Now that they're here, it's nice to have them here. They help renew my motivation for getting out there and working on the house--even if it is bitter cold today!
Also see:
Windows 2
Windows 3
Windows 4
Building my own shelter on the banks of the Kennebec River.
Step One: Building the JayBee.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Windows 1
All of the JayBee windows and the door arrived yesterday. Hammond Lumber has been storing them ever since I ordered and paid for them back in June. (Nice service, don't you think?) Since I'm still not ready to install them, I was dreading their arrival. Even though I cleared out space to store them, I was worried they wouldn't fit. I managed to wrestle all of them into the house, unpack them (they look great!), and stack them all into the allotted space.
Now that they're here, it's nice to have them here. They help renew my motivation for getting out there and working on the house--even if it is bitter cold today!
Also see:
Windows 2
Windows 3
Windows 4
Now that they're here, it's nice to have them here. They help renew my motivation for getting out there and working on the house--even if it is bitter cold today!
Also see:
Windows 2
Windows 3
Windows 4
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Still Here!
I apologize to my regular readers for my long absence. I'm still here, the JayBee is still here...but the project has been in hibernation these last several weeks.
We have had strange weather all fall and into the beginning of the winter. The Kennebec has been trying to freeze over, but we keep getting unseasonably warm stretches of weather that loosen things up all over again.
I had hoped to work on the JayBee roof rafters some more this week. Tuesday night we had high winds and driving rain all night long. The rain washed away all the snow. The booming of bricks slamming into the sides of the JayBee kept waking me up. I got up and looked out at the tarps several times during the night; when the bricks stopped making noise, I awoke again and realized the tarps had probably blown off. Sure enough.
Strangely but thankfully, the day started off very warm--near 50 degrees. I spent all day mopping up water in the JayBee, drying off things stored inside, and refastening the tarps. (All these weeks since my last post, this has been the first tarp disaster. Thank goodness, because all this cleaning up and trying to get back to where I started can get discouraging.)
I heard eagles calling all day long. At one point while I was looking out at the river, I watched a bald eagle circle around and land on an ice floe.
Then, a second eagle swooped in and joined the first. I guess they fish while floating downriver on these floes.
The temperature steadily dropped all day long--ending up around 20 degrees. All in all, a fine day, even if I made no progress on the JayBee's roof rafters.
We have had strange weather all fall and into the beginning of the winter. The Kennebec has been trying to freeze over, but we keep getting unseasonably warm stretches of weather that loosen things up all over again.
I had hoped to work on the JayBee roof rafters some more this week. Tuesday night we had high winds and driving rain all night long. The rain washed away all the snow. The booming of bricks slamming into the sides of the JayBee kept waking me up. I got up and looked out at the tarps several times during the night; when the bricks stopped making noise, I awoke again and realized the tarps had probably blown off. Sure enough.
Strangely but thankfully, the day started off very warm--near 50 degrees. I spent all day mopping up water in the JayBee, drying off things stored inside, and refastening the tarps. (All these weeks since my last post, this has been the first tarp disaster. Thank goodness, because all this cleaning up and trying to get back to where I started can get discouraging.)
I heard eagles calling all day long. At one point while I was looking out at the river, I watched a bald eagle circle around and land on an ice floe.
Then, a second eagle swooped in and joined the first. I guess they fish while floating downriver on these floes.
The temperature steadily dropped all day long--ending up around 20 degrees. All in all, a fine day, even if I made no progress on the JayBee's roof rafters.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Giving Thanks
I am grateful that...
...the more than 10" of snow we received two days ago has not leaked through or torn the tarps on the JayBee. (In fact, not all of it has even managed to stay on top of the tarps.)
...my plow guy did not hit the JayBee during the first plowing of the season (even if he did manage a direct hit on the septic pump).
...my family agreed to a Thanksgiving plan that allowed us to enjoy time together and share stories and laughter.
