Never thought retirement would be like this
- Thread starter NancyNGA
- Start date
SeaBreeze, what parts of Alaska did you visit? I remember the AlCan Highway was *not* made with tourists in mind. I believe it was constructed by the army. So they stayed far away from the mountains.
I also remember heavy road equipment parked around, because that gravel road washed out frequently in the spring thaws. In fact the road toward Mt. McKinley was closed the year we were there (in August).This old house can really mess with your mind sometimes. You see something that looks like a bad repair job and you curse the previous owners for being sloppy. Then you tear out what they did, and find out there really wasn't anything else they could have done, because the house has peculiarities and so many remodels over the years. So you build it back the way it was, hoping it will look as good as it did before you tore it out. Not so far with this project, but I always hold my breath every time I try to "improve" something.
I finally got one door frame trim done---juggling levels and squares. The dust can pile up and the countertops can be cluttered, but I can't stand something that looks crooked.
I did the best I could. Split some differences. This is the first time I've ever used *just* glue for molding, but that's what they recommended. The glue is so thick I can barely squeeze the gun. I think it is old. Will try heating it up a little next time. Decided to let it sit overnight to see if anything changed. (Would the molding be laying on the floor in the morning?)
This is my new toy. It's called an "oscillating tool." I've tried the sander and the cutting blade. The reviews complain about the sanding discs on all of these tools, but how much sanding can you do with that tiny bit of sandpaper. I think they're expecting too much. The cutting blade will let you cut out under door facings to insert new flooring, and the sanding disc strips away old paint in corners and close to the floor in seconds. So far I like it.
Will try to finish the other two doors tonight or tomorrow. I've decided to trim the baseboards too because the door frames will now make the baseboards look crummy. But what about the window frames?? These projects always balloon.
Dentist appointment was this morning. New implants scheduled for Jan 11th.
I finally got one door frame trim done---juggling levels and squares. The dust can pile up and the countertops can be cluttered, but I can't stand something that looks crooked.
This is my new toy. It's called an "oscillating tool." I've tried the sander and the cutting blade. The reviews complain about the sanding discs on all of these tools, but how much sanding can you do with that tiny bit of sandpaper. I think they're expecting too much. The cutting blade will let you cut out under door facings to insert new flooring, and the sanding disc strips away old paint in corners and close to the floor in seconds. So far I like it.
Will try to finish the other two doors tonight or tomorrow. I've decided to trim the baseboards too because the door frames will now make the baseboards look crummy. But what about the window frames?? These projects always balloon.
Dentist appointment was this morning. New implants scheduled for Jan 11th.
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Picked up some pellets for the goats after lunch, ran them out to the farm. Shorty's foot is looking good. Put out straw and swept. Charge on fence is down to 1000v. I didn't see any problems when I put up the signs, but you have to really concentrate while you're driving around to see tangled wire faults. No time to check today. It gets dark about 5:30.
Finished the door facings tonight. I will not take pictures to prove this, because a room being prepped for painting and flooring looks horrible.:eewwk: Only hit the ceiling 4 times with molding and it didn't appear to do any damage. The glue gun sat on my stove atop a double boiler on low most of the time and that worked. I can truthfully declare that I made 2 perfect miter joints! I can die happy now. The others---not so much. I think I inherited this obsession with neatness from my father. You should see the kitchen cabinets he built in our old house.
Since this kitchen project may not be finished until forever, here is a picture of the beginning of another project. This is me 12 years ago sighting down a string to line up rods to attach posts for the pole barn for the goats. (Talk about a wide stance.) The ground was solid rock at the back so we had to use concrete and anchors.
And this one after 10 of the 12 posts were set. The other posts required digging with a posthole digger. Hard work. My mother and I spent literally days trying to get these things squared up before we set them, and got it *almost.* Almost is not good. I know how to do it next time.
Got a Christmas card today from a cousin. First Christmas card in years, if you don't count my insurance man. I don't want the card thing to get started.
Time for another break.
