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Got to spend a day with Kyle and Old Nate who went to Kentucky with me and Maranda tearing down a barn at Larry's house. I was able to salvage quite a bit of oak and chestnut siding as well as roofing boards. This barn was different than the one I had pictures of earlier; that one turned out to be junk so we abandoned it and went to the other. We started by taking the metal roof off and worked down from there. I had never taken one apart before so the goal was to take it down opposite of how I thought it was built. Everything went well and Larry was happy to get rid of it and to salvage some good chestnut out of the deal...after all he did own it. I have already de-nailed half of the siding and should get the rest this morning while the drywallers are sanding. This should be enough for most of what I needed and I have a couple more leads if not.

6.6.09

We had the drywallers move in on Thursday last week but I could not take pictures of them hanging the drywall because my camera was stolen by a rogue who came and helped them. Micheal Billings of Wilkesboro, NC if any one knows him out there steer clear. Luckily we got it out of the pawn shop the next day without having to involve the law...who knows what else is missing. The should be able to complete the finishing relatively quickly.

Last Inspection

The only reason I say that is that I probably won't call for another one because all that is left is the final now and it may take years before we are ready for that...more years. We got the downstairs insulation finished and inspected this morning so the drywall crew should move in the morning. We loaded 50 12' boards in yesterday evening so the material is ready to go. I am nearing the end of the joy ride unfortunately and it is time to prepare for reentry into the "work for the man" world. I need to raise a few more funds to get us through the finishing of our home...but before I go, I am going to tear down a couple barns I scored for the siding. Believe it or not the inspector had this one that he gave me this morning as long as I haul off the junk...can do..so me and The Chew rode out and checked it out. This will do the remaining ceilings, wainscoting, bar, staircase, and trim on the first floor. It is what I need for sanity because the more rustic the better so slap 'er up. I got the first skirt board on the stairs and yes it was a 14" wide piece of chestnut so I hope it gets noticed. Some paint, cabinets and trim and it will be BBQ time.

5.29.09

The electricians got all finished up downstairs so I decided to make a push before insulation to fix all those nagging things. I started with the transition between the kitchen and wood stove area. There was about an inch and a half difference of elevation at the extreme and it tapered to nothing. I only had 8 inches in width to make it all work needless to say it was a challenge. I have been dreading that one for months. I finished the hardwood floors in the closets as well. I also had to put in all the blocking for the wainscoting in the living room. That should have been done months ago as well but I am sure I had a good reason not to ha ha. I should have done it before all the wires were ran because I was scared I would hit one and burn the house down...got to be worrieed about something each day.

Hide The Evidence

What better place to get rid of all the leftover small chunks of chimney and spring box than to cover them up with concrete on the back porch. The photo shows the first bag of 19. When I broke up part of the slap to run the plumbing for the back bathroom I found all kinds of rocks, bottles, trash, batteries...so when in Rome...I didn't cover up any batteries. I took out about a five foot section of the spring box for an entry onto the back porch which really sets off that are. I am going to lay tile on the pad one of these days but we will take it one day at a time. I also rebuilt the grapevine stand along the shop...I hate to see a 40 year old vine go to waste because I was lazy.

Chip Away

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I was able to finish up the siding today after a couple days of sun. It feels good to have it all up even though it is short a couple coats of paint. The electricians are coming tomorrow to finish the rough in downstairs so I had to spend some time framing up the last couple of walls and make sure all my nailers were in place. I would rather them be in so they can drill through them as opposed to me blocking around wires in hard to reach places. They should take a couple days and then on to insulation again.

Bonus Room

I dropped a bomb downstairs this morning...I threw a fair amount of our possessions in the dump and made room for a new closet in the living room. I took about 2 hours to finish. I spent awhile installing nailers for the finishes downstairs also. After lunch, I got out the old desk GP built years ago and fit her with a stylish new set of white pine legs. I threw out the originals some years back so it was time to improvise. The boys at Gallery received a couple six packs in exchange for the wood and a little shop time. I also picked up a stylish file cabinet from Rams' Rack thrift store and outfitted it with a fresh Maxey Manufacturing sticker...it's only downfall now it that it is Carolina blue...it will give the dogs something to pee on I guess. We got the office officially set up with the desk, computer, cabinet and spankin new rug. It's funny...yesterday I forgot this room was here and now it is a new clean quite office.