Monday, August 25, 2008

Rainy Days and Mondays


I couldn't think of a more appropriate song or artists for today! It's still raining here although it is much heavier today. We actually went in to work this morning as it had stopped raining but only got to work to about 8:00 a.m. before it started again, so we all went home. I have to admit, I was not disappointed. You know, it's hard and aggravating sometimes living in an unfinished house and taking so long to build it because I didn't borrow money but, man, is it nice to not worry about a house payment if I have a short week. Or truck payment or lots of other stuff like that. I know lots of people that are just killing their selves working all the time because they have all this stuff to pay for but I'm so thankful that I don't have that. Now, I know in a lot of cases it's not the person's choice or fault that they have so many bills (I was there once too) and I heartily sympathize with these people but I don't understand the drive to have certain possessions if you can't afford them. Lots of people's eyes bug out when I say my house is less than 1000 square feet. They can't believe somebody would live in something so small! I get irritated with myself though because a lot of times I find myself quickly adding, "well, it's not done yet; I'm going to add another bedroom etc"! As if I should make excuses for having a house so small! Ha!
Well, I'm very glad for the rain. Our state still needs it. My creek has been down quite a bit and the spring could use some water although it is not really low. One of the comments/questions I get the most about my house is about the rain on the metal roof. Is it loud? Does it sound nice? I like the sound myself. In the summer when the clerestory windows are open, it is much more noticeable but not overwhelming. If I am in the bedroom or bath (flat ceiling and attic above) I don't really hear much on the roof. I have been surprised a couple of times when a big stick or something fell out of one of the trees onto the roof and I hear this big BONK! But that's OK.

These are my bathroom lights that I installed this past weekend. I thought the dark steel fixtures went well with the steel beam in the living room/kitchen. Of course, the sink and countertop that goes underneath them is still missing! I need to get that done. I think I am going to go with a concrete counter. And that gaping hole in the wall is where the stained glass window goes. My BFA (big fancy architect) is supposedly designing this for me but I have yet to see a drawing. He is very busy so I hate to ask him about it much. I don't lack much more in this room to have it completed. Oh, a mirror will go in between the two lights. I know you already figured that out but it looks kinda funny to me with nothing around the fixtures. Well, looks like more rain tomorrow so maybe I'll post again and get to work some more on my pottery. I did throw yesterday!! Yea!

*The Carpenters

5 comments:

Elizabeth said...

I have a question for you. You are so talented and so creative, why are you having your architect design things for you?? I wondered that with the steel beam and now am wondering it again with the stained glass window??

MamaHen said...

Hey Elizabeth! Thank you for you compliments. Well, there are several reasons actually.
First, while I can create lots of things, I feel that I am quite unimaginative at times. Everyone gets into a certain frame of mind or way of thinking sometimes and it is always helpful to see things through another's eyes. I may be a 'jack of all trades' but I am truly 'a master of none'. Someone who is trained in one particular area can give you endless insights into ways of doing that craft or project. Of course, I put my own personal spin on my projects but it is just invaluable to let other people say 'well, what if you did this or that?'
Plus, in the case of the beam, I needed to have that engineered to make sure it was structurally sound and he has those connections.
But perhaps the most important thing to me is just that the architect is a good friend of mine and he wants to help. It makes him feel happy to create something for me and I like his ideas. Plus, we get to argue about stuff! We have a good time teasing each other and then he can get me to do work for him.

Elizabeth said...

Ok, I guess I missed the part about him being your friend. That makes more sense now. lol... Will you make the stained glass window yourself? I haven't done any real stained glass but I love using paint and making "fake" stained glass sun catchers for my windows. My friend in Calif. Painted her huge west facing window to look like a stained glass one and it was gorgeous. Sure helped with blocking some of the heat also. I too feel like a jack of all trades but master of none. There are just too many things that I am interested in doing in my life I guess to spend "too" much time on any one thing. Am off this weekend will try and send pics then. Have a good one.

Anonymous said...

Greetings,

I too am proud ya'll are getting some rain. I believe ya'll got more of Fay's rain than we did in Mobile. That Gustav has me worried though, if it gets into the Gulf watch out.

On a more serious note, I think your experience with the size of your house and people's comments tells alot about where America is today. We(Americans) feel that we have to have separate rooms for eating, socializing, watching TV and the like and can't seem to understand how those that came before us didn't have such things. My cabin is only 940 sq. ft., your's is 1000..how many large families were raised in houses smaller than that!! We wind up tying ourselves to the grindstone for 30 years and for what? On the surface building codes and restrictions seem like a good idea but what has happened is that people are no longer self-sufficient and the codes are used by municipalities to put money into their coffers.

Now I'm depressed. On a lighter note I've got some good news!! As of this past Friday night at
10:00 PM I'm a Grandpaw!! Little Leanna Kate was born to my oldest daughter after a long, long day.

Keep up the good work and don't despair. You've got something in your place that folks long for but just don't have the guts to go after.

Barry

MamaHen said...

Hey Elizabeth! Yeah, I'll make the window myself. I enjoy stained glass very much and have a fair amount of that equipment. I took a course in glass when I was in college so that is how I learned. I wish I were more structured in my crafts. I want to do everything and I end up not finishing a lot. Plus, my real work keeps me so busy now I don't have time for what I would really like to do. Maybe later.

Hey Barry! Congratulations! Gramps!! I'm very proud for you and your family! blessings for the little one.
You are very right about the way people think nowadays. We have been programmed to think we need these big "McMansions" and I think it is going to come back to bite a lot of people in the butt. I'm very fortunate to have what I do.
I hope Gustav doesn't cause ya'll any problems.