Mon15oct-Sun21oct
A ”volunteer free" week, though work continues intermittently on the site as weather permits, sometimes with just Levi and I, and with family members as their work schedules permit. The climate is growing markedly colder and windier, with rain clouds hovering at the ready at least 50% of the time… echoes of home in the Pacific Northwest…
We trekked to Bekescsaba to visit our hospitalized guest Monday and again on Wednesday, to visit and support the process of orchestrating the return of she and her partner home to Canada. They left for the Budapest airport via ambulance at o-dark-thirty Friday morning, bringing this chapter of the healing process and adventure to a close, at least on the Hungarian end. A note on Hungarian community hospitals: While the overall care giving was very good (the surgeon, nursing staff, residents and ancillary personnel all gracious, encouraging, and supportive), theirs is a very basic and often “BYO” oriented system in the day-to-day, e.g., bring your own towels, toiletries, and more. Food is humble and bland fare (much more so than anything we see in the US), hygiene and other aspects are also quite “humble” (I’ll refrain from the details!).
In Szarvas… early mornings at the office to pick up e-mail, etc., (early enough one day to prompt the cleaning staff to ask if I slept [laughing]), a couple of afternoons on site with Levi, a day of wind/rain/quiet, and Thursday, Saturday and Sunday on site working on shingling the roof. That 400 square meter expanse looms large whether working with just the two of us or a crew of 4-5; as of this Sunday, 25% of the roof has been covered. Slow but sure…
For those hands on readers, shingles are applied directly to the OSB (no paper layer of any kind). The first course of (asphalt) shingles is laid in reverse (right side up with tabs towards the peak) as an underlayment, Each piece has a line of tar mastic “caulked” on the back for optimum contact and adhesion; the weather is too cold for the ingrained tar layer to “grab”, and the additional line of tar mastic holds the shingle edges tight to the roof and reduces lift from the wind. These shingles are also nailed to the metal flashing above the gutters, forming a water barrier and runoff straight into the gutters and via there to the ground.
The “second” course is laid “normally” (tabs down and at the roof edge) directly over the first, and like the first, a line of tar mastic is applied to the back bottom edge of the shingle tabs on every piece. From there on, shingles are laid much as we do in WA… there’s just a lot of ‘em!
Shingles are prepped on the ground and handed up to the roof, volunteer friendly and lighter/easier/less messy than hefting full packs up to the roof and applying the mastic there, especially since the cold temps mean heating the mastic to make it malleable enough to apply. It’s a system, and works whether there are 2 or 20.
Roof vent access points are cut using a drill and jigsaw, with vents placed/nailed in every 2 meters or so in tandem with shingles.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Another field of study… “by the numbers”, with a Treadwell Technologies/Mind Over Matrix/Autobiographical Feedback “shout out” [smile]:
While in Ireland last year a friend wrote re a new Sustainable Building Advisor and Certification being offered by OCC Poulsbo (Olympic Community College, Kitsap County, WA). A personal goal for 2007 was to attend this year’s class, only to find myself in Hungary for this second course offering (Oct 07- Jun 08)… What to do?
Wait for next fall? Nah… who knows where I’ll be by then? [laughing]
Ask? But of course! 18 (ASK): I ask with an earnest, honest, and open mind.
I’ve negotiated “long distance” attendance for the first three months… just received approval this past week… and am VERY EXCITED! The presenting staff and other participants are supportive and open to creative ways to get class materials to me, so a great experience thus far. The first class session was this past weekend, and marks a significant "next step" towards that which is in my heart to do… 30 (WISH WE WELL) I build physical, emotional, and spiritually sustainable community worldwide. Very cool.
17/71 (AWESOME/AMAZING): I embrace the wonder of and in all things!
I am their only out-of-country student, and the only enrollee without formal construction training/education/background in this session. I am honored, challenged, and 56 (READY)!
08 (LIVE-GIVE, LEARN-GROW): I live and give abundantly of the gifts I am blessed with. I am open, learning and growing exponentially as I follow my heart's leadings.
Through the first session of class and its associated readings/references/etc., my understanding and perception of sustainability and what it means are shifting and widening dramatically. While the SBA program focus is primarily physical sustainable building, the application(s) beyond this have already fired off a whole series of thoughts and processes to explore and potentially "make real". 17 again, and “00” (LITTLE THINGS): I find joy and delight in the "little things" ("it's the little things"...)
