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68K views 410 replies 55 participants last post by  NateMeadows 
#1 ·
Power Poles

Ok, first let me say Thank You! again to all of you Lumber Jocks for your kindness and encouragement! You guys are amazing! I don't know how else to put it, you are truly amazing. You have all touched my life.

So things here are busy. We are preparing to upgrade our electrical service to 400amps. I know there is a deep divide among the "overkill" and "sufficient" camps. Let me just get it out there that I am a believer in always preparing for the future. It is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. That being said. I did allot of homework…allot. There is a ton of power going out here. My wife has her glass shop, I have my woodshop, eventually we will have a metal shop, a lathe studio and a CNC studio (Lord willing:), thats the dream anyway). It is essential that, in the future, Theresa can use any tool or kiln in her shop, I can use any combination of tools in my shop (air compressor, dust collector and any machine) along with my sons also working on any tool or in the metal shop doing their project all while the laundry may be going in the house.

Ok, moving on. Unlike the relatively clean process of building new, working with existing construction presents all kinds of issues. Things are never in the right place:).

We worked with our local power company move two power poles that serve our property. We had to move the primary for several reasons. New codes prohibit overhead lines going over metal roofs; also the old pole is leaning dangerously towards our master bedroom:).

Our Old Pole

The second pole to be moved took some serious negotiation. It is located halfway down the driveway. The power company wanted to keep it there and have this weird zig zag formation that lead the power right through my maple tree. Because the phone company has their lines attached to the pole as well, the power company wanted to charge us $750-$1000 to move it. I contacted the phone company and they said I could just bury the phone line, which would eliminate joint owner ship of the pole. Awesomely, the power company then agreed to move the pole for free.

400amp Power Upgrade 3

400amp Power Upgrade 2

400amp Power Upgrade 1

400amp Power Upgrade

Now the new line is straight and will be away from the driveway.

More to follow….
 
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#141 ·
More and More Dirt

Life is never, ever dull! Yes, it probably is getting dull reading these posts…sorry…I am doing my absolute best to get this thing hammered out! I am a perfectionist though so you will have to bare with me!

So yes, more trench needed widening and cleaning!

Gophers View

Grass View

The Over Head

The lines from the Main Panel to the Ag Well as well as to the "New House Well" were the focus this time. I also had to cut the existing overhead power to the Ag Well down so I could install a new post and get in and install a faucet.

Ag Well, House, Pool & Barn

New Post

Post and Box

I mimicked the same set up at the "New House Well." However the faucet that sits on the opposite corner of the power post runs off the Ag well. The "New House Well" is currently inactive and I didn't want to install a faucet that I could not use! (More pictures of that to follow)

The New House Well

Same Set

The nice thing with this stretch of trench is that I was able to borrow my fathers tractor and use the front loader and dig out the majority of the dirt with it. (He doesn't own a backhoe) My digging hours have significantly receded since the days have gotten so hot. My body does not tolerate extreme heat. It can trigger terrible migraines and vision loss. So I have been getting up super early to work in the cool hours of the AM whenever I can!

Final Trench

This is the final trench…I hope!:)

Final Trench

I had to add a short 5 foot section onto it for a lamp post that is running in the same trench! It turned out to be the hardest soil I have had yet!

Hardest Soil Yet!

Lamp Post Trench

The final step was to install the Pool/Mid Drive 50 Amp Box. I had to dig a hole for the pier tube form. Then build the post with the box and conduit on it first before I poured the concrete so that the conduit could then be incased in the concrete and not be forced to go around it.

Post Hole Digger

Form Tube

Pre Planting

Once it was up and dry, I was free to run that line out to it. I ran Aluminum 2/0 direct bury all 200 plus feet out to the box. As you can see, I had some help.

From the Wire

My Helpers

It Get Heavy

#2 Cable Pull

I wasn't able to get the line in the ground before night fell and pushed us in doors, so…

More pictures to follow!!
 
#169 ·
Back To It

Now where was I?

