April 2014

Four months have transpired and I have written nothing to my blog... so much for the New Years Resolution.  And the longer I wait the harder it gets.  I do have one small excuse to lean on, my computer interface with Blogger has been giving me an error code for a couple of months, I changed over to Mozilla a couple of weeks ago and the problem is gone!!!  I really need to spend a weekend reformatting and reloading the hard drive.


I presented a 2 hour seminar at our 17th Annual Kangeiko (Judo Winter Training Festival) in Fargo on the 1st of February.  There were about 50 participants.  I will put pictures on my new judo blog that I will share with you later this month.

While we are in Fargo for Kangeiko, Carol got notice that her aunt had died so we headed home on the 2nd of February, repacked our suitcases and headed for Illinois the next day.  We met Carol's three sisters there.  The funeral was very nice and it was good to catch up with family.  We returned to Custer about a week later, anxious to sleep in our own bed.

Let me catch you all up on the progress of the house.

On the 6th of April, two years ago, we started the excavation for the house foundation.  Carol and I hosted
Easter dinner for the neighbors, the guys and I stood outside in shirtsleeves in the warm sun and watched the excavator dig.  Last year we worked through the winter, there were some cold and snowy days, I think we took 3 or 4 snow days.  This year Mother Nature has not cooperated with us, cold weather, wind and snow have been the norm and nice days have been rare.

"All Weather Roofing and Repair"out of Rapid City installed DECRA shingles on the garage on the weekend
of 29 and 30 March.  It was a matter of finding a couple of nice days in a matrix of cold and windy weather.  They set up scaffolding on Thursday afternoon, we had a snow day on Friday, they showed up early on Saturday and Sunday morning and with a crew of five guys got the roof completed by late Sunday afternoon.

Anyone in this area need a roofer?  We were VERY pleased with the work that
All Weather Roofing and Repair did for us.  They showed up when they said they would, dressed appropriately, were soft spoken - we didn't hear one discouraging word while they were on the job site, they worked efficiently and in harmony with a great amount of craftsmanship and cleaned up when they departed.  We highly recommend them.

While the roofers were installing shingles I completed the railing on the deck off the sun room.  I used the "cable rail" system manufactured by Feeney, Inc., special order from Lowes.  A little expensive but a very good product that is easy to install and has a very good look. Best of all, Carol and I can sit in the sun room and our view of the property is not blocked.


In mid March we traveled to Pelican Rapids to help my mother move from her condo to assisted living, she will be 92 years old this year.  She is doing well.  It was great I got to see my sister Diane and her husband Rich whom I haven't seen in about a year and a half.  We came home with a pickup load of family heirlooms as did each of our kids Brittany and Brady and Kristen and Gabe.

I have been cleaning up outdoors when the weather has allowed: picking up rocks, burning sticks and small scraps of lumber, raking out the ground and planting some grass seed.  The ground  was finally firm enough to pull the old Caravan up the hill with the tractor to the parking area with Gabe's help

(Gabe and Kristen were here for the weekend).  I am hoping to get the old travel trailer moved in the next week or so.  The Caravan will go to salvage and we are hoping to sell the old camper.  We hauled two loads of steel scrap to A1 Steel in Rapid City.

When the weather didn't cooperate this winter I spent my days in the shop, starting my day building a fire in the wood stove... it is a great place to keep a cup of coffee hot.  I built book shelves on the east wall of the shop and started unpacking books.  It was great seeing my books again, I immediately selected several books by Donn Draeger on the history of martial arts in Japan and started rereading.... what a joy.

In the last few days got the kitchen light wired up to the switch and installed two sets of track lights in the pantry - before there was only one light and it was inadequate.  I cleaned the garage for the 20th time I think, throwing out cardboard, consolidating loose items in boxes and reorganizing boxes - we are down to about 15 boxes in the garage.  I reorganized the shop and at the end of the day yesterday we had the new pickup in the garage and the mustang in the shop... we heard there was the possibility of a thunderstorm in the forecast.  I spent today cleaning up lumber left over from the construction... sorting like items and placing them on pallets.  The place is beginning to look pretty good.

Things are going well for us, we hope things are going well for you too!


Van  

Chill'n

I have been relaxing for the past three weeks.  Friday afternoon before Thanksgiving we signed the paperwork to convert the construction loan to a mortgage.  Today is one of the first days that I have not felt the fatigue, the mid day tiredness, that I have felt for the last 5 or 6 months.  It was worth it,  we worked our butts off and now get to live in a very cool, handsome home. 

