Cables

Detail of cable eye bolt.
8 cables were attached, four under the purlins on the east bay and 2 on the north and 2 on the south side, making an X.

Drilling

The electric drill had to be used to get those holes ready for the bolts.

Hard Hats

Hard hats are good protectors.

Overlapping

Overlapping the purlins and standing them up was tricky. 10 bolts were added to the purlins in the center attachments.

Table Full of Tools

This make shift table held tools that were used during the building process.

6 Purlins Up

I See You!

I see you. The 80 pound purlin is resting on the scaffold and attached to the rope which is tied to the scaffold. Using a rope to haul it up to the top of the rafters helped.

Adding the Braces

The braces were bolted to the purlin and rafter.

Higher

Two pallets were used on top of the scaffold so that Dan could reach those HIGH places.

Above Head

Attaching the nut to the bolt above head is DIFFICULT. The black tool that looks like a microphone (next to Dan's right arm) helped in the aligning of the holes in the purlins so that the bolts would fit. It is pointy on one end. It is called a drift pin or punch.

Ropes

Holding the ropes while Dan lifted the purlins, helped raise them up above the rafters.

Checking the Level

One of my jobs was to use the magnetic level to check the columns. Finding the "bubble" in between the two lines on the level was a good sign.

Bolts

Dan, who is afraid of heights, faced this fear each time he climbed up on the scaffold.

Purlins Up

The 12 Purlins are finally up!

Second Wind

September 21, 2008 was the date of the 7th Annual Second Wind Walk/Run/Bike event to raise money for teen suicide prevention. There were over 3,000 participants and 350 volunteers. Thanks to those of you who supported me.

Crib

The crib is now at the painting stage.

Pipe

The pipe fit through the hole and is attached to the cistern and the well.

In the Hole

Cistern

This is Rick, the owner of Rick's Pump Service. He delivered the 1,200 gallon cistern on the 17th. "It goes into this hole."

Watering

Watering the ditch

Stem Wall

Here it is, the stem wall for the foundation for the shop. We now have to fill in the ditch around it, which means adding water to wet down the dirt and then tamping down the dirt every 6 inches, adding more dirt and water and tamping until to reaches the chalk line near the top of the 4 foot cement wall.

Level

The 2 x 4 came in handy when Dan leveled this 6 foot by 6 foot by 9 foot hole for the cistern.

Hole

Dan is creating a hole for the pipe that will go from the cistern to the pump.

Ditch

It took Dan one morning to dig this 5 foot ditch from the well to where the cistern will be installed. Notice the green hose that is attached to the pump. When we turn on the pump, the water that comes out is used for wetting down the dirt around the stem wall.

Big Hole

The Bobcat came in handy when Dan dug the Big Hole for the cistern. Yes, he found a few rocks down there. They were put into the bucket and moved to the rock pile.

Nests

After opening the box of supplies that was delivered for the shop, we discovered another nest made by a 4-legged critter. We put the metal parts inside plastic storage boxes to protect them from the elements. This was the second nest that has been discovered.

Fall Wildflowers at Dilley

Forms for the Stem Wall

Dan is checking the forms that were installed by the cement company. These forms were later filled with cement to make the stem wall for the shop.

Gus & Dan

Cook Gus

Thanks, Gus & Nancy for a yummy meal! Chicken kabobs.

Our first overnight guests at 856 Dilley Ranch Road were Gus and Nancy Heismann. They were one their way to Branson, MO for a Big Foot RV Rally and then on to another RV Rally in New Mexico. In between gatherings they plan to fish. Let's hope that they catch the big one.

Lunch in Cheyenne

While visiting my mom in Cheyenne, we went to lunch with friends, Anne, Mary, and Jan.

Books

What a great start for Noah's library.

A Fun Time

Friends

Friends pictured include: Rosie, Zac, Charlotte, Sara, and Lyn.

Hungry Kids

Game

Jennie is explaining the estimation game that was played at the shower. Her mother is sitting behind her.

Dog

Hey, Grandpa, that dog on your shoulder is Noah's.

Friends

Carol and Julie have been friends since birth.