Sunday, December 13, 2009

Quote

"What we learn from history is that people don't learn from history."
-Warren Buffet

Monday, December 7, 2009

Really? Really? Broken Glass Update

My last post discussed the sliding glass door that suffered a shattered pane during transport. A local repair company quoted $207 to repair. I paid $296 for the whole door. Lowe's, where I bought the door, referred me to Pella.

Pella suggested that I could go back to Lowes and work through them and likely pay as much for a whole new slider as I did the entire door. Or, Mike at Pella offered to send me a whole new slider for free! I graciously accepted and then clarified that the damage was not their fault, but wholly mine. He graciously acknowledged and proceeded to process the order for a new door at no cost. He even declined my offer to pay for shipping.

I'm not sure if this is standard procedure for Pella or if Mike simply enjoyed my deep sexy voice and wanted to hear me squeal like a pig (which I almost did) in disbelief. Either way, Christmas came early today! Thank you Pella and may your business endeavors be fruitful.

Shipping Container Landing in Montello!

The shipping container has landed in Montello! The timetable for delivery was rushed in anticipation of deep snow and the inability to access the property in the coming weeks. The planned modifications are not complete, but the fireplace, two sleeping bunks, roof support beams, and sliding glass door will provide the needed basics for successful subsequent outings.

Paul transported the container on his amazing truck and gently placed it in the hole. The placement was slightly off one of the railroad ties, which Paul could have easily corrected by repositioning, but we had Curt and his backhoe on scene so it made more sense to chain it up and slide it over the needed foot or so. The railroad tie idea worked out wonderfully with the container resting level on all sides without any need for tweaking.

Mike (like minded fellow in too many ways from Logan) and I placed the foam board insulation as Curt backfilled the sides and roof. I used two inch thick foam board (R10) on the sides and four inches (R20) on the roof. Six mil plastic sheeting was placed between the dirt and the foam board on the roof as an additional moisture barrier. I'm hoping to keep the container from rusting through for at least 2/3's of a lifetime (the rest of mine)!

The only hiccup in the day came early on after opening the container doors to find one of the sliding glass door panes had shattered during transport. Two loud, quick, and slightly separated F-bombs later (and a few PBR's) and I was back into the blissful moment of the Montello dream! I have to thank Mike and Curt for jumping on this problem and keeping me from thinking about it. They lifted the door out, Mike cleaned up the glass, and then reinstalled the perfectly good single pane sliding glass door. Thanks again for all your hard work fellas!!!

As the sun set and the cold really started to bite, Mike fired up the wood burning stove to help all of us thaw out as we enjoyed great conversation, evening southern skies, and the amazing serenity of the desert.

As is now seemingly tradition, the day was capped off with a Cowboy Burger at the Cowboy Bar. Good day brethren, good day!

Many, many, many thanks to Win!!!!







Thanks for driving out into the middle of nowhere Paul


Mike watching as Curt slides the container over






Mike removing glass fragments from the door





Curt and Mike