Buzzzz

I spent all day with a slight ringing in my ear of buzzzz. I am so paranoid of getting shocked and the electricians changed out our old service and got the underground hooked up. It was a challenge because we had to tear off the old siding and re-frame and sheet the wall before the new meter can could be mounted. It has been a nagging question how the operation was going to work out. We had to do some creative shimming to make the wall work out. That was the last wall of shame for the world to see. Mom worked hard keeping the ship tidy and did some demo for herself too. She discovered that we had a block wall behind the siding of the back porch so I see it as a design feature for the future. We had to work off a generator all day but Blue Ridge cut the power back on about 5:30 so overall it was a very productive day. I bought the first round of siding to start tomorrow. Still have so long to go but days like this keep your mind in tune.

Make Room

Finally back from NYC for a few weeks off on the house. Mike and I spent Monday and Tuesday framing the rooms out upstairs. Our bedroom and bathroom are going to be a sweet relief from the current environment. I was pleased with the dimensions and how the overall plan worked out. I guess I should be seeing how it has been in planning for almost two years. We also attached the deck band to two sides of the house in preparation for later. I am trying to get as many things under wrap before the cold comes.

4 Eyes

After Old Smokey had a few days to cure we got the shingles patched and the copper flashing done. Mike as usual was doing the fun part. I picked up the windows for the front so the front side of the house has four eyes now. Charley kept company and kept watch after the work was done. She likes to tease the cows who are finally putting on a little weight. I smell beef!

Old Smokey

I have been waiting for this day for years it seems. The chimney has finally been laid so we are a wood stove away from Florida in the winter time. I am going to absolutely heat the wife out of here this winter for putting up with the arctic for the last two years. This old house is starting to take a little shape...finally.

New View

I only have to be left alone for a short time and destruction is guaranteed to happen. I really tried this time to cut the front porch roof loose only to slip the new plywood behind it but after a sudden 6 inch drop it was time to call in the machinery. I hopped on the John Deere and went ahead and pushed it over...oh well. Now the house has quite the exposed feel. Amy and Maranda worked on the latest batch of apple butter and Mom, Dad, Wade and I did some demo, put on the new sheathing, and loaded the trailer for a trip to the dump. Kailyn and Brianna played in the dirt. One thing you must remember in a project like this..it is always important to pause for a little air guitar (see if you can spot it)

Absolute Power

Finally got all the ducks in order to get the underground power installed. I dug 4 ft down and the dirt was like dust...like dust until I cut through the water line for Clayton's house. Nothing a trip to David Millers couldn't fix. I had to trench 150 feet from the main power pole to the house lucky for me the John Deere was available otherwise I would average about 3 feet per day due to all the rocks. Blue Ridge brought the power line the next day so I should be able to cover it up tomorrow and get the ball rolling to get the lines moved off the house. I couldn't update this blog without a tribute photo of the best dogs in the world hanging out while dad is working.

2 Hot Days

The weather finally cooperated with us on our major task of roofing. It was almost to nice. Lots of sunshine and later in the days lots of heat. We have a nice new roof and some sunburn to show for the effort. Mike came and helped on Friday and Saturday as well as Mom and Wade for a couple of hours on Saturday. We could not have finished it without the help of everybody. Hopefully we are going to lay the chimney this week so the roof can be patched in around it and totally finished.