jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 20, 2019 6:21:27 GMT -5
I am not much for material possessions or having the prettiest house in the neighborhood. I do treasure security and preparing for the future. The fire pit sales are doing most of the funding. I am still healthy enough to work. I needed an escape spot so I bought a 5 acre mountain property in the middle of some rugged territory. I figured me and the wife will get to old to use the stairs so I am adding a wheel chair friendly one level addition to the house. Both locations have been cleared and graded at the same time. Both locations are having concrete slabs poured on them to accept kit steel buildings. Both locations are having ARCO brand steel buildings placed on the slabs with closed cell foam sprayed in for excellent insulation. Both locations will have stud frame dwellings built inside of them. This approach of doing two buildings helps with using the same contractors. Or not using them the 2nd time if they are not good. The steel buildings can be built in a week after slab is finished. They are cheap and require low maintenance. Stud frame dwellings built easily with no concern of rain or in climate weather. The one at the home is arriving October 29. The mountain cabin probably January/Feb. Both have been ordered. Takes 9 weeks for ARCO to build them. So lots of site prep. Especially in the mountains due to steep slopes. Cutting trees, bulldozing, cutting roads, gravel, etc. Hope to set the chain saw down for years to come. Home location. New building will cover up the monstrosity behind it:     The pad graded for the mountain property. Thanks to a big track loader and talented operator.  Cleared spot in front of creek below cabin site.  They kept pushing big trees down the hill. jamesp sawing/piling/burning as fast as his butt can go. Used a small lightweight saw and 23 new chains for maximum cutting speed over a 3 month period. No time to sharpen chains.  Bulldozer restocking burn pile  Last week was installing septic tank/drain field in a difficult spot. Bloody freezing up there   Septic system passed inspection Friday. Sewn in nice and neat. Ready to pour slab.  After all the contractors left I found one more crazy tall mountain pine leaning over the cabin site. Cut it just before dark. Went home.   |
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Post by HankRocks on Oct 20, 2019 7:21:32 GMT -5
Impressive!! Knew you were going to post something big to end your absence from the forum.
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Post by captbob on Oct 20, 2019 7:41:59 GMT -5
So now we know...
All it takes to get James back posting is a tropical storm and probably enough rain to float Noah's Ark and he will find the time to post here while he waits for the mud to dry out.
Been fun watching all this building madness on your Facebook page.
Always amazed, amused and also convinced you do way too much work.
I have read:
A man reaps what he sows.
You are certainly going to reap the benefits of all your hard work.
or... your wife will when you keel over from acting like you are still 25 years old!
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 20, 2019 9:03:49 GMT -5
Absolutely impressive. 
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Post by toiv0 on Oct 20, 2019 9:11:05 GMT -5
Yes sir, what Captbob said.
I have no desire to start a place from scratch again. Got er done!
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Oct 20, 2019 9:16:40 GMT -5
Welcome back, jamesp! You've been missed around here. Knew you were working on the new place, but dang.
It looks great!
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Post by Pat on Oct 20, 2019 10:29:05 GMT -5
jamesp I figured you were up to something! It will be wonderful! A one story home is best when you are older. We have always been in two story homes, which I dearly loved, but now we have moved our bedroom downstairs. Thanks for the update.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 20, 2019 11:54:32 GMT -5
You guys are always on my mind since y'all tend to spoil me.
I suppose I bring some entertainment to the table.
Not sure why I can still work so hard. I guess the farm life has kept me active. Maybe good genes, not sure.
I sure look ragged out in the mirror go figure.
This was a bad experience.
The septic tank man also did the grading a few weeks ago. So I worked with him and his helper for 4 days total then.
The helper Marlon was quiet and meek, looked about 40 and had lived hard.
Well, the septic tank man called Marlon on Tuesday to help with the septic tank job and the helper said he was going to kill himself.
He went by Wednesday because he would not answer the phone or come to the door. Later Wednesday we got a call.
Damn if he did not commit suicide. What a bummer. If you met Marlon you would have hated to hear he did such a thing.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,717 
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Post by Fossilman on Oct 20, 2019 11:56:56 GMT -5
a lot of work, but it's going to be worth it!
