I've found that with the overwhelming number of projects that need to be done and so little time to get to all of them, you have to take each moment as a small victory. Take, for instance, my quest to find gravel. I think I may have found it, and somehow that just made my day. We are having drainage problems on the house. The rain that runs off the roof hits the ground and splashes back onto the house, causing a great deal of rot. The obvious solution would be to simply install rain gutters, but they seem unsightly and may not be practical. Marty never installed them, and she's a guru, so I'm guessing there was a reason for that.
Either way, there are several places to get gravel out here, but the rocks are all gray. Not to be too much of a dork about it, but Marty used red rocks and they look a lot better, they go with the brick path and seem to blend with the house and plants. So I went on a mission to find them, checking with several quarries, none of which had the rocks I was looking for. I was struck, however, by how cheap they are. I guess they're just rocks, after all.
Well, my journey brought me to Longacres Nursery, and there they were, red rocks, by the bag. I actually had a hard time distinguishing the color, they were covered with dirt (funny thing about rocks, wouldn't you say?) but they had a box of samples and they looked pretty good to me, i.e. red! So I bought some, and will put them out today. Of course, it's raining outside, contrary to the forecast.
I've moved about two cords of the woodpile, and it's one of those seemingly insurmountable jobs that you can't ponder too much or else you'll go crazy. The worst part of it is moving the pile, it takes about twenty trips with the wheel barrow to move one cord, and then you have to stack. I like the stacking part, but would prefer it if we had a good stretch of dry, sunny days so I can not worry about the dry wood getting wet.
I also finally took a good look at the peeling paint on the back of the house, and I hear Jack Castle's words ringing in my head, "Take care of your house and show people how much you love it." The stain on the back, south facing, had been peeling for months, if not for a year, and I put it off because it's really something I'd never done before. Finally I bit the bullet and sanded off the chips and restained, and it went smoothly, except for the fact that I realized how much work really needs to be done. I think the entire south face needs to be redone, but I may too late this year and will have to wait until spring. It's a gargantuan task, and I have to paint the windows and trim, as well. Not an easy job, but one that needs to be done show my love...
I'm still pondering my ambitious plan to redo the front facade. I may have to wait on that, as well, since it will involve painting and the weather is getting poor. So many projects, so little time. Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Oops!
I'm faced with the unenviable task of having to relocate seven cords of wood. The distance is only about 150 feet, but it might was well be a mile away because I'm doing it all with a wheelbarrow and my hands. It's a bummer, but it's one of those things that has to be done and there's no sense in whining about it, though I want to whine, more than anything, I just want to whine.
We are in the process of having a septic system designed and constructed on the barn, and of course the septic system is slated to go right where our wood pile is. Total bummer, but it has to be done, so yesterday I started moving it, one cord at a time. And then, of course, it started to rain, getting our beautiful dry wood all wet. I was more bummed about that, but just seeing it start to unfold makes it okay. I'll keep at it today.
Thus far the clapboards have held up, but I'm not sure what that even means. The damage that occurs with water damage is slow and silent, so nothing is apparent. Either way, I'm still wary of letting it get soaked, so my concerns have led me to search for gravel. I just learned that gravel is what you use to prevent, or at least minimize, the splash on the side of your house. It's actually a cool idea, except that Marty used some sort of specialized red gravel and I can't seem to find it. The easiest thing would be to just give Marty a call, but I feel like we need some closure here, and I don't want to contact them unless it's urgent. Besides, it's probably not easy for them, not to mention a pain in the ass when I come calling. The search begins, yet another adventure in home improvement.
We lost electricity two nights ago and were forced to go to bed around 7:00. I actually got a really good night's sleep, though I still felt tired by the next afternoon. I shut the toilets off so as to not deplete the pressure tank, but for some reason when I turned them back on, the valve started leaking. At first I was worried the wax seal was compromised, which in retrospect made no sense since we didn't touch the thing, but later found out, through some detective work, that it was the intake valve. Of course, I'm not sure how to fix that.
I need to paint the south side of the house, as well, but I'm not sure if it's a bad time with Fall approaching, pardon my ignorance. I should just go out there and paint, damnit. Why am I such a pussy?
