Above 1200 Sq/FT Bailey's Barn Build

[mwbailey]

WHAT? More snow in SC. . . and in March!?!?


Oh well, life goes on. Yesterday the wife and I visited a friend of hers in Aiken for lunch and the Taylors Nusery of the SC Forestry Commission. We picked up about 50 loblolly pine seedlings, 10 tulip/yellow poplars, and 10 longleaf pine containerized seedlings. My plan is to try to recover the "forest" along the original drive at our lot. This drive would have gone straight through my garage, so we cut a new drive along the edge of the property. That left a bare area from the paved road to the garage. We built the dirt (eh, pit gravel) back up to roughly grade level. I just figured it needed a few pines. With the nature of our soil (uh, pit gravel), I expect more than half of these seedlings will not make it. But that would still leave some amount of greenery and new "forest".

I got the pine seedlings in the ground in spite of the March snow in SC. Since the loblollies were bare root, I didn't want to wait too long to get them planted. Maybe I can get to the poplars tomorrow afternoon.



The "interior design" of the loft is still being developed, but I added a stringed instrument a few days back. What do you think?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Lovely snow fall isn't it.

 

[mwbailey]

I'm about ready for Spring, NUTTSGT. . . .

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm about ready for Spring, NUTTSGT. . . .

Aren't we all ? It keeps snowing here, melts away and snows some more and melts again.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Did the wife demand that all banjo pickin' take place ONLY in the barn? lol

That's a handsome shot of the barn looking up the hill. What tree species are 'indigenous' to the rest of your property? Usually, that's a good indicator of how plantings of the same species will do in the local 'soil'.

 

[mwbailey]

Pretty insightful, Omph; the wife didn't necessarily require picking only in the barn, but I think there were a couple of hints!

Other indigenous tree species include winged elm and red cedar. I'm not a fan of either of those. Also have a few of the garden variety oaks, maples, one or two dogwoods (one of my favorites), and several pine varieties. The guy that helped us buy a parcel of land from the local power company was a forester. When I asked if all the dead pines suggested that I had a bark beetle infestation, he said, "Nope. Since you don't see a fully mature pine anywhere, I think the soil just isn't very good." Apparently, they grow for 20 years or so, then give up! Heck, the dirt around the barn was bare from about July until November when I planted the winter rye -- weeds would not even try for a foothold. . . . I figure the loblollies have a good shot, longleaf is out of its range but it's probably my number 1 favorite tree, they were out of sweetgum and sycamore at the nursery so I settled for poplar. I had asked another nursery nearby if they had any sizable sweetgum or sycamores; he said those trees are so common, he couldn't sell them at a profit!! Guess maybe I'll go dig a couple up where they are "common".

Oh, and thanks for the comment on the "hill shot". I missed the first snow this year and made sure a got a shot this go-around.

 

[mwbailey]

Well, I planted 10 "huge" tulip/yellow poplars this afternoon. I hope they will have a chance to grow up in this pit gravel they'll have as a home. I did take a little more time with them than the pine seedling. Tried to amend the soil with a little commercial topsoil and peat moss. After all, I paid almost $3 per tree for these; only 50 cents, each, for pines and the longleafs where thrown in for free! You have to look pretty hard to see the plantings -- one is in front of the wheelbarrow and one is a few yards behind it. I'm hoping to be sitting in the shade by this summer. . . .



As the sun was setting, I got a shot of the workshop in the afternoon light.

 

[mwbailey]

The good news is that we accepted an offer on my house; now we hope that the wife's house doesn't sell before we finish building "our" house.

When talking with the realtor a couple of months ago, I mentioned to him why I was building a workshop -- to work on my various vehicles. I mentioned that I heard you had to have as many cylinders as your age to "win the game". I knew he had a Firebird, a six-cylinder Chris-Craft, a truck, and his family car. I mentioned that he might need a few more vehicles. He informed me that he had about 50 outboard motors and did I want to see some of them? That wasn't a hard question to answer. Fortunately, he is my next door neighbor's next door neighbor so we walked over to his garage/museum. After drooling over his assortment of "classic" outboards, I mentioned that I always wanted a 2.5-3 hp Johnson like my dad had in the fifties. He said he'd keep his eyes open for one, and we let it go at that.

Today I delivered the signed contract for the offer on my house and he showed me seven outboards he had purchased over the weekend. This was one of them:


You may recognize its new home! I wondered out loud how I could keep the wife from knowing I was making progress on "winning the game" and he suggested just put it out in the open. She might never notice. . . .

