Chica Turns Abañil
Posted on April 26, 2009 - Filed Under Simple Life, construction | 8 Comments
After some complications, it has been decided that the remaining work to be done around here will be done by . . . uh, the lady of the house. Yes, I said I was moving. As it turned out, if I moved, I`d be doing it alone, so we needed another solution.
I`m so over builders it isn`t even funny. And paying for things like a toilet that isn`t on the actual drainage hole . . . I`m done shelling out cash for stupidities like that. And I am 100% confident that I can learn to build a wall at least as well as the previous 9 guys who have:
- Plastered a wall so full of ripples it could TOTALLY be painted like the ocean and you`d never know the difference.
- Left chunks falling off the top of the wall by the ceiling.
- Built a wall without a line so it bulges inwards nearly four inches at one point and prevents my counter from sitting flush against the wall.
- Left a fricking HOLE in the wall, er, walls (I think there is a hole in the wall in every single room, but the biggest ones are in the living room and the bathroom).
Also, I`m tired of everyone breaking my house before I can do it myself. So if I do the building, at least I`ll have the chance to mess things up all on my own. Oh, and also, I`m not paying myself to work, so all those stupid mistakes will be free!
Now, my mother brought up an interesting question on this topic . . . “Are you actually going to have TIME to build your own house, dear? I mean, I thought you worked all day.”
She`s right. So there will either be not a lot of money coming in from my end or not a lot of building going on. I haven`t decided which yet. I suspect it depends on how well my muscles stand up to hauling concrete blocks up a ladder and such.
Before you start commenting that I`m completely and utterly insane, please consider the following:
- I come from a hippy background . . . my father built more than one house on his own, learning from books (which I read as a child).
- I have internet and there are videos on how to do EVERYTHING.
- I`ve always wanted to learn masonry and do it myself, but Irving always stopped me because builders were “more efficient”, ha ha.
- It`s another skill set and I could totally write a book when I`m done.
- My learning style is reading, I learn very easily by simply reading instructions.
- I`m starting slowly, with a retaining wall in front of the bathroom and some steps so we don`t have to climb cinder blocks four feet up to the bathroom door.
- This is far from the first time I`ve thought about doing this, though it`s the first time I`m truly putting it into action.
- I`ve got some construction experience already, albeit with wood buildings and PVC sheds. And I once built myself a covered, outdoor kitchen while Irving was gone (so he couldn`t protest).
- I need to lose weight, hate working out because it`s so pointless, so actually getting something productive done is an excellent way to drop those nasty pounds . . . and keep them off (there`s no shortage of walls and stuff to be built around here.
- I could use a good fight with the neighbors, which is bound to happen when they realize that I am the one building the wall between our properties.
- Irving would never consider building anything on his own, so it`s up to me.
- Won`t this blog be more interesting when I have things like plumb lines and mortar to talk about? Not to mention how many inches (yes, I`m starting small) of wall I finished today?
Despite all those reasons, I`m sure some of you will still consider me to be off my rocker. And since I did once just sell all my belongings and just take off into the wild blue yonder, you might be right. But that adventure ended up ok, so let`s see how this one pans out.
But first up on the list is a non-concrete task, installing two breaker boxes, following long-distance instructions from my father via email, and then forcing Irving to get separate electric in our names so that we can a) pay what we actually use and b) have a hot shower once I figure out how to destroy the tub blockage.
Wish me luck!
Comments
8 Responses to “Chica Turns Abañil”
Talk to Me, People!
You go girl! I think that is awesome! What a great idea . . . and you already have your helpers! So, once you get into your new job as abañil, can we contact you for building advice?
I am so excited for you! You will do great!
You rock so I’m very sure you’d be able to pull it off. I don’t mind reading about mortars and how many inches of wall you’ve finished. I listen to that talk everyday anyway…my man talk shop to me every evening during dinner and it’s all about steel this, steel that, erected this and that. I think I’m one of the few girlfriends who actually know what everything in steel erection terms are. Oh, and I learnt how to read drawings for steel erection so I wouldn’t mind reading about how you do stuffs.
It’s a house. It’s not rocket science! You will be successful! And if you are busy building and not working – well, doesn’t it balance out? You can lose money by not working, or lose money by paying morons who destroy your things, and then pay other morons to clean up after the first morons and break other stuff in process… ack!… which is BETTER and HEALTHIER for you?? Besides, your kids will be learning from you. Oh, maybe not actual technique (yet) but they’ll develop a sense of a job well done and THAT IS PRICELESS!!!
Wow, thanks for the encouragement, ladies. I really did think people would lambaste me on this one.
Connie, I was thinking the same thing, saving money is practically the same as earning it. And Dante is already down with the building techniques, he can totally mix concrete and sift sand already!
Go for it! I think you will do just fine! Will be reading all about it and looking forward to pics too!
I don’t think you’re crazy, I think you’re awesome! Wow, what a brave and confident person you are to do this! Yay, Genesis!
Yeah, you’re nuts. I’ve got a few names I can give you for workers that have done expat construction stuff before.
That`s ok, Mark, I have more than a few myself . . . in both languages.
Oh, wait, you mean to actually DO the work. lol. Yeah, I`ve been through 9 abañiles. I`m done, but thanks!