Fencing

First Mission Accomplished — Next Steps

Standard

We have managed to clean-up most of the yard.  Just look at how pretty it all is!

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

Part of the final challenge in cleaning up the back section before finishing the fencing was a Russian olive tree.  It had grown wild with several new baby trees around it.  For those not familiar with this tree, let me tell you — that tree is nothing short of evil!  The wood is super dense, loaded with knots, and it sprouts some of the deadliest thorns I think I’ve ever seen!  This picture gives a little bit of an idea.  Those spikes poke out from the branches and tree trunk!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe’ve trimmed and cut it down as far as we can.  Now we will finish it off with salt water and time.  Not only do we not want to get pierced with these tree stakes, but we have animals that deserve more.

The work on the inside has now begun.  We decided to attack the kitchen first since there will be no moving in until we can eat!  First — get rid of the tiny kitchen counter!

I’m just under 5 feet tall — the top of the counter was almost to my chest.  Trying to use it would have meant having to use a step stool, so it had to go!  The counter top is significantly higher than the stove top….

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASo Jim disconnected the pipes and the counter was moved.  What we found had our jaw dropping.  The counter had no flooring at all; it was sitting directly on dirt.  The wall behind the counter was almost non-existent with the outdoors being visible in spots.

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Its safe to say that this is our new challenge for November.  I’ll try to keep everyone up-to-date more consistently, but it appears it will be a while before the kitchen will be usable.  After the wall and flooring are done, we will have to also redo some of the other walls and rewire the room.  **sigh** I’m telling myself when its done it will be wonderful….

 

We Can Picture Some of the Future

Standard

Cleaning continues, but as it progresses, we are discovering some things that we believe will be a real blessing in the future!

As cleaning around the perimeter is done, we are putting up fencing.  Using the surveyors’ map, we are discovering our property will give us plenty of room for doing what will be essential — and maybe a little extra!  Jim made this contraption with a metal pipe and two medal handles on each side.  Okay, hard to describe, but this picture might help.  One thing for sure, that sucker is so heavy I can’t lift it.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Here’s a picture of Jim using that puppy.  It fits over the top of the T-post, Jim lifts it up, then slams it down repeatedly, which drives the T-post into the ground.   We get at least 4 T-posts in place and then we roll out and attach the fencing to the posts.  The property is now fully fenced on 2-1/2 sides — almost done!

One of the fun things we now have is a future hatchery!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAfter clearing out the weeds (inside and out), we decided this old chicken run will be perfect for use as a hatchery.  Some repairs will have to be made and minor modifications, but overall the structure can be used.  Such a great safe home for those baby chicks!  I can picture it already….

With the fencing almost done, we are starting to plot out where we are going to put everything — the household vegetable garden, the herb bed, the “picnic area,” and where Jim’s man-cave is gonna be.  Since I’ve claimed dibs on the busted down round house (which will not be a project to start on till next year), Jim definitely needs his own workshop.

I’m actually more excited about Jim’s man cave than getting my round house done.  Imagine this — the house will be a house…. with no tools scattered about…. no car parts taking up kitchen counter space…..  no boxes of unknown whats-its in the living room…. All these mysterious men-stuffs will be in the man cave…. sigh…. it’s gonna happen!