Labor Day Progress on the Porch

Looked forward to making some progress on this 3 day weekend.   I am happy to say that we did make some noticeable progress.  Still a little bit more before we can start sheeting the roof and put the shingles on.  Sprinkling when we stopped working.  Looks like it might rain on Wednesday, but we will not get to the roofing part until a week or two.  Need to set up the scaffolding to be able to have easier access to the roof.  Neither of us bounce anymore and doing it from a ladder, isn’t going to do it.

Saturday I did a little bit of painting to areas I knew I wouldn’t be able to reach when the roof starts going up.

Sunday, Lynn put up the roof rafters and I began putting on the clips.  There were two rafters that had a twist in them so they are not battened down just yet, but when the scaffolding is put up we can tackle that job.  It was hard on Lynn, but he managed to do them with a lot of resting in between.  I am so proud of him.  I know he doesn’t feel good, but he will not let me hire it done.  He doesn’t want to hire anyone to do what he feels he can do.

Today, I spent the morning putting up the ceiling joists while Lynn used the nail gun on them.  We stopped around1:30 as we were both tuckered out.  This is all that will get done this weekend.

Tomorrow, Lynn has a consultation with the doctor that will be placing his pace maker.  I hope all goes well at that meeting as they have been unable to regulate his heartbeat with medication.    His heartbeat is always racing 110 to 140+ beats per minute, and that is the resting heart rate.  No wonder he feels exhausted all the time.  This has been happening over an extended period of time, so he hasn’t felt well in a long long time.

Things left to do are, sheeting and roofing, building the balusters, and making gates or doors.  Then a little more painting.  After that I need to finish taking off and replacing the crown molding and fascia on the side of the house, that needs to be done before winter.  Then I will be moving inside for the winter.  I can work outside in the heat, but I hate the cold.

Now for the pictures.

Annie, palm-nailing queen.

Ready to put the scaffolding up

A little detail of the roof rafters and ceiling joists

Kinzie waiting on the roof to her dog house, eh, I mean our porch

Side view. Not to bad for a novice carpenter.

Porch Progress – Moving Slow and Steady

Lynn reluctantly spending his Sunday, working on the porch. McKinzie staying close.

April is supervising the operation.

Another detour. Fixing a leak

Love the smell of raw wood.

Staining the boards Rubicon Red. 2X6

I get a little anxious when the weekend comes around as I want to go gun-ho on the porch.  I don’t want to do any of the other things I have to do, I just want to focus on the porch.  Maybe a little OCD?  But Lynn tempers that side of me.  He says groceries first and then we are both pooped by the time we get home.  Well, I have a plan for that…. We go to town (20 miles away) and get the groceries, come home and unpack the groceries and put them away, quickly…. Get in his truck and go to Home Depot (20 miles away) and pick up some lumber and other building materials, because tomorrow is going to be a totally “get it done” day.  We come home and we are doubly pooped.

Then he breaks the news to me, there is a pipe in the horse pasture that is leaking water and that needs to be taken care of before the porch.  Ugh.  Double ugh!!  Okay, I got to rethink this.  If we turn the well pump off Saturday night, the ground will be soft but dig-gable in the morning.  We can do that first thing as that is when the shade is in that area.

Sunday morning, up bright and early and ready to dig and get that out of the way.  I am the chief-whole-digger as I can get down and into it.  (sometimes it doesn’t pay to be healthy)  The whole is dug and the leak is found and the repair is made.  Let the glue set-up and wait a few hours and test it.  In the meantime, back to the porch.  🙂 This is me smiling.

Staining the lumber first with Architect Series Semi-Transparent Wood Stain – Rubicon Red (It is a redwood color).  This is an oil stain and I really like the color.  It is just what I wanted.  I am staining the top and sides so when it is put down, all I will have to do is some touch-up.  Besides its easier to stain standing up (wood on the saw horses) than for me to crawl around on the floor.  I get down okay, its the getting up that is a challenge.

Got out all the power tools set up for the hubby.  Skill saw; palm nailer; nail gun; compressor; hammer; wreaking bar; pry bar; and a multitude of other tools to accomplish the job.  Now to get Lynn (the hubby) out there to do some of the intricate detailed foundation of the porch work.  Some of the floor joists we are keeping as they are sound and oversized compared to the lumber of today.  Some old, and some new.

If you haven’t figured it out by now I am the energetic gopher of this project.  I get the ideas in my head and try to explain them to Lynn, and he does the magic of figuring how to make my visions come true.  He does tend to get a little frustrated at how my visions keep getting modified and more detailed.  They start out simple and evolve, while he stands there and shakes his head.

