Day 273 October 7, 2002

I finally got around to installing the final outlet box in the loft. All electrical work is completed! I am scheduled for my final electrical inspection Wednesday.

I changed my mind. I bought gloss poly for the floors at the Home Depot, but I now think it will be too shiny. I vacuum the whole floor carefully to get up all the saw dust I have been creating for the past 14 months. Upstairs, downstairs, windowsills, everywhere. A clean cabin is a happy cabin. That done, I bolt to Rowley's and bought Satin poly. I'll return the other stuff when I get home. Back up on the hill, I taped off the walls surrounding the new wood floor. I open all the windows, stir the poly, pour it into a big tray, screw the 100% lambs wool applicator onto my broom handle and lay it on. It goes on easy, stinks bad though. Fortunately it is a nice breezy day and the wind is blowing right through the cabin. I work my way from the bedrooms out into the great room and finally out the sliding door. I'm now outside for 4-6 hours until it dries. By the way, Minwax claims 600-700 square feet per gallon coverage. No way, Jose. Half that. Anyway, I go downstairs and install the last handrail for the stairs. I even put a coat of poly on it. I grab my book ("Compelling Evidence") and head to town to get some dinner while the poly dries. It's getting cold out quickly.

After dinner the breeze is gone and the temp is down. The floor isn't quite dry yet. I fire up the heater in the camper and finish my book with my feet on the heater. Brother D, you would like it, a good "who dunnit?". Thanks to Mr. B for lending it. Finally the floor is dry enough and the stink bearable. Satisfied that the fumes have abated, I build a fire in the stove and try to get some warmth inside. Doesn't really work since all the windows are open. I wait a while longer and then close them. I'm beat.

At least 10 hours, breezy and cool then darnright cold.