It’s Foaling Time
The spring continues to be busy, busy. Dahlia had a very nice little filly yesterday morning. Hiltje is due in 2 weeks. You can see pictures at http://www.tanbarkacres.com.
Meanwhile, the electrician and plumber are digging a trench for the water to the barn. It is taking forever and making a HUGE mess. I am trying to remain patient, but I am getting irritated with them only being here a few hours a day. If they would work through, like the barn builders are, they'd be done now…
The Barn. Days 7,8 – The framing is complete!
 Day 7-8 – Click for larger image |
The sheds are finished and the roof purlins are attached. Framing is done! The builders take off next week as they wait for the metal for the sides and roof get delivered. The new stall doors should be here next week, and I think the electrician and plumber should make some progress (at least I sure hope so. They seem stuck at the moment). The permits are in the hopper. It is all pretty overwhelming.
The Barn. Day 6 – The sheds are started.
 Day 6 – Click for larger image |
The work on the sheds was well underway today. The side closest to the house will have an 8 ft shed (overhang) covering the main horse stalls. The far side has a 12 foot shed, tall enough for me to store the tractor under there as well as things like the bush hog. I am unsure if the builders will be back tomorrow after so many long days. But I think it will be busy with the zoning official and power company rep.
The Barn. Day 5 – The girts are in.
 Day 5 – Click for larger image |
The guys were here another 12 hours today. I think they try to get in long days when they are here since it is such a long drive for them. Anyhow, I am pretty impressed, for sure. Today they got up the girts – the 2×4's which are perpendicular to the posts and supply rigidity and support for the walls. The day ended with the crew digging more holes for the posts that will hold up the sheds (overhangs) on each side. Soon it will be time to order the metal for the sides and roof. Thursday is going to be a big day on the electrical and plumbing fronts. I am working through the paperwork and Thursday representatives from the power company, zoning office (building inspector), and the electrician/plumber will be here. I'll be sweating bullets till the permits are settled. Oh, and the exterior stall doors should be here in about a week!
The Barn. Day 4 – There are the trusses.
 Day 4 – Click for larger image |
The day after the builders stopped last week we had a ferocious storm. The cold front that left 12 people dead in Tennesee headed our way and everyone in my house went down to the basement to hide out and listen to the weather radio. The next morning I was afraid to look outside and see how the barn fared – but there she was, no worse for the wear. Even the new culvert and excavation held up well and I said a silent thank you to the professionals who are building my dream barn.
The nice weather returned Sunday and by today it was lovely, though very cool in the morning. The builders returned for another 11 hour day and got almost all the trusses up. Note that these are odd trusses – open at the bottom like rafters, but closed like trusses at the top triangle. Originally I really wanted rafters but this seemed easier to install, more afforable, and hopefully sturdy. The look is not as clean as all rafters, but it is still a pretty neat design. I think I will like it.
I have an electrician and plumber lined up now and they may start this week. They will only be doing the rough work (I'll finish it off later when time and money permit), but I am happy to be getting this part in place. Hopefully I did not mess the schedule up for the builders. I am a novice at this and I make a lot of mistakes. Fortunately all the people working on the barn have been friendly and kind. I am very lucky.