Took a break from the porch, to turn the well back on, check the leak, and refill the whole.  That job is done until the next leak.  Nothing stays fixed on a Ranch/Mini Farm.  Always something to fix.

Well I got to get back to work, there’s still daylight.

Annie, the energetic gopher  🙂

One more weekend left with the lift

Ever have one of those days? Yeah, one of those days, when you shouldn’t touch anything electronic or anything that can in any way hurt you. Ugh. I took Saturday off and rested a little and thought I would get lots done today. Well, I don’t usually get all that I envision done, but today was pretty pitiful.

I did finish painting the 42 shakes that we had cut. So I can draw a line through that on my list.  It will at least finish the one dormer. Through the winter we should get the others cut and I can start painting in the spring.   Only about 200 more.

Now for post #3. You would think after I had done two of these it would get easier. Didn’t happen. This one was a son-of-a-gun. I thought I was being really careful, but I managed to really bungle this one up. Not a total loss as I can fix it, but still not easy. The bad part is, in prying it apart I dropped the one side (the heavy side) right on my baby toe. It is broke. I don’t need a Dr. to tell me that, but there just isn’t anything that you can do, but try not to aggravate it. Needless to say it slowed me down a little.

Lynn was snapping and snarling the whole day too.  Got to love it, can’t wait until I retire and we get to enjoy each others’ company 24/7.  He did manage to get up in the lift and put some of the metal around the fascia.  We are using metal as the wood will not hold a paint finish of any kind on the front which is the weather side.    Getting ready to add more siding or work on the other dormer.  Next weekend we will try to put the other stain glass window up.  Anyway that is the plan.

I am back to work now and won’t be able to keep dogging Lynn, but hopefully he will try to get some more done before we take the lift back a week from Monday.  So next weekend with be a busy one.  Then it will be clean-up time and take all the paint and glues and all things that can’t freeze into our storage closet, so they can make it through our cold winters.

The plans for next spring are to get started earlier and maybe rent the lift for a couple of months.  The bad part about spring is we tend to get more rain and the weather isn’t quite as predictable.  We haven’t had any measurable rain for about 3 months now.  But it feels like it may be a cold winter.

I did take a few pictures and hope to have a picture of the completed dormer next weekend.  With all my grumbling today, I really love working on this dream house and can’t wait to see it completed so I can get started on a potting shed, maybe a chicken coop, paint and clean up the horse paddocks and on and on and on……

Boy my little pinky hurts and it is turning black and blue.  Looks like I will be wearing flip-flops a few more weeks.

Annie, the clumsy novice carpenter.

House wrapped before the porch was put on

House with the porch added this was the end of 2011

10-7 progress

1st finished post

Working on the posts on the front porch

Just a little more and the dormer is finished

Last day of a working vacation

Last full day of vacation. Lynn and I worked until about 3:30 for Lynn and I put in another hour.

Lynn spent about 4 hours in the lift painstakingly cutting and fitting all the acorn cedar shakes one at a time. I think we are going to run out before we get this one side done. Lynn thought that he would finish that side today but didn’t happen. Ran out of energy before he could finish. I’m sure he will be up there tomorrow while I’m at work.

The last thing we did was remove another post and put the finished one in its place. Oh, it sure is an improvement. Now post #3 is sitting on my back deck waiting for me to take it apart and start working on it.

In the meantime, I have to paint some more cedar shakes. We have 42 cut and ready to paint. I put the primer on the edge then on the top surface. Tomorrow I will add the red which has to be two coats then two coats of the sage green. Looks like I will only have about an hour of work after I get home each day this week. I guess it will be Lynn’s night to cook tomorrow.

I have been taking pictures each step of the way.  Every year I take photos that I have taken during the year and make a calendar to send to the kids.  This year’s calendar will the be “The Year of the Dream Home.”  I am thrilled that we have got done as much as we have.  We waited rather late in the year to get out there and get started.  We had a wet spring, and I thought we were going to hire some work done as Lynn just wasn’t feeling very well.  But in the end, I just made an executive decision.   Oh, Lynn hates those.  Decided that I had waited long enough, and I went and rented the lift.  He thought we should have fixed the “bucket truck.”  Oh that is a whole other story.  I’ll fill you in on that in another reflection post.  Anyway, he thought it would just cost too much.  Well, it did cost a lot, but it has been worth every penny.  For one thing it has forced he and I both to focus on getting as much as we can get done while we have it.  Also, he is doing the work which is always a good thing, because he is a real craftsman and does a wonderful job.

I probably will not be doing too much on my blog until next weekend as I have to go to my real job and earn money so I can pay my bill collectors.  Ho hum.  Now for the photos.

Annie, back to the real world for the working girl

Lynn cutting each shingle one-by-one

Where we stopped today

Another view

42 more shakes to prime and paint

Edges primed

Post #3 awaiting my attention.

