HELPING TO WORK ON THE HOUSE!!!

The reason we came out to Cousin Bob’s place was to help work on the house.  Jim has been here two other times to help with the construction.

Bob has been working on his house for the past 7 years as he has had time and money.  At least in the end it will be complete AND paid for. 

The house is of post and beam construction, with straw bale walls.  The north, east and west walls of the main house are straw bales with an R value of 40.  The south facing wall is glass or glass French doors.  This will allow the winter time sun to enter the building to warm it.   In the summer time when the sun is higher in the sky the overhangs of the house shades the windows from the harsh sun.

Right now I am sanding and staining the boards that are being used for the ceiling and Bob and Jim work on installing the boards on the building.  They are working on the Library room.  The roof has already been installed on the main part of the house and the “guest house”.

Cheap slave labor!!!

Setting beems before applying the roofing boards



Plugging way at putting the roof on!!



Standing back to admire their handy work!!!!

Some unique things about the house; he has solar panels, a wind generator and a gasoline powered generator for electric, he has to go into Seligman and purchase water and truck it in, but he does have a septic system on the property.  He is totally off the grid and has only himself to rely on.  Maybe the people that got hit by the snow storm back east should take a lesson in self reliance.

Safe Travels and Stay Healthy,
Jim and Barb