Arkanstead: March 2011

Just in case anyone is looking and is feeling generous I thought I'd lay out my plans and the things I still need to bring them to fruition..

Next on the list for the home site is the falling (felling?) of two huge oaks. I had initially wanted to hold off on cutting them down but I've noticed some very big and storm-damaged limbs up above that would be deadly if they fell through the roof the cabin. The other is beautiful but it seems to be growing towards my building site and makes more sense to drop it now before it gets too big and more difficult to control.. So to do that I need some encouragement and some bravery...If anyone can send either of those things my way Ill be very appreciative..

Also on the list is the remainder of the gravel (roughly two tons) that needs to be spread out and for which I need a wheel barrow and a couple shovels, a rake and a hoe. Anyone who would like to donate a Lowe's card to those things would be beyond my best friend and earn themselves a place on my Christmas card list!!(My birthday is Thurs ;)) Anyone who wants to come help spread gravel will be even a step beyond that, and might end up god-parenting one of my kids someday...

After that, I'll be clearing all the scree and dead-fall from the building site and quarantining a burn pile for whatever I don't want to compost (I have 5 acres of compost right now lol).

Aside from those tasks, I need to finalize a floor plan so I can really figure out how to orientate my building. I've been holding off on this step because my friends keep sending me links to sick cabins that I want and it gets out of control with the "might as well do this" and the "as long as I'm doing that" syndromes. Trying to remain minimalist has it's own certain challenges..But this week I should have an idea what the finished project will look like..maybe..

I also need to dig and build an out house as well as a combo root cellar and storm shelter (in different places). Id like to keep my potatoes and wine safe from the tornadoes!!!

As far as other things I really need and cannot afford, they are things like:
A 16 foot ladder
A step ladder
A good generator
Some tarps
A couple good 18 volt drills
A Back Hoe..

Big time needs are a front door (steel or fiberglass) and windows (not necessarily new but should be fairly big and not damaged). I won't be able to frame any walls without these things already..These are a major cost factor for me and I really just cant spring for anything as nice as I'd like. Anyone with good ideas please relay them here..

Also, the chimney piping for my wood stove is beyond pricey and anyone who has some to donate might be keeping me from freezing to death, which would be a bonus. Plus, I need to build the heat shields and base for the floor and am not sure how that is going to work.

That's actually it for right now. Eventually, I'll be asking people to send interior supplies. As I'm going with no power initially, things like candles and LED lights (for the solar system) will be awesome. Also the majority of my appliances will be propane so any guidance or advise about installing a propane system will be well received.

Finally I need help figuring out a water system. I definitely cannot afford to drill a well or put in a septic system so both of these things need to be handled out side of the box. I can do rain water collection for all my non-potable water but the toilet waste and cooking water still need to be addressed..

As you can see, there is still plenty to do!!

Anyways any help or advice will be more than appreciated and until later...

Keep it Ozark kids!!!

Hey there kids...

So things are happening and I figured it was about time to give everyone an update..

Most importantly is the fact that I now have a mostly clear site to start building on. I still have a few things that need to be done before I can start sinking footings into the ground but I'm close enough now that I'm pricing lumber..

So I went camping this week..spent two days getting the rest of the land cleared and doing some general figuring...aka drinking Heineken and playing with my new chain saw..

First time camping on site..

My buddy came down to make sure i wasn't going to cut my arm off and he also taught me some of the finner points of splitting firewood. Can't say enough about the help I'm getting down there other than to say that nothing would be getting done at all if not for my man here.