Women Build 2010 Minneapolis home week 3

What a blessing to have sunny, warm weather for my first day on the Women Build site! This is day 17 and the house is down to bare bones (just the studs, roof and floors). Most of the demolition work has been done, so the goal for the week is to get walls and floors ready for the mechanicals to be installed.

My job was to mount new 2 x 6 floor joists next to the old ones. Lots of measuring, wedging, hydraulic lifting, prying and sledge hammering went into each joist before we could pound in the nails. By the end of the day, we had made great progress and I have a new favorite power tool, the palm nailer.

Outside, the pink helmeted workers were prying out old siding under the eaves, getting the home ready for the new siding that will keep Donjia and her family safe and dry.

Lunch arrived shortly after noon, courtesy of Mort’s Deli of Golden Valley. The big platter of deli sandwiches and a delicious spinach strawberry salad did not last long. Thanks Mort!

A big thanks also goes out to Ginger Hop for bringing a tasty lunch on Monday and to the two Team Leaders who also provided lunch for everyone on site - Andrea Larson with Medtronic and Stephannie Keller with SLK Development Group.

Over the next 7 weeks, more women will come together to work on Donjia’s home. We still have opportunities this summer for women interested in helping complete the rehab. Sign up to volunteer with your mom, a sister, a friend or by yourself and meet new friends.

See photos of the build on Flickr, Facebook or the Women Build website to follow along with the progress!

Katherine Waters
2010 Women Build Committee Member
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity