The sand trucks are going to start coming in tomorrow morning. I hope I can get to sleep tonight! The sand is for the leach field (septic system) and a huge part of this project. Well, honestly, everything seems like a huge part of this house building project. If u are out my way...bring cold water, we will need it. lol
5 trucks with four loads each will start arriving at 8am tomorrow. That is just tomorrows load. Whew.
Probably going to need 800 yards total. Let's all pray that that is all we need.
20 yards per truck. 400 yards tomorrow. At $11.00 a yard plus 8%tax. To be paid at end of each day.
From the folks who would deliver on my Hill, prices came in (plus 8% tax) at 16.50, 13.00 a ton, 12.00, 11.90 with no tax (sign capital improvement paper), and the winner at 11.00 a yard.
I am almost sick to my stomach. As super excited I am, I am also very nervous. It is a ton of money all at once! I like things spread out....like 10 dollars here, 5 dollars there. lol
County came back out today and was so nice. He said I could leave it the way it is (that Sammy staked already) or move it 15 feet. Sammy and I agreed to split the difference.
Sammy had chosen the most perfect spot that was very level. County thought if we went into the knoll more we would save on the fill for over the pipe from the septic tank to the field. So the way it is staked now works great on its own, but we may be able to maximize the fill for later by tightening it up closer to the knoll now. County, Sammy, and me all agree it is probably 6 of one a half dozen of the other.
Wish me luck. I should bring my respirator, at least dust masks for tomorrow. I bought some of the medical kind as they are flatter and don't fog up my glasses as much as the contractor type do.
I will be chipping branches while Smiley is excavating and the truckers are coming in and out.
Me with Rory
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Sammy swears he is coming this Friday and Saturday to cut trees. He said maybe Thursday, but definitely Friday. Yahoo!!!!
I told him I want to get the sand leach field in this coming week, so that it will happen while bro is here to help me. Even if it is to check specifications, etc., or see how many truck loads really arrive, whatever.
If he is able to help out that will be great. I still would like him to cut more hardwood and red pines and some small white pines.
1. Leach field and roadway should be cut down first. Building site last.
2. Leach field tree stumps should be cut flush to ground.
3. Roadway tree stumps should be cut flush to ground for vehicle to drive over (or pulled).
4. Anything tagged with an orange tape is to be cut down.
If it is hardwood, it needs to be cut into stove lengths.
If it is red pine it should be topped and de-branched.
1. Any small white pines (too small for lumber) with a yellow ribbon should be cut down into stove lengths.
The leach field is now 100 x 60 and is perpendicular to Rt 32. I have placed red flags at approximate corners.
We still need area around leach field for heavy equipment access and for Health Dept. request to allow sun and wind to get at leach field for evaporation. This means no shade over leach field.
We have to use our best judgement as to whether some additional trees need to go. We do need room for 10’ high by 8’ wide dump trucks to get in and dump. This means raising the dump box. They must be on level ground to dump.
As for building site, we need truck access to deliver logs/materials, staging area for logs and other equipment, materials, and possible shed.
The most current deal I have with Sammy (since it has changed a few times) is: I am paying him by the hour and Saw Mill is paying me for the logs. Sammy and he are working out transport since apparently one hires a logging truck separate for this. I suggested Logger friend, but Sammy says Logger hires the transport truck, too. The transport guy/truck is someone the sawmill guy uses. Too many and too big for Sammy to trailer. So that is how it stands right now.
BIL cut down two huge red pines yesterday. The sky opened up and we got soaked before the second one got topped.
Had to get another gallon of bar oil ready to go. Get those chainsaws sharpened.
I told him I want to get the sand leach field in this coming week, so that it will happen while bro is here to help me. Even if it is to check specifications, etc., or see how many truck loads really arrive, whatever.
If he is able to help out that will be great. I still would like him to cut more hardwood and red pines and some small white pines.
1. Leach field and roadway should be cut down first. Building site last.
2. Leach field tree stumps should be cut flush to ground.
3. Roadway tree stumps should be cut flush to ground for vehicle to drive over (or pulled).
4. Anything tagged with an orange tape is to be cut down.
If it is hardwood, it needs to be cut into stove lengths.
