Three Weeks In: Nails, Nerves, and New Walls
Well, it’s now been three weeks since I picked up the lumber, and progress has been flying at break-neck speeds! The roof was almost done—right up until my “brilliant” idea to drive a 3¼-inch framing nail straight through my wrist like a stake through a vampire’s heart. Needless to say, that slowed the momentum a little.
Once the nerves stopped screaming, I got back at it, shifting to projects that didn’t require quite so much wrist acrobatics. I started framing in the interior walls—separating the bathroom, my bedroom, and the walk-in pantry. For now, I’m just using plywood as room dividers. One day, maybe I’ll get fancy and put in drywall, but for now, this works just fine.
I also hung up the inverter system my dad gave me. It’s mounted in the bathroom at the back of the house, right where I can easily access the roof wiring. The battery bank will live under my bedroom floor, safely out of sight and protected from the elements.
At one point this week, I discovered what I thought was a gremlin under my stove—turns out it was just Twitch, my ever-curious sidekick. She didn’t appreciate being evicted from her new “home,” but I told her rent was due.
The first bathroom window went in this week too. I installed it so it can be pushed out from the inside as an emergency egress. Safety first.
I also got the sunken hearth chimney in place. It passes under the mezzanine, across the back hall into my room, and out the side wall—keeping it entirely away from the kids’ rooms. A few pieces still need replacing, but I’ve already tested it and it works brilliantly.
The hatch for the battery storage under my room is now complete, and I built an access for generator storage under the front porch. That simple addition has already reduced the generator noise, and I’m planning to muffle it even more with extra insulation and—if all goes well—an old truck muffler. Yes, we’re going full Mad Max in the pursuit of peace and quiet.
By the end of the week, I even managed to get the place tidied up for an updated photo. There’s still plenty to do, but seeing it come together—even with a few “nail-through-the-wrist” moments—makes every bit of effort worth it.
As I stood back looking at the progress, I thought of this verse:
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” – Psalm 127:1
This isn’t just a build—it’s a journey. Every wall, every nail (even the ones in the wrong place), and every lesson learned is part of something much bigger than me.