| June 1, 2003
The day I thought would never come is here. We actually nailed
some of the finished skin on the outside in the form of cement fiber lap
siding. It's a little more difficult than wood siding to work with,
but the cost is cheaper and it is extremely durable. Since it's a
little stiffer, it doesn't show the waviness of the not-so-uniform studs
also. |
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| The first wall is finished! Its so
nice to look at the house and not see studs, plywood, or even black
paper. This was the easiest wall, all under 8 feet and no angle
cuts, as I wanted to get a little experience before tackling the more
difficult walls. |
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| June 14, 2003
Siding is completed on the left side. I found it worth the extra
time to set up scaffolding, as it ends up saving time in the long
run. It was really hot working on this side of the house!
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| My brother-in-law came today and finished running the
plumbing vents up through the roof, completing the drain system (wahoo!).
This enabled us to fill the bathtub up with a hose from the water heater
and take the first tub bath in about a year. Felt really great after
a long, hot, sweaty day doing siding. |
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Happy Anniversary!
One Year ago!
June, 2002
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June 15, 2003
Actually, I had hoped to be a lot farther along than this
by now. But I am pleased with the results so far.
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One Year Ago...
June, 2002 |
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| June 15, 2003
Today. I live for the day I can get rid of that ugly
green fiberglass patio cover. Meanwhile, it has been a source of
shade for my poor wife stripping windows and doors.
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| June 28, 2003
Don't let the evening shade fool you. This side of the house gets
the sun most of the day, and it has been 100 all week. A wet shirt and
lots of breaks is my way of dealing with the heat. I also learned
not to leave the wrench in the sun!
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| Everybody cheered as I nailed up the last piece of siding
on the back. It's a relief to get this side of the house
done. |
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| Rain is extremely rare in the summer here, but as soon as I
tear a roof off, or am exposed in any way, we get clobbered with freak
monsoons that soak everything. I'm just about ready for them! |
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| JULY 4, 2003
Independence Day
Worked on the front of the house today from sunup to fireworks at 9:00
PM. We watched the fireworks by sitting on top of ladders at the
curb, with the fireworks barely visible above the treeline. It was
105 today.
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| July 6, 2003
Yahoo! The siding is complete. It took me one month and
5,400 nails, 5 sets of earplugs, 6 sawblades, 4 cases of bottled water,
two boxes of Kleenex, and three pencils. Now I can finally start the water and electric. |
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