O yes, I did get that large cable in the trench finally. Alas, when your wife is helping you pull and lift heavy cable she does not want you to pause while she stands there gripping it, as you pull out your phone for a photo update. So, I did not get any pictures of that particular adventure…but trust me when I tell you…it was ALLOT of fun!:) No really, it was, I just had to make you smile.

Anyway, with that particular line done I had to move on to the next water issue…in order to move onto the next electrical issue. I had to cut into the 2in Ag. line to run a faucet out in front of my wife's glass shop window, which is also by the "New House Well." You may ask why not just use that well, but it is currently off line. It needs to have the pipe walls descaled, a new pump put in, and of course all new wiring. Plus I wanted this faucet to come off the Ag. Well. This particular junction was a pain! The slip joint I got was very cheap and leaked. Then somehow, I messed up on the T when gluing the next set so it leaked. I finally cut everything out and put in brand new pipe in two directions.



I finally got the faucet up and in!



But when I when to tie the full line into the main, there was another surprise, and not a good one. This slip joint also leaked! I finally went to my supplier, I very nice guy by the way and told him he had to get me a better joint! The cheap China built stuff was killing me. We took them both apart, both seals were good, and I was not putting undo side pressure on the joint itself. Just whenever my Ag Well kicked on and pressurized the system, they leaked. I would even left it pressurized overnight to see if that would work it out. NOPE. Worst part was that this location was the lowest spot, so I had to let it drain there before working again!



So after a week of wrestling this issue, I finally got it together and squared away!



With that done I could move onto the electrical line that feeds the "New House Well." However, when I came out a few mornings later to work, I found the trench had collapsed. JOY, more digging! I am a self proclaimed digging expert. Really though, I don't mind digging. It is great exercise and there is something hypnotic about the fluid motion of it, that is if you work it such a self paced manner. One cannot be a speed sprinting digger for to long.



I put up the new post. I chose to put the panel on the outside again because I really like being able to access the breakers immediately. One could argue it is cleaner appearing keeping the panel in the well house, and that may be, but I do not want to have to access the well house to get to the breakers, or to any outlets that I can conveniently place on the post.



Thats it for this now run…but there is plenty more to follow…

Nate
 
#182 ·
Gas, Gas, Gas! And More Power

After nearly four…maybe five months, I finally got our propane hooked back up. Well, thats a lie, I had an awesome friend how hooked it up while I tagged behind and handed him tools or taped or whatever. I did run the section under the house but thats like 17 feet!



Of course it wouldn't be a project if it didn't require more digging:)



But it is finally hooked up and my wife has a stove! And I have peace of mind and peace in the house…well I did:).



With the gas hooked up I could move on to other wiring. But as I found out, Black Widows had taken up residence in my trenches. I swear their webs are there and next time I will get a photo of the spider herself! But for now, if you look closely here you can see the webs. They suck to walk through and yes, I have been bitten, on the cheek and it isn't fun…though it did diminish my fear of them some. I fear wasps much worse!

Anyway! The webs are there and I had to clear them first before pulling wire through them!





What a day! First Spiders, then I wound up 15 feet short of the 10/3 Direct Bury wire to the end of the other Driveway!



It was only 110ft I am not sure how I miscalculated it? I think I forgot to factor in the rise at both ends!



I did not yet have a Under Ground Splice kit so I went back to the box to connect that end to the breaker. I can tell you Stripping 10/3 UF (Direct Burial Cable) is…work. But I am glad for that. Why? Because if I have to work at it, then so will the rocks that live in the ground!



It is so time consuming, or rather, I am such a perfectionist and so careful not to hit any of the wires that it took me until dusk to get the wire stripped!



Thank you again for following along!

You all are great!

So much more to follow…

Nate
 
#183 ·
rollin , rollin tumbleweed…...i feel like there should be a picture of you riding up on a horse, with a 10 gallon hat on….sayin something like, come on boys, we got more wire to run…..i love your german shepard in the back ground, beautiful dog, whats its name…and is he doing well at security, or does he wag his tail when you present him with a treat…lol..great blogs, greta pictures…you done real good….real good.
 