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
We are in the process of having a septic system designed and constructed on the barn, and of course the septic system is slated to go right where our wood pile is. Total bummer, but it has to be done, so yesterday I started moving it, one cord at a time. And then, of course, it started to rain, getting our beautiful dry wood all wet. I was more bummed about that, but just seeing it start to unfold makes it okay. I'll keep at it today.
Thus far the clapboards have held up, but I'm not sure what that even means. The damage that occurs with water damage is slow and silent, so nothing is apparent. Either way, I'm still wary of letting it get soaked, so my concerns have led me to search for gravel. I just learned that gravel is what you use to prevent, or at least minimize, the splash on the side of your house. It's actually a cool idea, except that Marty used some sort of specialized red gravel and I can't seem to find it. The easiest thing would be to just give Marty a call, but I feel like we need some closure here, and I don't want to contact them unless it's urgent. Besides, it's probably not easy for them, not to mention a pain in the ass when I come calling. The search begins, yet another adventure in home improvement.
We lost electricity two nights ago and were forced to go to bed around 7:00. I actually got a really good night's sleep, though I still felt tired by the next afternoon. I shut the toilets off so as to not deplete the pressure tank, but for some reason when I turned them back on, the valve started leaking. At first I was worried the wax seal was compromised, which in retrospect made no sense since we didn't touch the thing, but later found out, through some detective work, that it was the intake valve. Of course, I'm not sure how to fix that.
I need to paint the south side of the house, as well, but I'm not sure if it's a bad time with Fall approaching, pardon my ignorance. I should just go out there and paint, damnit. Why am I such a pussy?
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Getting Too Ambitious?
Wow, I finally finished (sort of) the clapboards, and learned a great deal, maybe even getting too cocky along the way. Putting on the boards this time around was much more straightforward, having done it before, and nailing them in went pretty quickly, though I still wrestle with those damn corner boards. Life would have been so much simpler if they'd used standard board width, but perhaps there's a reason for why they did it. Either way, it requires a table saw, which I don't have, or asking the lumber yard to rip it for me, which they don't want to do.
The weather has been on my side, so I can't complain, though we're supposed to get a week of rain, so that's a bummer. I also have to move the wood pile, which is a monumental job, but one I have to deal with. Total bummer. Still toying with the idea of my chainsaw, and looking ahead to next year and where I'll get it. We'll see. I did get a stroke of good fortune and found the numbers of loggers that I thought I'd lost, so I'll get in touch with them.
Anyway, I really struggled with the corner boards, they broke my back. I couldn't seem to get them to align perfectly, which might not seem like a big deal, but you can really see the imperfection, and I'm not a trained eye. To an expert it must look like shit. Then again, consider the source of the work. I'm still learning.
After all is said and done, I decided to get cocky and actually move on to the next big project, even though there is still plenty to do. I still have to paint the south face of the house, as well as the trim, and move the plants on the perimeter away at least a couple of feet. Also have to look into the gravel, another big job.
But my big plan involves the north face, or front, of the house. I want to rip out all the shingles that surround the door and replace them with clapboards. Part of it is because the front really needs to be attended to in terms of rain exposure. I want to cover the plywood, make sure there's no rot, and then do the water and ice shield thing. It gets so much water.
The other reason is that it's sort of ugly. The shingles seem to clash with the clapboards, and I'm sure there's a reason they did it, maybe even an necessity, but I'll give it a go. I can always replace the shingles if it doesn't work, or suffer greatly for my brazenness. It wouldn't be the first time.
And then, of course, there's the barn. Until the next time, thanks for reading.
The weather has been on my side, so I can't complain, though we're supposed to get a week of rain, so that's a bummer. I also have to move the wood pile, which is a monumental job, but one I have to deal with. Total bummer. Still toying with the idea of my chainsaw, and looking ahead to next year and where I'll get it. We'll see. I did get a stroke of good fortune and found the numbers of loggers that I thought I'd lost, so I'll get in touch with them.
Anyway, I really struggled with the corner boards, they broke my back. I couldn't seem to get them to align perfectly, which might not seem like a big deal, but you can really see the imperfection, and I'm not a trained eye. To an expert it must look like shit. Then again, consider the source of the work. I'm still learning.
