We've been keeping busy even though we aren't actually building.
On the one window of perfect timing, it was warm enough for Jim to get the truck started and still have the snow firm enough to drive on. So we used it to pick up some scaffolding that was in storage and then took the plates off and turned them in so that we could suspend the insurance for the winter.
Now that the truck is parked, Jim started investigating the power steering that he knows needs replacing. He anticipates this being a big job because of where it is located. But yesterday, he worked on it and made quite a bit of progress. Unfortunately, working on it at this point means laying on cardboard on the snow and working underneath the truck and without a full compliment of tools. Only Jim. Today, he got the power steering pump off - yay! He has to send it off to be rebuilt - obviously time is not a factor at this point since won't be using it until spring.
Jim has spent a lot of time working on exact specs for a commercial steel people door for the carriage house. After finding one online, he took the specs into his Lowe's rep to see if they could get it for him. That ended up being quite the project - their price initially was more than double of the online price! But because of their matching policy for most things, the rep went to work. Lowe's is not making a penny on us but they finally got corporate to approve the price match. So our door is on order. Jim hopes to get it installed temporarily as soon as it comes in.
The sewer pipe that we ordered almost a month ago was another project. Somehow it got processed incorrectly at Home Depot and they returned it. So I worked with a rep there who canceled that order, refunded our money, and reordered it at no cost to us. Unfortunately, these are 10' pieces and don't easily fit in the back of the car. Since we no longer have the truck option, once the pieces came in it required two trips to Home Depot.
Jim also ordered a new gas tank for the vibrator. After he took it apart and cleaned the carburetor, he investigated the gas tank and found it all corroded. It must have taken water in at some point in its life. We tried power spraying it at the car wash but he eventually broke down and bought a new one on eBay. So that's another project he'll be working on.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Saturday, December 13, 2014
12.13.2014 - Update
It's been awhile since I posted, so I figured an update was due. Although it's not officially winter, winter weather has been knocking on our door and we are slowly accepting that we are coming to an end of building season. Jim keeps working on lots of project management projects - tracking down commercial doors, figuring out what happened to our sewer pipe order - as well as continuing to go out to the land to check up on things.
On Thursday, we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary! Amazing how time flies - it's really hard to believe that it's been that long. We are very blessed indeed. We had a good snowfall the night before and it left the area definitely feeling like a winter wonderland. We went for a walk in the afternoon to help counteract the calories we knew we would be eating later. The river area looked so quiet and peaceful.
In the late afternoon, we went down to Saratoga Springs and took in some of the Christmas sights, of course stopping for a chocolate treat at Kilwin's while we were there! Then we went to dinner at the Wishing Well - using up the rest of the gift certificate that Kyle and Julia had gotten us last year!
Yesterday, Jim headed to the land to check things out. As you can see from this picture, the snowplows had left quite the big pile of snow in front of the driveway - no way the car was going up over that. So Jim had to hike up the hill.
There was probably 16" of snow on the deck. Although Jim said he's sure that the deck could hold three times that safely, he knew that there was a first layer of thick frozen slush underneath the snow, adding to the weight. So he decided to shovel...10 feet in the air on top of extremely slippery metal decking. Yikes! But he got the first section done, which is the thinnest gauge metal. He'll probably do more later on today.
He also got the Bobcat going and plowed some of the hill to make walking up and down a tad easier.
Late this morning, Jim headed back to the land. He brought the Bobcat back down the hill and worked for about an hour clearing all the snow that the plows had piled up at the end of the driveway.
Then it was back to work shoveling the deck...
Another section all clean!
On Thursday, we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary! Amazing how time flies - it's really hard to believe that it's been that long. We are very blessed indeed. We had a good snowfall the night before and it left the area definitely feeling like a winter wonderland. We went for a walk in the afternoon to help counteract the calories we knew we would be eating later. The river area looked so quiet and peaceful.
In the late afternoon, we went down to Saratoga Springs and took in some of the Christmas sights, of course stopping for a chocolate treat at Kilwin's while we were there! Then we went to dinner at the Wishing Well - using up the rest of the gift certificate that Kyle and Julia had gotten us last year!
Yesterday, Jim headed to the land to check things out. As you can see from this picture, the snowplows had left quite the big pile of snow in front of the driveway - no way the car was going up over that. So Jim had to hike up the hill.
There was probably 16" of snow on the deck. Although Jim said he's sure that the deck could hold three times that safely, he knew that there was a first layer of thick frozen slush underneath the snow, adding to the weight. So he decided to shovel...10 feet in the air on top of extremely slippery metal decking. Yikes! But he got the first section done, which is the thinnest gauge metal. He'll probably do more later on today.