#191 ·
1st Ground

(So we are still here in the hospital. She is doing better. Was able to get up and take a shower but her pain spiked afterward. Doctor wants her to try to drink some broth for lunch. We will see how that goes. She hasn't had any food or anything since Thursday! I hate that feeling of watching someone you care about suffer and there is nothing you can do…all you want to do is reach out and take the pain away but you sit there, feeling utterly helpless!)

But, anyway, back to the electricity!:). It is a great feeling to put in the first ground rod! It sends out a impression of finality! I ran #6 wire from the "Pool 50 Amp Panel" down through 1/2inch conduit to a 1/2inch by 8foot long ground rod.



Thankfully I had the Dewalt 1-9/16 Demolition/Hammer Drill to help me get it in. It hits with 8lbs of force per cycle and has a 12amp motor. It pushed the ground rod down in roughly 30 seconds.





(A small note, the single gang box mounted to the rail road tie behind the ground rod hold the power to driveway lights that will eventually be mounted to block pillars. The rail road tie will be removed and the power permanently placed. For now, I just ran it there since I had the earth opened up!)







A few mornings later I came out to work, and I couldn't help but stop and wonder. I have never seen a double rainbow before and I could not help but share it! Yes, there is two oak burls waiting for me to cut up in the field, that has also been waiting all season to be cut. But you can see some of the fencing where I got the posts for my shop floor. (I have been told that some where put in as far back as the 1920's)





Thank you again for reading….

Much, Much more to follow….

Nate
 
#192 ·
You are really staying hard at it, and you'll see your dreams come true soon now that this project is this far. And, more importantly, I am extremely sorry for your wife's suffering and she is in my prayers each day as she recovers. Please, Dear God, let her return to a full healthy life and enjoy the fruits of the efforts that Nate and his friends have continuly put forth.
 
#205 ·
More Wire-More Room

Update- My beautiful wife has been moved to the ICU! I cannot adequately describe the feeling that resided within me, watching hordes of nurses scramble around my soul mate while all I could do was answer a few questions. One minute she was ok, the next she wasn't. I don't know what else to say! I think I am going to go mad sitting here waiting to hear any news, replaying those terrible images in my head!

Another Update- I am sitting here in the ICU with her. She is hooked up to stuff, to which I am all familiar. Earlier, her fever spiked from 98 to 103 in less than three minutes, pushing her into shock. Once they controlled the fever they were able to stabilize her. The docs think an infection has set in inside her belly, which is, I think has been the cause of her headaches the last few days! I am so tired, but cannot sleep. Life is but a vapor! Its is not like she is dying, but it sure looked that way today!

She is getting Antibiotics and bags of fluid and meds…

All I can think to do to distract myself writing!

Being that every building is getting new power, and all three wells are getting a 50 Amp Panel, plus the "Pool Panel" is 50 Amps, and then there is the Flag Pole Lights, the Three Drive Way Lights, and then the various yard lights and 4 way switches that go between barn, shop and house….there is in summery allot of wire. I just needed more room for the wire coming into the house. So I widened the trench! I had to be careful, because about a foot under me was the new well line that feeds the house.



The dirt had to go somewhere!



So I had to dig it out, through it up, climb out, fill the bucket, carry the bucket across the trenches and dump it so it would be out of my way. It was allot of work, especially in the 90s of heat. I really had to watch what I was doing as those are days I can really cause my headaches to spike and my vision to fluctuate. So by pacing myself, I get through it!



With that done, I had to wait until I could get some sand to place on top of the large wires that fed the main panels so that I could then run the minor wires. I moved on to finishing the main driveway circuit. Since this 10/3 wire will feed both driveway lights and a driveway gate, both of which are not anywhere with in the near (6month) future, I set up a temporary end. I ran it up the rail road post and gave myself plenty of extra so when the time comes I could place it where I wanted for the lights and gate! (The lights will be on top of block pillars…hopefully!)



