Long dry time

It took a lot longer for the papercrete blocks to dry than I thought. This just isn't the WEST! I put about 2 lbs of paper in the first form and doubled the paper in the second one. As it worked out one is about 2" thick and the other one is about 4" thick. The overall outside dimensions didn't change as much as the thickness. I will try adding something more, maybe vermiculite or something. I really don't want to add sand, because of the insulation loss. Insulation is the whole point for me. I like the feel of the blocks, and I will try a couple more. They are very light and firm. When I get several, I will mix some more of the same mix to use as mortar and connect them together, stacked. I'm not sure of the dry time in southern Colorado. I don't want to commit to using something that will delay me too much needlessly.

Papercrete trial blocks

I have been thinking of using Papercrete to build with. I learned about it on the internet. I have been very empressed with it for dry climates with a large temperature swing. Namely the Southwest. I decided to try a few blocks to get my feet wet, so to say. I took a bag of shreaded paper home from work to try. I mixed it in a bucket, and only used paper and portland cement. 1 5 galon bucket of schreaded paper and 2 lbs. of cement. added water and mixed. It will be a few days before its dry.

Last Day of Vacation 2010

Top: Denny and Becky

Center: Brahm, Louis, Jamie, Alex, Maria, Dagmar, Owen, Amy, Linda and Rugger in Front center.

Bottom: Colten, Amy, Savannah, Linda, Donna, Steve, Jessie, Mark, and Jack's hand.

Kitchen Trash Can Repair

The rod that connects to the foot pedal on the lid of our kitchen trash can broke. The solution, repair or replace it. I chose to repair it. Friday on my way home I stopped by the Big Box and got a 1/4" X 3' steel rod. $2.49 + .21 tax = $2. 70. It took me about 2 hours on Saturday afternoon to complete the job. Time and a half for my time (Saturday) $90. Total cost of the repair $92.70. The cost of the can new, $42.00 or so. Good as new, MAYBE, MAYBE NOT.

Gary and Lynn's

On Wednesday the 19th, we went to Gary and Lynn's and had a great time. They are our very good friends. We will remember these times as the best of times with friends.

Lou's Land

Brahm, Louis Jr and I dropped off my PU at Car Toys and went out to see Lou's Land. He has owned it for a couple of years, but this was the first time that I have seen it. It is about an hour east of his home in Parker. It is a very beautiful piece of property that makes you feel like you are in the mountains. He will probably build a weekend cabin there. He may eventually use it as retirement property. Brahm was walking and heard something in the grass, a squeak. When he looked down, it was a mouse being eaten by a snake. I think it is a Bull Snake (non-poisonous). He said it was like the mouse was saying "Hay Buddy, could you help me out on this one. I took a couple of pictures, but it is hard to see. If you look, you can see the mouses eyes. One less mouse, one well fed good snake. Bull snakes eat young Rattle Snakes.

A day with JR

On Thursday I went to Lou's house in Parker and he is in the process of finishing his basement. He is making a Beauty Salon for Jamie, who does hair for friends and family. He is also putting in a theater room with a projection TV. These pictures are of the basement project. Brahm came over and we took my PU to Car Toy's and left it there to have my satalite radio installed that I bought off eBay. We had lunch and went out to see Lou's land in eastern CO. I had not seen it yet. He has owned it for a couple of years and I will post some pictures soon.

Sunday August 15, 2010