If it is red pine it should be topped and de-branched.
1. Any small white pines (too small for lumber) with a yellow ribbon should be cut down into stove lengths.
The leach field is now 100 x 60 and is perpendicular to Rt 32. I have placed red flags at approximate corners.
We still need area around leach field for heavy equipment access and for Health Dept. request to allow sun and wind to get at leach field for evaporation. This means no shade over leach field.
We have to use our best judgement as to whether some additional trees need to go. We do need room for 10’ high by 8’ wide dump trucks to get in and dump. This means raising the dump box. They must be on level ground to dump.
As for building site, we need truck access to deliver logs/materials, staging area for logs and other equipment, materials, and possible shed.
The most current deal I have with Sammy (since it has changed a few times) is: I am paying him by the hour and Saw Mill is paying me for the logs. Sammy and he are working out transport since apparently one hires a logging truck separate for this. I suggested Logger friend, but Sammy says Logger hires the transport truck, too. The transport guy/truck is someone the sawmill guy uses. Too many and too big for Sammy to trailer. So that is how it stands right now.
BIL cut down two huge red pines yesterday. The sky opened up and we got soaked before the second one got topped.
Had to get another gallon of bar oil ready to go. Get those chainsaws sharpened.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Pieces of log
One of the neighbors came by last night to see what white pine I was giving him. He is going to come in and get some of the cut up logs out of there for me. I have so much wood all cut up and ready for an outdoor wood burning stove. Thank goodness I finally found someone who wants it.
Last year an old timer came by and asked me about the wood. He said he could use it in his garage stove. I didn't know yet what I was going to do with it so I passed, but this year I went by to see him and he said he won't need it anymore.
I tried BIL figuring he knew people, but he said no. I asked the guy who lives in the garage and the boyfriend of his neighbor. I asked around, swearing I asked the other neighbor already.
Nope, I guess not. So finally I asked and whala! They want it. I am so glad because I hate to see it sit and rot around the perimeter of my property.
He was going to come up the hill this morning before he goes away for the weekend and get the few dead logs and fresh cut ones out of the work areas. Then he'll come back another day for some more.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Update
BIL came out and chainsawed some trees and I, of course being the worker...hauled them into the appropriate piles. He is going to come out again tomorrow or Wed to hopefully finish up this round.
Big news is that the County came out today to meet up with Sammy and me to discuss the leach field. He and Sammy measured the wooded area and came up with a new plan. It is a little better than what was first expected. It is still going to be 4' deep of septic sand, but it is going to be a little smaller than before. Yahoo! Every foot smaller perimeter is a few hundred/thousand dollars less!
Sammy said the local saw mill will pay for pine right now. He said everyone is looking for it right now! Yahoo! 'Cause a while back no logger was paying for white pine. I am soooo glad that the sawmill wants it for money. I will be paying Sammy for labor to get these babies out of the woods, but it is supposed to be less cost than what I will be receiving back from the mill.
As long as it doesn't cost me anything, I am happy. And if I make something on it... A LOT of something $$$$$, then so much the better because I need money for the septic sand.
County says the sand only costs 2 or 3 dollars a yard, but it is the trucking that costs so much.
I wonder how many pick up truck loads I would have to make to get enough sand to make the leach field. I would have to start now and if I shoveled it off...I would be working on it 'til Kingdom Come.
I better let the dump trucks, excavators, and bulldozers do it.
I am getting excited to think I might actually get the sand field in before Bro gets here from his trip to Maine. That is my goal. I think it will be a nice surprise for him.
Big news is that the County came out today to meet up with Sammy and me to discuss the leach field. He and Sammy measured the wooded area and came up with a new plan. It is a little better than what was first expected. It is still going to be 4' deep of septic sand, but it is going to be a little smaller than before. Yahoo! Every foot smaller perimeter is a few hundred/thousand dollars less!
Sammy said the local saw mill will pay for pine right now. He said everyone is looking for it right now! Yahoo! 'Cause a while back no logger was paying for white pine. I am soooo glad that the sawmill wants it for money. I will be paying Sammy for labor to get these babies out of the woods, but it is supposed to be less cost than what I will be receiving back from the mill.