88 (GOD’S GRACE); 06 (THE DANCE) I actively live my dreams.
I'm EXCITED!
Asking the questions…
Who? Myself, the class instructors and participants, and a host of ancillary supports What? SBA certification, a tangible foundation and start point for expanded sustainable building with Habitat, the Peace Corp or whatever else comes my way, including a truly “sustainable” company of my own [smile]
Why? Credibility/integrity/accountability/responsibility... those "-ilities" make a difference when I'm researching/interacting with those in the know on a particular topic, so it stands to reason that they do to others as well, yes?
When? October ’07 through June ’08.
Where? Szarvas Hungary through early January ’08, Kitsap County WA through June ’08.
How? Via Skype, audio tapes, e-mails, faxes and phone calls. Faith and ABF in action!
With this and other possibilities in the works that adhere more closely to the "dream", I faithfully prepare for whatever the next adventure may be [smile]
Note: For more on “the numbers”, please visit www.treadwelltechnologies.com
Wait for next fall? Nah… who knows where I’ll be by then? [laughing]
Ask? But of course! 18 (ASK): I ask with an earnest, honest, and open mind.
I’ve negotiated “long distance” attendance for the first three months… just received approval this past week… and am VERY EXCITED! The presenting staff and other participants are supportive and open to creative ways to get class materials to me, so a great experience thus far. The first class session was this past weekend, and marks a significant "next step" towards that which is in my heart to do… 30 (WISH WE WELL) I build physical, emotional, and spiritually sustainable community worldwide. Very cool.
17/71 (AWESOME/AMAZING): I embrace the wonder of and in all things!
I am their only out-of-country student, and the only enrollee without formal construction training/education/background in this session. I am honored, challenged, and 56 (READY)!
08 (LIVE-GIVE, LEARN-GROW): I live and give abundantly of the gifts I am blessed with. I am open, learning and growing exponentially as I follow my heart's leadings.
Through the first session of class and its associated readings/references/etc., my understanding and perception of sustainability and what it means are shifting and widening dramatically. While the SBA program focus is primarily physical sustainable building, the application(s) beyond this have already fired off a whole series of thoughts and processes to explore and potentially "make real". 17 again, and “00” (LITTLE THINGS): I find joy and delight in the "little things" ("it's the little things"...)
88 (GOD’S GRACE); 06 (THE DANCE) I actively live my dreams.
I'm EXCITED!
Asking the questions…
Who? Myself, the class instructors and participants, and a host of ancillary supports What? SBA certification, a tangible foundation and start point for expanded sustainable building with Habitat, the Peace Corp or whatever else comes my way, including a truly “sustainable” company of my own [smile]
Why? Credibility/integrity/accountability/responsibility... those "-ilities" make a difference when I'm researching/interacting with those in the know on a particular topic, so it stands to reason that they do to others as well, yes?
When? October ’07 through June ’08.
Where? Szarvas Hungary through early January ’08, Kitsap County WA through June ’08.
How? Via Skype, audio tapes, e-mails, faxes and phone calls. Faith and ABF in action!
With this and other possibilities in the works that adhere more closely to the "dream", I faithfully prepare for whatever the next adventure may be [smile]
Note: For more on “the numbers”, please visit www.treadwelltechnologies.com
Thoughts of “home”, a view of HFH Hungary at this stage, and my thanks to KC HFH…
Though theoretically a ways away as yet, I look forward to returning home to connect live with stateside family and friends, on site class attendance at OCC, building at New Hope, and much, much more.
Kudos and thanks to the Kitsap County affiliate staff and “family” for sending templates, encouragement, and keeping me in the loop. I am looking to apply what we do there as a template for building something that may go a long way towards lifting up the programs here... and that's really what this kind of appointment is about… and as I wrote for electronic “helps” from the office, also freely acknowledge that it beats totally reinventing the wheel [laughing]
Gabi, HFH Szarvas project manager, and I have talked at length about how we do things in Kitsap County… those conversations led to a first meeting with a portion of the local HFH board and their family selection committee to introduce possibilities here. If we can successfully pilot one or more of the things talked about here in Szarvas, perhaps it will provide inspiration/ acceptance nationally as well. As I understand it, the Hungarian national office once operated more similarly to my experience of the HFH “template” in the states. Changes in staff and international status from a “focus” country (with substantial outside support) to “standard” designation (where the country maintains its programs primarily on its own) may have impacted on how programs are currently initiated, developed and maintained. Beginning and/or reinstating educational processes may prove beneficial to a smooth move forward (at least from my singular vantage point) in creating a volunteer base and increasing community understanding/investment/involvement. The strength of HFH programs lies in a healthy, balanced and holistic approach to growing/maintaining a volunteer base and creating/sustaining a win-win relationship with family recipients, volunteers and staff alike. All good, all challenging, all doable.