Finished the door facings tonight. I will not take pictures to prove this, because a room being prepped for painting and flooring looks horrible.:eewwk: Only hit the ceiling 4 times with molding and it didn't appear to do any damage. The glue gun sat on my stove atop a double boiler on low most of the time and that worked. I can truthfully declare that I made 2 perfect miter joints! I can die happy now. The others---not so much.
I think I inherited this obsession with neatness from my father. You should see the kitchen cabinets he built in our old house. Since this kitchen project may not be finished until forever, here is a picture of the beginning of another project. This is me 12 years ago sighting down a string to line up rods to attach posts for the pole barn for the goats. (Talk about a wide stance.
) The ground was solid rock at the back so we had to use concrete and anchors.
And this one after 10 of the 12 posts were set. The other posts required digging with a posthole digger. Hard work. My mother and I spent literally days trying to get these things squared up before we set them, and got it *almost.* Almost is not good. I know how to do it next time.
Got a Christmas card today from a cousin. First Christmas card in years, if you don't count my insurance man. I don't want the card thing to get started.
Time for another break.
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"Why in the world would two women buy goats and try to build a barn themselves?" I sometimes forget why myself. Maybe I'll finish this story. Nothing else happening. (Hang in there. Pictures at the end. Ha!)
Some background. During my parents' marriage they built 8 buildings, did 2 complete remodels to existing buildings, and 5 major additions. Whether I was living at home, or visiting them wherever they lived, they were always working on something. They surely must have enjoyed it and made a good team. My father, at 83, had to give up all of that kind of work due to illness. It seemed like they both lost interest in everything after that.
Why goats? I had been wanting to get the property out at the farm fenced for a long time because of trespassers, and because the lake was a bit dangerous. It would add value to the property, so I decided to go ahead with it after I retired. Goats were initially just an excuse I made up to the neighbors why I was fencing the place.
But the more I thought about it, the more goats seemed like not a bad idea. Brush was growing up everywhere, and if we were going to have a good fence, might as well put something in there. It would be something my mother and I could look after together. It wasn't a decision made lightly. What if she didn't like them? I knew it would be at least a 15 year commitment on my part.
It turned out to be the best decision I ever made---for my mother. Although she never cared much for dogs or cats, she fell in love with these goats. They were all she talked about for the next 10 years. She made several trips a day down to the barn to check on them. Forced her to remain active. I truly think they added five "good" years to her life.
So why not hire someone to build a barn? It would be another project we could work on together until the goats came in the spring. I decided to give it a try, buy only what materials were needed each week, and if I couldn't do it, so what! It would be fun trying.
It took us about 4 months working 2-3 days a week. She just assumed I knew what I was doing. In fact the days off in between I would study building plans and figure out what to do next time. It was like cramming for a final exam. Btw, don't tell anyone, but we did this without a permit. It was just a few square feet larger than the minimum required. But I did follow code to the letter, and was going to plead ignorance if there was a problem. No one has said a thing. Probably felt sorry for two little old ladies trying to build a building.
I followed a building plan I found on a Canadian government website. The post tops were sawed off with a chain saw on a ladder. Very dangerous, but couldn't figure out how else to do it.
It had an unusual roof plan where the purlins were 2x4's place vertically. Much stronger and easier to do than typical roof designs.
The roof was easy.
Then covered it with 4x8 barn siding. This picture is a year later with goats. (The barn is 16' x 24')
End of story.
Some background. During my parents' marriage they built 8 buildings, did 2 complete remodels to existing buildings, and 5 major additions. Whether I was living at home, or visiting them wherever they lived, they were always working on something. They surely must have enjoyed it and made a good team. My father, at 83, had to give up all of that kind of work due to illness. It seemed like they both lost interest in everything after that.
Why goats? I had been wanting to get the property out at the farm fenced for a long time because of trespassers, and because the lake was a bit dangerous. It would add value to the property, so I decided to go ahead with it after I retired. Goats were initially just an excuse I made up to the neighbors why I was fencing the place.