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Post by MsAli on Oct 20, 2019 18:51:41 GMT -5
Love watching your progress on this!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 23, 2019 6:56:26 GMT -5
Impressive!! Knew you were going to post something big to end your absence from the forum. Starting to forget the tumbling recipes Henry. Had to go write them down. Do miss tumbling ! Don't miss construction work. |
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Post by HankRocks on Oct 23, 2019 7:12:52 GMT -5
Impressive!! Knew you were going to post something big to end your absence from the forum. Starting to forget the tumbling recipes Henry. Had to go write them down. Do miss tumbling ! Don't miss construction work. Thought about your projects as I drove through Georgia on the way home from Durham NC. Was going to hit the horn a few times but figured a chain saw/ falling tree or heavy equipment running would drown it out!  |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 23, 2019 7:14:54 GMT -5
So now we know... All it takes to get James back posting is a tropical storm and probably enough rain to float Noah's Ark and he will find the time to post here while he waits for the mud to dry out. Been fun watching all this building madness on your Facebook page. Always amazed, amused and also convinced you do way too much work. I have read: A man reaps what he sows. You are certainly going to reap the benefits of all your hard work. or... your wife will when you keel over from acting like you are still 25 years old! Even at our age we can still get it on Captain Bob. Lots of Aleve and in my case pain killers is all it takes lol. This is the last hurrah, add on to home and final vacation home and that's all. Can't wait till it is all finished and done. All this construction is about ready to be turned over to contractors till completion. I just wanted to get the 2 sites prepared. The mountain spot is a get away from... from, well, I'm sure Cris nags you from time to time. he he. Denise hasn't figured out I am building a hideaway. Not having the Lake George getaway for 2 years has been a problem. Plus it was a 7 hour drive, mountains only 2.5 hour drive for more frequent but shorter stays. If younger I swear I would have built a spot in a safe location at Zapata. That would have been the best heaven on earth. Imagine collecting there in leisure. Wish my home was in Houston... |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 23, 2019 7:34:32 GMT -5
Absolutely impressive. Thanks Tela. I ate a chunk out of retirement funds. Too much. Banking on ETSY sales to replenish that. Fire pits still going strong thank God so we are gambling on that income. I believe May 2019 to October 2019 have all been record sales compared to those months in years past. ETSY changes like the seasons. Man it is hard to keep up with that bunch. Now they are on a 'free shipping' campaign if you want to be found in their search. I thought adding freight costs to the listing price would kill my sales but not so. Them rich clients don't seem to care about price. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 23, 2019 7:46:36 GMT -5
Yes sir, what Captbob said. I have no desire to start a place from scratch again. Got er done! 1st building arriving in 5 days toiv0. An erection crew is supposed to have it up in like 5 days. Music to my ears. Last thing I want to do is wrestle with assembling 20,000 pounds of steel. Yea, the mountain project is certainly a 'start from scratch'. But it is a small project. Hope so anyway. This project is being designed with absolutely the lowest maintenance structure. And heavily insulated. No gutters to plug up and long eaves to keep water away. A structure suitable for Toiv, MN or even Alaska. Location is like a ghost town. Very few neighbors. Some on the weekends. Gnarly spot. Loads of wild hogs, bears, turkey. Crazy mountain folks. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 23, 2019 7:54:15 GMT -5
Welcome back, jamesp! You've been missed around here. Knew you were working on the new place, but dang. It looks great!
Chomping at the bit to get back to glass melting/tumbling Robin. Only put a tiny tiny dent in the glass stock. So much more glass left to fuse !! Had to crank up the glass kiln and record the programmed temperature ramps so the magic recipe would not get erased form the kiln computer. Got lots more brick casting tricks up the sleeve. Winter is here, perhaps I can get some melts going in the basement considering it heats the house. Noticed a few of the knappers have started making glass. So far I think I have them out done. But they are improving constantly. Their problem is paying retail prices for this expensive fusible glass. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 23, 2019 8:05:17 GMT -5
a lot of work, but it's going to be worth it! Hated to spend the money at retirement age. But, I never built a 2nd home that did not sell for well more than I spent building it AND costs of using it. Cabins in this location are becoming hot commodity. Much stricter building codes are driving construction costs up rapidly. Hell, it is difficult to drive a concrete/gravel trucks to location on the curvy steep state roads. From Blairsville, closest town and is 20 miles away but most is 30 mph roads IF they don't overheat climbing the steep hills. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 23, 2019 8:13:43 GMT -5
jamesp I figured you were up to something! It will be wonderful! A one story home is best when you are older. We have always been in two story homes, which I dearly loved, but now we have moved our bedroom downstairs. Thanks for the update. In years past a wild adventure, these days only a boring building project Mrs. Pat. Took care of Mom for 6 years and she had to wrestle stairs the whole time. And years prior. Might as well go ahead and prepare now for old age later. Plus we could use the space. Also putting in a large bathroom with wheelchair friendly doors and floor drain. Always liked preparing for the future. Allows more free time and easier living later. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 23, 2019 8:19:13 GMT -5
Love watching your progress on this! I hope I am not keeping you up late at night with my super exciting posts lol. I do miss playing with the glass and sawing up $1000 Murano's ha ha. I did slow down butchering the treasured vases and started melting that ole China made glass probably to your relief. Have you started finding some of those fine California rocks ? I see you hitting the outdoors a lot. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,589
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Post by jamesp on Oct 23, 2019 8:20:20 GMT -5
Starting to forget the tumbling recipes Henry. Had to go write them down. Do miss tumbling ! Don't miss construction work. Thought about your projects as I drove through Georgia on the way home from Durham NC. Was going to hit the horn a few times but figured a chain saw/ falling tree or heavy equipment running would drown it out! Door is open, should have stopped by Henry. You were missed. |
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