As long as it doesn't cost me anything, I am happy. And if I make something on it... A LOT of something $$$$$, then so much the better because I need money for the septic sand.
County says the sand only costs 2 or 3 dollars a yard, but it is the trucking that costs so much.
I wonder how many pick up truck loads I would have to make to get enough sand to make the leach field. I would have to start now and if I shoveled it off...I would be working on it 'til Kingdom Come.
I better let the dump trucks, excavators, and bulldozers do it.
I am getting excited to think I might actually get the sand field in before Bro gets here from his trip to Maine. That is my goal. I think it will be a nice surprise for him.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Oh My...
I just spoke with the nicest man from Appalachian Log Homes. They are in Nashville Tennessee. Lord I wish he was here so I could meet him.
I called to ask if I can use a log preservative now while the logs are still drying. Now that I am peeling all these logs I want to make sure that they don't get ruined by my wrong doing in storage, etc. This guy told me what to do about everything. Yeah for nice people.
When he said to go to a salvage yard to get some old tin rooging, I knew I was in love. He must know me psychically or something. As it happens we saved all the tin roofing from my Mother's house when the contractor replaced it with new.
I will be off to the farm to drag it all up to Cope. H. to cover my peeled logs. He also told be about putting spacers (dryer sticks in the trade) in between the logs and they I can stack another row.
He also directed me away from a preservative until the logs are dryer.
I called to ask if I can use a log preservative now while the logs are still drying. Now that I am peeling all these logs I want to make sure that they don't get ruined by my wrong doing in storage, etc. This guy told me what to do about everything. Yeah for nice people.
When he said to go to a salvage yard to get some old tin rooging, I knew I was in love. He must know me psychically or something. As it happens we saved all the tin roofing from my Mother's house when the contractor replaced it with new.
I will be off to the farm to drag it all up to Cope. H. to cover my peeled logs. He also told be about putting spacers (dryer sticks in the trade) in between the logs and they I can stack another row.
He also directed me away from a preservative until the logs are dryer.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Timberrrrrrr
We began really making some headway in getting trees down. It is unfortunate we have to take down as many trees as we have to, but I am glad it is all working out great. We are using all the hardwood, or will be, as firewood since I'll be heating with wood. Hopefully all of the red pine will be used in the house construction itself. Most all the huge white pines will be going to a saw mill.
I am getting over the shock of tree felling as much as possible. My original romantic idealism of being in the woods is turning into realistic stuff now. I mean the idea of living in the woods is to live in the woods. But first you have the county issues for the leach field whereas they want a huge leach field and then they want a clear perimeter around the field in order for the sun and wind to get at it and keep it dry.
Next, is the issue of the house. Well, it all seems well and good to build in between the trees, but you have to take some down for the house itself, and then some more for the driveway, and then some for the walkway, and then of course you have to take some more down to get huge trucks up next to the house to deliver shingles, logs, windows, concrete...things like that.
Then, you need a staging area, or several staging areas for things like placing the logs while you build with them, work area, eating areas, etc.
And lastly, who wants some 80' tree falling on their house? Not me. So, a few more have to come down.
A friend of mine said, "I don't know much about white pines 'cept they grow really big and then they fall down."
Well, friend, that sums up the matter.
I am getting over the shock of tree felling as much as possible. My original romantic idealism of being in the woods is turning into realistic stuff now. I mean the idea of living in the woods is to live in the woods. But first you have the county issues for the leach field whereas they want a huge leach field and then they want a clear perimeter around the field in order for the sun and wind to get at it and keep it dry.
Next, is the issue of the house. Well, it all seems well and good to build in between the trees, but you have to take some down for the house itself, and then some more for the driveway, and then some for the walkway, and then of course you have to take some more down to get huge trucks up next to the house to deliver shingles, logs, windows, concrete...things like that.
Then, you need a staging area, or several staging areas for things like placing the logs while you build with them, work area, eating areas, etc.
And lastly, who wants some 80' tree falling on their house? Not me. So, a few more have to come down.
A friend of mine said, "I don't know much about white pines 'cept they grow really big and then they fall down."
Well, friend, that sums up the matter.
