The ManShed

What started over a year ago with a dream and a book (with bunch of scribbled notes in the margin) is finally (almost!) complete!

We had to wait for the weather and our budget to cooperate to start this project - but that didn't stop Chris from practically wearing out the "How to build a Shed" book planning his new palace (too MANY hours to even count spent studying and sketching and calculating and compiling lists of materials) - and it took only about a month from start to finish.

It is quite an accomplishment for him.

We had an old metal shed in this corner of the yard. The shed was too small to fit our growing collection of tools and yard equipment plus Chris and DPJ didn't have any area to work on "projects", so we decided to replace it with a bigger better version. We moved the metal carcass of the old shed (basically the top and sides) to the other end of the yard so we had some place to put everything while the new shed was being built. The floor was rotted - which of course during the move I had to find out the hard way by stepping right through a spot in the corner! Funny, didn't realize I could levitate but apparently the thought of what lies under the shed helped me to uncover this hidden ability.

Chris and Seth cleared the ground and leveled it.And built the floor. And then, of course, surprise, surprise: it started to rain..... but that never stops anybody around here..... and it is why we own 50 tarps!

Ray helped get the walls
and trusses up.... It was a long day but very productive.

It was on to siding and windows......

and then the roof, which took the longest due to the steep pitch. Everyone giggles at the pitch (much steeper than necessary) but Chris says, "At least there will be no snow cave ins."




"Um, honey, it doesn't snow THAT MUCH here....." Damn Alaskan! It was funny (but kind of nerve-wracking) to watch him perched up there balanced on 2" of wood nailing shingles. Thankfully a few scuffs and a burnt bald-spot were the only injuries to report.So as of last weekend the roof is done (just the stringers need to come down) and the door is also on so we could put stuff away. We dismantled the old shed completely (which was crazy hard - 17 billion screws - but fun as we WHACKED it into pieces sometimes with a vengence!).

There are still a few finishing touches: gutters, trim, a porch, etc. that need to be done but the yard is put back together enough that we can FINALLY start the garden.

YAH!!! And there you have it: Chris' new spot..... His very own ManShed - soon to be outfitted with a stereo, a lazyboy recliner, a TV and his PlayStation. What..... you didn't think he was going to WORK out there did you?