Building a Small House - Part II

Our house-building began in early July when we poured the foundation walls and was complete in early October when we actually moved in.  We built the house totally by ourselves, other than the actual pouring of concrete.  We both learned a lot.  Charles had built log houses before, but not a frame house.  I had never built anything at all. 

We kept it very simple.  The dimensions of the house are in multiples of the dimensions of a sheet of plywood and the rooms are square.  We made sure it exceeded the building code requirements.  The pitch of the roof is very steep to shed snow.  We didn't skimp on safety items like insulated stovepipe.

For all you women out there who are like me and have never built anything, I would like to say:  This is a liberating and empowering experience.

• I ceased being afraid of pain.  That summer, I dropped boards on my toes, hammered my thumb, overworked my muscles, etc., and I learned that a bit of pain is not the end of the world.
• I learned that I'm capable of a lot more than I thought I was.
• I discovered how helpful my own, intelligent, feminine way of seeing things can be when the man in charge is pushed to listen.
• I also gained a more enthusiastic appreciation of the special, masculine skills possessed by my husband.
• I feel a beautiful comfort and confidence that comes from knowing exactly what lies beneath my feet when I walk across my floor.

I highly recommend it.