It is my warmest hope that you all enjoyed your Holiday this past Thursday. Those of you outside the US, an equally warm hope it was a damn good simple Thursday.
I have been in Colorado for five months now. None of my family is here, however, in that time, I have made quite a few friends. Years ago, I used to be quite shy. Over the years, mainly through having to deal with them via Aviation, I have developed a more open and out-going/friendly disposition.
It surprises me the amount of people I have met in such a short time here. It isn't all my own doing. Namely just having a huge blue solar array attracts people. From there, it is up to me to figure out what to do with them all! haha.
I happen to have a very nice neighbor behind me. She invited me over for Thanksgiving. It was her, a couple of her long time friends, and myself. Quite nice. Even managed to find things to eat. Mash, brussels, cranberry, corn etc. A nice brew and even a cup of tea to wind down.
So, what have I been up to this week?
This week involved a very large winter storm that passed across the US. Starting on Wed/Thursday. Overcast. Snowing daily. A foot or so by the end of it all. Teen temperatures. It was nearly a week without seeing the sun, even for a peek. It doesn't typically do that here.
It all became a very good run on the Solar System. Through it all, the lights never turned off. I still was able to use the kettle. Each day, although not sunny, still managed to put a kilowatt or two into the battery to compensate for the previous evening usage.
The system is sized right for my usage.
It has been a while since doing laundry. Decided to tackle that while stuck indoors. Filled up a large tot with clean, powdery snow. (Packed down well to make a decent amount of water) The idea was to use snow instead of the potable water jugs. Overall saving me 10-15 gallons of water. One tot was used to wash everything while another was used to rinse them out. Wringing out the excess water between switching buckets of course. The Deck structure was put to great use. Even in sub frozen temperatures outside, clothing still manages to dry in the sun and light wind breezes. I was surprised at how effective it actually is. Plus, the clothing smells great. Aside from wringing out the clothes, it was a theraputic process.
If I was to purchase a wringer, the process would be easy-peasy. Saving me from having to eventually figure out hooking up a machine. Plus the water savings. Any ideas on a clothes wringer? Manual crank type stuff?
What else.... Ah. Got it! Today was finally warm enough (in the 40's) to cut out a hole in the house, install the remaining window, and caulk it sealed. Now I have what looks like a decent little cozy home. :)
It is all coming together!
Over the last week, laundry was done, holidays were had, windows installed, and the remaining bits of insulation put up into the ceiling. Hmm, I'm finding a nice equilibrium here. Things are coming along.
Two great things happened today. An additional window. The other was the postman showing up with my Tea order from UK! Weee.
Now lets get on to something more interesting... PICTURES.
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| Marked out where to Cut the Siding. |
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| Window Cavity cut out. |
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| Dry Fit before caulking. |
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| The visuals are coming along. |
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| The neighbors, Horse and Cow. |
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| About two days worth of Heat. Black willow. Creek bed. |
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| My order of tea finally arrived from the UK! |
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| Snow Finally melting off. |
