First Build Day

Well after a quick pack job and very exciting breakfast (peanut butter and banana sandwich on sourdough break - there is going to be a lot of peanut butter sandwiches this summer) we headed outside for out quick morning meeting. Basically this is a time that we can get some information about the root, our cue sheet, details on who is driving the van and who is sweeping.

 

Normally we will never all ride in a group together. Having a string of 27 bikers can be frustrating for drivers who find it hard to pass bikers safely. In groups of 5-6 riders, we headed over to the Habitat for Humanity office to check in, meet the staff and get our assignments. Below is the house we worked on.

Tova and I headed off with our trusty man Paul, the Habitat staff member and in the red shirt below, to learn how to hang a door. Ever since living in my Florida Ave house I have always wondered how this process worked because the carpenter who was supposed to replace all of our doors was not able to do a single one correctly. With a little direction we were able to finish our job in no time. Then it was onto insulation. Donned with masks and box cutters Tova and I started to measure all of the crawl spaces on the first floor so we could fit it with the right amount of insulation. All morning there were a few guys spraying foam upstairs. One of their crew members saw us struggling in cutting the cotton candy like stuff and not only offered us some helpful hits, but also got us a new razor blade from his truck. While this might not seem like a lit I was COMPLETELY impressed that someone who was not affiliated with our group/habitat was willing to help us out; apparently this will be a common theme, especially with that well known Southern hospitality. Long story short we were able to finish our task, but came away a little itchy.

The rest of our group was busy painting siding, sealing doors and windows for inspection and hanging clips that will allow people to attach the dry wall in a few days. All in all we were super productive. It was great to see how enthusiastic everyone and how many things we were able to bang out (pun totally intended). A lot of the group dynamic reminded me of the Alternative Spring Break trip I took to NOLA as a sophomore; it is always great when you get a group of like minded people together. Tova and I also decided that the group as a whole gets along really well which bodes well for the rest of the summer.

Also super cool story about Paul, who could be one of the sweetest, most patient people I have ever met (probably good characteristics of a Habitat Build staff member). Originally from PGH, he moved here 30 years ago. I asked him if he was a master builder/had been involved in construction and he said no to both. It turns out that he was a Saturday volunteer and after working for every years he took a job with them. How cool is that?!?

Now for those of you who followed my last blog, you will remember how much I love random buildings and stptreet art. Today we were building next to what I am calling the Pirate Ship House. The picutres below will explain what I am talking about. I really wanted to get a picture behind the wheel, but was too afraid that I would be charged with trespassing.

And we were able to sign the house