Windows of Badboulder

Perhaps the greatest money-saving feature of Badboulder's main house are the windows that David installed. He constructed fifty-five of our home's seventy-two windows. Nineteen of the twenty-six small windows are clerestories which brings in natural light. They are seventeen by fourteen inches, placed closely under the roof line which helps prevent heat buildup. The other seven small windows are long and narrow to provide light and privacy. He made these windows from glass that was professionally cut which is much less pricey than custom made windows.

An impossible task for these two do-it-yourselfers was to build a home with huge expanses of glass. This installation requires cranes and large crews. However, we wanted to bring in the abundant light and views that AZ offers. David did the requisite reading, researching of products and found a way for us to have some glass without jeopardizing structural requirements.

The real money saver was the use of recycled sliding glass door panels to construct fourteen large windows. We bought twenty-eight panels in order to create fourteen duel paned windows. The panels are either three by eight or four by eight feet which are installed slightly above floor level--youngest two of our four kids are thirty-five so we're not too worried about that low placement.

We found the glass door panels at Habitat for Humanity stores and Stardust. Close inspection of these doors is necessary as many are scratched. Paint spots can easily be removed. Wear your grubbies when buying these panels; all are dirty. Most panels can be purchased for $10 to $20 and there was a glut, probably due to homeowners updating to duel paned or French doors.

David removed all the framing, usually aluminum, which was given to charitable organizations recycling for profit. My job was the cleanup--the glass sides that were glazed together had to be spotless. I used old satin petticoats for a final polishing to remove all lint. I also painted the jambs that separate the two panels; the jambs aren't very visible but do need to be finished. The glazing tape purchased online was a key element in the process.

I have some favorites among the windows: one is very close to a large boulder perfect for lizard watching and the others offer views untouched by man.

In addition to all these windows, nine of Badboulder 's doors are glass fronted, sliding or French. This means one hundred sixty-two sides of glass to clean. This also means that you will never visit us and find all simultaneously clean.

When our electrician commented on our extensive use of glass in the house, David deemed them "poor man's windows"--quite accurate and afraid it stuck. I love our poor man's windows.

FROM THE KNOTHOLE: I have heard it said that eyes are windows to the soul. If that is true, then perhaps it is also true that windows offer a view to the soul of a house. And, if that be true, then it can be said that the Badboulder house bares its soul to the world. In preparation for installing the panes and panels of glass, I affixed 3/4 inch light gauge metal jambs in each window with the jambs facing inward. To hold the windows in place and to provide a thermal break, I used UV resistant glazing tape slightly wider than the jamb, 1/8th inch thick, and sticky on both sides. By facing the jambs toward the interior, I was able to install the windows from the interior, which was much easier and safer than building a working platform on the outside at each window location. Since the jambs face the inside, there is no wooden, vinyl, or metal window frame exposed to the exterior.

a parting shot from bbman: it's hard to be cool when your fly is wide open. Capt. Norman Childs, US Army, Commander, Company D, 2-7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, Vietnam, 1969

Maria's a Soldier Now!

Sunday, July 25, we arrived in the Valley of the Sun in time to enjoy a scorcher of a day and to enjoy the company of Leslie and Jim who joined us at a family favorite restaurant in Tempe to see Maria off for basic training in the U.S. Army. We speculated that she and her fellow "battle buddies" will probably suffer withdrawal symptoms due to confiscation of all electronic devises. Apparently that part of training has begun as we received no early morning texts today.

The induction process began early Monday morning. When we rolled out of bed at 4am we found Maria up, Army backpack ready and coffee in the pot. She had us parked in a Central Avenue parking lot before we could mumble or grumble (much) and we waited for her recruiter to arrive at 5:30. Maria then went off for medical processing (weighing in and a pregnancy test) and we were to arrive back at 8:00 am for her swearing -in ceremony. There's not much to do at 5:30 am in central Phoenix; we managed by hopping on the light rail and visiting a Sheraton on Central that we had stayed at for a medical trip. We enjoyed some coffee, then made the trip back in time to get through security for an 8 am oath taking. The family waiting area was clean, spacious, offers bathrooms and a vending machine for water and comes with quite a list of rules. The rules are sensible but do require some sacrifice for today's society: cell phones off, no picture taking and no food or drink. We became acquainted with the facilities, the processing procedures, and conversed with other families -because we sat there until 12:15. David was seated by the purse and briefcase screening conveyor belt. Boredom set in and twirling the rollers of the belt was a distraction--until he caught the attention of the greeter sergeant who had a lull in his welcoming speech and asked him to kindly cease. Later, David said he would like to do an "Angie" and twirl everyone of those rollers as fast as he could if he could catch the sergeant away from his post. Angie is now 6 years old and resists that type of behavior and so did her grandfather--so we got to stay for the ceremony.

There was another Herbert swearing in that day--a male-- some of his and Maria's records got switched about, however that mistake was easy to discern and rectify. Maria's group was one of the last to be sworn because they were not flying out until early Tuesday morning. The last was no doubt best, as the MEPS commander made the ceremony personal for each soldier, was sincere in manner and gave their oath taking the respect and dignity it deserved.

We hugged and left quickly. Much later in the day, we aided Maria in the purchasing of last minute travel-sized liquids and a burrito. In response to my statement, "Maria, I think you've found a good match" she replied "I've found a great match". Her positive attitude will see her through the throes of basic training, despite the possibility of being the 'granny" of her outfit. Maria is now at Ft Jackson receiving her uniforms, buying the special shoes and getting fitted for the only part of the uniform she dreaded--the BC glasses--specs so ugly they're referred to as birth control glasses.

Maria has joined the ranks of her father, brother and one sister. True, Leslie only served a few days due to adverse reaction to a bee sting (you would have made it Leslie).

FROM THE KNOTHOLE: Every soldier has their own personal story of their unique experience in the military service. For me, the whole story can pretty well be summed up with one word: Viet Nam. For Matt, my son and Maria's brother, I would guess that much or his experience could likewise be covered with one word: Iraq. God only knows what Maria's story will be. But it is very likely that some major event or sequence of events will form the nucleus of her military experience. For now, whether it be for days, weeks, months, or years, we salute you Maria. Thank you for your service.