We'll see. Now where are those plans for the 11-foot jon boat?

 

[Vernmotor]

LOL can't wait to hear how this goes !!

this is a test for the tractor right ?

 

[mwbailey]

Right, Vern, but I caved in and showed the wife the picture. She put her foot down again about no more vehicles until the house is built. Fortunately, the house will be starting back up (footings already in place; framing soon). So, I figure I can locate the "power tool" and be ready to move on it in a few months! We'll see.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Spring is just around the corner; does the wife want a garden or landscaping started? If so, you are going to HAVE TO get the proper power tool to save your back and perhaps even save you from a 'shovel-related' heart attack!

 

[mwbailey]

Jiminy, Omph, I think a "shovel-related heart attack" is about the worst thing that could happen to a guy. I'll have to make sure the wife allows me to exercise (good judgment) to ward off such a calamity. Thanks for looking out for me health.

Speaking of health, why is it that any move means you have to carry boxes of books UP a flight of stairs to load and then UP a flight of stairs to unload? The wife and I have started packing up our "reever house" that is in the process of being sold/closed. So, my belongings are being moved into the workshop, either as storage or as permanent "residents" of the shop.

We also took apart a set of bookcases that I've been moving around since 1973 and reassembled them in the loft. They don't ever go back together quite the same way they came apart. This time they were leaning a little to the right. I'd like to put the blame on my helper, but I'll have to share in that. To cure the matter, I just put an "L" bracket between a shelf upright and the wall to hold things in place. Here they are:


The left photo has the drop down desk in the up position in case the difference is not obvious. I used this for my computer at my old house, but I may get to put the PC in the new house so I'm not sure what will go there now. But, a guy needs a desk of some sort. . . . For those looking closely, you'll notice TWO turntables. Well, I have a number of LP's. Actually, the wife gave me a turntable that transfers LP's to digital for a jump drive. But, I just couldn't part with my old Dual turntable; so now I have two!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

"Thanks for looking out for me health."


No problem! Hey, if it takes the 'guilt trip' approach to convince the Mrs. that you NEED THIS POWER TOOL, so be it. Sometimes, the easiest/smartest/safest way to 'convince' a person of the female persuasion that you, as a man, are not doing something just because you, as a man, are a selfish, self-absorbed, pig-headed, egomaniacal 'Bas'tard' (def. - a ******* who is also retarded - lol), but are doing said-something simply because you, as a man, doing said-something will produce an ultimate beneficial outcome for the person of the female persuasion at some distant, vague, and undefined point in time! In other words - LIE THROUGH YOUR TEETH, so that you may get this much-desired POWER TOOL for your own selfish reasons, and at the same time, live up to the 'Man-Card-Carrier-Credo' -

"I, as a man, willingly acknowledge to my brethren (only), that I, as a man, am a selfish, self-absorbed, pig-headed, egomaniacal 'Bas'tard', and that I AM DAMN PROUD OF IT!

Further, I, as a man, will do whatever is necessary to achieve my own personal wants and desires IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT I MAY BE MARRIED AT THE MOMENT!"

 

[Vernmotor]

Heck I think you just need to let OMPH talk to her ! LOL

 

[mwbailey]

Vern, I'm afraid Omph would get me killed -- no need for a "shovel-induced heart attack". . . .

Again, I appreciate the help and support!

 

[Vernmotor]

Hey that's what we are here for ! Help !

 

[SpeedinLemon]

As the sun was setting, I got a shot of the workshop in the afternoon light.

Great photo! Looks like it belongs in a magazine or on a book cover! I also liked your story about having as many cylinders as you are old. I'm behind!! But just to be clear are we counting yard machine cylinders?

Keep up the good work! Chris

 

[mwbailey]

Speed, I think power tools of any sort -- that have cylinders for burning fuel -- would count. That, of course, would include the tractor, er, power tool on my list, as well, right Vern.

 

[Vernmotor]

LOL sounds good to me !! But I got more than I am old...and want more..Is that bad ?

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

"Vern, I'm afraid Omph would get me killed -- no need for a "shovel-induced heart attack". . . . "



Ya, I have to agree, my effort at arbitration on this matter for you would probably find us both black and blue! But look at the bright side, if you just went out and bought the 'power tool' with either the front loader or the backhoe option, your wife might hasten your 'shovel-induced' death (by using said shovel on your brain pan), but at least she'd get to use the 'power tool' to bury your body on the property. She would then realize that the 'power tool' is indeed a labor saving 'non-vehicle', and although you'd still wind up dead, your clandestine burial would convince her of its usefulness. It'd be like posthumously winning the last ever discussion (ne - argument) with her which should put a smile on your post mortem face which is bound to happen as the rictus grin sets in.