...I have managed to get enough rest over the last few days that my sense of humor is intact and my flares of temper/irritation have been brief (silent, internal) sparks rather than huge, expressed explosions. (I do recognize that sometimes there are only a few degrees of separation between a blessing and a disaster. :-)
...I have a few more days at home to use as I choose.
...the more than 10" of snow we received two days ago has not leaked through or torn the tarps on the JayBee. (In fact, not all of it has even managed to stay on top of the tarps.)
...my plow guy did not hit the JayBee during the first plowing of the season (even if he did manage a direct hit on the septic pump).
...my family agreed to a Thanksgiving plan that allowed us to enjoy time together and share stories and laughter.
...I have managed to get enough rest over the last few days that my sense of humor is intact and my flares of temper/irritation have been brief (silent, internal) sparks rather than huge, expressed explosions. (I do recognize that sometimes there are only a few degrees of separation between a blessing and a disaster. :-)
...I have a few more days at home to use as I choose.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Roof Rafters 8
Last weekend, Dale and Arlen came over to help install rafters on the northwest corner of the roof.
Two and a half hours later, when they had to leave, we still didn't have the first three-foot corner rafter installed. They now have personal experience with the joy of figuring out and cutting multiple compound angles to make a rafter fit.
I finished up the corner rafter and installed it this weekend.
Two and a half hours later, when they had to leave, we still didn't have the first three-foot corner rafter installed. They now have personal experience with the joy of figuring out and cutting multiple compound angles to make a rafter fit.
I finished up the corner rafter and installed it this weekend.
Also see:
Buttoning Up for Winter
My back problem finally improved after a week and three chiropractic adjustments. The first day I could get out of bed without crying or whimpering, I had a heavy cold by the end of the day. I think my body is sending me some clear messages...
House-wise, my recent focus has been on making sure my dilapidated house is buttoned up for the winter. Last weekend, my brother helped me put hay and plastic around the foundation. I've learned the hard way that this is the only way I can be assured I won't have any frozen pipes during the winter.
I also applied a bit of roofing tar to the roof, removed the roof rack from my car, and installed some storm windows. My brother moved the willow tree (that had come down during hurricane Irene) completely out of the track the plow guy will need to plow.
This weekend, I repaired the decrepit bulkhead. The timbers (against which I install styrofoam to help insulate the basement door from the cold) were completely rotten and shattered,
so I removed them...
and installed pressure-treated new ones.
This project ended up being fun because nothing about the bulkhead is square, level, plumb, or even. A perfect situation for a slap-dash hacker job! I simply cut timbers to fit, wedged them in there, screwed them together, and sealed the edges with expanding foam.
The river is looking gray and barren these days now that most of the leaves are down.
House-wise, my recent focus has been on making sure my dilapidated house is buttoned up for the winter. Last weekend, my brother helped me put hay and plastic around the foundation. I've learned the hard way that this is the only way I can be assured I won't have any frozen pipes during the winter.
I also applied a bit of roofing tar to the roof, removed the roof rack from my car, and installed some storm windows. My brother moved the willow tree (that had come down during hurricane Irene) completely out of the track the plow guy will need to plow.
This weekend, I repaired the decrepit bulkhead. The timbers (against which I install styrofoam to help insulate the basement door from the cold) were completely rotten and shattered,
so I removed them...
and installed pressure-treated new ones.
This project ended up being fun because nothing about the bulkhead is square, level, plumb, or even. A perfect situation for a slap-dash hacker job! I simply cut timbers to fit, wedged them in there, screwed them together, and sealed the edges with expanding foam.
The river is looking gray and barren these days now that most of the leaves are down.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Surviving the First Storm
We didn't get hit as hard with this first snowstorm of the season as some of the states south of here were hit. The snow came down so heavy and wet that there were stretches when it was really raining more than snowing. I woke up several times during the night--either from the wind or from hearing the bricks slam into the side of the JayBee. At 6:00 I awoke with a start because I heard a noise that sounded like one of the huge tarps had taken off in the wind and was soaring above the house. I bolted out of bed (well, as much as my sad body can bolt these days) and checked outside. Thankfully, the tarps were still covering the JayBee and the lumber piles in the yard. (I still have no idea what made the noise that woke me up.)