Kudos and thanks to the Kitsap County affiliate staff and “family” for sending templates, encouragement, and keeping me in the loop. I am looking to apply what we do there as a template for building something that may go a long way towards lifting up the programs here... and that's really what this kind of appointment is about… and as I wrote for electronic “helps” from the office, also freely acknowledge that it beats totally reinventing the wheel [laughing]
Gabi, HFH Szarvas project manager, and I have talked at length about how we do things in Kitsap County… those conversations led to a first meeting with a portion of the local HFH board and their family selection committee to introduce possibilities here. If we can successfully pilot one or more of the things talked about here in Szarvas, perhaps it will provide inspiration/ acceptance nationally as well. As I understand it, the Hungarian national office once operated more similarly to my experience of the HFH “template” in the states. Changes in staff and international status from a “focus” country (with substantial outside support) to “standard” designation (where the country maintains its programs primarily on its own) may have impacted on how programs are currently initiated, developed and maintained. Beginning and/or reinstating educational processes may prove beneficial to a smooth move forward (at least from my singular vantage point) in creating a volunteer base and increasing community understanding/investment/involvement. The strength of HFH programs lies in a healthy, balanced and holistic approach to growing/maintaining a volunteer base and creating/sustaining a win-win relationship with family recipients, volunteers and staff alike. All good, all challenging, all doable.
Rose colored “glasses”…
There is a 1-2 minute “flash” in time where the setting sun sometimes infuses all with a soft rosy glow, giving an alternate meaning to the adage to “stop and smell the roses”. On those rare days when it happens, (2-3 eves of late) it feels like a visible blessing/benediction on the day, a gentle reminder of God’s grace, perhaps His smile?
Beautiful, woven with other remembered “rose” moments (my mother Rose included [smile])… restful, magical, serene. If you’ve caught them, no descriptors required, if no, an invitation to lift your eyes to the heavens of an evening… I believe God is watching and waiting in such “pauses” as these [smile]
Beautiful, woven with other remembered “rose” moments (my mother Rose included [smile])… restful, magical, serene. If you’ve caught them, no descriptors required, if no, an invitation to lift your eyes to the heavens of an evening… I believe God is watching and waiting in such “pauses” as these [smile]
Whirlpool...
Fri-Sat 12-13oct
On location in Hajdu…Levi and I joined Hajdu project manager Sandor and Csurgo project manager Peter to supervise framing of two duplexes with a 50+ member international team from Whirlpool. Each of us coached/supervised a unit… that would be three Hungarians and wee me… yet another opportunity to reach, teach and learn. I was honored by the trust and respect inherent in assigning me an independent section of the group to work with, and the opportunity to see more of the building process… each affiliate manger has their own style, as do I [smile].
The weekend was a success on all levels: team building, teamwork, expanding connections and understanding of HFH among them. Whirlpool employees apply for the opportunity to participate in this and like programs sponsored and subsidized by the company; members of this team came from South Africa, Italy, Scotland, Britain, Finland, and more. They were a fun-loving and hard working group; at the end of the two days, one duplex was fully framed and the second well on its way. The donation of hands and time is a gift in any context, and especially meaningful with this group, as an opportunity to meet and put names and faces to a few of the employees of this company that donates appliances to HFH home recipients worldwide while working on site, “completing the circle” in a sense.
On location in Hajdu…Levi and I joined Hajdu project manager Sandor and Csurgo project manager Peter to supervise framing of two duplexes with a 50+ member international team from Whirlpool. Each of us coached/supervised a unit… that would be three Hungarians and wee me… yet another opportunity to reach, teach and learn. I was honored by the trust and respect inherent in assigning me an independent section of the group to work with, and the opportunity to see more of the building process… each affiliate manger has their own style, as do I [smile].
