10.4.2018

Another strange day for Jim - there seem to be more discombobulated days lately than not!  Jim had to deal with more project management work - he's dealing with the broker who negotiated the shipping contract for the snowblower attachment.  There have been multiple emails and phone calls trying to come to a resolution about the delivery and cable issues.  That's all still a work in progress on multiple fronts but it is requiring Jim's time to deal with it all.

I had to do some grocery errands this morning - when I got home, the gas company representative was here.  He and Jim were discussing the location for burying a new bigger tank as well as our options for buying the tank.  Before he came, Jim spent some time looking at other options for buying the tank as well as different gas companies.  Another work in progress!

Then it was still a foggy, drizzly morning but Jim was determined to get back to work on the pole barn after lunch.  He got the rest of his blocks cut to go in between the headers along the back side.

Then he started working on the first ceiling joist.  These joists probably weigh about 80 pounds plus they are all wet so they probably weigh even more now.  This first one was really tough.  Being on the outside of the structure and doing it all himself, it probably took an hour to get the first one in place.  He put one end up and then walks the other end up as he walks up the ladder. 

Getting it in the exact spot took some work.

But check out how good it looks!  Jim kept the corner posts up higher so that he can fasten the joist through the post for extra strength.

Jim had to battle through some showery periods and take tools back in the garage at points.  Kind of frustrating not Jim soldiered on!  Filling in between the headers with blocks...

Next came the interior joists. While the joists are still heavy and hard to manage, the interior ones are easier.  Again Jim has the joists propped up on the wall.  Then he walks up the other end on the ladder.

Four joists up!

Jim is putting nails at the end of the joists through the headers on the back side but is leaving the front side free so that he can make sure everything is totally square.  He is also putting a tie in the middle of the joists just to keep things stable until he can get decking material on top.
 

End-of-the-day picture...7 joists up so over halfway!

At the end of the day, we headed to Lowe's to pick up some pipe for the bathroom vent work in the attic as well as the man door for the pole barn that Jim had ordered.

High 68/Low 39