Ground work, the lift rests for a day.

Today was getting all the work done on the ground. Went to Walla Walla to pick up groceries and more supplies. Took my list and got everything on the list, even the Blizzard, yum. I couldn’t believe the bill. The cedar shakes were outrageous at $45 a bundle. We bought 2 bundles. Finish nails for the nail gun. We had been unable to find them until today. More primer and of course a new putty knife. I am a happy girl 🙂

Got home at noon and unloaded the car. Lynn was so tired, but he went out and cut the shingles so I could get them painted so he would have them for tomorrow. We ran out of the first course which are just straight. The others have to be cut in the decorative acorn pattern on the scroll saw. I have a bunch of those, but not sure if we have enough. We will know pretty soon.

I have included pictures from the bundle stage to the finish stage. I also included my I-pod which has my audio books loaded on it. There is nothing I like more than reading from my Kindle or listening to my audio books. I would much rather listen to a good book than music, though I like music too. I am now listening to the third book in the King of Thrones series. Interesting, but my favorite series is the Outlander series. Waiting patiently for her 9th book, I think. Due out next year.

This is going to be a short update as I need to go back out and put a final coat of green paint so they will be ready to put up tomorrow.

Annie, Painting the Cedars

A bundle of cedar shakes

Ready to paint.

Palm sanding for a smooth finish

Primed and ready for 2 finish coats

Drying and will be put up tomorrow

Shaking things up a bit.

Well Lynn and I were moving a wee bit slow this morning.  Dilly dallied around and didn’t make it out there until about 9:00.  Lynn was exhausted when he work up, but went out anyway and started putting up some of the trim.  Before you know it the siren goes off signaling lunch time.  Oh, for those that don’t live in a small town with a volunteer fire department, maybe an air-raid siren going off, would give you pause.  Well, this little burg has a fire siren that goes off every day at noon.  The siren also goes off at other times summoning the volunteer fire department for fires or accidents.  It is really comforting to know that the volunteer fire department is on hand for these emergencies.  It is truly giving yourself to your community and your way of life.  God Bless all our volunteer firefighters and EMT.  Can’t say enough good about them all.

My job today was to tape and paint the colors on the post.  That was slow and tedious and tomorrow we will put it up and take another one down.

Lynn went back up in the lift after lunch, which I know took all he had, but he wants to make some progress before we take the lift back.  He started adding the shake shingles.  First he puts up the straight pieces then overlaps the cut pieces.  Unfortunately, we ran short on the straight pieces so that hampered our best intentions.  Off to Home Depot or Pro Build tomorrow to see if we can get another bundle or two.  Then Lynn will cut them to the right width and I will prime with Kilz Premium Exterior Primer, of course.  You would think I got paid for plugging their product, but that is not the case, I just want others to learn from my mistakes. Then two coats of Sage Green Behr Acrylic Exterior Semi-Gloss paint.  A little detail you don’t see looking straight on, is that each one of the shakes has a red detail on the acorn cut-out that can be seen from the ground.  (On the thick bottom of the shake).  So it will probably be Sunday before that dormer is finished.

While he was doing that I applied several coats of the decorative paint to the post and primed and caulked more on the porch side of the house.  The kitchen side to be more specific.  It looks awful, but that will change in the next week or so.

Tomorrow is a shopping day, so Lynn probably will not be working on the house.  Have to make my list.  Another gallon of primer; cedar shakes; 2″ blue painters tape; a couple more brushes; a new 2″ putty knife; and a Strawberry Cheesequake Blizzard.  Now, how did that get in there?

We have been doing the diet thing, but I promise myself a Blizzard once a month.  Gotta have something to look forward too.

A couple of photos of our progress.  Just 2 more weeks of the lift.  Will we meet our goal?  Stay tuned.

Annie, the Palm Sanding Wizzard.

The shakes are going up

Unpainted shakes on the garage. Put up about 10 years ago.

2nd post done. Will take the tape off tomorrow.

Faced my fears and lived.

Okay, today we got some stuff done.

After yesterday, I didn’t hold much hope that I could get Lynn out there again today. Fooled me. After seeing how good it looked yesterday he was excited about going out there to finish up the trim. He thought it would take about 4 hours and he didn’t even stop for lunch. He said if he stopped he may not want to go back out. What a guy 🙂

I started out sanding and sanding some more on the post and had it ready to paint about 10:30. Put on one coat of primer and waited for that to dry, then two coats of Behr White Semi Gloss Exterior Paint. Letting it dry between coats. Now the post will rest for a couple of days before I can tape and paint the rings. Then on to the 3rd post.

Things went smoother for Lynn as he learned better ways to do things.