But the more I thought about it, the more goats seemed like not a bad idea. Brush was growing up everywhere, and if we were going to have a good fence, might as well put something in there. It would be something my mother and I could look after together. It wasn't a decision made lightly. What if she didn't like them? I knew it would be at least a 15 year commitment on my part.
It turned out to be the best decision I ever made---for my mother. Although she never cared much for dogs or cats, she fell in love with these goats. They were all she talked about for the next 10 years. She made several trips a day down to the barn to check on them. Forced her to remain active. I truly think they added five "good" years to her life.
So why not hire someone to build a barn? It would be another project we could work on together until the goats came in the spring. I decided to give it a try, buy only what materials were needed each week, and if I couldn't do it, so what! It would be fun trying.
It took us about 4 months working 2-3 days a week. She just assumed I knew what I was doing. In fact the days off in between I would study building plans and figure out what to do next time. It was like cramming for a final exam. Btw, don't tell anyone, but we did this without a permit. It was just a few square feet larger than the minimum required. But I did follow code to the letter, and was going to plead ignorance if there was a problem. No one has said a thing. Probably felt sorry for two little old ladies trying to build a building.
I followed a building plan I found on a Canadian government website. The post tops were sawed off with a chain saw on a ladder. Very dangerous, but couldn't figure out how else to do it.
It had an unusual roof plan where the purlins were 2x4's place vertically. Much stronger and easier to do than typical roof designs.
The roof was easy.
Then covered it with 4x8 barn siding. This picture is a year later with goats. (The barn is 16' x 24')
End of story.
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It was really windy today, and with high of only 51F it was too cold to want to check the fence. Supposed to get down to 30F tonight. Started to leave and decided to go back and put out more straw for the goats. And because of the direction of the wind I was finally able to sneak up to the barn and see what the sleeping arrangements were inside before they heard me coming. My bottom-of-the-pecking-order goat was nestled right in the middle of the pack. I was afraid he might get pushed out. It happens sometimes.
Two more Christmas cards came from cousins! This all started because I had to call one of them about my mother's death last February. If my mom could have arranged it she would have forbid me to call them. (That's the way I want it, too.) One cousin, who I haven't seen in 40 years, gave me piano lessons for 2 years, and I would have continued except she forced all her students into mandatory annual recitals.
She wrote a threatening note on the card saying I'M NOT GOING TO LET US GET OUT OF TOUCH FOR 40 YEARS AGAIN!!!
I was afraid he might get pushed out. It happens sometimes.Two more Christmas cards came from cousins! This all started because I had to call one of them about my mother's death last February. If my mom could have arranged it she would have forbid me to call them. (That's the way I want it, too.) One cousin, who I haven't seen in 40 years, gave me piano lessons for 2 years, and I would have continued except she forced all her students into mandatory annual recitals.
ndynt
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Florida
Love your barn and of course your goats. Aren't the zoning laws, in rural areas, annoying. Especially the size restrictions. Wanted to build a teeny tiny house and the zoning laws find them too small. Have to be twice the size.
I so love reading about your goats. Have a great affection for them. The house I grew up in was on a steep hill...with a ravine at the very back. Impossible to mow. So we had a herd of goats and my chore was to unchain them and bring them to the barn every afternoon. Can understand why your Mom loved them so. They are so very affectionate and personable.
NE Fl is getting chilly also.
I so love reading about your goats. Have a great affection for them. The house I grew up in was on a steep hill...with a ravine at the very back. Impossible to mow. So we had a herd of goats and my chore was to unchain them and bring them to the barn every afternoon. Can understand why your Mom loved them so. They are so very affectionate and personable.
NE Fl is getting chilly also.
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Hi Nona! The property is zoned primarily agriculture. The building was not for human inhabitants, and didn't have water or electricity at that time, so the permit rules were pretty simple. Basically make sure you get those posts sunk deep enough, or concrete pads heavy and deep enough. What we did was actually overkill.
:tmi: (I can't stop myself)
.
It's so nice to hear from you again.
:tmi: (I can't stop myself
).
