May
4
2014

Order Tara's Bicycle Touring Cookbook Today!

Building a House is Hard

by Tyler

I am so tired of fighting to keep things dry on our land…

Tarp Failure on Timber Frame Cottage

It's a never ending battle, and we pretty much always lose.

Tarp Failure on Timber Frame Cottage

I have forgotten what it is like to see a forecast for rain and not be filled with dread.

Timber Frame Cottage Getting Rained On

I know that everything we build will ultimately succumb to entropy, but it would be nice if nature could give us a year or two before attempting to destroy the things we've worked so hard to build.

Timber Frame Cottage Getting Rained On

Dear future self, here are some things to remember:

  • When attempting to tarp something really big, attach bungee cords to every single eyelet. If you skip this step you will probably wind up doing the entire loathsome process again… with a partially destroyed tarp.

  • Oil stained wood can get wet without being ruined. Stop worrying so much.

  • No matter how good your balance is, standing on the ridge beam of your house in the middle of a windy rainstorm, heaving a sixty foot tarp over the peak is not worth the risk.

  • When both you and your wife are soaking wet, screaming obscenities at the universe, it's probably time to call it a day.

Us (Hating the World)

Building a house is hard.


For a more detailed account of this experience, read this

Previous Entry
-
Next Entry
-
R
Topics:

11 comments

Next week end, it will be one year since our visit, and all you had on your land were the camper, the pump and a box on a pole for your internet...and...that's all I have to say.

No, in fact, I want to tell you I'm really impress by all what you achieved in the last 353 days or so!
Just trying to cheer you up, guys!
Your last posts about the frame raising and the pictures of you two full of pride were so inspiring, it's hard to see you in this bad mood. I hope the weather will change 180 degrees after the hard winter and almost absent spring...
Btw, I still have snow in my back yard! See...it could be worst ;-)
Posted by David B. on May 7th, 2014 at 8:24 PM
That is the saddest I have ever seen you guys:( Hope the sun has come out since you've posted this.
Posted by Natasha on May 8th, 2014 at 9:24 AM
Oh man. :(

Fighting with tarps is NO FUN at ALL! Keep your chin up though! You are SO close to having another dry space to work in. Your frame is lovely and it WILL survive!
Posted by Ruth on May 8th, 2014 at 9:28 AM
Add this to your list to your future self. This comes from my mother ( and my grandmother as well, and probably yours as well). You might as well laugh as cry. This is very helpful. And really, the ridiculous nature of tarps in the wind, the level of frustration, rain dripping down your neck, you might as well laugh.
And think about this. How many houses get built without getting wet? I know yours is more exquisitely crafted than most, but down through history homes have been rained on during construction.
And if it were going to melt, wouldn't you rather find out now? (Joking here)
Posted by Sandra R on May 8th, 2014 at 12:21 PM
Out of great misery comes great art? That photo is iconic. Like American Gothic or something.
Posted by Jennifer on May 8th, 2014 at 1:38 PM
Thank you for the words of encouragement everyone :) Things are going quite well now.

More journals to follow!
Posted by Tyler on May 9th, 2014 at 8:14 AM
I think you two are amazing. Just keep trucking on...good luck with everything guys. You know it will be worth it in the end but when your cold, wet and tired it's hard to see the wood for the trees.

Xxx
Posted by Debs on May 9th, 2014 at 5:12 PM
Hang in there - you'll get there!
Posted by Scot McPhie on May 11th, 2014 at 7:58 AM
Just know this: rain is better than fire. When my parents built their house, it was struck by lightning just after the windows went in. You two are so close to having this thing better protected from water, and then it will go so fast! Eventually it will all work out... in the meantime, just picture sunny summer days in your head! It's just around the corner.
Posted by Magalie on May 11th, 2014 at 8:09 PM
Dear tara and tyler
I ve started reading goingslowly for many months now and i still do,
Your sharing moments are like parts of my day now, your excitement is mine too, n your obstacles worry me too, but one thing i would like to say, everything actually happened for a good reason...i m sure both of u will go through this excellently....
Posted by Teti Rozi on May 12th, 2014 at 9:10 PM
I SO understand what you are feeling in that photo. Curse all you want. Shake your fists at the sky. Get it all out. Then sleep it off and start anew the next day, as you do with every thing you two tackle in life.

You're both f*@king awesome.
Posted by Sheila on June 2nd, 2014 at 1:02 AM