Monday, April 25, 2011

Rooftop goodness

You all know how long we've been building this run-in/barn/stall thing. Well as of today we are approaching the end. 8 hours we worked on an overhang alone.

My man did most of the work and I just supported him because I am not strong enough to use the riveter.

When we finally got it together, it was too heavy for us to lift so the police officer next door had to help us hang it. (And now that I know how heavy it is, I'm a little nervous standing under it.)

It's up!

The barn is almost finished. We ran into several problems, one of which occured when my man drilled into the barn forgetting that there is a light hanging there. He drilled right through the light casing which was extra expensive because he bought me a waterproof light fixture. Now I intend to patch it using my new pond-patching kit (and skills from patching our goldfish pond three times this spring!).

Here is something that might be new to you barn builders out there. My man is hanging styro-type insulation in the barn. He is using glue that sometimes works, sometimes doesn't, depending on the temperature (we think). He must have thought it was nothing so he did not change out of his work clothes this day. (He's a schoolteacher.)


So my man ordered Super Magnets from Switzerland. The kind that will cut your finger clean off if it gets trapped between the magnet and its goal.

I was too scared to separate the magnets and unwrap the plastic casings but I got over the fear as I saw styro-sheets falling down.

We did it. We hung up one sheet using glue and 9 super magnets! Of course Baasha is not allowed in the stall during this experimental period. But it's not like we have precipitation that my horse needs to avoid. It's uncomfortably hot both inside and outside that stall. And for this Seattleite, 76F is uncomfortable.


This is the reward. I'm able to use my BBQ area again, after 7 months of being a barn-part-storage zone. I rolled it out, hooked up the tank, and cooked some awesome BBQ, woo! The horse blanket hanging on the fence will be getting re-cleaned due to pollen. Frustrating - I had carefully sponged the entire thing last week and now it's yellow and frothy with the result of tree romance.

The sheet of plywood on my man's office will be getting gleefully crushed to bits under my feet as soon as I have the energy. I love having my grill spot back, and my barn parts in place!! At this time of year I see no need to cook anything more complex than a few slabs of meat on that grill. Maybe salad and beverages too.

This photo of our rain barrel is for MrsMom, who has the same pollen problem 5K miles away. I understand now why some people thought it was toxic waste!

6 comments:

Formerly known as Frau said...

Barn looks great....I don't miss that pollen mess or my allergies....but who know's what or when spring will show up here....rainy and cold! BBQ is the best I love when we cook that way...so easy.

Leah Fry said...

The barn looks so good. I showed it to Mr. Fry and he asked if it could withstand the kind of wind we get here. How is it anchored to the ground?

AareneX said...

I love the magnets! Excellent problem-solving.

Pollen. Sigh. We have it here, but it's all soggy so it isn't bothering us much.

WV: schaps
those fringe-y things cowboys wear, only these have an advertisement painted on for some German alcoholic beverage

Dreaming said...

The magnets are a great idea. I hope it all works as planned. Don't you love it when projects near the end? It is such a great feeling.

Our grill is under snow! We just had another fall...almost 3 inches... and still coming down.

I used to live near Mrs. Mom, so I understand the pollen. Everything used to be a sick yellow green. Last year we sold our house. We were worried that the closing would be put off until after the pollen fall and either the people would back out...or we'd have to clean everything!

lytha said...

Frau, I love my bbq so much!

Leah, It could not withstand your wind - Texas, right? No way. We do have some "earth nails" (anchoring thingies) to put in - we're not in any hurry but I would like to get them in eventually.

Aarene, I think the magnet thing did the trick. We'll just install them one by one now, using all the magnets.

Dreaming, I put up a salt lick holder yesterday and finished the light (fixed it) and guess what today it rained so the overhang did its job - Baasha can put his head out and not get wet. And the rain doesn't blow in and waste our bedding.

Achieve1dream said...

Awesome! That looks great. :) I like the magnet idea. It's nice to see someone else use Styrofoam for insulation. Helps with the noise on the tin roof too. :)