Day 231 - Lots of VSPs

Lots of snow today. As it's the first major snowfall of the season, there are the usual large number of accidents (48). Only crazy people don't have snow tires here in Ottawa!

Perry, driving the yellow Cat, came to spread the pit run gravel that was left here yesterday out on the driveway. While this brought the height of the driveway up to the garage door level, it also ensured the hydro trench is covered by the required depth. We will put a layer of crushed stone on top of that next week to provide a nice hardpack surface.

This is the propane heater in the garage that is preventing the freshly poured concrete from freezing. Concrete curing is an exothermic (heat releasing) reaction, but it needs some help in these temperatures. As it cures, the moisture is released. Also, the products of combustion from propane is carbon dioxide and water vapour. Between the moisture from the concrete curing and the propane heater, it creates a mini rainforest, warm and dripping water, under these tarps.

This is the crew taking a break in the stairwell to the garage. As noted above, this is probably the only warm spot in the house right now. The guys huddled in the small space, with the hoodies, toques and glove hands reminded me of a scene from (a) a prison movie or (b) some resistance fighters or special operatives from a WWII movie.

When I was at the site this morning, I spoke with Charles and Dave about the size/shape/location of the bulkheads. Dave and Charles had some really good ideas about it and Dave used his huge artistic skill to demonstrate the idea for the entrance from the hall to the great room - here's a shout out to Dave for that. I liked this idea better than what we had thought of, so we will do that.

I also spent some time going over the electrical plan with Dave, the electrician. You can see a photo of Dave from the June 3rd post, or click here. Dave was asking questions like how high do we want the lights in the bathroom. Huh? We've never even thought about that!!! Dave had lots of other questions, some of which I was able to answer. I will take some photos tomorrow so you can see how the wires and boxes are installed in a styrofoam & concrete house.

A surprise and thank you...
Friday should be a big milestone for us with hopefully getting the first bank draw. And it should also be the last day without heat, as the electrical hookup is now supposed to happen on Monday. (You may recall that we had expected it on Tuesday but Hydro One appeared to have "lost" the connection order... Bizzare...)

Anyway, back to the context... In appreciate of what the team has been able to accomplish, Freda and I have a surprise for the crew tomorrow. I can't post what it is because they read this blog too, and then it wouldn't be a surprise, would it???