Here it is the of June 2023, just over a year since the Dwelling Box footing #1 hole was dug. A year since the Dwelling boxes were Adjoined and Joined creating one singular living residence. Six months since it was Electrically Watered connecting it to the world as none of the boxes are off the grid.

Fourteen months of electrical cords running this way, that way, and always getting in the way. Fourteen months of dragging electrical cords here and there, up and down the stairs, through the dirt and mud. Fourteen months of having too many electrically powered tools without enough outlets. Fourteen months of constantly working in the dark even when it is straight up sunlight outside.

The dark stops today. Overhead LED lights are being installed in the bathroom. Three in the shower/sink/toilet/vanity area and one larger over the washer/dryer. Four LED lights in a space less than 100 sf in size. Seriously, I am tired of not being able to see.

Deciding how to cut 6″ and 8″ inch overhead on ceiling boards that are 4″ in width has been an ongoing topic of conversation since before the ceilings were even installed. Various sample lights have been lying around since the end of last year. Much to every ones skepticism, the Planner had been adamant about using the router overhead with a home built radius. Testing on the workbench gave no issues for either size as the router was held flat while being moved in a circle in a normal working position. What about over head on boards that are not a 3/4″ sheet of plywood?

Locations of holes were marked, pre-drilled, and then radius base was screwed into ceiling. Oh, how I was so nervous. Nothing about this plan seemed right. Nothing. There were so many things that could go wrong. The drill could fall out of place sending the router hay wire. The cutting bit could snag on the grove sending the router hay wire. The board could crack and splinter sending the router hay wire.

And it was not the boards I was worried about. Damage to other boards would require a crap ton of work, yes. A router moving a million rpms coming unscrewed and flinging into the tile? Damage to tile would require a crap ton of work, yes. A router flinging into the router handler while standing on a ladder with their face less than arms length away. That sent me in very shallow breathing and needed a drink (now unsweet tea instead of diet drink) much like all those days ago during It’s Just a Roll-Off and the first shipping container was unloaded off the trailer onto the ground. I said it then and I am saying now. The Planner does well under high stress situations and cutting holes above your head on tongue and grove ceiling boards is high stress.

Router secured into place and safety glasses on, the router was turned and eased into the first ceiling board. Wanting a secure, “safe” start, the fullest board was chosen for the bit to be inserted directly into the middle of the board. Then ever so slowly, in the smallest increments the router will allow, a circle was cut into the ceiling. Cutting went smooth until the smallest portion of the ceiling needed to be removed. How to remove when still attached to the other larger board. Carefully. As soon as it looked like the smaller portion was cleared, the router turned off and the board taken out. Usually some maneuvering was needed but it would either come out or be pushed along the ceiling against the foam.

Ever so sloooooooooowly was the hole cut. As predicted the last cut was the scariest as it required the Planner to hold the router in place to a ceiling tile getting ready to be cut free. Talking the entire was through the cut, I would inform the Planner how far the bit was away from the final cut. Zip out it came with some excessive speed. Ugh, my nerves.

As predicted, the plan worked exactly like the Planner predicted. Oh, how he was ever so exited to gloat about how we doubter his genuineness, his creativity, his skills. His modesty. One down, four to go. And at this rate, the floor will covered in saw dust deep enough for crabs to take up residence.

Four, three, two, one…. Camera….

LIGHTS! One over the shower, one over the toilet, one over the sink, one larger splitting the distance from over the vanity and over the washer/dryer (the top center is the 8″). Such a thing of beauty. Lights. The bathroom still has to be powered through an extension cord to the main panel as there is no power to the dwelling yet but at least this room is fully extension cord free.