The journey of building our new home!

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

5.7.2024

I ran into Saratoga to do some grocery errands this morning. When I got home, Jim had taken the siding down from the pole barn where he needs to work!

He had to remove some of the original framing in order to put new framing up where he needs to attach the rail...

The first side done, now working on cutting out a piece of the other side...

This one was tougher because he needed to leave the framing intact around the door and just cut into it. He was able to use both his chisel and his Japanese saw to get the job done...

Fitting the new piece of framing...

All done...

Putting the brackets on the rail...

Since there is only one of him, he has to come up with creative ways to hold things - he tied some string to the wood to hold one side of the rail in place...

Then did the same on the other side...

This was kind of his test fit to make sure it was at the right height to accommodate the door...

Trying to figure out exactly how he wants to proceed with siding - there is a cover piece that goes over the rail to keep water out...

Once he figured out how he wanted to proceed, he was able to put some of the siding back up around the door...

Fastening it in place...

He had to cut the next pieces of siding to go above and below the rail...

The rail needed to be offset from the framing just an inch or so to factor in the siding. Jim made a piece of blocking the exact width he needed, attached it to the framing, and then put the rail back in place...

Putting the bottom piece in place...

Fastening...

Other bottom piece in place. Now Jim won't have to worry about animals getting in as well as keeping weather out.

Jim turned on the air conditioning in the bedrooms for the first time this year - amazing how quickly it cools the rooms.

High 77.1/Low 43.8

Monday, May 6, 2024

5.6.2024

Jim worked on the computer this morning and then did some clean up in the wood shop. In the afternoon, we headed outside to do a little woods cleanup. Once our chipper comes, we'll have loads to try it out on!

It was a beautiful day - Mom enjoyed some reading outside too...

Jim needs a piece of wood to extend the framing of the pole barn so that he can attach the rail. He was hoping he had a piece in the pavilion attic that he could use, so we went up to check it out...

He found a piece that he can use but had to move things around carefully because a bird made a nest up here...

We're very excited to see that the top of the oak tree is sporting new leaves so we think the repair of the broken top worked!

Jim cut a little grass to finish off the work day before hitting the treadmill.

High 73.3/Low 48.3 - beautiful!

Sunday, May 5, 2024

5.5.2024

After all Jim's work on the cabinet, it was time to bring it up today! First, he had to move out the little shelf unit I've been using to store laundry supplies...

The dryer came with a steam feature that required hooking it up to the water line. When we were trying to get occupancy, it wasn't a priority and just never bubbled up on the priority list. But since Jim had to move things out, it was time. He bought a Y-valve to be able to send water to both the washer and dryer...

Of course, he has to work in tight spaces...

All done! I'm anxious to try it out now.

Doing some cleanup behind the appliances...

Jim carefully wrapped the cabinet and put it on the two-wheeler to bring it upstairs...

Coming up the first flight...

And the second...

And into the house...

Manipulating the cabinet into position...

Moving it between the washer and dryer...

Bringing up the first drawer...

Beautiful...

The giant bottom drawer is next...

Finally the middle drawer...

Perfection!

Jim hasn't attached the cabinet to the wall yet; he needs to do that when he builds the upper cabinet. Eventually there will be a Corian counter on top as well. But I had so much fun filling up all the drawers! It's going to be so nice to have things more neat and organized...