The weekend was a success on all levels: team building, teamwork, expanding connections and understanding of HFH among them. Whirlpool employees apply for the opportunity to participate in this and like programs sponsored and subsidized by the company; members of this team came from South Africa, Italy, Scotland, Britain, Finland, and more. They were a fun-loving and hard working group; at the end of the two days, one duplex was fully framed and the second well on its way. The donation of hands and time is a gift in any context, and especially meaningful with this group, as an opportunity to meet and put names and faces to a few of the employees of this company that donates appliances to HFH home recipients worldwide while working on site, “completing the circle” in a sense.
Mon8oct-Thu11oct07 GV "end" notes...
Thur11oct
A half day on site .for the group’s final work day here... A decorative roof gable required by Hungarian “regules” for row homes was started, interior floor waterproofing is 98% complete, exterior mudding done, exterior sanding almost complete… this team rocked their way through several major tasks in their time here… right ON!!!!
Welcome additions… two local residents joined the group for the majority of their time here, unexpected and delightful in all ways, and perhaps an opening towards more participation of this kind. Each enjoyed the experience and the opportunities to both build and socialize with the team. Very cool.
An “end note”… The next GV teams for Szarvas are likely to be scheduled for late spring of 2008, so we will be transitioning into “winter” mode, working with just staff, families, and occasional local volunteer(s) until spring. Weather will dictate progress, and I am likely to begin sharing more time in the office than the work site… definitely a change of pace!
Mon8oct-Wed10oct
Building progressed steadily: sealing floors, sealing the exterior insulation via the mud and fiberglass process, roof sheathing, site clean up, and so on. Off site machinations… team leader calls to Medex , hospital and insurance companies supported and coordinated with Gabi and the “tools” at hand in the office: fax, phone, copy machine, scanner, and computer/internet access.
Shared dinners filled the evenings, with extras like folk dancing and the memorial walk with Levi to round out the team’s week.
A half day on site .for the group’s final work day here... A decorative roof gable required by Hungarian “regules” for row homes was started, interior floor waterproofing is 98% complete, exterior mudding done, exterior sanding almost complete… this team rocked their way through several major tasks in their time here… right ON!!!!
Welcome additions… two local residents joined the group for the majority of their time here, unexpected and delightful in all ways, and perhaps an opening towards more participation of this kind. Each enjoyed the experience and the opportunities to both build and socialize with the team. Very cool.
An “end note”… The next GV teams for Szarvas are likely to be scheduled for late spring of 2008, so we will be transitioning into “winter” mode, working with just staff, families, and occasional local volunteer(s) until spring. Weather will dictate progress, and I am likely to begin sharing more time in the office than the work site… definitely a change of pace!
Mon8oct-Wed10oct
Building progressed steadily: sealing floors, sealing the exterior insulation via the mud and fiberglass process, roof sheathing, site clean up, and so on. Off site machinations… team leader calls to Medex , hospital and insurance companies supported and coordinated with Gabi and the “tools” at hand in the office: fax, phone, copy machine, scanner, and computer/internet access.
Shared dinners filled the evenings, with extras like folk dancing and the memorial walk with Levi to round out the team’s week.
Sun30sept07-Sun7oct07 A small world and an unexpected "turn" ...
Sun7oct
Off while the team enjoyed church, wine cellar, boating, the spa… a full and relaxing day overall.
Sat6oct
A working day with the team and families, sheathing the roof and carrying on with “ground crew” activities, followed by bowling and a pizza dinner with the team. Nice!
Fri 0ct5
On deck with the group, working with a split staff today as Levi travels to Budapest to pick the injured team member’s partner while I remain on site, following through with tasks already in process and gearing up for a run at beginning to sheath the roof on Saturday. With a 400 sq meter surface to cover, this will likely keep the roof crew in OSB and screws for the remainder of their stay!
Progress … facia boards almost complete, about 30% of first run of glue/net has been applied, vent holes are being drilled and more. A productive day…
In and behind the scenes… transportation to hospital facilities an hour away and working through the Medex/insurance process pose opportunities to creatively marry expectation and reality so all needs are met for both team and staff.
Thu4oct07
All in all, fortuitous timing for a “day off” for the team to assimilate the injuries and reset, after a fashion… and we as the staff needed the time to arrange, arrange arrange…. to make certain our injured "guest" is taken care of as well as the team itself, no small feat when the former is in a hospital 50 km away, and the latter is touring Gyula, 60 km away!
Always an adventure, in this case a rather intense one for all in squaring away transportation, medical insurance, language/translation and other concerns… capped by a surprise call from Budapest to let us know of a supposed student team coming Saturday (not on our schedule)…. the latter fortunately an error… whew!