After the sun rose, this is what the JayBee looked like. I assumed that there must be some moisture getting inside the JayBee from the snow sitting on the tarps (after all, those tarps have been through a lot and are not in pristine shape any more), but I didn't worry about it.
By mid afternoon, the sun came out and the snow continued to melt. I managed to catch a bit of the effect of the high wind in this next photo.
When I went out to check the inside of the JayBee, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the inside was completely dry!
After the sun rose, this is what the JayBee looked like. I assumed that there must be some moisture getting inside the JayBee from the snow sitting on the tarps (after all, those tarps have been through a lot and are not in pristine shape any more), but I didn't worry about it.
By mid afternoon, the sun came out and the snow continued to melt. I managed to catch a bit of the effect of the high wind in this next photo.
When I went out to check the inside of the JayBee, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the inside was completely dry!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Blizzard Prep
After the difficult week I've had, the last thing I wanted to hear was that snow (and maybe even a blizzard) was headed here this weekend. It's not even November yet! Autumn so far has been mild enough that even the plants have been confused; check out these new flowers.
When I returned home late last night, I found that the tarps on the JayBee had blown around again. (This after the western end came uncovered on Tuesday and Dale came over to help get it recovered--since I couldn't climb around and wrestle with heavy tarps with my dysfunctional back. I used a cane all week, saw the chiropractor three times, and was basically miserable all week.) I left things as they were last night.
I was amazed to find that I could get out of bed this morning without crying--without even a whimper. Good timing for a significant improvement in my back because I needed to get things ready for a major snowstorm. So much for my preferred plan: to lay low all weekend so my back could really heal.
I needed to re-cover the JayBee...
and move lumber and saws out of the plow's way.
I spent about an hour wrestling with the tarp that hadn't completely blown off the house. It was frigid out there!
Then I began moving all the bits and pieces. I moved carefully and slowly--to preserve my back as much as possible. I used the wheelbarrow in creative ways to keep me from lifting heavy loads. I used long boards as a ramp to get the saws inside the JayBee.
Finally, I had the driveway ready for snow and plowing.
I re-stacked and consolidated the remaining lumber piles and made sure they were well covered. The last thing I did was finish covering the JayBee. Instead of relying on the bricks to hold the tarps in place (since that has not been working very well in high winds--duh!) I tied the tarps to the underside of the trailer. Hopefully the tarps will stay in place during the coming storm.
Done at 6:00. Phew! (Snow was forecast to start at 7:00 but didn't actually start until after 8:30.) I am not moving tomorrow! My back is due for some real pampering.
When I returned home late last night, I found that the tarps on the JayBee had blown around again. (This after the western end came uncovered on Tuesday and Dale came over to help get it recovered--since I couldn't climb around and wrestle with heavy tarps with my dysfunctional back. I used a cane all week, saw the chiropractor three times, and was basically miserable all week.) I left things as they were last night.
I was amazed to find that I could get out of bed this morning without crying--without even a whimper. Good timing for a significant improvement in my back because I needed to get things ready for a major snowstorm. So much for my preferred plan: to lay low all weekend so my back could really heal.
I needed to re-cover the JayBee...
and move lumber and saws out of the plow's way.
I spent about an hour wrestling with the tarp that hadn't completely blown off the house. It was frigid out there!
Then I began moving all the bits and pieces. I moved carefully and slowly--to preserve my back as much as possible. I used the wheelbarrow in creative ways to keep me from lifting heavy loads. I used long boards as a ramp to get the saws inside the JayBee.
Finally, I had the driveway ready for snow and plowing.
I re-stacked and consolidated the remaining lumber piles and made sure they were well covered. The last thing I did was finish covering the JayBee. Instead of relying on the bricks to hold the tarps in place (since that has not been working very well in high winds--duh!) I tied the tarps to the underside of the trailer. Hopefully the tarps will stay in place during the coming storm.
