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We have a ringer - Jennifer Blackwelder Sept 24 - Oct 5, 2024

 
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You might ask: what is a ringer?

A ringer is an expert in a field  who comes to Wheaton Labs for a week or two and, while working on various projects around the Labs, will share their experience with other folks, like the boots in the bootcamp, or the SEPP-ers (click here for more info about what a SEPP-er is).

I would like to introduce you to Jennifer Blackwelder. She will be at Wheaton Labs from September 24th until October 5th, 2024. You will get an opportunity to gain some mad skills and earn some Badge Bits (BBs) for the SKIP program!!

Here are a few words from her:

"Jennifer is willing to share her vast knowledge surrounding home systems (electrical, plumbing and HVAC) and maintenance. There will be plenty of opportunities to knock out some Electrical, homesteading and Oddball BBs. And remember, conducting BBs are not only about the end goal! Along the way you are learning invaluable life skills which are empowering and provide the confidence you need to confront challenges on your own. Whether or not you are interested in gathering BBs, it would benefit you greatly to come out and work alongside Jennifer, while you are here, and gain insights into your homes systems!

She will be figuring out kinks in the electrical system, conducting maintenance and creating maintenance schedules to make sure we get the longest life out of things around here (instead of running to failure and prematurely having to replace items, saving us tons of money!!) and whatever else she uncovers during her PI investigation of Wheaton Labs! There are sure to be plenty of learning opportunities; no matter your skill level. Jennifer is always reminding people that you don't have to be a licensed electrician, plumber or HVAC professional to understand your systems and conduct minor repairs and maintenance to them. She is also a firm believer that before you DIY you should have a clear understanding of your systems to insure your safety and prevent following misinformation so prevalent on the internet these days."


 
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Excellent! My family has beught several properties over the year and, as there are more properties, there are more maintenance and repairs to add to the list. Bringing in someone who can help with the different nests there at the lab will improve the situation tremendously. Welcome, Jennifer!
 
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Location: Full Time Car Dweller/ Digital Nomad looking for Permie Farms!
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I love this idea!! My grand and glorious idea of traveling around the country visiting farms, ranches and homesteads and learning along the way did not work. The biggest challenge is that these places need to get stuff done and are not set up to do this in a teaching way.
 
Liv Smith
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To learn from Jennifer and watch her in action, come to Wheaton Labs and stay in one of the cabins or bunks for a week, or two.


  • Rent a cabin or a bunk through the Sepper program, arrival day is Sunday. Wheaton Labs is located near Missoula, Montana.



  •    (When cabins or bunks are rented we will gray out the listing)


    Cabins:            


    Allerton Abbey



    Sept 22nd - Sept 27 is $250  (click here to pay $250)
    Sept 22 -Oct 4th  is  $500  $400 (click here to pay $400)  



    The Red Cabin



    Sept 22nd - Sept 27th is $250 (click here to pay $250)
    Sept 22nd - Oct 4th is $500 $400 (click here to pay $400)



    The Love Shack



    Sept 22nd - Sept 27th is $250  (click here to pay $250) (additional people $20 each)
    Sept 22 -Oct 4th is $500 $350   (click here to pay $350) (additional people $50 each)




    The AmayZheng Dog Star (now with a rocket mass heater!)  



    Sept 22nd - Sept 27th   is $250   (click here to pay $250)
    Sept 22 -Oct 4th is $500 $400  (click here to pay $400)



    The Tipi  (with a rocket mass heater)



    Sept 22nd - Sept 27th is $250   (click here to pay $250)
    Sept 22 -Oct 4th   is $500 $400   (click here to pay $400)



    Bartell's Bunk House (now with a rocket mass heater!)