Staff days off will come at the end of the month (half serious, half joking here), “running as fast as we can” pending weather and volunteer availability to get the row house “dried in” to facilitate interior work as the climate grows cold/blustery.
Expectations... with a member of the group in the hospital about an hour's drive away, the group seeks someone could/would drive a team member there and back each day to be with her, believing that in the HFH "circle" here this would be a simple task. Would that it were so! Working out transportation/lodging/coverage/phones/translation for an extended period in this situation brings home the realization that adventures are one thing, but when challenges arise we often revert to what we know, in this case tending to think North American in a Hungarian world (the latter a place where buses are the mode of transportation, fuel is expensive, time precious for a stretched staff (the hospital is 2 hours away roundtrip). All are/were glad to help, aware we’re “not in Kansas any more”, with an eye towards how best to utilize available resources/options available here. In the end, all worked its way through… kudos to the team, their hospitalized member, and the staff for hanging in!
Wed3oct07
Progress: Insulation installation (say THAT fast 3 times [laughing]) is complete, mud/fiberglassing continues, facia board installation is underway, roof shimming/planing is completed, and 2 new tasks added: drilling 10mm vent holes in top plates/demising wall blocking for moist air passage to the attic space, and laying out the water seal for the floor to prevent wicking of moisture from ground and concrete into the units. The latter involves fusing substantial lengths of tar paper to one another using a propane torch.
“Break a leg” may work on the stage, but… we experienced a major accident on site today, the first on any HFH site I've been on. A GV team member lost their balance and fell from a step ladder while backing out the 10” long drill bit used for creating vent holes in the blocking and top plate. The surprise of the fall and the short distance to the very unforgiving receiving surface (the unit’s concrete floor) were contributing factors... no time to react and protect. Hairline fracture in the left arm and a severe enough break below the left knee to require surgery… OUCH! The post-op process will keep them grounded in Hungary well past their originally intended departure. The team itself will be here through October 12.
As the news-bearing messenger between the hospital and the group last night, observed empathy/caring/the desire to connect in full play. We humans are astounding speculators; through empathy and other means, substantial gaps sometimes arise between what is said and what is heard as we seek to help/support/understand (I feel safe in expounding; as a fellow human, I have done my fair share of this over time [smile]). Always an adventure, yes?
Little things… received the neatest "gift" yesterday biking to the work site. One of the family members, Aniko, and her son Rollie, age 4 were en route to school. Rollie saw me from across the street and shouted "Hallo, Sheila!"... the first greeting directly from one of the little ones since I've been here (they tend to be fairly shy)… touched my heart and elicited a few happy tears... wee moments like these are the best! Also saw and exchanged greetings with more Hungarians en route that I knew than on any other day I can remember since arriving here, even one helmeted gent on a scooter that clearly knew me even though I did not recognize him! The magical side of small town life, even in a foreign country [laughing]
Tue2oct07
A replay of yesterday as the team begins to achieve a rhythm and work flow for a full day with all at their established tasks, and a ground crew prepping facia boards with oil to prevent bugs and worms (aka weatherproofing), followed by a first coat of stain. These boards will be installed along the rafter tails as a base for the sheet metal flashing and gutters at roof edge, and will also provide a solid level “line” for laying out the OSB sheathing on the roof.
Mudding at ground level and shimming on the roof continue….
Mon1oct07
First day on site with this new team, catching stride as they are introduced to the myriad of tasks currently at hand, one of them an exterior version of mudding and taping as we might view it in the US/Canada, in this case overlaying the foam insulation boards with mud or “glue” and fiberglass mesh/net that is embedded in the glue, strengthening the exterior insulation and creating the “foundation” for finishing plaster and painting that will complete the exterior wall next spring. It’s a bit like putting up wallpaper, with the “glue” as the paste, the net as the “paper”, and the smoothing process to embed the mesh in enough glue to allow for sanding to a smooth, seamless finish. It’s messy, labor intense, requires a fair bit of artistry, and is kinda fun (definitely easier than drywall mud/taping!). Note: To create texture and designs, thinner versions of the insulation can be cut into shapes and covered much the same way, providing a lightweight and inexpensive means of “decorating” housing exteriors versus using tile, stone or brick.