The trench in the background heading to the power pole will eventually contain our telecommunication lines. I still, to the current day, have to finish digging the trench…Yeah! More digging! But at least that trench doesn't have to be more than 18in. In fact it cannot be, there is county fiberoptics under there.





With that done, It was time for sand! But that was quite a day indeed!

I took my family out to brunch, and on the way back out to the car my oldest says, "Um, Dad, look at your feet!"



As you can see I was wearing too different shoes from two different pairs. What can I say??? It was one of those days! Living with a brain injury can be comical. I had no idea I had put on two different shoes until then. I was rather embarrassed and humiliated. But then I realized you have to just laugh it off. I do stuff like this all the time, its part of the TBI. I can't waste my time getting all twisted up, I wouldn't get anywhere! I gotta learn to laugh at myself, and what better way to start then to post it at flickr and here:). But hey at least I got my socks the same!

Moving on! I got the 9 bags of fine play sand and covered this section of 4/0 and 1/0 cable.



Thankfully the trench to the barn was cut with a backhoe so I had plenty of room and I did not have to immediately have to lay sand! There are a total of 12 circuits that run from the Barn/Glass Shop back to the house. They are all 4-way circuits. All are on 10/3 wire with 14/2 wire accompanying them for the pilot light except for the one that powers the relay in control of the barn lights. That particular circuit only needs 4 amps so it only needed 14/3 with 14/2 accompaniment.

It looks crazy I know. I have been heckled for it quit a bit, just like I do for putting a "Sistine Chapel Floor" in my wood shop but I keep this quote from George Carlin strongly set in my mind! "Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music." Most, if not all, of my friends here not only hear the music I am referring to, but tend to add a harmony to it that is all there own. But I feel I have to say it anyway, rest assured, hang in there, all of this will all come together to make sense in the end…I hope:)!

So anyway, just one run from switch box to the junction box in the house, is roughly 150 feet. I had to use 10/3 because some of the circuits extended over 300feet.



And yes, that is 4/0 aluminum you see coming out of the 100Amp box there. I had to use such large wire because that run was so long and the voltage drop was to great!



Now the 10/3 wire lay on top of the large conductors without worry of damage from compression when everything is filled in!



And snake around!



To get back to the house! I had to pass them under the same concrete walkway that the water was feed under!



Three down, 18-10/3 to go and 21-14/2 (I know I said 12 circuits go to the barn but I haven't mentioned the others yet!:)

Thanks for reading!

As always…more and more to follow…

Nate
 
#220 ·
More 4-Way Wire

First another Update- Let me say- Thank you to everyone for there kindness and support! You all are so awesome!!!

Yesterday and last night were so very long. They did find a bacteria in Theresa's blood and moved her to the ICU on a code. Once she was stabilized they moved her back to the floor yesterday afternoon, hooked up to antibiotics and potassium. Then last night, they called a code again because the bacteria acted out, again! It is the worst feeling in the world to stand there and watch your partner deteriorate!!!! Good news they were able to stabilize her and then monitored her all night. This morning, they gave more antibiotics and more potassium and pain medication. It is a matter of the antibiotics winning the battle over the bacteria. The doctors say it takes a minimum of three days! Caffeine and the Grace of God, and blogging to you all is the only way I could do this!



My family and have come to visit and have left their "love in color!"



So I continued to add to the 4 way circuits.







The boxes on top of the switch boxes will hold the pilot lights for each circuit. Since they are in the barn, they have to have exterior switch covers on them, thus the extra box was needed for the pilot light. I could have put in a tiny LED in the corner, but I hate cramming things in if I do not have too. The pilot is important because each switch controls outside lights, and it will be way to easy to leave them on during the day without knowing it. The pilot light lets us know, hey, your wasting energy!



I actually had to make the trench just a bit bigger to fit all the circuits…of course that meant more digging!





