Final Update

Well...there you have it folks...9 months later and Victor has a new home.  Many thanks to all who lent a hand, a tool, some stuff, food and good cheer.  It has been a pleasure to work alongside so many fine folks who gave of themselves in so many ways.  Most of all, endless thanks to Kristina and Tim and their family for their generosity and bottomless energies.   Thank you for making the space in your hearts and your land to allow this gift to be built.  Thank you for the patience to see it through and thank you for asking for my help...truly my honor and privilege...

patrick...

february update

hi all, work continues steadily toward victor's new small home...despite some frigid days, people down with a nasty flu, and the river changing course...we carry on.  here's where we are at as we creep up on the end of february...

here's where we are as of february 20th...

  1. interior painting is complete
  2. flooring is in
  3. interior trim is finished and ready for install this weekend
  4. super cute tiny wood stove is in
  5. metal surround for wood stove is being fabricated and will go in before the end of the month
  6. cabinets and kitchen shelving are 90% done, being delivery today and going in this weekend
    1. stair/drawer cabinet is going together this weekend
  7. Electrical finish is nearly done and solar panels go on the next warm/sunny day
  8. Trees are coming down slowly and we hope to start site prep proper by mid march or sooner

what's coming up?

  1. cabinets, appliances and finish plumbing installation
  2. solar panels
  3. water supply and waste management system design and installation
  4. interior trim installation
  5. composting toilet
  6. propane tanks

we are hoping to make the move by the end of march..stay tuned...and once again, thank you to all the kind words, helping hands and cold hard cash...

 

january update

hi gang...lots has happened since we last updated you, more donations of time and dough so thanks for that

here's where we are as of january 15th...

  1. siding is complete
  2. wiring is complete
  3. solar power plant components are installed
  4. solar panels are on their way
  5. insulation and air sealing is complete
  6. rough plumbing inside is complete
  7. plumbing supply and waste lines will go in once victor's new home is moved to the site
  8. ventilation fan is installed
  9. drywall is complete
  10. interior walls have been primed-finish coats this week

what's coming up?

  1. interior trim will be ready to install by end of week...currently in A-1 shop being finished
  2. cabinetry starts this weekend
  3. interior trim and cabinets scheduled to start jan 27th.
  4. under counter fridge is on its way
  5. wood stove being installed next week
  6. work on the site has begun with tree and debris removal this past weekend

we are hoping to make the move by the end of february...stay tuned...and once again, thank you to all the kind words, helping hands and cold hard cash...

 

one last thing...

i know that most of you already know this about kristina, but for those that do not, please allow me a moment to elaborate on her blinding awesomness...

i have been doing this stuff much of my life and it is a rare find indeed to work along side someone with such dedication, good humor, endless enthusiasm and an unyielding willingness and bravery to learn and make mistakes and do things over if necessary to insure they are done right...i have worked next to her on nearly every aspect of this project, she starts before everyone else and works long after everyone has left, she has made countless phone calls, beguiled half the vendors in whatcom county into giving us thousands of dollars of material items, pulled together multiple trades people to donate their skills, appealed to her neighbors good will with her smile and laughter, hugs and simple requests for a hand for their fellow neighbor...she has made countless lunches, snacks, cups of coffee, store runs, late night emailing asking for help and volunteers...we should count ourselves most fortunate indeed for the opportunity she has created to be of service in such a profund manner...I know that I am...

many thanks as well to kristina's amazing family...they have been and continue to support her vision...they have been most generous to give up some of their time with their amazing mother and wife...so thanks tim, avery, morgan and casey...

i felt compelled to share the following video of kristina...it describes perfectly what it takes to build a home, persistent, patient, focused attention to the task a hand...this is but one of literally thousands and thousands of such tasks.

thanks so much for asking for our help...

december update

hi all and thanks for following along...

here's where we are as of december 6th...

  1. roofs are on
  2. windows are in
  3. siding is about 50%
  4. solar power plant components are being delivered or picked up this week
  5. door and lockset are in
    1. thanks Beattie Locksmiths
  6. lofts are built
  7. bathroom is framed
  8. rough plumbing happens this week
    1. thanks Gary Gibb of Gary's plumbing...
    2. thanks A-1 Builders for plumbing fixtures and coutertops...
  9. rough electrical starts saturday the 9th
    1. thanks jeffrey utter...
  10. air-sealing and insulation begins december 16th
  11. sheetrock to start xmess weekend

to all those who have helped with your dough or with your hands...we thank you...

november update

hi all  here's another progress up date:

thanks to many hands over the last 2 weekends we have the roof framed and weathered in...waiting for flashing and metal roof to go on this coming weekend...2 of 6 windows are in and walls are wrapped and openings waterproofed...ready for the waiting windows next weekend.

whats next you ask?  over the next two weekends the plan calls for the following:

  1. Roof installation
  2. Window installation
  3. Siding Installation
  4. Meet with Gary Gibb from Gary's plumbing to review pluming rough-in...they are going to donate labor and materials for plumbing rough-in.
  5. Meet with Jeffrey Utter to finalize solar power plant details and get materials ordered and frame u utility closet on the front of the trailer to hold the following items:
    1. Propane Tanks
    2. Water Heater
    3. Solar control electronics
    4. Batteries
  6. Install exterior trim and siding components.  We will be using a ventilated wall system for long life and easy maintenance.   See video below. 
  7. Finalize interior layout and frame bathroom walls and ready for plumbing and electrical rough-in

october update

and...here we go...Oct 28 and 29.

greetings all...construction has begun!

here's a quick update on progress in words and images...

many thanks to all those lending hard work, food to keep us going, cold hard cash to buy the stuff we need to craft a home and all those material donations from family and local vendors.  stay tuned for a list of all contributors in the future.

ok..so updates...

dough...

thus far we have received nearly $4000 in donations and some of this has gone towards the following:

  1. windows

  2. framing package

  3. roof waterproofing underlayment

  4. insulation

  5. fasteners

  6. paint, caulk, glue etc...

