This blog will chronicle the project to share the progress with my family and friends. My hope is this blog will also keep me on task and let you contribute your experience or ideas.
I lost a day to the weather, no complaints we still need more rain. I got to a great start this morning I tried to wrap some end of year business up. I also took the dog to on a shot trip to purchase a mini palm driver. If you've never seen one trust me you need it. This tool make nailing in tight spaces a breeze. The mini is smaller than a standard palm nailer and can be had for $15 at your local Harbor Freight. See one in action here.
I covered the half of the roof I finished on Monday with plastic but the edge of the roof got wet and has some warping. I can get this out when I trim it out.
I was short some wood I need two more 2X4X16's for the south end of the roof and I can get the rest of the plywood up and start applying the shingles. OK Gary is going to install the shingles I just can't get up on a roof.
As you can see in this picture I opted to use a thermal barrier to reflect the heat and keep the room cooler in the summers if I decided to completely enclose the deck and turn it into a sun room.
I am into the second week of our end of year much needed vacation. I have been in a really good mood too. I don't think we will get to go anywhere but that's OK. It has been restful, until yesterday. I decided it was time to get over my fear of hieghts and have finally started the roof on the deck.
It took all day but I got half a roof done. It was not easy an I was not pleasant to be around. I got my dads habit of cussing while working. I think it releases the stress. Gary helped as much as he could but with only a step ladder it had to be a one man job.
Unfortunately it's raining today so I will be very limited in what I can do. That's OK because my body is so sore I am limited, period. But as you can see I have half a roof, it is only raining on half a deck! It's going to be sunny tomorrow I can't wait to finish the roof.
The Cleat 4.5" Suction-Cup Camera Mount Made by Wood's Power Grip
Wood's Powr-Grip Clete. 4.5" vacuum/ suction cup with black metal mount, 1/4-20 thread stud.An eonomical alternative to other vacuum cup camera mounts.
This is the most economical mount that Wood's offers. Ideal for ultra low budgets and very light cameras.
The factory rates this mount at a ten pound capacity, but we at Filmtools truly recommend that you limit yourself to four pounds when mounted on a vehicle in motion. Anything weighing more can show the adverse effects of induced harmonic vibration and resonate vibration.
Model LJ45PHC. Supplied with pad protector. The CLEAT has many features of a tripod, but is designed for people on the go! Because it attaches and releases in seconds, it can be moved quickly from one place to another on autos, RV's, boats, windows, countertops... virtually any smooth, non-porous surface! The rubber pad won’t mar or damage most surfaces. Knobs on the head provide infinite positioning and control for tilting and panning cameras, scopes and camcorders.
A spring-balanced pump ensures a consistent vacuum level and a red-line indicator warns if there is any drop in holding power. Just a few strokes on the plunger will remove the air from between the mount's vacuum pad and the mounting surface. As long as the mount maintains a reliable hold, the plunger remains partially hidden inside the pump and the red line is not visible. If the red line appears, another stroke or two will restore full holding power.
Lifting on the release tab near the edge of the pad allows air to refill the evacuated space, so that the vacuum cup detaches completely.
See it and other cool film related equipment at http://www.filmtools.com
I really was not in the mood for Halloween this year but the weather got cooler and well I could not help it. To late for a new costume so I will brush off one of my old creations that never goes out of style. I'll post pictures later.
Looks like the video for that Russian movie was taken down, to bad, I hope it makes it over here someday. In the mean time enjoy Hitlers latest tantrum.
At last a relaxing weekend. I am currently working on an interesting project. I am recreating the Vegas sign in foam core. Measuring 40 by 30 this sign is built of foam core. The light work and I even found a plexiglass star that light up with an LED and changes color. Sweet.