The switches on the far left control all the lights in the barn, with the exception of the one on the far right of the line. That switch is a 4-way that goes to a relay, controlling the two circuits providing power to all the lights in the barn. That way, should one get to the house and realize the lights in the barn are on, all one needs to do is hit the "master" relay switch and all the lights in the barn go out!



Ok, I was getting way to confused…so I had to post my plans!!





With all the switch boxes mounted, I could run the 10/3 wire!



Don't worry, I take out the trash!:)



As you can tell from the previous photo, the backhoe trench was quickly getting filled with wire. Once I finished running all the 10/3 wire, I put a layer of fine sand over it to protect it since the 14/2 was the next set to go on. I was able to use my fathers dump trailer to get the 10 tons of sand, but because of the trenches I could not dump it close. Therefore I had to use buckets to transfer the sand to the trench. It was a great work out. Again, it was all about balance, in more than one way!







I put about an 1 to 1.5 inches of sand on the 10/3 wires.



Thank you for tagging along…

Hang in there…More to follow…

Nate
 
#221 ·
God is listening
and helping
both you and theresa

prayers continue
for you both
and the doc's and nurses
in this duty

the wireing looks good
i hope you get back to the shop and floor soon

before you get snagged by the local builders
to do their electrical work lol
 
#230 ·
So Many Wires

Another update, Theresa is still in the hospital and I am still sitting here beside her. Last night was so long! Today I called my mother-in-law to come and sit with her while I laid down on the floor beside T so I could catch up on my sleep; otherwise I was headed for a terrible migraine. She is doing better this evening. She was able to eat some but needed a shot for nausea. She needs more IV antibiotics tomorrow and then she can switch to oral ones.

Comfort Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood


So, I mentioned that there are a total of 22 circuits that enter the house, 19 of which are controled 4 way switches. There is the 12 from the Barn/Glass Shop which control various lights outside, from lamp posts, all the lights that go on the side of the barn, and the "master" relay for the Barn Lights. There are 8 that go to the Woodshop, or rather travel through the Woodshop. They control the lights that go to the garden, as well as the lights that go around the Woodshop. There is one three way circuit that goes to lights that will be on the laundry line. There are actually a few more…but I will get to those later.



To get all the 10/3 wires under the concrete, I divided them between three different conduits. Mostly because it was easier to deal with them and should the terrible day occur that I have to get to them to splice or repair them! Getting all of the into the house was a different matter entirely. I am usually the first to say, "Take it slow, do it right." For some reason on this day I got bit with the "hurry up" bug and tried to shove all 20 plus of these runs through a 3in conduit sweep at one time without sorting them out. Obviously it did not work! On no level did it even look like a good idea. I have no idea what I was thinking!













After figuring out, "DuH! thats not gonna work!", I came to my senses and went back to the basics. I laid out each line and taped them together.





Unfortunately I wrestled so long the "wrong" way with these wires that the sun decided it was done giving me enough of its time! He quickly started to go behind the mountains!





The next day, once I got every set wired together, I decided to wrestle the cable through the 3 inch sweep by myself! It took me two hours, even using electricians lube. I was so tired after getting it in. I went in and laid down on the floor in the living room and passed out!









I finally got it where I needed it!



The fun part is unwrapping all the electrical tape. Its a good thing that a log 10 rolls is about $4. I am pretty sure I used all 10 rolls too. (I know there are electricians out there just shaking there heads! :) )





Thanks for reading…

More to follow…

Nate
 

Attachments

#231 ·
So Many Wires

Another update, Theresa is still in the hospital and I am still sitting here beside her. Last night was so long! Today I called my mother-in-law to come and sit with her while I laid down on the floor beside T so I could catch up on my sleep; otherwise I was headed for a terrible migraine. She is doing better this evening. She was able to eat some but needed a shot for nausea. She needs more IV antibiotics tomorrow and then she can switch to oral ones.