After all is said and done, I decided to get cocky and actually move on to the next big project, even though there is still plenty to do. I still have to paint the south face of the house, as well as the trim, and move the plants on the perimeter away at least a couple of feet. Also have to look into the gravel, another big job.
But my big plan involves the north face, or front, of the house. I want to rip out all the shingles that surround the door and replace them with clapboards. Part of it is because the front really needs to be attended to in terms of rain exposure. I want to cover the plywood, make sure there's no rot, and then do the water and ice shield thing. It gets so much water.
The other reason is that it's sort of ugly. The shingles seem to clash with the clapboards, and I'm sure there's a reason they did it, maybe even an necessity, but I'll give it a go. I can always replace the shingles if it doesn't work, or suffer greatly for my brazenness. It wouldn't be the first time.
And then, of course, there's the barn. Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Chainsaws
Well, as anyone who knows me might have guessed, I've got chainsaws on the brain and have been scouring for information about chainsaws. Unfortunately, the info is overwhelming, and I have a hard time making heads or tails of it all. I do think I'm going to end up spending about $400 for one, which is pretty substantial, but I'm thinking the way to go is to cut our own darn wood. It just has to happen, I'm looking for log lengths over here.
I'm having trouble a little with the clapboard issue, I'm in need of ripping wood to do the corner boards and the previous owners just had to go and be a pain in the ass and use some damn unusual width of board that you can't just go and buy. So I'm stuck with trying to find the right width, or I'll end up ripping the boards myself. Paul thinks I should get a table saw, but that's just how he thinks. He's a tool guy.
In the meantime, what to do? I keep trying to cut small pieces that will line up and they always fall short, it's incredibly frustrating. I've given up, it's a complete waste of time, but I've got to deal with this situation. I'm thinking I'm going to rip the damn things, what a pain.
I've been given a break over the past few days because there has been no rain, so I've got to seize the moment, but everything seems to force to a halt. I'm always in need of going to Home Depot or Britton's, and time is precious. Okay, enough whining.
Gotta run. Until the next time, thanks for reading.
I'm having trouble a little with the clapboard issue, I'm in need of ripping wood to do the corner boards and the previous owners just had to go and be a pain in the ass and use some damn unusual width of board that you can't just go and buy. So I'm stuck with trying to find the right width, or I'll end up ripping the boards myself. Paul thinks I should get a table saw, but that's just how he thinks. He's a tool guy.
In the meantime, what to do? I keep trying to cut small pieces that will line up and they always fall short, it's incredibly frustrating. I've given up, it's a complete waste of time, but I've got to deal with this situation. I'm thinking I'm going to rip the damn things, what a pain.
I've been given a break over the past few days because there has been no rain, so I've got to seize the moment, but everything seems to force to a halt. I'm always in need of going to Home Depot or Britton's, and time is precious. Okay, enough whining.
Gotta run. Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Chainsaw De-Virginized
I used a chainsaw for the first time in my life, and it wasn't so bad, though those things still scare me. Balloon Gary gave me a small chainsaw awhile back, and I figured it would sit and gather dust, but Bob (my father-in law) was itching to fire it up, so he did. I ran over to Mike's and got the stuff, and Bob fiddled with it and got it running. Pretty amazing, he did a series of fine adjustments and got it to work, and then went to work. He cut up a bunch of small, fallen trees, and I took it in hand and used it, too. Didn't feel too bad. The one thing that really struck me about it was that it was light. When I used Homestead Gary's chainsaw, it was so heavy I couldn't imagine using it for any longer duration. And Gary's on the smaller side, though not a skinny weakling.
Of course, after using the saw, I got pumped and started shopping around for a serious chainsaw, and the information was a little overwhelming, but not too bad. I came to a few conclusions. First off, I need a reasonably substantial saw to cut wood, on the order of maybe five cords a year. I'll also need all the safety equipment, including helmet, chaps, and steel toe boots. Finally, I need to get one that I can handle, i.e., not too heavy. So I'll have to make a trip to Joe's and check it out.