It's been a long week. I'm working out of town and have to commute 45 min each way. The drives home are rough, I'm so tired after being "on stage" all day. Training is a very draining job, rewarding but draining none the less. The last couple of evenings have been filled with minor disasters when i got home but last evening was the worst. I got a call from Gary, he said Topsy was not doing well and to get ready for what I would see when I got home. Topsy had epilepsy and had been on Phenobarbital. We had just switched him to a new med to control his seizures for almost a month and was starting to do very well. He had a personality again, he was bright and attentive. He even wanted to go on car rides last weekend and was going on walks in the evenings. We were very hopeful that the new medicine was working.
When I got home he was covered in blood he looked like he had injured himself as he usually did when he had a full on seizure but this was worse. the blood on his coat had turned black clearly it had happened earlier in the day and had time to dry and turn black. His breathing was erratic and was convulsing, I tried to force feed him his meds and hydrate him, nothing worked, I laid with him last night until I could no longer stand it. I cleaned him up and brushed him out. I knew it would be the last time I would do that for him. I had called the Vet and they said they were closed and would not euthanize him I wold have to go to an emergency vet hospital to get it done.
I found him were I left him last night he never came out of it. Poor dog suffered for so long, I hope we gave him a better life than he had earlier on. We found Topsy on Craigslist from a lady that said her son had neglected him. I think they were just trying to get rid of him, not wanting to provide the expensive care he needed. Doesn't matter now, I'm glad we saved him from that life and I'm thankful for what he gave me. Topsy taught me, how to be responsible, to live up to your commitments. No matter what life gives you, there is no greater reward in life than being able to provide for someone no one else would and can only pay you back with love and kisses.
I always recomend doing it yourself. I also think you can be your own doctor in a pinch. This lady has done a great job of documenting the removal of a bot fly worm from her head. Sit back take notes and enjoy. Oh my mom follows this blog and I know she is going to love this.
Wow, a week off and I just got motivated to work on the deck at the last minute. Typical. I'll post pics later in the mean time check your knowledge of road signs.
No deck update but I have a face book page, it's nice to see so many people sending me friendship invitations. I an working on the death strip in front of the house and the Xeriscaping is looking good. I'll post pictures later.
In the mean time, I saw this video and thought I would share what the Yogi built.
OK still on vacation, the weather has been nice, it's pleasantly cool in the mornings now. We just need more rain, a good hurricane would do wonders. I'm thinking about the deck, not to motivated though. Well if you have an iPhone or touch it you may be interested in a new app that can tell you if there is a disease outbreak near you.
The app is free and can be found on the iTunes store or you can access the same information directly from the free HealthMap epidemiological web service
Seams like my project is dead. I' taking a week off at the end of August. I'll pick it back up then. In the mean time, speaking of the dead o my birthday. I wan to go out myself in a drifting Mec Hearse.
If you love cars like I do, then you might have problems watching this video. This poor Volvo was executed following the new federal guidelines for cars turned in under the cash for clunkers program. What's crazy is this clean car qualifies for cash but our old pick up does not because it's to old?
If you can make it to the end, the poor Volvo actually screams right before it dies and pukes out it's guts.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The rains this week were nice, it's taken the bite out of the mornings, it's still gets hot but you can get things done firs thing in the morning if you get up early enough. My puppy is still waking me up early on weekends so I decided to sue that time to redo and clean the area around the ugly electric utilities box in the front yard.
Getting this approved and fighting the HOA was so worth it I was not going to let it go to waste. he refurb involved straightening out the Hardy planks and redoing the vented areas by removing the cedar lattice with 1x4 slats to create the vents.
Making the job easier was the purchase of an 19 guage 2" brad nailer at the Harbor Frieght for $21. Gawd I love cheap chinese tools!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Nice quite day to be out on the deck. The neighbors are having a party so noworkon the deck today. Instead I have somw work to do and was thinking about this years road trip. If you have never been to Estes Parkand the Longs Peak Scottish Irish Festival then you don'tknow what your missing. It's worth it just for the bagpipes, but wow hundreds of bag pipes on the field at one time!
OK, it's dangerously hot outside and I'm scurrying from AC to AC. So no progress to report on the deck. I can tell you that we went to Houston for the weekend and had a really good time. It's been a while since we could get away so it was needed. our neighbor took care of Topsy and Bandit went along for the ride. I think he enjoyed himself, he's going to Colorado with us so he better get used to long road trips fast.