It's so nice to hear from you again.
ndynt
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Florida
Never too much information, Nancy. Enjoy your details. My land is zoned agricultural also...so a pole barn might have been more acceptable. LOL
Since last time...
Trimmed goat hooves. They were not cooperative at all, none of them, not even my shadow goat Shorty. Tried a few times to catch Rusty. I've run out of tricks. Evidently he has a very good memory. Even if you do catch him, it's a rodeo trying to trim.
Too much rain to check fence this time. The leaves on my neighbor's dogwood tree just changed to red. Leaves have been long gone on mine. Hair is getting too long again. Probably go back to the short straight cut for a few weeks. Diary says last perm was October 21. No wonder. I've said this several times before, but time really flies lately. Three more months and things will start greening up.
Finished the trim work and prep in the kitchen. No excuses left to keep from painting now. Maybe I'll work on another project to delay. Or maybe just take another long break.
Trimmed goat hooves. They were not cooperative at all, none of them, not even my shadow goat Shorty.
Tried a few times to catch Rusty. I've run out of tricks. Evidently he has a very good memory. Even if you do catch him, it's a rodeo trying to trim. Too much rain to check fence this time. The leaves on my neighbor's dogwood tree just changed to red.
Leaves have been long gone on mine. Hair is getting too long again. Probably go back to the short straight cut for a few weeks. Diary says last perm was October 21. No wonder. I've said this several times before, but time really flies lately. Three more months and things will start greening up.Finished the trim work and prep in the kitchen. No excuses left to keep from painting now.
Maybe I'll work on another project to delay. Or maybe just take another long break.Just reporting in because ...
After 5 straight days of rain, with the exception of about 8 hours Tuesday, the ground has finally reached saturation and the water is starting to creep in at the bottom of the front wall of the basement. Once it starts that, you can count on every bit more rain that falls to come in. Not supposed to let up until 8am. If it gets heavy tonight it will have to be monitored during the night. I've dealt with this before, so no panic. Good old wet/dry shop vac is ready, but some things may have to be moved around. Good exercise, right? One time this happened before when we got 8 inches of rain in 2 days. You literally couldn't keep up with it just vacuuming. Reminds me a little of the Calcutta incident.
After 5 straight days of rain, with the exception of about 8 hours Tuesday, the ground has finally reached saturation and the water is starting to creep in at the bottom of the front wall of the basement. Once it starts that, you can count on every bit more rain that falls to come in. Not supposed to let up until 8am. If it gets heavy tonight it will have to be monitored during the night. I've dealt with this before, so no panic. Good old wet/dry shop vac is ready, but some things may have to be moved around. Good exercise, right? One time this happened before when we got 8 inches of rain in 2 days. You literally couldn't keep up with it just vacuuming. Reminds me a little of the Calcutta incident.
Wow Nancy, sounds like you got a LOT of rain there, hope you don't get flooding in your basement. We have a wet/dry vac too, but thankfully by me too much rain is rarely a problem. I admire your positive attitude about the stuff you have to deal with, aside from your usual work and chores on your property, I'd be cursing, crying or a combination of the two. Love your goats and barn pictures!
Thanks, SB, no big deal really. I know what to do. So far I've vacuumed up 9 gallons of water. It's only crept out about 4 feet from the wall. It is just seeping presently. I think the rain has taken a break but it's supposed to return big time overnight.
Decided to run to Lowes, get some more molding and trim the window frames, too. The saw is down the basement and since I have to go down there and check occasionally anyway, it kills two birds. Found just enough molding in the basement for the baseboards, but it's wood. I'm already hooked on this glue (as construction material, not inhaling). Get some under your fingernail and it almost has to grow out. That stuff isn't ever coming off. I may go glue the wheels on the shop-vac. They keep falling off. Ha!
Sorry, I'm' just rambling on....
Decided to run to Lowes, get some more molding and trim the window frames, too. The saw is down the basement and since I have to go down there and check occasionally anyway, it kills two birds.
