Progress

It's funny, when people ask me what I did last weekend, and the weekend before, and every night after work, it's the same response: "We worked on the shed". It has gotten to the point where they are often responding, "STILL?". Trust me, I know it's been a while, but I don't quite think people realize the scale of this so-called shed. This is no six foot tall throw your shovels and broom in shed. This a 400 square foot home for tools, boats, trailers and everything else that is lingering in the house. It's a beast. All that is to say, it's not done yet folks. We're getting there, but you can't rush perfection.

 {window - BEFORE}

The roof went on fairly quickly after the structure got built - we couldn't leave that tin just sitting around burning up our lawn. The walls however, took a bit more time. Initially we had planned to reuse the tin that was on the original shed. After a bit of further consideration we opted for some shiny new tin instead. We might as well make this look as shiny and new as it really is! While much of the work on the shed only had room for me as the assistant, I did find one project to call my own - the window. The old cypress one from the neighbor is in need of some sprucing up, and with a little work with our brand new sander, it's on its way to looking as shiny and new as the shed. 

{back wall - DONE}

Getting these 10 foot tall panels of tin lined up perfectly top and bottom was a challenge, but so far it's looking great. Before we got all the walls up one of the bigger projects was running power to the shed so we could get rid of the orange extension cord running across our yard. With some amazing help from Dennis and Jeanne (Thank you guys!!!) we now have power! Actually seeing every step of the process, from digging the trench for the conduit, to connecting the wires to the light, then finally flipping the switch (and it actually working) was very exciting.

{Power!!}

We've got a bit more wall that needs to go up, but we'll save those pictures for the final unveiling so everyone can get the full effect. Just wait... it may not be only an orange door that returns! All we can say is these ladies approve:

{Gumbo, Pot Pie, and Cosmo enjoying the shed}

A Good Old Fashioned Barn Raising

Okay. It's been a while, I know. But trust me, the long wait was all for good reason. We took on our biggest project yet, the shed - and let's start out by saying this NEVER could have happened without the help of Mitch, Christine, Nick and Abby, along with Momma Moore, Han and Big. Of course we went and picked one of the hottest weekends of the year, with temperatures well over 100 degrees, which really goes to show you just how awesome they really are. Travis and I really can't tell you enough, THANK YOU!!

So, here it is, in just a few quick pictures:

{shed: before} 

For obvious reasons the shed had to go. It is amazing to me it was still standing, being that half the beams were not much more than powder from years of being used as termite food. Add in that it had become a home for wood bees, roaches and probably a few other things I would rather not know about. And so, in an attempt to fix all those problems, in sort of just.... fell. 

{shed: mid-fall} 

All the tin was removed, that may be used on the exterior when we are finally complete. Old timbers hauled off, and it is time to start fresh. 

{shed: gone - the boy's shirts follow}

{Shed: beginning to form}

Day one ended with the framing of two walls and the beginning of the rafters. Not surprisingly the boys did nearly all of the grunt work. BUT, I was still the first to shed blood as I whacked apart the bamboo taking over behind the shed. That stuff is rough.... A few beers and it was an early night to say the least. 

{Day 2: Ready for the metal walls and roof}

The new structure is almost exactly the same, except for a new (old) cypress window that came from the neighbor across the street. Our next purchase may very well be the fan you see above, quite possibly the only way we all survived the heat. 

{shed: front view - future double door entry}

Thanks to Mitch's impeccable construction knowledge, this shed won't be going anywhere. Designed to meet and beat the highest standards and regulations, this shed comes complete with all the nuts, bolts and hurricane straps to make it likely a safer place to be in a hurricane than the house. Roof tin will be going up this week and the walls will hopefully make it up by the end of the weekend. Then we can move the fertilizer, paint, and power tools out of the dining room and into their permanent home!! 

Special thanks to Bayou Moore's for their contributions! Boppy and Reggie - your gift card made the header above where the large double doors will be going possible!

Stay posted: we'll keep posting pictures of the progress. 

And again, a million thanks to you guys for coming down and making this thing come together. We'll be there for any help your place needs!