Carol and I went to Fargo for Thanksgiving to see the kids and mom.  I thought I would be bored but I settled into a relaxed rhythm quickly and enjoyed the family.  It was fun.   Kristen, Gabe and Carol cooked the dinner and I got my filling of mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, cranberries and a leg - very delicious.

I got to do some judo with the guys on Tuesday night and got caught up with the gossip at Tailgator's afterward... great to be back on the mat!  Wednesday I dropped by the Lab, visited with Bill and John, looked at two construction projects underway, one that I had designed, the other John is bull dogging and he is doing a very nice job.  It was nice to see that they are following on the path that I established.  I was told that the cost of steam and electricity had gone up significantly, the changes I made to the infrastructure over 26 years are probably saving the Lab $500,000 plus annually.

On Friday Kristen, Gabe, Carol and I got to tour the Fargo Brewery with John Anderson, co-owner with his brother.  I have known John for years, he and Gabe were high school classmates and have remained close friends, so I have been following the beer brewing conversation since it was just a spark of an idea.  The "Fargo" beer is quite tasty and popular too, considering the tasting room at the Brewery had a steady stream of people sampling their ales.  I was really impressed.

Since we returned from Fargo I have been working 4 to 6 hours a day, what I consider to be a relaxed pace.  I spent the better part of the week cleaning up the shop, it had become a dumping ground for tools, equipment and supplies toward the end of the project.  I moved the drawing table closer to the windows and opened a spot close to the door where I can build cabinets and shelving.

We have also been moving boxes from the big shelf in the shop and the storage unit and getting them unpacked.  We have stacks of artwork in the great room waiting for some inspiration on where they should go.  We are constantly saying, "I wonder where this or that thing is?"  The answer if always, "In a box somewhere!"

I got a space cleared out in front of the speed bag and have been working it every day for a week.  I have room to swing the club bells and the jo.  It is about time!  I have been doing the ashiwaza drill (a stepping exercise that is extremely precise) that Darrell Craig Sensei taught us and have found that my hips are not so flexible - so am working on that daily too.  For the last week I have gotten about an hour of practice a day... it
feels GREAT!!!

We had a cold stretch of weather, down into the -20s F over night and highs in the single digits for about a week.  The house was designed for -10F.  The lowest temperature in the house, one morning was 58F.  Although when the sun shines the house warms up into the mid to high 70s - it is so pleasant, almost like being at the beach on a warm summer day. 


I am commissioning (tweeking) the heating system and I haven't gotten full output from the electric boiler yet, I have to go slow to make sure I don't overheat the wood floor in the great room.  I also have yet to insulate and sheetrock the bottom of the floor in the crawlspace - based on how warm it has been in the crawl space the last couple of weeks it might take care of most of the problem.  We have an additional problem that wasn't included in the original design, the recent adaption of a peak demand period by Black Hills Electric Cooperative, during these times we pay demand charges based on the highest peak usage for the month... at $10 per kilowatt it adds up quickly.  The winter time
peak demand period is from 5 to 9 am and 5 to 9 pm.  Of course, when you need the heat the most is during that morning peak period.  I installed timers on the boilers in the garage (which has been turned down to 40F) and the one in the house and on the water heater.  Carol doesn't run the dish washer nor the drier during the peak time but does run the range.  Our bill this past month was outrageous in both peak demand and kilowatts used - I kind of expected it as I was just completing the system the middle of November and hadn't gotten the automation completed nor the
time clocks installed - I was running the system manually.  December should be better.

We have two heating projects on the drawing board: the solar thermal system and the fire place.  So next year, even if it gets cold we should be golden.

Today we have more normal temperatures, high of 44 F and a low of 29 F. and the house has
returned to a very pleasant temperature.

To the right are some pictures of the work on the front entrance/tower that took place in the first half of November.

Carol and I both wish you and your families the very best holiday season.

Van and Carol

Week 28 - 20 October 2012

It is Saturday the 20th of October. 

At the beginning of October we were about a month behind schedule.  We have had a crew of carpenters for the past 3 weeks and are catching up!!

Late in August, visiting with Craig at the Custer Limestone / Upper French Creek Beer and Wine Drinking Society get-together, about the slow progress on the house, Craig recommended that I contact Luke Neff of Luke Neff Construction Company. Luke had done some work for Craig and knowing Craig is pretty particular I took that for a good recommendation. Luke was busy for most of the month of September but would be available the first week of October.

At the social after the Red River Judo Open Judo Tournament at the end of August, Sam Rudd, fellow judoka and long time friend indicated that he would like to come out and give us a hand for a week.  So a couple weeks later I gave Sam a call and asked if he was serious about giving me a hand for a week or so.  He was and a few days later he drove out from Saint Cloud.  Sam and I started out our week by cleaning up and painting the pond.  We used an epoxy paint called PondShield, it is similar to the Rhino bed liners that are sprayed into pickup beds.

