It only burns when I think about it.

The world famous economist Herbert A. Simon theorized that individuals who are placed in a decision making situation will most frequently collect just enough information to make a satisfactory decision, and not extend the data collection process to obtain an optimal decision.  This is called Bounded Rationality.  We have tried, and have succeeded at some points, to not engage the idea of just making a decision to move forward out of convenience. We have collected and analyzed multiple sources of information with the hope that that in the end, we don't walk into this new house and gnash our teeth and play the "I wish we would have" game.  

We have hit a bit of an obstacle when it comes to the aesthetics of the living room with regards to the wood burning stove. As it stands, we have four feet of brick on two walls.  The original design had placed the stove in the corner of the living room.  Kelly and I shopped at all three fireplace stores in Duluth.  We investigated non-catalytic stoves and catalytic stoves.  We looked at BTU's, burn-times, and efficiency ratings.  We looked at steel stoves, brick stoves, and cast iron stoves, side loaders, north and south loaders versus east/west loaders.  We had reached the all important decision on the stove that met our needs. Then we read the tolerances and clearances for said stove.  Now we have a problem.  Because the stove is placed in the corner, we need to maintain 9 inches of clearance from the back two corners of the stove to the brick on the walls.  We also need 63 inches of brick from the joining wall corner out to the end of the brick, so that there is no combustible materials 9 inches from the door opening.  The concern is that we will now have this monstrosity of a wood burner taking up too much of the living room.  I have several points of friction with all of this, and I've come to realize that given all the factors in play, I also have cut all the wood into 18-20 inch logs for said stove.  The prospect of buying a smaller stove doesn't cause me as much consternation as the thought of having to recut all that damn wood.  

Last Tuesday Kelly and I walked through with the electrician to locate areas for switches and outlets. The walk-through took 2 hours, and was extremely productive.   While engaged in the walk through the HVAC person asked where I wanted the thermostat. I told him we are putting in a wood stove, and from all my research and calls to close friends whom I trust it appeared as though I should place the thermostat on the farthest wall possible so that when I run the stove, it won't cause me an issues with the infloor heat.  The guy looks at me, and asks, "do you want me to put in a sensor in the floor so you can control the floor hear independent from the ambient temp in the room." I had to laugh.  Hours of worry and concern, and this guy solves the issue in one sentence!  So we now have an in floor sensor and four  zones set up for temperature control.  

Have you ever intentionally tried to cause yourself less pain by over-thinking a problem and pouring over your possible decisions only to find out that you completely and unilaterally hosed yourself?  I placed the split wood in a pile away from the house.  When it came time to drill the well, well, the pile of wood was where the driller needed to be.  I called the builder and begged a favor, and he did me a solid.  The next day he had one of his crew come up with a skid steer to move the pile of wood.  Crisis averted for now.  The well driller started and everything was going smooth till 50 feet.  He called and told me it was slow drilling. I mean let's all be honest at this point of the project.  I need water.  I am going to have to get water, no matter how deep you have to drill, so... keep drilling.  I mean I suppose we could run a hose to the lake, but then when you get water from the tap it would smell like sunfish. On saturday he had water at 102 feet, and drilled down to 114 feet.  We have 15 gallons a minute.  I was not prepared for all of the effluence that came out of the ground.  I guess I never thought of how much material would be pulled from a 114 foot well.  

The front gables are now constructed.  Roofing materials are in place.  Doors and windows are installed.  Rumor has it the electrical inspector was out on Tuesday, but we haven't heard.  We are both anxious for the next chapter of this build.  To maximize our budget, we cut out the painting.  The contractor will drywall, mud and tape, and prime all the walls.  We then need to get in there and paint the house.  I honestly thought that we were at the point of getting heat into the building.  That is not the case.  The contractor will use temporary heating in the house.  The last item is literally hooking up the propane tank.  I still don't get that!  Why if you have a functioning heat source would we use a temporary one for the last stretch of the project.  I know, I know I will stay in my lane on this one.  Thanks for reading!  P.S. I did contact a good friend of mine, and he graciously agreed to place his spear shack in front of the house!  The new place is located behind the big white pine. Lake life here we come!