Done at 6:00. Phew! (Snow was forecast to start at 7:00 but didn't actually start until after 8:30.) I am not moving tomorrow! My back is due for some real pampering.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Roof Rafters 7
When I packed everything away at dusk on Saturday, this is what I had done.
It is almost as challenging to cut some of the blocks as it is to cut the angle cuts on the rafters. Here is the block for the southwest end corner after I finally had it ready.
Guess who was all over me and in the way? No, not Bear!
The blocks along the south wall were easy to cut and install by comparison.
I even cut the corner rafter to the right length--in anticipation of some sheathing going up.
I was feeling on a roll. Before moving on to continue the northwest corner of the roof, I decided to drive some long screws through the ridge board and into the rafters on the opposite side. As I was driving the tenth screw, I felt a sudden *sproing* in my lower back. Brought me to a dead stop--but I did not fall off the ceiling joists. (I'm into counting my lucky stars.) It took a half hour for me to climb down the ladder and inch my way into the house. I was done for the day!
Dale and Arlen came over late in the day and installed the first piece of roof sheathing. A very exciting moment!
Update on back injury: When I first got out of bed this morning, walking was so painful I was nauseous and sweating profusely. Not good. Stayed home from work and saw my chiropractor late in the day. Walking is a little easier now. Baby steps...
Also see:
Roof Rafters 1
Roof Rafters 2
Roof Rafters 3
Roof Rafters 4
Roof Rafters 5
Roof Rafters 6
Roof Rafters 8
Roof Rafters 9
Roof Rafters 10
Roof Rafters 11
Roof Rafters 12
Roof Rafters 13
Roof Rafters 14
Roof Rafters 15
Roof Rafters 16
Roof Rafters 17
Roof Rafters 18
Roof Rafters 19
Roof Rafters 20
Roof Framing Wrap-Up
It is almost as challenging to cut some of the blocks as it is to cut the angle cuts on the rafters. Here is the block for the southwest end corner after I finally had it ready.
Guess who was all over me and in the way? No, not Bear!
The blocks along the south wall were easy to cut and install by comparison.
I even cut the corner rafter to the right length--in anticipation of some sheathing going up.
I was feeling on a roll. Before moving on to continue the northwest corner of the roof, I decided to drive some long screws through the ridge board and into the rafters on the opposite side. As I was driving the tenth screw, I felt a sudden *sproing* in my lower back. Brought me to a dead stop--but I did not fall off the ceiling joists. (I'm into counting my lucky stars.) It took a half hour for me to climb down the ladder and inch my way into the house. I was done for the day!
Dale and Arlen came over late in the day and installed the first piece of roof sheathing. A very exciting moment!
Update on back injury: When I first got out of bed this morning, walking was so painful I was nauseous and sweating profusely. Not good. Stayed home from work and saw my chiropractor late in the day. Walking is a little easier now. Baby steps...
Also see:
Roof Rafters 1
Roof Rafters 2
Roof Rafters 3
Roof Rafters 4
Roof Rafters 5
Roof Rafters 6
Roof Rafters 8
Roof Rafters 9
Roof Rafters 10
Roof Rafters 11
Roof Rafters 12
Roof Rafters 13
Roof Rafters 14
Roof Rafters 15
Roof Rafters 16
Roof Rafters 17
Roof Rafters 18
Roof Rafters 19
Roof Rafters 20
Roof Framing Wrap-Up
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Roof Rafters 6
It was dark with clouds all day today. Had one period of drizzle but, thankfully, no downpours.
The first thing I did on the JayBee today was fix the last rafter I installed last weekend. I decided it needed adjustment so the top of it was laying in the right plane.
Then I began cutting boards to use as blocking between the rafters. I figure it is easier to install the blocks before the roof sheathing is installed.
I got more done than this, but it was too dark when I finished to take a photo. Back at it tomorrow!
