Happy New Year to all looking in on this blog. A new year has begun; let us all hope it turns out to be a good one. Sadly, world peace is probably too much to hope for.
It’s been a quiet change-of-year for the most part. The high desert has some snow on the ground but temps are supposed to get into the lower 40s this next week so what snow we have will probably melt, at least in those places that get sunlight. Average high for this time of year is about 37 degrees.
Christmas decorations are mostly down and packed away. I have a few lights on the garage and lilac bushes to take down yet; after that Christmas is really over. Pam goes back to work after a 12 day break and she is not looking forward to it.
The foster kittens are doing well, growing and having a good time in the cat room when Pam lets them out of their pen. Our larger cats generally leave the kittens alone, although Sunny likes to sleep on top of the kitten cage. This month spay/neuter surgeries will be scheduled, then two of the three should be ready for a local shelter and adoption.
I’ve updated a few of my Galleries as well as the text of a few pages; this keeps me busy on days (like today) when there is little to do, or that I want to do, outside. My thanks to Larry and Tabitha for their frequent comments on these posts.
2015 House Project: We are looking into “panelized” home kits. These are neither pre-fab or modular homes but are made out of insulated panels. Generally provided as a shell, it is up to the home owner to provide doors, windows, interior finishes, roofing, electrical wiring, and plumbing. The advantage is lower material cost, fast build times, and all interior walls, steps, and decking are included in the purchase price.
One of the kits we are looking at is this ranch-style house plan:
Potential ranch kit
Link to floor plan and more details is at http://valubuild.com/manufactured-home-models-ranches/ranch-rap-28×56.html
Going forward, we have decided to have a well drilled at Sanderling before we make any other construction commitments; we hope to see adequate water flow but, if not, our plans will have to change accordingly. Nothing is going to happen for a few months yet, but I did download the well permit and will be filling it out and getting it back to the state in the new year.
E-mail contact with the Solargon company (a Colorado-based modular home manufacturer I had mentioned in a previous post) was disappointing. Not as much value-for-money as we were expecting, less included in the housebuilding kit than we had thought, expensive and inconvenient shipping arrangements needed, and rather pricey overall.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Two Cents Worth:
In the new year, I plan to drink more wine (white), read more books, practice the guitar, renew my passport — and maybe [help] build a house? (Regarding the guitar, I will continue to practice chords in private, as Jer says, “You need to tune that guitar!” when the issue is my fingering, not the guitar. I’m not very good at guitar chords – one week into it – and some of the sounds are “buzzing and plunking” discordant.)
I recently joined Facebook (I know, what took me so long). Mainly I want to view the family photos I have been informed I’ve been missing. And it’s true, there are quite a few family photos on Facebook. Also a lot of other junk, however…
Happy Trails.
Gnu Year at the Fosters…
In contrast, Wisconsin is experiencing a temperature drop, from the low 30’s to double-digit below zero with accompanying strong winds — an “unpleasant” week ahead…
“Buzzing” on chords diminishes with finger strength & callus development, as long as the guitar neck isn’t too wide (for your fingers) or too narrow (depressing 2 strings at once)…
One of the few benefits of winter is the time for study, contemplation, and planning. First things first, and it does sound like “water” is the first item on the checklist.
the kit looks like a good option!
have you talked to anyone who lives in one? be nice to get some insider information–too bad you can’t reviews on amazon!
lol pam–i think your resolutions are great–and if you combine the wine drinking with the guitar playing it’s bound to sound better without much extra effort!
facebook–ah yes–it’s an interesting place! the good the bad and the ugly for sure!