A team on the roof planed and shimmed rafter pairs to a contiguous level in preparation for sheathing the roof in OSB, and a pair of intrepid souls from the team planed and trimmed rafter tails around the house to prep for hanging facia boards. Remaining team members worked on finishing the insulation base for the “muddy” team…
Re the weather… Indian summer has arrived… Mornings are cool enough for 2-3 layersoof clothing, transitionaing to T-shirts and tank tops by noon, and often shorts as well. Leaves are turning, and the village is filled with the scents and sounds of autumn... burning leaves mingled with the scents of freshly cut grass as lawns are put to bed for the season, regiments of bicycles in racks along school walls (conspicuously absent in summer months), flocks of birds calling encouragement to one another as they continue migrating south to Africa, school children laughing and talking morning, noon and early evening as they walk to and from school, and gaggles of university students around town. The ambience of Szarvas often reminds me of Orchard Lake/Lakeville MN and growing years there... very cool. Fall colors are primarily hues and shades of gold and light orange, with bright red accents here and there in the ivy/vines cloaking many homes in the neaighborhood(s).
An interesting aside... one of the couples on the current GV team originally hails from St. Louis Park, MN, so they are very familiar with the surrounding area. It's an amazingly small world; what are the odds that you would meet people from your own area in a group of 16 people who've flown halfway around the world to work in a country you yourself had never really entertained being in? All the more intriguing when this is not the first but the fourth or fifth time we've had folks from the midwest wince I've been here, specifically from the Twin Cities and/or Chicago. Who knew? It's the little things [smile]
Sun30sept
Our final GV team for this calendar year arrived Sunday night… as with all before them, as a group they have their own unique style and personality, and promise to be great fun.
Off while the team enjoyed church, wine cellar, boating, the spa… a full and relaxing day overall.
Sat6oct
A working day with the team and families, sheathing the roof and carrying on with “ground crew” activities, followed by bowling and a pizza dinner with the team. Nice!
Fri 0ct5
On deck with the group, working with a split staff today as Levi travels to Budapest to pick the injured team member’s partner while I remain on site, following through with tasks already in process and gearing up for a run at beginning to sheath the roof on Saturday. With a 400 sq meter surface to cover, this will likely keep the roof crew in OSB and screws for the remainder of their stay!
Progress … facia boards almost complete, about 30% of first run of glue/net has been applied, vent holes are being drilled and more. A productive day…
In and behind the scenes… transportation to hospital facilities an hour away and working through the Medex/insurance process pose opportunities to creatively marry expectation and reality so all needs are met for both team and staff.
Thu4oct07
All in all, fortuitous timing for a “day off” for the team to assimilate the injuries and reset, after a fashion… and we as the staff needed the time to arrange, arrange arrange…. to make certain our injured "guest" is taken care of as well as the team itself, no small feat when the former is in a hospital 50 km away, and the latter is touring Gyula, 60 km away!
Always an adventure, in this case a rather intense one for all in squaring away transportation, medical insurance, language/translation and other concerns… capped by a surprise call from Budapest to let us know of a supposed student team coming Saturday (not on our schedule)…. the latter fortunately an error… whew!
Staff days off will come at the end of the month (half serious, half joking here), “running as fast as we can” pending weather and volunteer availability to get the row house “dried in” to facilitate interior work as the climate grows cold/blustery.
Expectations... with a member of the group in the hospital about an hour's drive away, the group seeks someone could/would drive a team member there and back each day to be with her, believing that in the HFH "circle" here this would be a simple task. Would that it were so! Working out transportation/lodging/coverage/phones/translation for an extended period in this situation brings home the realization that adventures are one thing, but when challenges arise we often revert to what we know, in this case tending to think North American in a Hungarian world (the latter a place where buses are the mode of transportation, fuel is expensive, time precious for a stretched staff (the hospital is 2 hours away roundtrip). All are/were glad to help, aware we’re “not in Kansas any more”, with an eye towards how best to utilize available resources/options available here. In the end, all worked its way through… kudos to the team, their hospitalized member, and the staff for hanging in!
Wed3oct07
Progress: Insulation installation (say THAT fast 3 times [laughing]) is complete, mud/fiberglassing continues, facia board installation is underway, roof shimming/planing is completed, and 2 new tasks added: drilling 10mm vent holes in top plates/demising wall blocking for moist air passage to the attic space, and laying out the water seal for the floor to prevent wicking of moisture from ground and concrete into the units. The latter involves fusing substantial lengths of tar paper to one another using a propane torch.
