Roof Square Footage Update

Ryan got the roof plan done today and we have final numbers for rain water collection

The main house and garage combined are at 3198 sq.feet. Which, for our purposes equates to 3198 * .55 = gallons per inch of rainfall. ( see House Elements page above).

This is good news because we will have the capacity to collect more water than we would ever use during the rainy period and have no troubles during the summer. The plan us still for a cistern between 10 and 15,000 gallons.

Cheers!!

Checking In

For those of you who don't live in Washougal, you may not know that they are working on the road. For 15 weeks we will not be able to go the direct route to the property. We might not get there all summer. Ryan is finishing the basement and roof plans now. I have to finish the Petal information. We just had a giant project thrust upon us at work so we are now " officially" behind schedule. 

More later

Checking in... Memorial Day 2012

Well... here it is, Memorial Day weekend. I am going to try and work but am torn between wanting to give my extremely overwhelmed 4x+ a week, brain time to catch up some more VS taking a break so that I don't burn out. I don't know why but every task, no matter how small, seems so daunting. It's hard not to feel like I am disappointing everyone. Maybe I took too big a first step. I've never been a quitter so I am crossing my fingers and hugging Ryan a lot these days.

To take me away from my quandary, Ryan and I decided to gas the truck up ( $3.89 a gallon with our Safeway card), which led us to the property. Here's a photo or two. We are very humbled by the task ahead and excited to start the adventure.

Second Floor Drawings

Here they are!!


I got Ryan to make some labels for this one. Of course, it site directly atop the first floor.

Second Floor Drawings

I don't like the behavior of the document in the IFRAME, so I am only providing a link here. Next step is the basement drawings and a site plan drawing alsong with all of the Petal stuff (which is on me). Pete, we'll be contacting you pretty soon. Abigail... here is your second floor if you are still liking it !!

First Floor Drawings

I have been waiting for the other floor to be done but am starting to grow impatient. We have had the first floor done for a very long time now, so I decided to bite the bullet and put it up.

The top is south facing. You are looking at, from the top down, the LR then DR, then kitchen. Bank of windows on the south and east walls. Wood stove BTWN LR and DR. Stairs to second floor next to east windows. Doorway out to entryway and then through double doors to get to garage where there is a mud room. Stairs in entryway go downstairs to the train room. The entry way is not in the heating envelope but is a transition area between out and in. The two rooms off the kitchen are a bathroom and a pantry.

Outside dimensions are:     N to S: 50 feet           E to W: 35 feet (not including the garage)

Our first floor plan

April 13-14: Volunteering at Hawks Mountain Ranch

When we get out there, we are getting goats as our natural pasture/blackberry control measures. By golly, we're going to know all there is to know about them and have a clue!!  This year we were gratefully allowed to volunteer at Hawks Mountain Ranch during kidding season. Lisa, our very gracious mentor and hostess showed us city-fied folks the ins and outs of cleaning stalls, feeding, rounding up and most of all, marveling in the awesomeness of the Pygora goat. 

Ryan and ClairBell

We even feel in love with two little ones. I don't have the photo available of the little white boy but this is ClairBell and she stole Ryans heart. An orphan, she had a troubled birth and was not welcomed by her mom once she got better.

The little white guy was abandoned by his mom after a few days and was left. Nothing has ever broken my heart more than watching a little baby goat run from mom to mom and try to get some milk only to be kicked away as if he was poison. He just stood there and looked at the ground before gathering up enough strength to try again with the same results. Everytime getting a little weaker and a little more hopeless.  :(   The photo I took was so sad I can't post it here. Lisa intervened and worked some magic and he is stronger, bigger and doing better.

We had a great experience and feel so much more prepared for what lies ahead and inspired to go back next year.

The little ones are hiding

Ryan feeding the pregnant(?) mothers

We seldome have the opportunity to get photos of Ryan so I am extremely pleased that he was willing to be photographed doing something that he doesn't like to do... getting dirty.  LOL  Sory hun but it is SO true.

I am proud of you and know that you are going to be the best partner that I could have asked for on this adventure.

March 2012 Update

Not much to report I am afraid.  My new job has me working almost every waking hour, including the weekends. Ryan is still working on the second floor drawings but in taking up all of my slack, not much going on there.  We are still on track to turn in our drawings to someone by spring. Since spring starts this week, we have at least three months to get our act together.  Good thing is that my new job pays a living wage, so we are on track to have almost half the property paid off by next February. Which gives us a nice chunk of change to get started.  More when I can...