We finished up the crown molding tonight.  I am rather excited about this not only because we did it so fast but the fact that it looks rather nice.  Sure it is not perfect but I really like the look it gives the place.

I also had a realization tonight as we were working that I felt really comfortable working with the molding at this point.  I was measuring, cutting and nailing with confidence.  I have discovered that at the 75% completion point of any stage of this project, I begin to feel really quite comfortable with what I am doing.  It is usually at that point, I make a mistake.  It happened tonight but It was recoverable, the wife had painted a piece of scrap and I ended up needing it because I cut one piece an inch short.  Minor issue.

But the interesting thing about the learning curve is that it feels really good when you reach that peak of the bell curve.  The work becomes pleasurable.  There is witty banter, chatting about the next stage of the project, and work flows seamlessly.  I hope that when I finish, I remember the last 25% of each stage more than the first 75% because that first part is pretty rough.  The reward, however is worth it.

There are a few major things coming up now:

1. Door Trim
2. Window Jamb extensions and trim.
3. Building my desk.
4. Building the bathroom sink.
5. Finishing the lower kitchen cabinets – doors and drawers.
6. Building and hanging kitchen cabinet uppers.
7. Final paint on the trim.
8. Clean up.

I think most of this stuff should be done in a couple weeks.  Then I really need to get the bobcat fixed and ready for transport, because it will be moving time.

The wife painted an enormous amount of casement trim for all the doors and windows.  I putzed around and put up one piece of trim, then realized I could not do any more because I somehow missed a piece, or cut that piece for something else.  So I cut the piece I needed and she painted it.  While I was watching her work really hard. I managed to start doing some more precision carpentry.

I cut and fit some pine for the shower bucket window.  This was really good practice because it is the same exact process that I will be using for the jamb extensions.  I am somewhat impressed with myself since I am not working from any plans or guides.  I ripped down some 1×6″ pine to 4.5″ to fill the opening and used 1×8″ for the stool.  I will put some casement trim around it as well.  Just like a window.  Well, sort of, the stool does not extend like it would normally on a window because that would obstruct other trim.  Anyways, I managed to do all that cut, fit, nail and it all worked, looks good and it is solid enough to hold that 40 lbs of water when the bucket is full.

We also both started coming down with a cold.  This development may slow building for the next couple days…

First off, thank you to all of you I know who have served in the Armed services.  You are all the reason I have the freedom to move to the woods and build my dreams.  Despite the issues I have with this country, it is my home and I respect all of those who have served to protect it and continue to do so.

I had a really fantastic weekend.  The Donut King of Port Wing returned for a working weekend at the cabin.  There was painting of trim, logging, brush hogging, shooting, BBQ-ing, drinking, and fraternizing.  Many things were accomplished.  Much fun was had.  I have some video that I shot felling a tree and the wife shooting and hitting a target with a 12ga shotgun to come after they get edited.  I also missed my first great video with the gopro, after changing batteries the damn thing switched to snapshot mode and took a picture of my face instead of filming us felling a 50 foot tree.  I guess I need to fell another dead tree.

We built a tripod to hold the solar shower out of some Aspens we cut down.  There are about 6 million of these on the acreage so we are using them as we clear some of the scrub.

We painted a bunch of trim.

We also started installing the trim.  Nail guns are amazing tools.  I also am getting better with each corner but I can say for sure, finish carpentry is an ART! I am still a neophyte here when it comes to carpentry at this skill level. Just a small difference in the corners really makes a big difference and requires a lot of fidgeting to get it all to fit and look decent.

I am getting much more confident in my coping skills.  I made a few minor errors but nothing that will be too visible after paint.  Maybe just a little caulk would be in order as well.  I have two rooms cut.  I cut the square sides just a little long so that I have room to fit everything and trim it up once it is painted.  I would rather it all be a bit too long than too short.

Today was supposed to be a putzing day.  But the wife ended up showing up early and helping me get the last door in.  It was by far the easiest.  I am getting a lot better at hanging doors.

I put the ceiling fans back together.  Moved the cabinets to where they are going and did a bunch of clean up.  I ordered my crown molding and door casement trim.  That should be here tomorrow but I am not picking it up til Friday.  Starting to look livable, well closer anyways.

Also ordered the outdoor shower bag today.  It was warm enough to remind me that it will be nice to shower outside soon.  I just got one of those solar bag camp showers.  Going to make a little tripod or stand for it in the next week or so.  Lots to do, lots to do.  But soon we will be done.  I am really looking forward to trying my hand at some of this trim stuff.

With the exception of the corner that was behind the furnace, we are done painting.  The first coat covered so well, there we only a few spots that really needed a second coat.  I am pretty sold on this Sherwin Williams paint.  Besides giving me 35% off on the paint since it was a contractor over buy, It is really nice paint.

I measured for base and moldings, casement extensions, window and door trim as well.  Hopefully I can order trim Wednesday, for the Thursday delivery.  And get all my tools set up to hang that, and put in some doors.  Make casement extensions, sills and all that good stuff.  Things are moving along quite nicely.  I was not expecting to be done with painting yet.  Except with two of us, we painted the whole house in less than 4 hours.  Which is not too shabby.