Planning

Where would you start the ultimate DIY Project . . . times two? Do you buy land, pick a plan, or just grab your shovel and go? Before I start any project, I always sit down and make a list of the objectives for the project. For example, if I was to make an entertainment center, I would list out the items I need to store in it, the width of my television, the "look" that I need for the space, who is going to use it, and of course, the available budget and so on. So as I start to plan

We have property!I am so excited to share with you that after much searching, miles of hiking numerous undeveloped parcels, lots of pros and cons lists, a few arguments, even a maybe-we-should-have-bought-the-other-lot moment, that we have found a home for the Momplex.  Finding just the right piece of property for the Momplex was supposed to be an easy task. We were after all hoping to buy the lot next door to our house. The adjoining lot checked off quite nicely: Flat - Easier

When I first started drawing plans for the Momplex, we were really invisioning something along these lines Image from The Petersen GroupOne level.  No stairs.  Senior housing.  You know what I'm talking about.But then things just worked out where we bought this lot that the Moms love.But when we were clearing the lot, I climbed up in the loader and noticed something.  Let's see if you see it too . . .View from ground levelView from the loader.Did you see it?Imagine those

So what's next?  Just Another Crazy IdeaIt's hard to believe that just a few months back, the Momplex was just a crazy idea, a distant dream really, full of more reasons why it wouldn't work then reasons why one family can DIY a duplex for their mothers in Alaska.Three Months AgoCan you believe that just last June, we bought this lot of trees.TodayAnd that this very same lot, in the very same spot, three months later, looks like this.One family, two houses, three months. . . Board by b

You know what makes for a good friend?Someone who comes through for you.And you, my friends, came through for us last week.When I asked your opinion on how we should divide up the bonus basement space in the Momplex, over 100 of you responded.  Thank you so much.OptionsSo what option did we end up choosing?  Did we choose the too big bathroom stealing the view window?  Or the dream open space a flight of stairs from plumbing?  Was it Option #1 or Option #2?Option #3: Your Opt

The heat wave isn't here quite yet, but we've heard temperatures are coming that are not preceded with a big fat minus sign .... or followed by "below" meaning how far the mercury drops below the zero line.photo by Larry and June TaylorIt's exciting news, as we've just dealt with one of the coldest November's in Interior Alaska's history, with temperatures staying at the too cold for anyone in their right mind and despite the right cold weather gear to work on roof trusses on top of the notoriou

I've been dreading writing this post. This is not easy.I hope you understand that we are real people, working with real limitations on a budget, and there is no midnight crew making things happen magically. It's just us, one family, trying to build two houses in one for our Moms. We have been waiting and waiting for a break in the weather to put the roof on the Momplex. The trusses are sitting there, ready to shed snow, if we could just get a week of no snow, no wind, and decent temperatu

We are inside the Momplex. I cannot believe I just typed that! Nearly a year and a half since we started with a raw piece of Alaska land, we are finally working on the interior of the Momplex! Now we won't be getting to the really fun stuff - furnishing the Momplex! - for a little while - we've still got utilities to run in the walls, insulating, drywall and flooring ... but a girl can daydream about media walls and beds and bathroom vanites with hutches, right? Oh the things to keep