    Sept 22nd - Sept 27th  is $250   (click here to pay $250)
    Sept 22 -Oct 4th  13 nights $500 $400   (click here to pay $400)





    Bunks:


    Cooper Cabin - rented



    Top Bunk (1 person): Sept 22nd - Sept 27th  is $250
    Top Bunk (1 person): Sept 22 -Oct 4th is $500 $350

    Bottom Bunk (1-2 people): Sept 22nd - Sept 27th is $250  
    Bottom Bunk (1-2 people): Sept 22 -Oct 4th $500 $350




    Fisher Price House  



    Top Bunk (1 person): Sept 22nd - Sept 27th  6 nights $250  (click here to pay $250)
    Top Bunk (1 person): Sept 22 -Oct 4th  13 nights $500 $350 (click here to pay $350)

    Bottom Bunk (1-2 people): Sept 22nd - Sept 27th  6 nights $250  (click here to pay $250)
    Bottom Bunk (1-2 people): Sept 22 -Oct 4th  13 nights $500 $350  (click here to pay $350)



    Solarium 



    Squirrel Top Bunk (narrow twin bed): Sept 22nd - Sept 27th 6 nights $225 (click here to pay $225)
    Squirrel Top Bunk (narrow twin bed): Sept 22 -Oct 4th  13 nights $450 $350  (click here to pay $325)

    Squirrel Bottom Bunk (narrow twin bed): Sept 22nd - Sept 27th  6 nights $250 (click here to pay $250)
    Squirrel Bottom Bunk (narrow twin bed): Sept 22 -Oct 4th  13 nights $500 $350  (click here to pay $350)

    Bear or Moose Top Bunk (twin bed): Sept 22nd - Sept 27th 6 nights $250 (click here to pay $250)
    Bear or Moose Top Bunk (twin bed): Sept 22 -Oct 4th 13 nights $500 $350   (click here to pay $350)

    Bear or Moose Bottom Bunk (twin bed): Sept 22nd - Sept 27th 6 nights $250 (click here to pay $250)
    Bear or Moose Bottom Bunk (twin bed): Sept 22 -Oct 4th 13 nights $500 $350 (click here to pay $350)





     
    master gardener
    Posts: 3947
    Location: Upstate NY, Zone 5, 43 inch Avg. Rainfall
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    I'm loving the idea of having Ringers on site. Not only do you get to meet Paul and see all that he has at Wheaton Labs but you also get to meet another expert at the same time!

    I need to start planning a learning vacation...
     
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    Location: Suitcase
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    Hey everybody!

    I am super excited to be returning to Wheaton Labs to finish up what I started during the wonderful two weeks of the PTJ and see just how many other hands on maintenance and repair projects we can accomplish during my two week stay!

    It should be a pretty good mixture of electrical, plumbing, troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining and investigative learning. I love figuring things out, fixing things, organizing and sharing knowledge with others. If you can join us, you will be sure to return home with a whole new perspective on how to look at your home and how to maintain it.

    I will be readily available for conversations the whole time I am there so bring your curiosity and get ready to see just how much fun we have doing what most people call work but I consider entertainment! I once heard someone say "The way to have fun in anything is to know what you are doing". Having at least a base knowledge about what you are doing seems to take the frustration out of it.

    So come join us, have some fun, learn tons and leave confident that you know more about your homes systems, and how to maintain them, so you can go home and have some fun with your home instead of feeling overwhelmed by it!!

    Can't wait to see you there,
    Jennifer
     
    Jennifer Blackwelder
    Posts: 6
    Location: Suitcase
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    It's amazing how much there is to learn and explore when you come to Wheaton Labs!!  Just in one day, we worked with solar, plumbing, the well pump, gardening, auto mechanics and a rocket mass heater. Every weekday until October 5th we will be investigating, discussing, trouble shooting, working on and accomplishing a variety of tasks dealing with real world situations concerning the above mentioned categories as well as electrical, wood working and general maintenance. Not to mention the great company and fresh food!!

    Paul has made it extremely affordable for the next two weeks so everyone can take advantage of coming here and learning skills you need to thrive as permies, homesteaders or just homeowners in general! There is nothing compared to hands on learning, a laid back environment where you can ask all the questions you want, and to be able to return home feeling totally empowered to tackle projects you have been wanting to do but felt intimidated by!

    A learncation you won't forget!

    Will try to post photos tonight,
    Jennifer
     
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