Two Weeks Notice

Have you ever noticed the large hill dead center in the Momplex's view?

That's Donnelly Dome, sometimes claimed to be North America's largest hill. It's a popular climbing site, awarding hikers with tremendous views of the Alaska Range.

photo by Applecross

Well, there's an old saying in our community that when you see snow on the top of Donnelly Dome, winter will be here in two weeks.

Momplex

Step 1 Diagram

Step 1

We just got our two weeks notice. A white slip of snow, warning us that eight long months of winter is just days away.

Though we can't complain about the beautiful fall, extending late into October, it's a sad day. There is so much left to be done on the Momplex. And that very long list of tasks we need to complete before winter sets in is about to become so much more difficult.

Once the snow comes, we will be dealing with constant problems of removing the snow, finding tools buried under the snow and keeping tools dry. Not to mention everything just gets slippery and cold - think ice on the stairs, snow stuck in the sockets of the ARXX blocks, drill batteries not charging when cold.

Did I say cold? Without a roof overhead, we could be working in temperatures down to fifty, sixty below zero ... and that's before we even consider the wind chill. Brrrrr ....

This isn't a reality TV show where everything works out by the end of the episode. This is real life, and real things happen, and happily every after sometimes just has to wait a little longer, or you have to work a little harder for it.

Step 2 Diagram

Step 2 Instructions

Even my four year old knows, we need walls and a roof.

But that would not be our task today.

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Step 3 Instructions

Knowing snow is on the way, today we must bring all materials inside the Momplex.

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Step 4 Instructions

There's who knows how many tons of rebar to move.

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Step 5 Instructions

And you know me, no scrap of lumber is unuseable until I can no longer cut it.

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Step 6 Instructions

There's ARXX blocks to haul in, these being scraps that we will try and find a use for on the upstairs exterior walls.

Step 7 Diagram

Step 7 Instructions

I hauled them in and neatly stacked the blocks under the stairs. I like to stack the blocks on their ends because it protects the sockets (where two blocks are snapped together) and allows any moisture to drain from the sockets (as opposed to freezing in place and creating a nightmare for you when it's time to stack blocks).

Step 8 Diagram