Comfort Wood Floor Flooring Hardwood


So, I mentioned that there are a total of 22 circuits that enter the house, 19 of which are controled 4 way switches. There is the 12 from the Barn/Glass Shop which control various lights outside, from lamp posts, all the lights that go on the side of the barn, and the "master" relay for the Barn Lights. There are 8 that go to the Woodshop, or rather travel through the Woodshop. They control the lights that go to the garden, as well as the lights that go around the Woodshop. There is one three way circuit that goes to lights that will be on the laundry line. There are actually a few more…but I will get to those later.



To get all the 10/3 wires under the concrete, I divided them between three different conduits. Mostly because it was easier to deal with them and should the terrible day occur that I have to get to them to splice or repair them! Getting all of the into the house was a different matter entirely. I am usually the first to say, "Take it slow, do it right." For some reason on this day I got bit with the "hurry up" bug and tried to shove all 20 plus of these runs through a 3in conduit sweep at one time without sorting them out. Obviously it did not work! On no level did it even look like a good idea. I have no idea what I was thinking!













After figuring out, "DuH! thats not gonna work!", I came to my senses and went back to the basics. I laid out each line and taped them together.





Unfortunately I wrestled so long the "wrong" way with these wires that the sun decided it was done giving me enough of its time! He quickly started to go behind the mountains!





The next day, once I got every set wired together, I decided to wrestle the cable through the 3 inch sweep by myself! It took me two hours, even using electricians lube. I was so tired after getting it in. I went in and laid down on the floor in the living room and passed out!









I finally got it where I needed it!



The fun part is unwrapping all the electrical tape. Its a good thing that a log 10 rolls is about $4. I am pretty sure I used all 10 rolls too. (I know there are electricians out there just shaking there heads! :) )





Thanks for reading…

More to follow…

Nate
Keep your eyes on the prize my friend. I know you will beat this in the end and be able to get back to the work you really want to be doing. I'd like to say that things that are easy aren't any fun but I can't quite convince myself that this is either. ..... :)
Hang in there.
 

Attachments

#241 ·
A Scattering

Still in the Hospital!



But, after a night in the ICU, the next night pushing through another code call and seeing my beloved fight through yet another episode of septic shock; she is finally on the mountain top! The hope is that after her IV antibiotics tomorrow that her labs will allow us to return home to continue the medications orally. She is doing so much better. Again, it is so difficult to describe the relief and gratitude the healing God has shown her. It has been a long, long, long, long week!

So this blog will be kind of a catch all for all the various little "octopus" arms of the project that I have left hanging out there. When you are working with a crew, these branch projects and loss ends are quickly dealt with simply by delegation. With the big crew of me, myself and I, the task of delegation part really gets in the way of the working part:).

So, when the weather was warm and I was feeling good, I loved working in the late evening and into the early night. During that time, I ran the lines to the three lamp posts. I used 12in concrete tubes as a base form. We get crazy winds, sometimes up to 100 miles an hour so is important that they have good roots.





Unfortunately I did not get photos of placing the other two! My phone died. But I did get a few shot of this, and I wanted to share them with you. I was walking back the shop to get some wire, and a sparkling caught my eye. When I went over to it, this is what I saw. I apologize for the poor quality.

The light from my headlamp was glinting off the spiders eyes, like diamonds.



It reminded me of Iraq. I was on an Airbase outside of Tal Afar. Light discipline was not in effect so I was using my headlamp without the red filter, white exposed!

It was getting late, (probably around 11PM) and I had just finished reporting to the Aid Station and was walking across the field at the head of the runway. I was getting lost in thought, my head was low, keeping the beam on the ground in front of me, when I realized there were all these sparkles in the periphery of my beam. I stopped and walked over to one, crouching down to get a better look. To my surprise, it was a spider, peering at me from under a small rock. Its eyes were glinting when the light hit them just right. As I stood up and looked around, consciously aware of the sparkles now, I saw that they literally surrounded me. They weren't big spiders, they weren't the popular "Camel Spider." They were just small spiders.