Using a large excavator we moved a 4 ton rock into the pond.






A week later Mark started working again half time.  We completed the sheathing and waterproofing on the south face and started working on the roof.

 

Luke Neff started work on the 1st of October.  Mark and Luke built the entrance roof over the back entrance.  Every one worked on the rafter tails and roof.  The roof has two layers of 2" extruded polystyrene insulation taped and foamed into place with a layer of 1/2" OSB on the top.

We had originally planned to build the footings for the master bed suite ourselves, but we were behind schedule so we subcontracted the entire project out to Jenniges Masonry.  This is what the footing looks like from "Cell Phone Rock."

Sam watches from Cell Phone Rock while the crew with Jenniges Masonry pours the walls of the closet.  The closet will also serve as our tornado shelter.

 

This is a view of the tower.  This was taken mid week, since then we poured the stem walls to the left and installed sheathing on the tower walls.

The electrical inspector came by on Friday and approved the rough in of the electrical in the house.  The insulation subcontractor will be here on Monday to insulate the exterior walls and part of the roof over the bedrooms.  The appliances are going to be delivered on Monday.  The windows have been ordered and should be here in a couple of weeks.  I have a call into the sheetrock subcontractor but we are still playing tag.  Sam and I have been working on the plumbing and should have the water on in part of the house by the end of next week.

we can see the light at the end of the tunnel

It has been another four weeks, an interesting four weeks, since I last shared a story or two. 

I flunked a treadmill stress test on Wednesday, the 2nd of October at 7:30 in the morning and by 4:00 pm I had been admitted, EKGed, sedated, cathed, angiogrammed, angioplastied and stented.  I asked to watch the procedure and was told that I watched half of it and then passed out from the anesthesia... I remember the room but not the procedure.  There was no heart damage, no heart attack.  The hospital staff was very professional and worked in good harmony.  Of course, I feel like I won the lottery... a major artery was 98% blocked, it would have been a widow maker!

I was told to not lift anything more than 10 lbs until Monday.  The doctor was concerned about the artery opening up where they inserted the catheter in my right wrist.  Carol's interpretation was NO work until Monday.   I was tired so I went with her interpretation.  That weekend the kids came for a wedding party at the  Prairie Berry Winery, but we got a blizzard... everything was shut down!  The kids had to get out of the house on Friday and they got the suburban stuck on the way home.  Carol and I got in the tractor and drove about a mile or so from the house, plowing the road as we went.  Pulled them out and plowed our way back home.  It was good that the kids were here, they kept the doors clear of snow.  Lots of food, lots of drink and lots of laughter.  Great way to survive a blizzard.

Come Monday I just went back to work.  I feel great, in fact I have more energy than I have had for many months.  Carol tells people that she couldn't keep up with me before and after the stent there is no way. 

Mark Strege and I worked together and completed the installation of the foam and T1-11 sheathing on the south side of the house.  Carol had painted the T1-11 in the garage. 

Carol and I installed the steel siding.  This was the last side, so it completes the exterior.  The roof is complete except for 10 feet of ridge trim which was ordered and awaits pickup at Menards next time we go into Rapid City.

Luke Neff and I worked together on my birthday and completed the wood trim on the south side. 

 

Ken Nysether visited for a weekend.  It was great getting a chance to catch up, our lives have been so busy for many years and when we get together, typically for a judo or climbing event, we never get a chance to visit at length.  Ken and I sloped the drainage channel, that we call the "moat", around the north side of the house... Ken loves to dig in the dirt so we had a good time.  We moved some heavy rocks!!!  I remember being short of breath, a few days later I failed the stress test.

 

Carol and I have been working on the master bedroom suite, just about everything needed some attention: sheet rock, taping, plaster, painting, electrical and plumbing.  The toilet and vanity are fully functional and all the electrical is completed except for the installation of one 2 pole circuit breaker, which is on back order... unfortunately it serves the bathroom.

I completed the installation of the radiant heating system and we fired it up... just in time, the weather has turned significantly colder, since the blizzard we have been 20 degrees F below normal temperatures.  The house has been very comfortable for the last week.

Our schedule for the next week includes completing the trim in the master bedroom, the last 10% of the sheetrock in the tower, the tower floor and the shower water proofing membrane and tile.

We are entertained daily with an assortment of critters:  we have 3 rabbits that live under the wood pile, a half dozen chipmunks, and a squirrel.  Several times a week we have deer browsing in the yard.  A few days ago as I exited the house a bald eagle flew over my head, about 50' in the air.

