Egressive Expansion

After much planning, double-checking, and spending, I have finally made some tangible progress on my new office's egress window.

It all began last Friday.  I knew it would be a busy day, but that’s just how things go when you’re trying to line up people who are not on the same schedule as you are.  In my case, I worked the night before, then got up around 11 AM on only four hours of sleep.  I made a quick trip out to pick up the egress window that had finally arrived and some last-minute things at Home Depot.  By the time I got back, my friend Scott had already finished digging most of the hole in the ground.  My concrete cutter then arrived and opened up the hole in the foundation while Scott and I enjoyed some enchiladas.

After lunch, a downpour began and Scott and I buttoned everything up.  Scott had to leave and no sooner than he did the sky opened up and the sun began shining once more.  I promptly removed the plastic we had put up over the window hole and began filling in the overcuts with hydraulic cement.  I then boxed up the window with pressure-treated lumber and installed the window.  This was just in time to take a quick shower and head out to see Star Trek on its opening night (did I mention it was kick-ass?).

This weekend we went up North to see my sister graduate (again—this time with a Master’s degree) and visit with Karrie’s mom.  Sunday we had a barbecue with my mom and promptly went out to see Star Trek again afterward (did I mention it was kick-ass?).  Today, the window well arrived and my brother and I were able to get it installed and most of the dirt replaced around it.  Unfortunately it didn’t occur to me that the grate I had also ordered would impede the window’s opening (and therefore defeat the purpose of putting it in), but I will deal with that later.  For now, it is good enough to continue the office project in the basement (rebuilding the wall around the window for starters).