Also see:
Roof Rafters 1
Roof Rafters 2
Roof Rafters 3
Roof Rafters 4
Roof Rafters 5
Roof Rafters 7
Roof Rafters 8
Roof Rafters 9
Roof Rafters 10
Roof Rafters 11
Roof Rafters 12
Roof Rafters 13
Roof Rafters 14
Roof Rafters 15
Roof Rafters 16
Roof Rafters 17
Roof Rafters 18
Roof Rafters 19
Roof Rafters 20
Roof Framing Wrap-Up
The first thing I did on the JayBee today was fix the last rafter I installed last weekend. I decided it needed adjustment so the top of it was laying in the right plane.
Then I began cutting boards to use as blocking between the rafters. I figure it is easier to install the blocks before the roof sheathing is installed.
I got more done than this, but it was too dark when I finished to take a photo. Back at it tomorrow!
Also see:
Roof Rafters 1
Roof Rafters 2
Roof Rafters 3
Roof Rafters 4
Roof Rafters 5
Roof Rafters 7
Roof Rafters 8
Roof Rafters 9
Roof Rafters 10
Roof Rafters 11
Roof Rafters 12
Roof Rafters 13
Roof Rafters 14
Roof Rafters 15
Roof Rafters 16
Roof Rafters 17
Roof Rafters 18
Roof Rafters 19
Roof Rafters 20
Roof Framing Wrap-Up
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Roof Rafters 5
I began work on the JayBee today by removing the tarp from the west end of the house and taking pictures of the corner rafter I installed at dusk yesterday.
I left this rafter long for now; I will cut it to the right length when I put up the trim boards on the outside of the rafter tails.
This was one of those instances where Bear joined me up on top of the house and then complained when I left him up there alone.
Next, I worked on the last rafter needed for the southwest corner of the roof. After climbing up and down the ladder about four times as I made each cut on the rafter, I thought I had it ready to install. I actually thought, "Hey, maybe I'm understanding this enough to get a little momentum going." Ah, wrong. On that last trip up the ladder to install the rafter, it was horribly obvious that I'd totally misunderstood the last cut. Aargh! I started all over. Below is a photo that compares the two rafters. The one on the right is the one I cut first. The one on the left is the one I eventually installed. Notice that the angle cuts on the closest edges are different; what was required was the compound angle cut on the left rafter. (By the way, the holes I'm drilling along the top edges of these end rafters are for air circulation on the underside of the roof.)
And here it is installed:
I even had time enough today to cut and install the first end rafter for the northwest corner of the roof.
Dale and Arlen say they'll help with roof sheathing next weekend--weather permitting, of course. A bit of progress!
And for those of you who enjoy Bear's antics...
I even managed to capture Bear's whining/complaining!
I left this rafter long for now; I will cut it to the right length when I put up the trim boards on the outside of the rafter tails.
This was one of those instances where Bear joined me up on top of the house and then complained when I left him up there alone.
Next, I worked on the last rafter needed for the southwest corner of the roof. After climbing up and down the ladder about four times as I made each cut on the rafter, I thought I had it ready to install. I actually thought, "Hey, maybe I'm understanding this enough to get a little momentum going." Ah, wrong. On that last trip up the ladder to install the rafter, it was horribly obvious that I'd totally misunderstood the last cut. Aargh! I started all over. Below is a photo that compares the two rafters. The one on the right is the one I cut first. The one on the left is the one I eventually installed. Notice that the angle cuts on the closest edges are different; what was required was the compound angle cut on the left rafter. (By the way, the holes I'm drilling along the top edges of these end rafters are for air circulation on the underside of the roof.)
And here it is installed:
I even had time enough today to cut and install the first end rafter for the northwest corner of the roof.
Dale and Arlen say they'll help with roof sheathing next weekend--weather permitting, of course. A bit of progress!
And for those of you who enjoy Bear's antics...
I even managed to capture Bear's whining/complaining!
Also see:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)