I wanted to help, so after he put his time in on the lift, I went back out and tried to face my fears of heights by walking around on the porch roof, hanging onto the lift, of course. That was tough, but I did it a little bit. Put up some of the tar paper, but when I ran out, I couldn’t make myself go back up there. I will try it again later, you can bet your britches on it.

With the day ending, I had some Domestic Diva stuff to do.  My friend Mary has a Birthday tomorrow, and she looooves to celebrate her Birthday.  I made my famous cheese-ball, past down through the family.  I will share the recipe with you at the end.  Then I made German Chocolate Brownies.  Her request.  Tomorrow we will feast.  Guess what I am at the end.

Annie’s Cheese Ball – only 5 ingredients (double batch)

2 – pkgs cream cheese (not low fat)

2 – Tbls dehydrated onions

1 1/2 – tsp. garlic salt

1 – pkg (sm) Budding wafer meats (torn in small pieces) (I use chicken)

2 – Tbls Pace Picante Sauce (secret ingredient – I like medium)

Remove your rings.  Put all the above ingredients in a medium mixing bowl so you will have room to get your hands in there and smoosh it altogether.  There really isn’t any other way to get it done so it is blended well.  It will be tackie so just form it into a ball and put in the frig to firm up.  Before serving I roll it in pecan chips, but you can roll in sunflower seeds or parsley if there are pickie eaters who don’t like nuts.

I make sure I bring crackers to serve with it.  I like Wheat Thins and/or Triskets.  I make sure the crackers are plain, as you want to taste the subtle flavors of the cheese ball.

Annie, The Fearless Domestic Diva

Ready for the shakes. I’m loving it.

Some day it will be done.

Good days work, dog ass tired.

Up and ready to go by 8:00. Had a bowl of cereal and out the door. On a mission to get lots done on the shop (aka Lynn’s dog house). At least it will be if we ever get moved into the house. Luxury dog house at that.

First thing I did was sand and get the post ready for bondo. Put Bondo on one side so it could be drying while I was painting on the shop. Put another coat of Premium Kilz Primer on all the weathered wood on the shop. I can’t sing the praises of this primer enough. I had put it on the side of the shop last year. That was as high as I would go on the ladder. Then 2 coats of Behr Semi Gloss Exterior Paint. The color is Cream. Which is a creamy yellow. It held up real good through the winter. The siding doesn’t seem to have a problem holding paint. The bare wood is another thing. So two coats of primer on it.

After I put the second coat of primer on the bare wood, I had to caulk all the cracks and joints.  It is very important to put caulking on.  It is better to put it on before the finish coat of paint because, even if you use clear, it gets dirty.  I put on the primer first then the caulking, then two finish coats of paint.  Then it look like a job done by a pro, not a sixty-plus (my son’s name for me) grandma.

While I was up there painting, I decided to get some pictures of the view. God I love this place. It is wonderful working for the American Dream, my Dream. Not afraid to work, just wish I could work faster. I am a picky painter, as I am with most things. Not a perfectionist, just picky.

Put the Cream on a big part of the Shop before I had to stop for the evening.  It was 5:30 and I was pooped.  Went out on the back porch and worked on the post, sanded then put more Bondo on.  Oh, the photo I have included in this blog, is what “not to do” to a post.  At some point, in the past, when trying to squeeze the posts together, I hit it with a hammer that looked like a meat tenderizer.  It was a hammer Steven, my son, sent to Lynn from Japan.  What possessed me to do that I don’t know.  Now I gotta fix it.  No problem, I got Bondo.

For the next 4 days, I will be skipping work, unless it gets to be bad weather.  Only have another 3 weeks to get oodles of work done.  Lynn may be giving me lessons to fix the front of the house.  I have been his apprentice for 24 years now.  I have learned a lot and still learning.  I am amazed at all the things he can do.  The amazing thing is he taught himself as he was raised by a single mom.  All you have to do is not be afraid to work.  That is truly the key.

One of the pictures is of the garage and the kitchen side of the house.  It really looks bad there, but that will be done this year too.   The weeds are really high around the house, that darn gardener has been playing in the lift.  I guess I am going to have to talk to her.

When I am not working on the house/shop then I am proofing my favorite author’s (Shanna Hatefield’s) books, working on a quilt, hand quilting, or playing on my Facebook page.  I have neglected all my flower beds so that is something I am going to need to prepare for winter too.  Well for now, I am just going to end this post and see y’all tomorrow.
Annie, the novice shop and post painter.

Kitchen side of the house

Pot with hammer marks

Primer is on

View of the front pasture and my neighbors across the highway

Mooney the llama & April the paint.

Out of paint in the roller pan, means it time to call the quits for the night.

Done for the night.