RV Living

So far, we've managed to survive 4 months in the RV without killing one another. Actually, it hasn't been that bad; we just pretend we're on a really LONG camping trip. And while I've gotten used to showering in a space with the same floor square footage as a cat litter box, I still have to be careful climbing down the ladder first thing in the morning.

We do get to take the RV for a spin every two weeks when we have to dump our gray water and sewer tanks at the rest stop 7 miles north of Tacoma. On the return trip, we usually have dinner or breakfast somewhere and then fill up our propane tank at a local truck stop.

I can tell I'm starting to have "remodel anxiety dreams". Dreams where I'm trying to ride a bike home while balancing my two cats on the handle bars or where I find out that homeless people have been squatting in our house when I'm not there. I think the race to get the roof shingled before the really bad weather comes and the vulnerablity of having the house empty is on my mind a lot.

South Addition Progress

A few weeks ago, we poured the foundation for the addition on the south side of the house. The addition will expand our kitchen, bathroom and office downstairs, as well as add a back door. Upstairs, the expansion will increase the size of two rooms and add a bathroom and walk-in closet.

We poured the footings and 4 foot walls in a single pour, so LOTS of concrete (about 5 1/2 yards). Chris used a eco-friendly form release on the forms, so they were reuseable. I put them on CraigsList and a lady came by and hauled them away for us. The last picture shows Jeff and Brent starting to build the outer walls.

Columns by Madera

Here are the porch column blanks built by Carlos Taylor- Swanson's company Madera Fine Decorative Furnishings, located in downtown Tacoma.











Carlos at his shop.













Carlos and Steve loading the columns into our truck.

Columns by Ted

Here are some pictures of Ted Bartholomew, who turned our porch columns. Ted is 89 years old and has been working a lathe since he was a teenager.






























Detail of the shaft top.














Caps and Bases.



















Ted standing next to our old column and the new one he made.

Ted Turning Columns

Here is a short video of Ted Bartholomew turning one of our porch columns at his shop.