Found just enough molding in the basement for the baseboards, but it's wood. I'm already hooked on this glue (as construction material, not inhaling). Get some under your fingernail and it almost has to grow out. That stuff isn't ever coming off. I may go glue the wheels on the shop-vac. They keep falling off. Ha!Sorry, I'm' just rambling on....
ndynt
Senior Member
- Location
- NE Florida
What kind of glue is that, Nancy? After reading of your last goat adventure....last night I dreamt of baby goats. A very strange dream...must have been you herding a long line of baby goats down the highway. Fortunately you sold me a tiny one for only $30. Sadly when I woke up.....he was not here though.
Nona, you know when you ask me a question you'll get TMI.
I guess the fancy name is adhesive, not glue. It comes in a caulking tube. It's to attach molding made of pvc (like plumbing pipes) to anything. It (pvc) is so much easier than wood, doesn't split, paintable. You can't really tell the difference if you have to paint it anyway.
Oh dear, dreaming about goats. You must have had cheese before bed. Did you see that video of goats in pajamas on post #630 of this thread. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfxUt9UM0nc ). Thirty dollars is about what I paid for my goats. I've got one I'll give you for free. In fact I'll pay you to take him, throw in a bale of hay, and pay shipping.
The rain is starting up again. I fell asleep watching TV today so I'm good 'til at least 2am.
I guess the fancy name is adhesive, not glue. It comes in a caulking tube. It's to attach molding made of pvc (like plumbing pipes) to anything. It (pvc) is so much easier than wood, doesn't split, paintable. You can't really tell the difference if you have to paint it anyway.
Oh dear, dreaming about goats. You must have had cheese before bed. Did you see that video of goats in pajamas on post #630 of this thread. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfxUt9UM0nc ). Thirty dollars is about what I paid for my goats. I've got one I'll give you for free. In fact I'll pay you to take him, throw in a bale of hay, and pay shipping.
The rain is starting up again. I fell asleep watching TV today so I'm good 'til at least 2am.
Looks like the weatherman got it slightly wrong. Basement was fine in the morning. Thirteen gallons total. We were lucky. The worst rain passed, and is passing, north of us. I feel sorry for the folks in the mountains today, if the radar map is correct. It is so warm and muggy out there right now.
I got my Christmas present---complete peace of mind for the day. Can't get much better than that.
Yesterday may have been the best Christmas ever. No worries. No responsibilities. No mail. No phone calls. I had the ringer on the house phone turned off. Will check answering machine in the afternoon today. But some good back and forth on SF in the morning --- just right. Did not let past memories enter my mind.
Decided to run check on the goats. They were all healthy. Gave them some ginger snaps for their present. The barn was a mess due to being cooped up because of rain. Swept that all out. Sun came out. 75F high.
Food was some frosted mini-wheats, microwaved frozen chicken patty, club crackers, apples, and a ham & swiss sandwich without the bread. I ran out of bread. Would have had pepperoni pizza but the dollar store was closed. I don't care what I eat. Just don't like to get stuffed, and I didn't.
But a whole month of Christmas was a bit much, for me. Made the actual day seem anticlimactic. Ready to move on.nthego:
Can't get much better than that.Yesterday may have been the best Christmas ever. No worries. No responsibilities. No mail. No phone calls. I had the ringer on the house phone turned off. Will check answering machine in the afternoon today. But some good back and forth on SF in the morning --- just right. Did not let past memories enter my mind.
Decided to run check on the goats. They were all healthy. Gave them some ginger snaps for their present. The barn was a mess due to being cooped up because of rain. Swept that all out. Sun came out. 75F high.
Food was some frosted mini-wheats, microwaved frozen chicken patty, club crackers, apples, and a ham & swiss sandwich without the bread. I ran out of bread. Would have had pepperoni pizza but the dollar store was closed. I don't care what I eat. Just don't like to get stuffed, and I didn't.
But a whole month of Christmas was a bit much, for me. Made the actual day seem anticlimactic. Ready to move on.
nthego:
Son_of_Perdition
Senior Member
Management suggested that I remove the photo, some might find it offensive.
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