While in Houston I noticed the price of gas was so much cheaper than Austin. $2.19 at the Walmart at Barker Cypress and 290! If you haven't heard the price increase was blamed on one person, you can read the details here.
Oh and the computers were cheap at the Micro Center Summer Clearance Sale, I picked up a PC to use as a dedicated workstation. This is the one I picked, they even had PC's for a hundred bucks, not the latest but great as a gift for a child or a parent that's willing to give the web a try.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
No updates this week but, I found this guy who really has to much time on his hands. But wow what talent. The website is also worth spending time on, http://englishrussia.com
I was having coffee on he deck this morning enjoying my day off, getting ready to celebrate he 4th of July. I came a cross this video on the news paper website. I was born and raised in Hays County, it wasn't a perfect place to grow up, the schools weren't that good, kinda mediocre but it was safe and fun. It's a perfect place to experience adolescence, affording any precocious child a Huck Finn experience.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
It's been a while but man is it hot out side. Dangerous hot. Well we have a new starter in the truck so it's safe to head out now. I am buying wood at the Homie but first I need roof plans. I found this site but they recommend you buy a pre-built trusses. and this one that has a how to, but they recommend finding software to help design and calculate, link.
Oh, talk about keeping up with the Joneses. Look at what our neighbor has done! The pergola was put up in one day, but they hired a crew, bah, wait till they see the roof on mine!
Still thinking about having everyone over. That was a lot of people and I guess it was the ultimate test of the deck and it's footings. It finally got hot this week, we've had a few hundred degree days this week. We have been watering by hand but the flowers are all pooping out.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The party was a success! Everybody made it to the house, even my brother Rene and his wife Elva. Everyone was supervised, but we were concerned after he called to let us know they were lost. some where in Georgetown on he Tollway. Mom and the Gabby, My brother Daniel with his back to us, and Michale and his son Gavin in the back looking on. oh and Desire with Elva on the right. That's John Paul in the middle and my sister in law, Maria on the right. Topsy is so good with kids, he had been having his seizures but the stopped when everyone showed up. My little niece Abby thought he made a wonderful pillow.
The Cabana has been a great addition. We even added a gas grill. Even used it every day this week.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Took four hours this morning to edge, trim the hedges, and mow the yard. Yes it's hot outside to bad the summer is about to roast the yard. We need the rain but we are being teased with an El Niño.
I've been back to work and had very little time to update the blog. But this is what's been done so far. The deck was water proofed by painting it, the frame is kilz and the floor has a moss green oil based porch paint.
Maria at work mentioned that the lobby of hobbies had decorative deck lights on sale and I found a string of ten small paper lanterns that blended in with the pastel color scheme. I also bought 12 yards of an indigo blue material that I fashioned into a cheap set of curtains.
I'm still waiting for the tarp material we ordered last week it should have been in by now I better call and see what happened. it's going to be a very busy day today but I'll post pics of the party on my next post.
Got home today and got the sewing machine out. I joined two panels together just to make sure the colors picked would look good on the house. I went ahead and painted the posts and beams with Kilz. These post and frame will be hidden by RealTrim to give them a little more visual mass.
It took a solid day of work on Sunday but I got it done. The deck is completed and I had enough time to start the roof. I should have named this site Steve builds something, the posts went up with out any problems and I was even able to get the beams up myself without any help. It was around 8:30 when I was finally able to sit on the deck and drink a beer. I even had time to make it to the fabric store and by 20 yards of material to create the awnings. I think the blue and yellow are summery and will go well with the house. Hum, Steve sews an awning?
I don't have the time to complete the deck/porch the way I want so I needed a good stopping point until I can take another week off to work on this project. I think I have a solution so I'm headed to the craft store to buy some material. I think going for the cabana/cafe look might work.
