Why can't we make up our minds?...Stubborn kids!

This week has been one slow week. There's really nothing going on on the site because we are waiting for the SIPs to come in, which will take about 3 weeks. We are spending the time designing more. This is good because once we get what the two porches will look like, then we can start constructing them. I've been working on the front porch and the roof that covers it. I pretty much got the roof down, we just need to make a decision between notching into the SIPs panels or fabricating brackets for the beam to nailed to or buying hangers of some sort. The porch part is a bit more complicated. The choices are clear...level the ground in front and put in pavers, or dig out the ground in front and put in a deck. The first choice would require a retaining wall, which can be as simple as railroad ties that can be found almost anywhere. The pavers would be cheap to buy. We would also design some sort of built-in seating because we would be taking away the comfort of a deck. The second choice would look more polished, but it would cost more and perhaps take more effort with digging out the yard. I really think that the class as a whole needs to make a decision fast, and then more investigation could be given to the details. Both options are possible. I feel like I'm just sitting here repeating myself. There's not much more I can show without designing the thing myself, and I hesitate to do that because I don't want the class to feel limited with design. I know that's hard to explain, but it makes sense in my head.

The bottom line is...the class needs to start making some decisions, and fast. This next weekend, we are installing the sub-floor for the pier system. I'm not sure how long that will take. Knowing us, it may take a week because we'll probably do something wrong and have to redo the whole thing. Now I pray that doesn't happen, and we are getting better at construction. It's all a learning experience. At least this time, we have some students with experience in building sub-floors.

Another issue going on is the budget for the project. Janina and I are working to keep the budget organized. Habitat for Humanity seems to think that we don't get donations from anyone, that we're not "pulling our weight." But this is not true. We have gotten SOOO much money from donations. We've also gotten a lot of materials and labor donated. Fundraisers will most likely be happening soon though. We are in the process of designing T-shirts, and we hope that they will be a hit and maybe we can sell them to whomever wants one...like they did last year. Maybe we should revert back to what we were researching in the Fall Quarter about fundraiser ideas?

We'll see how things turn out. Let's hope for the best!

...hmm? I wonder where everyone went...