Even though I've been a director and carpenter throughout, there are photos that surprise me--that make me think "I did that?!" or "However did that get done?!" Strange phenomenon, that. It's a good exercise--to review and remember; it provides inspiration, and also some reassurance that surely the rest will happen eventually too.

If you haven't followed the blog of the Little Yellow Door project, it is worth checking out. Ella built a Tumbleweed Fencl tiny house--and it's done! Ella's "The house that never ends..." post describes so well the paralysis that can set in when self-doubt and the fear and hugeness of the project are allowed to hold sway. Her completed project also so clearly demonstrates the reward that lies in overcoming the mental obstacles by making progress on one tiny piece at a time. Eventually, those pieces add up to a completed home!

I will use the winter months to move forward on these pieces:
- Drawings: I recently finished drawing the framing for the west end bumpout. I plan to complete plumbing and electrical drawings for the JayBee as well. (There are some plumbing bits that need to be done on the JayBee before the west end can be completely closed in.) I will draw the rest of the roof framing and I will calculate exactly where the vents (for the plumbing, the hot water tank, and the stove/heater) will pierce the roof.
- Cabinet Construction: I have drawn plans for a cabinet that will serve as a food pantry in the JayBee and I hope to make a little progress with constructing it this winter. (It will be a rolling cabinet so it can also serve as a wall in front of the hot water tank.) I have some ideas about a mini-cabinet/shelving unit that I want to build next to the JayBee's door to hold keys, mail, a charging station for my phone and iPod, etc. I will draw plans and possibly begin constructing that.
- Research: I will use the winter months to research and consult with some professionals who might help with JayBee construction. I think I'm going to hire someone to install the roofing on the JayBee once the framing and sheathing are done--the major reason being that I don't want to buy the tools it would take to cut the angle cuts on metal roofing. I need to find both a plumber and a electrician; I'd like to do the basics myself but use the professionals to ensure compliance with codes and to make the connections with utilities.

Don't worry; I won't be idle! As I come up with JayBee things of interest, I'll post them.

In the meantime, below are photos from a few recent walks with Bear and George. The dog in the last photo is the neighbor's dog that is allowed to run loose--much to my irritation and the terror of my cats. On a walk with George, I was surprised when he suddenly shot off and disappeared way up the railroad tracks. Well, he knew who would be bounding around the corner a moment later--the dog. She ran in circles trying to follow George's trail--but he was long gone way up the tracks to the left.