Replace sill plate in garage before

Thursday evening project - replace approx. 8 feet of rotted sill plate in the garage. At top are the before shots of the NE corner of the garage. Over the years the sill plate rotted. So I replaced the plate with a treated lumber 2X4. Before shot at left.



After demolition, this is what the area looked like. The tools I used were 16 oz hammer, prybar, and reciprocating saw. Cleaned up with a broom and pan and a shop vac.








This is the after picture. I had some trouble putting the new plate in but after some hammer persuasion it went in. I toe nailed the studs to the new plate and added a block at the bottom face nailed to the studs and toe nailed to the plate.

Total time - 3 hours - including a trip to the lumber yard.

shed redo

Our backyard shed must be redone. The trim is rotting and the roof leaks. The problem after demolition is what do do with the left over rock. There is an attached fire pit made of rock and mortar. Also one of the shed walls is made of cinder block. The demo of this won't be fun. The plan is to completely demo the shed and make a bigger one and possibly add a kid-sized playhouse above. Some dimensions thrown around are 10X14. I haven't decided on foundation yet. One idea is to use pre-cast concrete blocks over gravel pier/footings. Another idea is to pour new piers. The 2nd floor will hang from the 1st with 2X6 joists and hangers. The roof will likely be simple gable to match the pitch of the house.

some pictures before move-in day

Wow - this has been too long a project. Above are some photos of the work right before moving in. Move-in was last weekend.

Colorado road trip - first stop

In Aug, 2006 we took a family trip - destination Durango, Colorado. Goldwaithe is about 80 miles outside Austin - this is approximately where officer Grace decided to stop our speeding mini van. I'd been on edge all morning and a bit peeved we'd left so late way off schedule. Of course, my wife Lorraine... well... anyone who is not me, was to blame for all of this.

I'm not sure if it was the mini van packed with kids or if it was the look of disillusionment and desperation on my face but officer Grace gave me a reprieve and gave Sofia - my daughter - a nice career-day-like talk.

This stop eased the tension for the rest of the trip. From that point till Durango, I made good use of cruise control. We feel officer Grace was with us into Colorado - a sort of uniformed guardian angel.