As the famous (?) Red Green has said - "There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys."

 

[mwbailey]

Vern, the more cylinders the better, I think -- especially for someone in the business. . . .

I agree with the famous Red Green, Omph. Or, as they say in Three Amigos, the infamous Red Green who is "more than famous"! By the way, I'm not quite ready for the posthumous win; besides, we almost stopped to look at a Ford tractor this past week but the restaurant across the street was closed due to a death in the family. We'll be back when the wife can get a good meal and I can look at the power tools.

Somehow, this thread needs to get back to garages.

 

[mwbailey]

Well, this is not garage-related other than there WILL be a garage attached to the house. . . .

The first wooden products for building the house arrived today -- the trusses. The wife was tickled pink, as they say. Maybe I can sneak a power tool into the workshop since her attention will be distracted elsewhere now.



I think the builder would have appreciated placing the trusses "in" the house, but if the forklift had gotten down the hill, it never would have gotten back up. We had a good rain last night and the pit gravel was pretty muddy! Oh, and the attached garage is the slab seen right behind the trusses.

 

[mwbailey]

So, not much new in barn except that we're moving "stuff" from my old house to "storage" in the workshop until the new house is completed. Seems like sacrilege or something:


The new house IS progressing:

 

[HOTFR8]

Progress in one area is later progress in another. Once the house is done you know what we all want to see.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

" It took about three minutes for my wife to renew her acquaintance with the GA facility manager and soon she had confirmed that he was her new best friend."


Looks like another picture of the wife with her newest best friend is in order now that HER house is in the build stage!

"Maybe I can sneak a power tool into the workshop since her attention will be distracted elsewhere now."

Good luck with that; just be darn sure that all the shovels are hidden under lock and key! LOL

 

[mwbailey]

Wow, Omph, that "new best friend" comment goes back to post #18 -- quite a memory!! But, you're right, I need to show you a photo of the wife with Juan, the framing crew chief and her current new best friend. . . . Maybe we can get that tomorrow if it stops raining.

Don't worry about the shovels, they are in the pump house and I have a different padlock (from the workshop, which the wife has keys to) on it with the only key in my possession.

Now I gotta figure out if HOTFR8 is trying to get me in trouble or trying to get the thread back on the topic of garages -- "Once the house is done you know what we all want to see." I want to see a "new" power tool AND a working garage. Problem is, we just heard back from a realtor that the wife's house was a buyer's first choice. If Juan and company don't get on the stick, we may be moving the wife's stuff in with mine -- in the garage/barn!!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I didn't realize they were in the process of building your house right now.

 

[mwbailey]

Yep, NUTTSGT, the foundation and slab for the house were in soon after the workshop was started. We stopped there until we could convince the bank that we were good risks for a construction loan (I'm not sure we really convinced them, but the wife has been a customer of the bank Exec VP for many years -- as he moved from bank to bank!). Got the loan rolling 2/21. Took until 3/12 to get trusses fabricated and delivered. Framing started 3/19. Now we're starting to go through all those decisions needed for a house -- brick, doors, paint, etc., etc. I'll likely show an occasional photo of house since it WILL have a garage. In fact, there's a "downstairs" garage, as well. I was thinking it might be good for the boat/trailer, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get to it without falling into the water. Poor planning on my part. Unless there's a possibility of the Miata residing down there, it looks like we'll have a nice "potting shed" for the wife. . . . Wait, wait, with the right POWER TOOL, I bet I can get the boat in downstairs!! Or maybe not.

 

[HOTFR8]

Now I gotta figure out if HOTFR8 is trying to get me in trouble or trying to get the thread back on the topic of garages -- "Once the house is done you know what we all want to see." I want to see a "new" power tool AND a working garage. Problem is, we just heard back from a realtor that the wife's house was a buyer's first choice. If Juan and company don't get on the stick, we may be moving the wife's stuff in with mine -- in the garage/barn!!

OOps What have I done. I am sure it will all work out. Good Luck with that.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

"Wow, Omph, that "new best friend" comment goes back to post #18 -- quite a memory!!"


