The Last Block

We should have plugged the lights in and just kept on working. We really should have.

Momplex

Step 1 Diagram

Step 1

The White family meets White suprise up at the Momplex. This is of course, great news for Grace.

Step 2 Diagram

Step 2 Instructions

But for the rest of us, it just means more work. It means everything is slippery, hard to find. It means you are colder, even if the temperature is the same. It means you are wearing bulky gloves. And it means we've got to figure out how to remove snow everywhere, including inside the ARXX blocks.

We really should have just worked late and finished the walls yesterday.

Step 3 Diagram

Step 3 Instructions

But it's too late for that.

I remember Amy writing to say she used a leaf blower to blow sawdust out of her car. If it worked for her on sawdust, it should work for us on snow in ARXX blocks.

If the snow is left in the sockets, the blocks might not snap together fully, creating weak joints in the blocks. Then we've got a strength issue. It's been a long week, and a massive concrete blowout when we pour is not what we need right now.

The leaf blower just happens to be much more than a fall tool! It worked great, and we've been using it to remove snow regularly at the Momplex.

Step 4 Diagram

Step 4 Instructions

Time for more blocks! Today we have the rest of the ARXX blocks to stack, and then must get the braces on before we go home late, late tonight.

Step 5 Diagram

Step 5 Instructions

And it's a cold blizzardy one .... brrrr ...

Probably not the best time to submit a change order.

But after my big regret in the basement, not having enough windows, I timidly brought up adding four more windows to the upstairs of the Momplex.

Step 6 Diagram

Step 6 Instructions

These are the windows we currently have upstairs.

Step 7 Diagram

Step 7 Instructions

But I just kept staring at the windowless walls in the living rooms. Having light pouring in from multiple directions creates less shadows in your room, and of course more light. And more opportunities to spot moose, see the Aurora, or just enjoy nature, even if the windows do not point toward the mountains.<div><br></div><div><div><img src="http://info.stantonhomes.com/Portals/45149/images/StoneFireplace1.jpg&q…; alt="" align="none"></div><div>image from <a href="stantonhomes.com" title="" target="_blank">stantonhomes.com</a></div><div><br></div><div>And the windows I want to add would flank either an entertainment center or fireplace, creating a focal point in the living room.  Can you imagine a pair of floral slipper chairs under each window?  That's where I'd be drinking my coffee.</div><div><br></div><div>I was not a popular person up at the Momplex on this day. Adding four extra windows is alot of work, especially this late in the game.</div><div><br></div><div>But I stood my ground, begged and pleaded, </div></div>

Step 8 Diagram

Step 8 Instructions

Merry Christmas, Mom, you got windows. I know you will love them.

Step 9 Diagram

Step 9 Instructions

You can see these windows in the right center of the photos above. They will flank a blank wall, where Mom can either have a fireplace insert or a media center. It was a ton of extra work, but I know we will not regret it.

The blocks kept going up, and braces to support the blocks.

Step 10 Diagram

Step 10 Instructions

Finally we are at the very last block. Finally!!!

A quick measurement ...

Step 11 Diagram

Step 11

Followed by some leaf blowing action ...

Step 12 Diagram

Step 12

Will she fit?

Step 13 Diagram

Step 13

Perfect.

We are done with stacking ARXX blocks!!!

Step 14 Diagram

Step 14

It's funny how getting a project step completed can just change the mood of everything! The sun came out, the mountains cleared up, birds started singing, snow started dripping, and suddenly we feel like it's not really that cold outside, the wind doesn't bite that hard, and we can put a roof on in the next couple of weeks.

Still optimistic, so appreciate your comments and support!

Happy building, Ana