When I was growing up in the high desert of California, I was always told there was one spider for one square foot of the desert. Now I could actually believe it…and actually I bet there are even more! This particular spider was about the size of a nickel.

Here is an update on the "New House Well." I got pole up, the line run and the 50 Amp box up. Most of the wiring is done there but I still have to climb in the well and do that wiring. There is also a GFICircuit that comes down with an outlet that faces the barn.



I used my Dewalt demo drill with a Bosch 1-1/8 Carbide Tipped Drill Bit to drill through the well wall for the new wiring. The old wiring went through only 8in under ground. I found these cool flex fittings at the Hardware store to help the transition from pole to wall. I have to say I am very impressed.

Automotive tire Gas Plumbing Nozzle Plumbing valve






Again, for something different. One of Theresa's friends made her a US Flag out of a piece of tin roofing. T wanted me to hang it so that one could view it from the highway that passes in front of the property. I actually miss understood her and hung it facing the correct way, but by her glass shop, which has more visibility from the highway. She wanted it over the dog run. But once she saw it, she was very happy!



I am proud to be an American, and of the RED, WHITE and BLUE!



Finally, I forgot the last 50Amp circuit I had to run. This circuit was for a future barn. The plan was not to run the entire line, but to run it half way and set up a junction box, as I was not sure exactly where the new building was going to be! I cannot foresee that far ahead, even though I try my hardest! My father gave me a length of 6/3 Copper Direct Bury Cable. It was the perfect selection for this circuit.



I ran the wire from the House Generac 200 Amp Panel and down the trench with the same wire for the "Pool 50 Amp Panel."



Here you can see the Medium Box holds a set of 6/3 wires for running power to a new barn (once it gets built) a set of 10/3 and accompanying 14/2 to control the lights, and another to control the light to either a round corral if we ever get horses or more outside lights? The small single gang box holds the line for driveway lights that will reside atop block pillars right around there. (One around that "Pool Panel" and the other on the other side of the driveway [out of the frame]) Once the block pillars are in, the rail road tie will disappear.



And finally, the lights that go to the laundry line. I still have to run the line in a conduit sweep, then into the pipe, then back out again and over to the other pole.



Thank you again for reading along. I am sorry that this particular posting jumped all over.

More to follow…

Nate
 

Attachments

#242 ·
A Scattering

Still in the Hospital!



But, after a night in the ICU, the next night pushing through another code call and seeing my beloved fight through yet another episode of septic shock; she is finally on the mountain top! The hope is that after her IV antibiotics tomorrow that her labs will allow us to return home to continue the medications orally. She is doing so much better. Again, it is so difficult to describe the relief and gratitude the healing God has shown her. It has been a long, long, long, long week!

So this blog will be kind of a catch all for all the various little "octopus" arms of the project that I have left hanging out there. When you are working with a crew, these branch projects and loss ends are quickly dealt with simply by delegation. With the big crew of me, myself and I, the task of delegation part really gets in the way of the working part:).

So, when the weather was warm and I was feeling good, I loved working in the late evening and into the early night. During that time, I ran the lines to the three lamp posts. I used 12in concrete tubes as a base form. We get crazy winds, sometimes up to 100 miles an hour so is important that they have good roots.





Unfortunately I did not get photos of placing the other two! My phone died. But I did get a few shot of this, and I wanted to share them with you. I was walking back the shop to get some wire, and a sparkling caught my eye. When I went over to it, this is what I saw. I apologize for the poor quality.

The light from my headlamp was glinting off the spiders eyes, like diamonds.



It reminded me of Iraq. I was on an Airbase outside of Tal Afar. Light discipline was not in effect so I was using my headlamp without the red filter, white exposed!

