On Friday after work, we drove to Home Depot in Kenai to buy some more studs for the 2nd floor walls. We have found that its worth it for the quality and price on many things.

On Sunday, Eli and Jane made a big dump run. We were proud that 3/4 of our waste was recycled. Then., we drove our empty truck 15 miles out East End Rd. to pick up a sliding glass patio door that Jane had purhased for the bedroom.

On Sunday, Eli's brother Zak played at a disc golf tournament in Kincaid Park in Anchorage. We drove up and picked him up after we did a couple of errands (because that is what Anchorage is for :) ). We walked around Kincaid park a little bit, got lost and devoured by bugs. Then we picked up Eli's mom and the four of us drove down (after dinner of course).

That got us back to the homestead at about 2AM. Of course, we stopped along the way and took in the sights too though.

On Monday neither Jane nor Eli had to work so, with Zak's help, some advances were made on the house.

We put up the stairs that Lisa Fellows gave us so entry into and out of the house can now be done without trapeze training. Plywood sheathing was also installed flush with that of the first floor to provide something to tie in the 2nd floor walls to. Its amazing how much safer it feels up there with just a little plywood holding you in.

I finally fishined sanding all the 6x8 beams. I'm pretty dang happy with the way that they look and and psyched that they'll be exposed in the house. Using these beams was a way of still using some of the old materials that I bought about 6 years ago in our new home.

Almost done putting the 6x8 beams up. Just one more to go. It kept raining on us on and off all day, so we had to do most of the trimming etc. under the house and then, once we had the beams up, we covered them with plastic since they aren't treated in any way and hey, I just did a lot of work getting RID of that weathered look.

ONE MEAN CAT

We had the opportunity to make use of a CAT here at the homestead this week. One thing is sure, when we're rich, we're gonna buy one of our own. :) Our driveway is now wider, smoother and is finally plowable.

Also, Eli's coworker Pat, helped us Tyvek the 1st story of the house.

New Toy!

We got a new Makita belt sander as a house warming gift today and we put it to use ASAP. The 6"x8" beams that will span the 16' width of the 1st floor ceiling are rough cut timber that were custom cut for me about 6 years ago. THey have weather all that time. After having lived in a rough cut lumber covered cabin for 6 years now, I knew that I didn't want to do it anymore. So, the 6x8's will soon be nice and smooth. I'm kinda liking the "rustic" weathered look, leaving the saw scuff marks gray. Can't wait to see what they look like overhead.

Who's doing a rain dance?!

Whoever is doing a rain dance, knock it off please!

We were off to a great start this weekend. And then.....it started raining! We had to get creative to get rid of the water sitting on the floor.

Then, once the rain finally let up, we got back to business and got things looking pretty dang good. All our critters came up and gave the work a look over. They all seemed to approve.

4 walls

We've been working on the house every evening after work this week. With weatehr like this, we can't let a moment slip away. It's led to some long but very rewarding days. NOw, we have all 4 walls up now. We still need to do some more framing in some of the windows and doors, but its beginning to feel a lot more like a house than a deck.

By next week, we ought to be ready to order our roof trusses and metal roofing.

3 walls up

3 Walls are up

We drove to Kenai (about 3 hours away) on Friday afternoon to goto Home Depot. I had pre-ordered our plywood sheathing for the walls and roof (no OSB in THIS house). And, we got lots of other things as well. Leon (Eli's boss) brought his trailer up just for the occasion and after sitting idly while the Home Depot staff got their forklifts and such for about 1/2 hour, I decided to film the Home Depot guys doing their prided "double forklift" maneuver. After all, if




something went wrong, then I'd have the video footage of it. :) It all went fine though. NOthing even fell off on the way home

Then, today (Saturday) Eli and I started off our morning at the " MOther Of All Yard Sales" where we made out with some killer deals including 105 sq feet of double locking hardwood flooring. Yeah baby! We also got a big huge snow thrower for this coming winter and a couple of specialty drills/drivers. And best of all, the yard sale was for my realtor who is moving to Arizona for health reason. She is a wonderful woman and Eli and I have been following her daughter's home building blog for inspiration.

Once we got back home we barely had enough time to eat breakfast before help arrived. Eli's boss stayed for most of the day and helped up put in more bracing under the house and some :squash blocks".

I couldn't help myself when we were putting in some blocking on the underside of the subfloor. I HAD to put a little love into the house.

Then, once we had all the extra bracing was in place and we tested the floor with some dancing and an open glass of water, we moved on to building our first wall. We started with our South wall. We opted to make out future steps a bit easier by putting the sheathing on before erecting the wall. Later, we'll cut out the holes for windows and doors.

Floored

The sub floor is down and we just bought a new door and windows!!!!