Peeling away
I am glad the peeling is going so well. It is easier to do when the tree is freshly cut. It is for this reason we only took down a manageable amount this time. I am almost finished with this load. Then I will start peeling standing trees until we are able to get them cut down. I can't think of the numbers I will need in total or else I would be too overwhelmed...5 tall porch posts, 2 for bottom of porch stairs, 2 wall ties, 10 or so ceiling beams, rafters...
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dang ticks
You know I curse those things. I once was a free spirit in the woods, running about in my tank top and shorts. Lyme disease changed all of that. When I got infected, my free-to-dress-as-I-please life changed. Now I am an overdressed woodsman, ready to pass out from the heat.
Bro and I have to overdress for the temperature while we clear the land, which makes it doubly hard to do the work. It was like 80 the other day and there we are in long sleeves and me with my pants tucked into my socks to keep ticks out.
I didn't know what time of year those suckers came out, but I wasn't taking any chances.
I began doing the tick checks as soon as the snow was almost all melted. Never soon enough in my book.
Well, last night, barely into April, I found one attached to my chest area. Yikes! Once removed, which I do have to admit I still never remove properly, I took a shower and cleaned my wound. I hate them.
BTW, I had no regrets drowning it and I hope it suffered all the way down the bathroom drain.
Bro and I have to overdress for the temperature while we clear the land, which makes it doubly hard to do the work. It was like 80 the other day and there we are in long sleeves and me with my pants tucked into my socks to keep ticks out.
I didn't know what time of year those suckers came out, but I wasn't taking any chances.
I began doing the tick checks as soon as the snow was almost all melted. Never soon enough in my book.
Well, last night, barely into April, I found one attached to my chest area. Yikes! Once removed, which I do have to admit I still never remove properly, I took a shower and cleaned my wound. I hate them.
BTW, I had no regrets drowning it and I hope it suffered all the way down the bathroom drain.
Clearing
Bro is home and playing with his chainsaw. He is cutting away while I am clearing all the tons of logs and branches. Wow. You can't really grasp how much a tree can cover the ground when it is all cut up and laying on it. One average size tree can be four wheelbarrowfuls of logs and many armfuls of branches.
Bro, being an engineer, had to make a road first. This entailed selecting which area of the new forest (old goat field) to debranch in order to open up a roadway without cutting any trees.
He even found a grassy area in the woods for a turnaround spot. Now this road is an access road to take logs for dumping. I need to get all the tree parts as far away from the leach field as possible so the heavy equipment can get in and do their thing.
I worked on breaking down the old goat fence, barbed wire and fence posts in the roadway. I need to drive my truck right where the fence is/was.
That was a chore not only dealing with barbed wire, but just locating the fence since most of it is now part of the forest floor.
Then there is the disposing of all the rusted metal. Bro suggested leaving it all in one of the holes for the perk test. I did. lol
Bro, being an engineer, had to make a road first. This entailed selecting which area of the new forest (old goat field) to debranch in order to open up a roadway without cutting any trees.
He even found a grassy area in the woods for a turnaround spot. Now this road is an access road to take logs for dumping. I need to get all the tree parts as far away from the leach field as possible so the heavy equipment can get in and do their thing.
I worked on breaking down the old goat fence, barbed wire and fence posts in the roadway. I need to drive my truck right where the fence is/was.
That was a chore not only dealing with barbed wire, but just locating the fence since most of it is now part of the forest floor.
Then there is the disposing of all the rusted metal. Bro suggested leaving it all in one of the holes for the perk test. I did. lol
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Award
The biggest news is that I will be getting my award from school on Saturday. I am so excited! The Eliza Grace Whipple Communications Graduate Award for Commitment and Creativity. Wow! It makes me feel as though I really did the right thing by, not only choosing the perfect school and program, but also by sticking with my final project until I was truly satisfied...well okay, obsessive me really would have liked to work on it another year –– lol –––but I had to stop and get outside for fresh air. lol
I am so thankful to my school and to my department for the award. Just the fact they are so supportive means more than I can ever say.
I am so thankful to my school and to my department for the award. Just the fact they are so supportive means more than I can ever say.
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