“Break a leg” may work on the stage, but… we experienced a major accident on site today, the first on any HFH site I've been on. A GV team member lost their balance and fell from a step ladder while backing out the 10” long drill bit used for creating vent holes in the blocking and top plate. The surprise of the fall and the short distance to the very unforgiving receiving surface (the unit’s concrete floor) were contributing factors... no time to react and protect. Hairline fracture in the left arm and a severe enough break below the left knee to require surgery… OUCH! The post-op process will keep them grounded in Hungary well past their originally intended departure. The team itself will be here through October 12.
As the news-bearing messenger between the hospital and the group last night, observed empathy/caring/the desire to connect in full play. We humans are astounding speculators; through empathy and other means, substantial gaps sometimes arise between what is said and what is heard as we seek to help/support/understand (I feel safe in expounding; as a fellow human, I have done my fair share of this over time [smile]). Always an adventure, yes?
Little things… received the neatest "gift" yesterday biking to the work site. One of the family members, Aniko, and her son Rollie, age 4 were en route to school. Rollie saw me from across the street and shouted "Hallo, Sheila!"... the first greeting directly from one of the little ones since I've been here (they tend to be fairly shy)… touched my heart and elicited a few happy tears... wee moments like these are the best! Also saw and exchanged greetings with more Hungarians en route that I knew than on any other day I can remember since arriving here, even one helmeted gent on a scooter that clearly knew me even though I did not recognize him! The magical side of small town life, even in a foreign country [laughing]
Tue2oct07
A replay of yesterday as the team begins to achieve a rhythm and work flow for a full day with all at their established tasks, and a ground crew prepping facia boards with oil to prevent bugs and worms (aka weatherproofing), followed by a first coat of stain. These boards will be installed along the rafter tails as a base for the sheet metal flashing and gutters at roof edge, and will also provide a solid level “line” for laying out the OSB sheathing on the roof.
Mudding at ground level and shimming on the roof continue….
Mon1oct07
First day on site with this new team, catching stride as they are introduced to the myriad of tasks currently at hand, one of them an exterior version of mudding and taping as we might view it in the US/Canada, in this case overlaying the foam insulation boards with mud or “glue” and fiberglass mesh/net that is embedded in the glue, strengthening the exterior insulation and creating the “foundation” for finishing plaster and painting that will complete the exterior wall next spring. It’s a bit like putting up wallpaper, with the “glue” as the paste, the net as the “paper”, and the smoothing process to embed the mesh in enough glue to allow for sanding to a smooth, seamless finish. It’s messy, labor intense, requires a fair bit of artistry, and is kinda fun (definitely easier than drywall mud/taping!). Note: To create texture and designs, thinner versions of the insulation can be cut into shapes and covered much the same way, providing a lightweight and inexpensive means of “decorating” housing exteriors versus using tile, stone or brick.
A team on the roof planed and shimmed rafter pairs to a contiguous level in preparation for sheathing the roof in OSB, and a pair of intrepid souls from the team planed and trimmed rafter tails around the house to prep for hanging facia boards. Remaining team members worked on finishing the insulation base for the “muddy” team…
Re the weather… Indian summer has arrived… Mornings are cool enough for 2-3 layersoof clothing, transitionaing to T-shirts and tank tops by noon, and often shorts as well. Leaves are turning, and the village is filled with the scents and sounds of autumn... burning leaves mingled with the scents of freshly cut grass as lawns are put to bed for the season, regiments of bicycles in racks along school walls (conspicuously absent in summer months), flocks of birds calling encouragement to one another as they continue migrating south to Africa, school children laughing and talking morning, noon and early evening as they walk to and from school, and gaggles of university students around town. The ambience of Szarvas often reminds me of Orchard Lake/Lakeville MN and growing years there... very cool. Fall colors are primarily hues and shades of gold and light orange, with bright red accents here and there in the ivy/vines cloaking many homes in the neaighborhood(s).
An interesting aside... one of the couples on the current GV team originally hails from St. Louis Park, MN, so they are very familiar with the surrounding area. It's an amazingly small world; what are the odds that you would meet people from your own area in a group of 16 people who've flown halfway around the world to work in a country you yourself had never really entertained being in? All the more intriguing when this is not the first but the fourth or fifth time we've had folks from the midwest wince I've been here, specifically from the Twin Cities and/or Chicago. Who knew? It's the little things [smile]
Sun30sept
Our final GV team for this calendar year arrived Sunday night… as with all before them, as a group they have their own unique style and personality, and promise to be great fun.
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