We'll Friday was a big day. It was to hot and the sun got to me, I really got sick of his project, I had a minor accident and drilled into my hand and decided to call it quits for the day. Man I hate working with concrete, those 80 pound bags are heavy! I needed some inspiration and a change of pace so I've bought a couple of boxes of tile to try out. I think I'll go with the look. We'll I should be done with the deck today once the sub floor is laid. Then the framing of the porch begins!
BTW I came across this article on one of my favorite blogs, funny I did not here about this one on the local news, I guess they men to surprise us with it I wonder how much that surveillance company paid that senator in Houston to get this passed? You can read the article here, Texas Senate Endorses Camera Based License Identification System.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday was a very busy day. After an other trip to the Homie for brackets, 7 dollars worth, I was finally able to knock out the framing over the existing deck. Now to frame the new section, that required creating a transition. I cut a 2X11' notch into the 2x6's the thinner piece sits on the deck and butts up to the 2x4x10's. These are then held together with a "splint".
I framed out the forms for the footins and the lip that will support the new section.I hoped to have the deck floor half way done and I did it. I will mix and pour concrete this morning and hopefully get to go to a movie! I hear Up is good and Terminator Salvation is entertaining...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
It's hot already so better be prepared. Pith helmets are perfect for this kind of weather. Pithhelmets are made from the soft spongy inner core of the Sola ( Aeschynomene aspera) plant grown in the swamps of Vietnam. I bought this one from the Village Hat Shop there cheap enough so I actually have a couple of them. To use a pith to it full potential you must soak them in water, the pith is a sponge so it really soaks up the water this makes the helmet a little heavy. However the secret is the vent on top that lets water escape as the water evaporates it cools you down. That's the theory and it works! This is a Wolseley pattern and has the classic fireman's helmet shape and provides the best neck protection from the sun.
OK enough about the hats. I have ripped 5 2x4x8's and one 2x4x10. these are the boards that are sitting on the existing deck. I then cut the 2x4x8's down to 2'7". These will be screwed between the beams to support the deck further.
Humpday update.
Well yes I got lazy, I could easily use the sore muscleexcuse, boy was I sore. I did get another trip to the homie to buy the floor. I did wake up this morning ready to go, I'm just giving the neighbors the time to get out before I start using the power tools. I hated waking up to the sounds of power tools when this neghberhood was being built so I dont want to inflict that on anyone else.
Today's goal is to complete the frame an have half of the deck installed! By lunch?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Real Progress!
Got to an early start now that have a plan the goal was to get the foundation laid today. I started by cutting and digging up the sod. I'm glad it rained now, this was not as hard as it could have been. I was able to roll up the sod and place it on some bare spot around the back yard. After the sod was removed i trenched out and built the forms to pour the concrete.
I got the south side of the deck foundation done. Starting to think doing it all in concrete would not be so bad, and then maybe tile over with Saltio... This 12 x 2 strip took 11 bags of concrete, Oh I had to make a trip to the Homie again this morning to buy 10 bags more of 'crete. Not an other road block! I started to cut down down the runners, but the table saw is dying on me! Should i borrow the neighbors saw or buy an other one?
Took four hours this morning to edge, trim the hedges, and mow the yard. Yes it's hot outside to bad the summer is about to roast the yard. We need the rain but we are being teased with an El Niño.
It was around 8:30 when I was finally able to sit on the deck and drink a beer.
I needed some inspiration and a change of pace so I've bought a couple of boxes of tile to try out. I think I'll go with the look. We'll I should be done with the deck today once the sub floor is laid. Then the framing of the porch begins!
I hoped to have the deck floor half way done and I did it. I will mix and pour concrete this morning and hopefully get to go to a movie! I hear Up is good and Terminator Salvation is entertaining...
I then cut the 2x4x8's down to 2'7". These will be screwed between the beams to support the deck further.
I got the south side of the deck foundation done. Starting to think doing it all in concrete would not be so bad, and then maybe tile over with Saltio... This 12 x 2 strip took 11 bags of concrete, Oh I had to make a trip to the Homie again this morning to buy 10 bags more of 'crete.
Not an other road block!