He also got the Bobcat going and plowed some of the hill to make walking up and down a tad easier.
Late this morning, Jim headed back to the land. He brought the Bobcat back down the hill and worked for about an hour clearing all the snow that the plows had piled up at the end of the driveway.
Then it was back to work shoveling the deck...
Another section all clean!
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| High 32/Low 18 |
Friday, December 5, 2014
12.4.2014
Even though it's cold and sloppy and we can't do much at the land right now, project management jobs continue. Today, Jim was able to get the truck started and down (and then back up!) the hill so that we could go pick up the rest of our cold-formed steel order. This will be used for shoring up the deck when we pour concrete and will also be used for the roof down the road.
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| High 33/Low 13 |
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
12.3.2014
On Tuesday, the weather cooperated enough that Jim ordered gravel to be delivered. Thankfully, the truck had no problem getting up the hill. So we now have the gravel that will go at the bottom of the hole for the septic tank as well as in the floor of the building. This is a smaller gravel so it will be much easier to make level.
We woke up to a couple of inches of snow on Wednesday morning but we were thankful that the icy weather they had predicted didn't happen. It was beautiful though - very misty and foggy. This is the Hudson River - the mountains in the background have disappeared!
Jim used the day to run lots of different errands - the most exciting one being that we now have our carriage house siding on order! We are going to use HardiShingle Shake siding - we love the look and it will be so durable (comes with a 50 year warranty!). The best part is that Jim's Lowe's rep was able to order it now, get him a good price on the off-season, and will store it in the store until spring!
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| A sample of the siding |
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| High 40/Low 24 - snow overnight, melty in afternoon! |
Monday, December 1, 2014
12.1.2014
Alas, all good things must come to an end and today was no exception - Kyle and Julia had to head back to the City this morning. We had a great time with them and it was so nice that they could stay a few days with us for Thanksgiving. Before the bus came, we took some pictures by the Christmas tree inside the Saratoga Train Station.
Before we headed out to the land, Jim had some errands to do and needed to talk to his rep at Lowe's about some orders. Early afternoon, we were back working on putting up the plywood. Jim cut the top pieces to finish off the side.
All of the side pieces are now in place.
All of the pieces are fastened enough to hold them in place, but they all need more screws put in. Jim is back to just having me as a helper, so I worked on that job this afternoon. Jim got new screws that work better than the ones we used yesterday, but since this is all just temporary and not the same quality of materials we will use later on, it's still a bit of an effort.
And then put the final piece in place.
Before we headed out to the land, Jim had some errands to do and needed to talk to his rep at Lowe's about some orders. Early afternoon, we were back working on putting up the plywood. Jim cut the top pieces to finish off the side.
All of the side pieces are now in place.
All of the pieces are fastened enough to hold them in place, but they all need more screws put in. Jim is back to just having me as a helper, so I worked on that job this afternoon. Jim got new screws that work better than the ones we used yesterday, but since this is all just temporary and not the same quality of materials we will use later on, it's still a bit of an effort.
Jim moved around to the front and cut the little pieces to finish off that area.
And then put the final piece in place.
It wasn't too cold today but once the sun starts setting, the temperatures start dropping so we finished putting everything away and came home. Plus - now it's really dark inside the building!
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| High 44/Low 17 |
11.30.2014
Yesterday, we just spent most of the day around the house - we went for a long walk after lunch and went to church in the afternoon.
But today was a work day. Jim and Kyle went out to the land before lunch to see if they could get the truck's lines thawed enough so they could use it to make a trip to Lowe's. It had warmed up some, so that in combination with running the engine for awhile thawed things out and they were able to go and pick up the plywood sheathing for the outside of the temporary walls. They had a few moments of not being sure they would be able to get back up the hill on their return, but the second try led to success.
Julia and I went to join them once they got back to the lot. They were starting to put up some sheathing.
It took teamwork to get things started. The steel studs are lightweight and move easily so it took some learning curves to get a good technique going.
Julia and Kyle worked together - Julia guiding where Kyle should be drilling and then helping to hold the steel in place.
Jim got started on the side wall too.
Julia and Kyle marking stud lines and screw positions.
Kyle helping Jim getting everything lined up on the side wall.
A big section of the side wall is all complete.
A team effort getting the top all lined up and fastened into place!
Kyle trying to help Jim press in on the plywood to bite into the steel!