Hah, I wish I had that good of a memory! I jumped back to the beginning of the thread to find a picture of the house site since the trusses (#302) drop off made me wonder about your comment about the forklift not being able to negotiate the hill. I went looking for a picture of the house site and the hill in question. Not that it will make a 'hill of beans' to the Mrs., but having a 'POWER TOOL' tractor would have made that hill a non-issue for the truss delivery. Just sayin'..... lol

 

[mwbailey]

Well, HOTFR8, it was too cold and windy today for the wife to even get out of the car although we did drive by to check on progress at the house. I think I've mentioned before that her "comfort zone" is something between 71.5 and 73 degrees!! Maybe we'll get a photo with her new best friend tomorrow; it's supposed to be sunny and warmer.

Omph, maybe one of these views will give you a better idea on the slope down to the bottom floor. With the length of those trusses, it would have been difficult to get DOWN the slope loaded, much less get back up empty. The second photo is from across the cove, uh, slough (it's not really big enough to be called a cove). If you look around the trees you can see the bank that needs a bit of landscaping at some point, near the green waste box.


And, NUTTSGT, you can see that they are making pretty good progress on the house. Hmm, it now occurs to me that they haven't even started framing for the attached garage. I'll have to check on that. . . .

 

[shopnut]

Sorry mwbailey, I'm a little late to the party. What a great place you have there - you have done a fabulous job turning a dream into reality. And I absolutely love the loft overlooking the interior space. What a great view you must have from up there looking down on all that exposed framework.

Good luck on the next big project. I'm sure you will have your hands full for a while. I'm now subscribed so I won't miss a thing!

(BTW, Seeing your pump house makes me want to rebuild mine into something special. Dang this GJ! )

 

[HOTFR8]

WOW great photos of the place.

 

[mwbailey]

Hey guys, thanks for comments. shopnut, I've had to peruse your posts in "small" doses, you have so much going on. You may have noticed that I took your "under the leanto storage" idea to heart. Even before they finished my workshop, I was eyeing where I could gain some storage volume like you did. Yep, lots of good ideas on GJ.

 

[mwbailey]

So, this is the current status of the "downstairs" garage, aka potting shed. I guess I gotta figure a way to get a vehicle into it or give up the floorspace entirely to flowers. . . . It measures about 12 1/2 X 26 1/2'. You'd think there would be room for a car AND a potting bench!


Didn't get much productive work done today -- framing crew chief was at MD's to get his cast checked out (broken leg from being kneed in soccer game), prepared the wife's house for another realtor/prospective buyer visit, and cut out cardboard to give the wife a full-size prototype of a stone column base for the deck. What do you think of the column?!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

"What do you think of the column?!"


Do you have a rendering of the finished house that you could scan in and add here? Not sure what the finished exterior style is going to be; that could decide if the stone column base suits the overall design. My first thought was 'Gee, I'll bet that could really tear up the side of a vehicle if one wasn't very careful navigating the driveway curve'.

 

[mwbailey]

Yep, Omph, stone columns could really do a number on a front (or rear) fender. Here is my CAD/Inventor rendering of the water side of the house and a front/entry view of a similar house (but mirror image). There will not be as much stone on the lake side, mostly brick. The overall style is supposed to be something like French country. . . .


Prototype column base is the second from the left! Of course, we can move it around to the other spots, but I'll be danged if I'm going to build six more cardboard bases just so the wife gets a better view -- well, unless she asks or I can get the power tool.

 

[mwbailey]

Framing in the garage at the house. That has to be progress! I'm afraid I got the superintendent upset with me today. As I was leaving the jobsite one of the framers asked about the garage door height and I tried to answer the question, then called the superintendent. He expected the questions to go to the crew chief. Makes sense to me. . . .



I wasn't too successful suggesting to the wife that we could share the downstairs garage!!

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Thanks for the renderings; it helps with the thought process.

I realize you will be using brickwork mostly for the rear facade along with stone bases for the columns, but I would suggest you carry the French Provincial treatment to the rear also. I don't know if your lower level height would allow for this 'look', but perhaps if you were able/willing to carry the brickwork up to replace the railing material on the upper deck, it might be more in keeping with the overall style of old. Here's a picture showing the arches that would be key in mimicking the front of the house. If you Google/Images the words 'french provincial porte cochere', the results might show you better what I'm thinking in placing the arches across the entire lower level facade.

 

[mwbailey]

Omph, I like your thinking on a portico of some sort. As it stands, we have lots of stone and arches on the front/entry side, but not so much on the other front/lake side. I wonder about something as simple as an arch/portico in front of the downstairs garage door. . . .