 

Best to all of you in your journey through life.

 

Van

26 September 2013

I have been remiss in my communication with you, it has been about 6 weeks since I last wrote... we have been busy and we have accomplished a lot.  I am still working long hours and haven't taken a day off since I can't remember.  It was hot for a couple of weeks and I don't tolerate the heat very well and they were slow days.  Last week I had the shingles...  This week I feel great!!  Horray!!

Since last I wrote we went to the bank and requested a 90 day extension for the project - this moves completion to the end of October and closing sometime in November.  We are hoping we can have everything done the middle of October.

The Appraiser came out last month and we gave him a tour.  We had a good conversation about the appraisal process and what needs to be completed before the house can be financed on the secondary market... I think we are doing well.  I am going to take a day off!!!

While Sam was here he completed the installation of the walking surface on the deck.  The weather has been a bit hot during the day to enjoy the deck but toward evening, when the day begins to cool, Carol and I enjoy a drink on the deck.

Mark Strege was here for a couple of weeks installing the T1-11 siding.  Mark completed the siding on the master bedroom and hallway and we completed the foam and siding on the east end of the great room late last week.

For the past couple of days Carol and I have been working on installing shingles during the morning before the heat of the day really settles in and working on the sheetrock/plaster in the master bedroom during the hottest part of the day.  We completed the small roof on the hallway between the tower and the master bedroom, and the master bedroom roof and all but one corner of the big roof on the main part of the house... I was short one piece that had to be special ordered.  A couple of weeks ago Carol and I painted the exterior T1-11 siding,

Installed a timer on the water heater.  Our local electric supplier is changing its rate structure and has added demand charges for power.   The new timer will turn off the heater during peak times.

Luke Neff has been here for a week and a half installing trim.  Carol and I are installing the metal lap siding.

The days are getting shorter, the evening getting cooler, there is talk of rain tomorrow and snow tomorrow night... I am hoping not, but it is pretty typical for this time of the year.  The snow won't last but for a couple of days and then it will be in the 70s and 80s again.

We have deer in the yard almost every day.  We spooked one sleeping next to the garage on two occasions.  We also have 3 happy rabbits, Carol is feeding them carrots and lettuce.  The other day  this guy visit us....

Middle of the night

Saturday night, the 10th of August, around midnight, Sam woke us up, he was experiencing chest pains.  We took him to Custer Regional Hospital Emergency Room where he was seen by Dr. Joy Faulkenberg, one of our local physicians.

Dr. Joy initially thought that it was an anxiety attack as Sam didn't have any of the tradition markers for heart attack, but she remained skeptical.  When the morphine drip didn't cut the pain she started a drip of nitroglycerine and the pain stopped.  She told Sam, "I called the bus, you are going into the emergency room in Rapid City, you are having a cardiac related event."

Sam was cathed on Sunday morning and the Cardiac Physician installed a stent and balloon pump.  We called Sam's wife Deni and she and the kids arrived Sunday evening.  Sam was in ICU for several days.  The doctor's told Sam that the artery that feeds the heart was 100% blocked... it was the "widow maker".  Sam was transferred to the Cardiac Care Unit on Wednesday.  We saw him on Thursday evening and he looked much better.  He was released on Friday morning and Deni and the kids took him home.

To tell the truth I was scared shitless.  It didn't look very good for a while.  Carol and I were much relieved when we saw him on Thursday evening.

Sam, my dear friend, rest and get well soon!

3 August 2013

I didn't get to post this entry... lots of things interrupted my train of thought... more on that in another post.  So here is the post:


Is it August already?

Mark Lyndoe with Mile High Concrete and Masonry completed the stucco on the tower this week.  The tower was a fascinating project for Mark - the tall walls and the surrounding stone complicated the set up of the scaffolding and getting "mud" up to the higher elevations. 

They set up the scaffolding and equipment on Tuesday.  The scratch coat was completed on Wednesday and the final coat on Thursday.  A thunderstorm on Thursday afternoon  forced them off the scaffolding and ruined a small section of the fresh stucco forcing them to work late. 

The stucco turned out great!  I hope the mottled look hangs around but it is likely to fade out to one shade of gray, the lighter gray in this picture.



































Completed the installation of 3 more footings, for a total of 11 footings.  Pulled a muscle in my back lifting 80 to 100 pound 6x6 posts for the corners of the deck.  Didn't sleep well last night so I am taking a day off for recovery, hoping to be able to get back at it tomorrow morning.

Work also continues in the master bedroom suite. 

Mark Strege and Sam Rudd will be here on Monday to work on completing the exterior of the house.