The Windows: Round One

It's taking shape, and we are loving it!!

This weekend we were able to install four of the six windows. We had hoped for all six windows and the door, but things have not been going as planned for a couple weeks now. A friend was supposed to come help us install the windows, and also bring the materials (tape, caulking, etc). He ended up having a little too much fun the night before and as a result- did not come. Good thing I bought installation supplies for "extra just in case" or we would have had to drive right back into town. 

We started the morning by swinging by Dan's Dad's store to grab the staging ladder attachments we would need to get the large high window in place. While Dan was inside, I roamed over to a vacant area behind the store to find all sorts of house remnants strewn about. I immediately fell in love with two different doors laying there covered in leaves and debris. Based on the way they were left, I doubted Mr S had any plans for them. Dan checked with his Dad and they were ours! We loaded them up into the truck, already buzzing with happiness because of the great finds. We plan to use these doors in the interior, whether it be as a partition or a mantle of some form. We shall see!

Removing the extra stuff from the "display"
window.

Well, that's about as far as it got before things started to move slow and be kinda miserable.  We were quite the pair as we dragged ourselves around the worksite. My leg has continued to get worse, and now my knee was killing me too. It was difficult to walk around, let alone climb and squat and bend. Not to mention I had a gorilla whoop of anger moment. I managed to slather a good four tablespoons of window caulking in my armpit. I put my arm down before discovering this of course. Then, on Sunday, I got it in my hair. WINNER! 

But more importantly, Dan has been suffering through another UC (ulcerative colitis) flare up due to the wisdom teeth pain killers. I'm sure those of you who have this digestive disease can feel for him. It is difficult for me to witness; I can't imagine living it. For those of you who are not familiar with UC- here is a really simple explanation. Imagine your intestines are lined with ulcers. Certain foods and medications can rip them open, causing acid to spew throughout and burn the delicate lining of the intestines. This lining is the site of all nutrient absorption. Not only does he have to deal with relentless and sometimes debilitating abdominal pain, there is the heavy achey exhaustion, sleep disruption, digestive turmoil, and decline in morale that come with starving. Without that lining, you can eat and eat, but your body won't get any benefits. He's lost several pounds, but he seems to be turning the corner in the last day or two. 


I only go into such detail, because I believe he should be commended- by more than just me. Even if I have a decent set of cramps- I'm a little crabby patty and I don't want to do anything. I can't imagine being in constant pain, aching, beyond exhausted, with absolutely no energy-- and still pulling it together to work on a house in 90 degree weather.

You're amazing babe! 

Long story short, we installed the three smaller windows on Saturday. I bought a knee brace on Sunday morning, and it was a game changer! My leg is feeling substantially better now. I wish I could say the same for Dan. :/ It's a slow road back after flare ups- typically three weeks or more. On Sunday, we did just the large center window. I think that's a solid half day's work. That beast was HUGE and HEAVY and had to go up HIGH.

Hut! Sooh! Hooii! (heavy lifting noise)

We ended up building temporary staging inside the tiny house so that I could be on the inside helping guide the window. As for Dan, since we had no one to help hold the ladder solid while he handled the window, we improvised. We set the ladder in place, and then tied two cinder blocks through the rungs so that they hung below and served as a counter-weight.  It worked! Once the huge window was in place, we went about applying the foam insulation to seal up around the window seams.

Counter-weights for Dan on the ladder.

Temporary staging for the big window install.

I'd say, despite our conditions (both of us definitely should have just been resting) we got a solid start on the windows! Once again, our list was over-ambitious, and we learned window installs can be slow work. After the last window was foamed, and all the work site was

 organized and stored- we took a moment to look around. It was a good idea. Despite how drained and poopy we both felt, we brightened up as we looked about our loft space and saw all the bright light streaming in. The big center window looks beautiful and I can't wait to see the interior progress more. Hopefully we will get the last two windows and the door installed next weekend, along with the roof!

First sight out the big center window! Hi, Dan!

I have a work trip this week, but Dan plans to do some smaller jobs after work at least one day this week. We talked about starting to do that, but wow is it hard to break after-work routines. At the end of my day, I have a set list of things I'd like to do, and driving to my Dad's to do work is not one of them. I know, you'd think it would be. I think I'll get a second wind once my leg is healed up.

Have a great week, readers!
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