Lining everything up for the last piece of the day.
But today was a work day. Jim and Kyle went out to the land before lunch to see if they could get the truck's lines thawed enough so they could use it to make a trip to Lowe's. It had warmed up some, so that in combination with running the engine for awhile thawed things out and they were able to go and pick up the plywood sheathing for the outside of the temporary walls. They had a few moments of not being sure they would be able to get back up the hill on their return, but the second try led to success.
Julia and I went to join them once they got back to the lot. They were starting to put up some sheathing.
It took teamwork to get things started. The steel studs are lightweight and move easily so it took some learning curves to get a good technique going.
Julia and Kyle worked together - Julia guiding where Kyle should be drilling and then helping to hold the steel in place.
Jim got started on the side wall too.
Julia and Kyle marking stud lines and screw positions.
Kyle helping Jim getting everything lined up on the side wall.
A big section of the side wall is all complete.
A team effort getting the top all lined up and fastened into place!
Kyle trying to help Jim press in on the plywood to bite into the steel!
Lining everything up for the last piece of the day.
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| High 40/Low 37 |
Saturday, November 29, 2014
11.28.2014
Around noon, Jim and Kyle decided to head out to the land to see what they could accomplish. First, cold temps and snow required them to put on the coveralls and extra sweatshirts!
Julia and I decided to head out to a couple stores to buy our presents for the giving tree at church before tomorrow, but we followed the guys to the land so Julia could see all the progress. It had really snowed on Angel - I think we have our own weather system up there! There was probably close to a foot of snow on the ground! In fact, Julia and I decided to park at the bottom of the hill and trek up on foot - not as easy as it sounds in kind of deep snow.
The decking has a beautiful quilt of snow on top!
As much as we wish the temps were still warm and we could work, the snow is certainly picturesque, especially with that bright blue sky.
While we headed out, Jim and Kyle decided to build our temporary walls. Here's Kyle measuring...
By the time Julia and I got back, we had wall studs! We were so surprised to see all they had gotten done in the short afternoon - especially considering the weather and the fact that there is a trench between the building and the truck, treks to get tools in the snow weren't real easy.
Here Jim is screwing the studs into the top steel channel. He came up with a way to use C-clamps to clamp the top channel to the beam so that he doesn't have to make any modifications to the beam, since this wall is just going to be temporary.
Julia and I decided to head out to a couple stores to buy our presents for the giving tree at church before tomorrow, but we followed the guys to the land so Julia could see all the progress. It had really snowed on Angel - I think we have our own weather system up there! There was probably close to a foot of snow on the ground! In fact, Julia and I decided to park at the bottom of the hill and trek up on foot - not as easy as it sounds in kind of deep snow.
The decking has a beautiful quilt of snow on top!
As much as we wish the temps were still warm and we could work, the snow is certainly picturesque, especially with that bright blue sky.
While we headed out, Jim and Kyle decided to build our temporary walls. Here's Kyle measuring...
By the time Julia and I got back, we had wall studs! We were so surprised to see all they had gotten done in the short afternoon - especially considering the weather and the fact that there is a trench between the building and the truck, treks to get tools in the snow weren't real easy.
Here Jim is screwing the studs into the top steel channel. He came up with a way to use C-clamps to clamp the top channel to the beam so that he doesn't have to make any modifications to the beam, since this wall is just going to be temporary.
All it needs now is some plywood - unfortunately, the line on the truck is frozen so that can't happen at the moment. But a great day's work - it's really exciting to stand inside the building and feel that there are now walls all the way around you!
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| High 30/Low 9 |
Friday, November 28, 2014
11.27.2014 - Happy Thanksgiving!
To all our family, friends and anyone else reading the blog today - Happy Thanksgiving! We miss those that aren't with us but are so thankful for so many blessings over this past year!
Even though I failed miserably to take pictures, we had a wonderful day - way too much good food and lots of fun with Kyle & Julia here.
It had continued snowing overnight - we probably got 6-7" in Corinth. It was gorgeous outside. Once we got dishes cleaned up from dinner, we set out for a walk through the snow to burn off some of those calories before we had dessert!
Even though I failed miserably to take pictures, we had a wonderful day - way too much good food and lots of fun with Kyle & Julia here.
It had continued snowing overnight - we probably got 6-7" in Corinth. It was gorgeous outside. Once we got dishes cleaned up from dinner, we set out for a walk through the snow to burn off some of those calories before we had dessert!