  7. disposal fees

  8. flashing

we currently have about $1500 left and this will go to siding and plumbing fixtures next.

progress...

construction began this past weekend...many thanks to all who came out on this beautiful fall weekend to bring food, schlep materials, cut wood, stand walls, dice up foam for floor insulation, drill holes in metal, lie on the ground with wrenches and ratchets, sweep floors, pick up debris, coil electrical cords in the dark, stack wood, unstack wood, smile alot and generally just be kind humans...

 

step 1: get trailer and strip shell

step 2 build new shell

stay tuned for more progress pics and words...this weekend should be another productive few days...we are hoping to get roof framing finished and prepped for metal roof, wall sheathing completed, building wrap installed and windows in.  Come by and say hi we'd love to see you...

patrick

Dear Friends...

                                                                                                                                          September 25, 2017

Dear Friends and Neighbors,                                                                                     

Perhaps you know Victor?  Or you’ve driven Truck Rd., in Deming, in spring and noticed his well-tended fruit trees exploding with blossoms, and then bending under the weight of ripening plums, quince and peaches in fall?  When two feet of snow covered the ground and the trailer he calls home, you might have assumed, as we did, that this master orchardist has gone to warmer climes.  He hasn’t.  

Victor Nickols was born and raised in Deming.  He was involved with the school FFA & graduated in 1969 from Mt. Baker High School, before being conscripted and shipped off to Vietnam. 

Upon return Victor worked 80 hrs a week for decades making ends meet.  But the effects of Agent Orange poisoning from Vietnam eventually caught up to him and working a regular job proved impossible.   Only two years ago did he begin receiving nominal social security - not enough to call an income.  His small trailer has no electricity and no functional kitchen. Cardboard lines broken windows to keep wind out and tarps cover holes in the roof. Buckets are a necessity during the rainy months.  Victor has never asked for anything of anyone, be it an individual, organization or agency.  Not ever.

This Veteran served our country in a tragic military action when he was still a teen, and at age 67 he suffers for it. Even though he’s manifested an orchard that dazzles & feeds friends and neighbors year after year, Victor lives day to day.  We say enough!  With neighbors, friends and the support of a Foundation called All Is Radness, we are building Victor a tiny house on wheels, one that will radiate the warmth of love this community feels for him and that will allow him to live his elder years with dignity.  In fact, with Victor’s blessing (which was not so easy for him) we’ve already begun and are seeking your help.

  Floy & Ella Markham of Maple Falls offered a wrecked camper, caved in from last winter’s heavy snow.  With the 2004 frame in fine condition we set in motion to haul it home to Welcome!   Gary Van Dyk gladly accepted that task and with a call out for demolition help,  Dennis Workman, Carol & Joe Bennett, Brent Osborn,  the McHugh family, and Patrick Martin razed the camper.  With Jim & Helen Freeman’s dump truck we took loads of camper debris to the dump & recyclers.   The steel trailer frame is now getting prepped to build on and Victor hired help to make improvements to the site by removing some hazardous Maple Trees. Next we build!

Let’s see what WE can do now for one of our own with the fruits of our labor!

thanks to all those that helped demo the RV

The design is underway with Patrick Martin, through his work @ A-1 Builders & Adaptations Design.  There are many things to do to get Victor in before winter!  Thank you in advance for your generosity and to those who’ve already contributed cash or material donations.  It’s a great start & we are poised to succeed!

Trailer is nearly ready to go...

 

MATERIALS NEEDED!

  • Skylight (an opener would be helpful)

  • Exterior Door-Preferably Pre-Hung

  • Interior and Exterior Trim

  • Insulation

    • Rigid

      • Fiberglass

  • Building Wrap

  • Siding- Metal, Wood, Hardi

  • Roofing

  • Roofing Underlayment

  • Flashings

  • Windows (need a few opening ones still)

  • Cabinets

  • Flooring

  • Drywall/Interior Paneling

  • Decking

  • Small wood stove

  • Solar panels and associated electronics

  • Wiring

  • Light Fixtures

  • Framing Materials

  • Plumbing Component

  • Toilet (composting)

  • Sink (Small Kitchen)

  • Shower components

    • Propane Appliances
      Fridge

    • Heater

  • Water Heater-Propane On Demand

materials list

hi all thanks for visiting and helping with victor's new home...see below for the growing list of needed materials...

  • Skylight

  • Exterior Door-Preferably Pre-Hung

  • Interior and Exterior Trim

  • Insulation

    • Rigid

    • Fiberglass

  • Building Wrap

  • Siding- Metal, Wood, Hardi

  • Roofing

  • Roofing Underlayment

  • Flashings

  • Windows

  • Cabinets

  • Flooring

  • Drywall/Interior Paneling

  • Decking

  • Small wood stove

  • Solar panels and associated electronics

  • Wiring

  • Light Fixtures

  • Framing Materials

  • Plumbing Components

    • Toilet

    • Sink (Small Kitchen)

    • Shower components

  • Propane Appliances

    • Fridge

    • Heater

    • Water Heater