Still Diggin

I got the sill plates removed from the back of the bedroom. The porch slab that backs up to it had lots of rocks and debris that caved in when i pulled the plate out. I cut out some siding to dig the footer but hit some solid rock fast. I think it was an old cornerstone so I formed over it in place. I found some old Listerine bottles and other trash in the rubble. Maranda and I formed the footer and poured 25 bags of concrete after coming home from the ASU--Gardner Webb football game.

Tribute

Not much to do this week because we lost our little Divot on the 11th. He was hit in the driveway and did not make it. He was the best little dog...he loved to chase butterflies and he loved his daddy Chewy. As if the house was not broken enough, we had to add two hearts to the list. I am off th NYC for 10 days for a job at the New York Botanical Gardens.

Master Suite

We spent the last week ripping out the floors in our old bedroom. There was an awful bounce in the floor at the bottom of the stairs which turned out to be some serious rot. Because the back of the house was originally built on the dirt all the old sill plates and joists were shot. I pulled out six of them without using any saws. Most of the floor pretty much collapsed when the hardwoods were taken up.

I am losing square footage

Spent as far as Thursday this week gutting the downstairs bedroom. We tore out the stairs and all the sheet rock and poplar paneling and hauled it to the dump with all the other crap that has been there since last October. I was able to salvage some of the yellow pine T&G and some chestnut studs but not much else. We discovered an old date written on the sideboards of the old house. It read C.C.L. November 17th, 1917. Not sure what to make of it yet. I got a drop in from Dan Sheffey from ST. John and Brian from work...two very different perspectives.

Higher Ground

Maranda and I spent a week tearing out the old oak hardwood floors upstairs with the hope we could reuse them later. Each piece only had about 3 fasteners in it so taking nails out was a breeze. The only treasure we found to speak of was an old Trojan condom box someone had stuffed under the floor. None of the neighbors want to own up to it. I also managed to salvage an old chestnut door which I will reuse. The ceiling joists are shot so they will have to be replaced. I thought it would be great to store the flooring in the shop until I realized it would take up all my floor space. Oh well here is to lack of planning...you're guilty too.

Back To Work

I took an 8x8 locust beam and used it as a centerline girder under the house. I had a 22' section which worked out very well to take out the 5" sag in the floor above. It popped all the drywall and door frames when it was all said and done.. but who cares it is all coming out anyway. I finished clearing out all the rubble and trash from under the house...plates, a small broom, pottery shards, hangars , and old paper batteries...the usual stuff.

Sweeter Things in Life

In the midst of our work it has always been important not to work our lives away. We save time for our families, our garden, Chewbacca, and our latest addition...Divot, Chewbacca's son.
The pups are good company when I don't feel like working by myself.