Other than some low-voltage lighting and air-sealing any exterior wall penetrations, our plumbing and electrical are pretty conventional. Our HVAC is another story.

I’m kinda still trying to process the fact that we built a house, and it’s where we live now.

Sure, we still get the occasional Arctic “I’ll tell you when I’ve had enough”, but this year the bitter winds decided to stay up in their room and brood.

Were we supposed to be done in August? Oh most definitely. But we’re done now, and that’s what counts.

We’re officially “dried in”, which means we’ve got a weather-proof envelope, and winter can kiss my ass.

The wind up on the hill is no joke. Whether it’s coming up from the valley or down to the river it’s almost constant. This is GREAT when it comes to making hay. But, can make things tricky when doing, say, anything else.

Kick-ass is an utterly subjective term. For Dani and I it means a house that does everything we need it too, and nothing we don’t. It means going the extra mile and spending a couple bucks if it translates to a more durable and energy efficient end product.

But let’s back up and get on the same page. What is a “slab”, anyway? Or a “footing”? What is a house?

In construction, as in life, you’ve gotta learn who and what you can rely on. Put your faith in the wrong one, and everything may crumble around you. Literally.

This is Ω. With a little luck, it’s the house I’ll die in. With a little more, I’ll finish building it first.