11.26.2014
Jim spent a couple hours working at the land in the morning. He took my old tires out and put them away for the time being - we'll try and sell them online since they are still in good shape. Then he worked for awhile on the compactor - unfortunately, it appears to be clogged up again so he's going to have to take the whole fuel system apart and flush it out.
Our first big snow storm of the (fall!) season was today - it started snowing about noon. Kyle and Julia were due in about 3:45 - they were delayed about a half an hour which wasn't bad considering that we had some heavy, wet snow falling most of the afternoon.
While we waited at the train station for their bus to come in, we got a glimpse of the station turned into the Polar Express for the season. It was so cute to watch families come in with their kids in pajamas ready for a magical ride to the North Pole!
It was great to see Kyle & Julia get off the bus and thankfully the snow had slowed down a bit for the ride back home. We're so glad to have them here with us for the Thanksgiving holiday!
Our first big snow storm of the (fall!) season was today - it started snowing about noon. Kyle and Julia were due in about 3:45 - they were delayed about a half an hour which wasn't bad considering that we had some heavy, wet snow falling most of the afternoon.
While we waited at the train station for their bus to come in, we got a glimpse of the station turned into the Polar Express for the season. It was so cute to watch families come in with their kids in pajamas ready for a magical ride to the North Pole!
It was great to see Kyle & Julia get off the bus and thankfully the snow had slowed down a bit for the ride back home. We're so glad to have them here with us for the Thanksgiving holiday!
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| High 38/Low 31 - first big snowfall! |
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
11.25.2014
While I was fighting the crowds doing some last-minute Thanksgiving shopping, Jim was very busy at the land. After a couple tries, he was able to get the truck up the hill, thank goodness. He had to do some repair work with the Bobcat to get some of the ruts out.
These are the infiltrators! They look very cool and just snap together at the bottom of the trench.
This is the end cap on the first line of infiltrators.
Jim also got the second trench just about dug by the time I got there. You can see how he piles up the dirt in between the trenches so that it will be easier to fill them in when the time comes.
Again, lots of measuring. Every time he repositions the excavator, he gets down and takes measurements to make sure the depth and the slope are correct.
This is a good view of the layout. The big hole in the front is for the tank, then the distribution box. That box will have 3 pipes to feed the infiltrators. So in this picture, two lines and two trenches are dug from the distribution box.
Completed second trench. You can see that this trench is more narrow than the first. The infiltrators that were first discussed were wider and would therefore require a wider trench. Once he picked them up and clarified the order, he could make the trench more narrow - which certainly helps the digging process.
Once the trench was dug, it was time to play rock pick up with the Bobcat to clear the way for the final trench.
Here Jim's measuring and figuring out the location of the final trench as well as the trench for the pipe leading to it.
The daylight was fading but Jim wanted to see if he could get the trench dug for the pipe. The first scoop of dirt...
...was of course another giant rock!
So let's try that again!
These are the infiltrators! They look very cool and just snap together at the bottom of the trench.
This is the end cap on the first line of infiltrators.
Jim also got the second trench just about dug by the time I got there. You can see how he piles up the dirt in between the trenches so that it will be easier to fill them in when the time comes.
Again, lots of measuring. Every time he repositions the excavator, he gets down and takes measurements to make sure the depth and the slope are correct.
This is a good view of the layout. The big hole in the front is for the tank, then the distribution box. That box will have 3 pipes to feed the infiltrators. So in this picture, two lines and two trenches are dug from the distribution box.
Completed second trench. You can see that this trench is more narrow than the first. The infiltrators that were first discussed were wider and would therefore require a wider trench. Once he picked them up and clarified the order, he could make the trench more narrow - which certainly helps the digging process.
Once the trench was dug, it was time to play rock pick up with the Bobcat to clear the way for the final trench.
Here Jim's measuring and figuring out the location of the final trench as well as the trench for the pipe leading to it.
The daylight was fading but Jim wanted to see if he could get the trench dug for the pipe. The first scoop of dirt...
...was of course another giant rock!
So let's try that again!
He was able to get the trench dug for the pipes and will be ready to work on the trench next.
Jim tried to see if he could get the stone delivery rescheduled for first thing tomorrow morning, but they were booked solid all day. He's very disappointed because that causes everything to be pushed back - the stone is required before the tank can be set. We are due for snow tomorrow so the freezing of the ground causes issues for the trenches too, as well as fear of them collapsing. So, this is one of those times when you have to be resilient and just play it out and see what happens and what the weather will allow us to do.
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| High 49/Low 29 - Partly sunny and cooler |
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