Under our pole barn, which is soon to become the animals’ permanent residence, there was a shed. Which used to be a porch. Which used to be connected to a very old manufactured home. Which we never saw attached to the old home, because the old home was removed and replaced by the new manufactured home in which we currently live, which is in a different location.
Anyway, back to that pole barn. It has a roof and no sides. And an old porch/shed underneath. Or it used to. 
Jeff took down that shed over the weekend. It actually was useful, as we used it for a tool and storage shed. But it was in the way.
In order to close in the pole barn, Jeff needs to grade the ground. Well, that’s not totally true. Being a “level” and “square” sort of guy, he wants to grade it. In one area, where we plan to put a new water storage tank and pressure tank, we do need to level it. But the rest doesn’t have to be level. But like I said, Jeff is a level man and he needs it level.
Which brings me to the point. He took down that shed this weekend. It was hot and he worked hard. Under ordinary circumstances, he would painstakingly remove every nail and salvage as much wood as he could. But the goal was to get it down and out of the way so as to finish the water project and the side walls of the barn.
So he only salvaged about half the wood. Painstakingly removing the nails and all. A good balance of restraint and following instinct, I’d say.
There’s still some stuff to be cleared out from under the pole barn, in preparation for the grading work this coming weekend. One of those things is our truck. The one that got a flat tire last week and is now sporting a spare? Yes, that one. It is now sporting a second flat tire. Yes. Another flat.
After three days of internet research and calling around (hours on the phone, I might add) we have ordered new tires. You see, if you’re going to have to spend around $800 for new tires, you want to make sure you pick the right ones. We’ve been saving up for new tires for over a year. We are also saving up for a canopy on the truck, which I started researching today. A canopy will help tremendously.
You see, in Oregon it rains. Alot. Hauling food around and animal feed and hay and groceries is very difficult without a canopy. I will be very glad to get one. However, it is not a for sure thing. We might decide to wait another year. It would be nice, though, because we are headed to Montana in a few weeks and I don’t know how we’ll pack everything up, safe and sound, when there is no room in the cab due to every spot being taken by a human body.
So. That’s what happened this weekend. Take down shed. Get another flat tire. Research and order tires (which will be in Wednesday). Start researching canopies. How about you?
It goes without saying that we missed the kids all weekend, too.
I know taking that shed down was a LOT of work! We have a building that needs to come down too. It is… slowly, piece by piece as we recycle the wood to build other things. We’d like to have it completely down by fall. Flat tires sound like a familiar occurance too.
I look forward to hearing how your barn comes together. I hope you can find a truck cap!
I think I’m missing the kids too!
.-= Marg´s last blog ..Organic gardening – the soil =-.
Yay! The shed’s down!
What does the barn look like now? Will it still be cleared out by the time we get back? Did Baba take all the shed apart, or did he save half the building for the chicken coop?
How is Paisley doing? We’ve been praying for her.
We got the tank-tops yesterday! They fit perfectly. I love mine.
Thanks!
I love you.
Haniya
.-= Haniya Jenan´s last blog ..Butterflies =-.
Marg – sounds like your husband and Jeff are alot alike.
If it wasn’t for our time crunch, I think Jeff would be saving every piece of that shed! What projects have you done with the building you’re taking down? Did you use some of it for that porch/roof you built recently?
Haniya ~ The barn looks pretty empty! It will probably be cleared out and graded by the time you get back. Right now the truck is in the way, but tomorrow we should have our tires, and can pull it out of there. He didn’t save the building for the chicken coop because it couldn’t be moved, so he had to take it apart. And we don’t know yet how to house the chickens because we want them out in the pastures where the cow is pooping.
Paisley’s eye is much better – the cod liver oil REALLY helped! I’m happy you like your tank tops! Will you take a picture today and send it to me! Love you, sweet Haniya!
Cool! That sounds like you have everything figured out!
How did Paisley do taking the cod liver oil? Did she kick? I’m so glad she’s better!
Of course I will.
Love you, too!
Haniya
.-= Haniya Jenan´s last blog ..Butterflies =-.
Haniya – Paisley didn’t want us to restrain her to put the cod liver oil in her eye, but once Baba held her still and turned her eye up so I could squirt it in, she calmed right down. We think it felt good. And she started getting better so fast, it was amazing! Looking forward to the pictures, sweet girl! Say hi to Mikah and Naomi. We love you all!
That’s awesome. Good girl, Paisley!
Haniya
.-= Haniya Jenan´s last blog ..Butterflies =-.
I LOVE reading the inter-dialogue between you and Haniya! (HI Haniya!) It sounds as if she is there vicariously working with you, and if not that, then reliving every little thing you are doing! Love, Mom
OK, your few days sound like a month in my world. Busy people make a full life, good for you.
By the way, I have a friend that travels with her gear in those plastic, rough-neck-type, tubs with lids. She says her stuff stays very dry.
Hi, Mom! It is neat for me to comment back and forth with Haniya. Kind of feels like real time, its been fun! It will be more fun to have her home, though
Jen ~ You know we’ve been using two of those big totes for a couple years. They’ve made the difference for us in getting through the winters, but we think we’re ready for an upgrade.
Wardeh, yes! We used quite a few boards on the roof. Hubby used some on another part of the barn and I made a compost bin. http://prairiesun.wordpress.com/2009/07/20/organic-gardening-the-soil/ There’s a picture at the link. Nice the boards are already painted.
We have recycled so much around the farm! Some two or three times. It just makes sense. We try to be good stewards with what God gives us. 
.-= Marg´s last blog ..Chicken =-.
Hello, Mama! Why didn’t we keep the shed for a chicken coop? Did you guys decide differently?
Tell Baba I love him and miss him and he looks SO strong.
Love you guys!
Naomi, dear, remember how the ground is not level in the barn? Well, it needs to be level for your dad to put in the water storage tank and finish the building. The shed was in the way and since we couldn’t move it, he had to take it apart. You’re right – he is strong! I’ll tell him you said so. Love you so much!