They say to buy one where they service them, but I'm not sure why since a service place with service it no matter what, right? The logic defies me a bit, but I'm green. I'd like to support he local fauna, however, and they are always good for advice and I can hold the machines, though the store intimidates the hell out of me.
I got further along on the clapboards, did up the black felt stage, then stopped when the clouds rolled in, there was a prediction of rain. I should be able to finish this week, hopefully, and then it's time to go to my next project, replacing the ugly shingles with clapboards. Maybe I'm getting too ambitious, but I think it needs to be done. Also, I need to paint the trim and paint the south facing side of the house. The paint is taking a beating from the sun.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Of course, after using the saw, I got pumped and started shopping around for a serious chainsaw, and the information was a little overwhelming, but not too bad. I came to a few conclusions. First off, I need a reasonably substantial saw to cut wood, on the order of maybe five cords a year. I'll also need all the safety equipment, including helmet, chaps, and steel toe boots. Finally, I need to get one that I can handle, i.e., not too heavy. So I'll have to make a trip to Joe's and check it out.
They say to buy one where they service them, but I'm not sure why since a service place with service it no matter what, right? The logic defies me a bit, but I'm green. I'd like to support he local fauna, however, and they are always good for advice and I can hold the machines, though the store intimidates the hell out of me.
I got further along on the clapboards, did up the black felt stage, then stopped when the clouds rolled in, there was a prediction of rain. I should be able to finish this week, hopefully, and then it's time to go to my next project, replacing the ugly shingles with clapboards. Maybe I'm getting too ambitious, but I think it needs to be done. Also, I need to paint the trim and paint the south facing side of the house. The paint is taking a beating from the sun.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
The Weekend
The weekend is here, and boy is Fall in the air. I've been given a break on the weather, and feel I have to seize the moment and get to work on those clapboards. I've also got to get started on that wood pile and move it over. What a pain. A good excuse to fry the lawn, though.
Also dealing with hazardous waste. Since moving to the country, I've become more conscientious about garbage, and hazardous waste is a big pain. Today is waste pickup, and I've got to jet up to Thetford for the pickup, which is a total pain, but better to deal with it.
Maybe going to look at the barn to see how Paul has sized things up. Will hopefully paint the croquet rack, as well. Is there ever enough time? Hardly.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Also dealing with hazardous waste. Since moving to the country, I've become more conscientious about garbage, and hazardous waste is a big pain. Today is waste pickup, and I've got to jet up to Thetford for the pickup, which is a total pain, but better to deal with it.
Maybe going to look at the barn to see how Paul has sized things up. Will hopefully paint the croquet rack, as well. Is there ever enough time? Hardly.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Prepping for Winter
I can't believe it, but I've got to move the wood piles. It dawned on me that the wood is in the way of the septic system, and though there's space, we probably need more. I asked Todd Hill but of course he blew me off. Still waiting.
The weather has been perfect, very much a New England Fall, and we have started burning wood. The wood from last year is nice and dry and burns like kindling, it's awesome, and you can really feel the difference. I managed to discard the clapboards and waste at the dump, was worried what I was going to do with the junk, but it was easy. Like everything, fear of action prevented me from just doing what was in essence very simple. Ah, the joy of action.
Today I plan on fixing clapboards, but I've got to cut more plywood and replace it, then seal it with Vycor. So much to do, and I've got to make supper for the family. It ain't easy, but nobody said it would be.
Spent the late afternoon mowing the lawn like crazy, and Bob even said the property looked so, so give ourselves a thumbs up there.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
The weather has been perfect, very much a New England Fall, and we have started burning wood. The wood from last year is nice and dry and burns like kindling, it's awesome, and you can really feel the difference. I managed to discard the clapboards and waste at the dump, was worried what I was going to do with the junk, but it was easy. Like everything, fear of action prevented me from just doing what was in essence very simple. Ah, the joy of action.
Today I plan on fixing clapboards, but I've got to cut more plywood and replace it, then seal it with Vycor. So much to do, and I've got to make supper for the family. It ain't easy, but nobody said it would be.
Spent the late afternoon mowing the lawn like crazy, and Bob even said the property looked so, so give ourselves a thumbs up there.
Until the next time, thanks for reading.
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