It was getting late, (probably around 11PM) and I had just finished reporting to the Aid Station and was walking across the field at the head of the runway. I was getting lost in thought, my head was low, keeping the beam on the ground in front of me, when I realized there were all these sparkles in the periphery of my beam. I stopped and walked over to one, crouching down to get a better look. To my surprise, it was a spider, peering at me from under a small rock. Its eyes were glinting when the light hit them just right. As I stood up and looked around, consciously aware of the sparkles now, I saw that they literally surrounded me. They weren't big spiders, they weren't the popular "Camel Spider." They were just small spiders.



When I was growing up in the high desert of California, I was always told there was one spider for one square foot of the desert. Now I could actually believe it…and actually I bet there are even more! This particular spider was about the size of a nickel.

Here is an update on the "New House Well." I got pole up, the line run and the 50 Amp box up. Most of the wiring is done there but I still have to climb in the well and do that wiring. There is also a GFICircuit that comes down with an outlet that faces the barn.



I used my Dewalt demo drill with a Bosch 1-1/8 Carbide Tipped Drill Bit to drill through the well wall for the new wiring. The old wiring went through only 8in under ground. I found these cool flex fittings at the Hardware store to help the transition from pole to wall. I have to say I am very impressed.

Automotive tire Gas Plumbing Nozzle Plumbing valve






Again, for something different. One of Theresa's friends made her a US Flag out of a piece of tin roofing. T wanted me to hang it so that one could view it from the highway that passes in front of the property. I actually miss understood her and hung it facing the correct way, but by her glass shop, which has more visibility from the highway. She wanted it over the dog run. But once she saw it, she was very happy!



I am proud to be an American, and of the RED, WHITE and BLUE!



Finally, I forgot the last 50Amp circuit I had to run. This circuit was for a future barn. The plan was not to run the entire line, but to run it half way and set up a junction box, as I was not sure exactly where the new building was going to be! I cannot foresee that far ahead, even though I try my hardest! My father gave me a length of 6/3 Copper Direct Bury Cable. It was the perfect selection for this circuit.



I ran the wire from the House Generac 200 Amp Panel and down the trench with the same wire for the "Pool 50 Amp Panel."



Here you can see the Medium Box holds a set of 6/3 wires for running power to a new barn (once it gets built) a set of 10/3 and accompanying 14/2 to control the lights, and another to control the light to either a round corral if we ever get horses or more outside lights? The small single gang box holds the line for driveway lights that will reside atop block pillars right around there. (One around that "Pool Panel" and the other on the other side of the driveway [out of the frame]) Once the block pillars are in, the rail road tie will disappear.



And finally, the lights that go to the laundry line. I still have to run the line in a conduit sweep, then into the pipe, then back out again and over to the other pole.



Thank you again for reading along. I am sorry that this particular posting jumped all over.

More to follow…

Nate
sure am glad theresa is feeling better nate
a big blessing for you both

you even have lights on the clothesline !

what will you think of next ?

here is something about that
i got in the mail



CLOTHESLINES

This is funny and yet quite true. We are probably the last generation that will remember what a clothesline was.

Great memories for some of us!

Remembering Mom's Clothesline

There is one thing that's left out. We had a long wooden poles, (clothes pole), that was used to push the clotheslines up so that longer items,
(sheets/pants/etc.), didn't brush the ground and get dirty. I can hear my mother now.

THE BASIC RULES FOR CLOTHESLINES:

(If you don't even know what clotheslines are, better skip this.)

1. You had to hang the socks by the toes… NOT the top.

2. You hung pants by the BOTTOM/cuffs… NOT the waistbands.

3. You had to WASH the clothesline(s) before hanging any clothes - walk the entire length of each line with a damp cloth around the lines.

4. You had to hang the clothes in a certain order, and always hang "whites" with "whites," and hang them first.

5. You NEVER hung a shirt by the shoulders - always by the tail! What would the neighbors think?

6. Wash day on a Monday! NEVER hang clothes on the weekend, or on Sunday, for Heaven's sake!

7. Hang the sheets and towels on the OUTSIDE lines so you could hide your "unmentionables" in the middle (perverts & busybodies, y'know!)

8. It didn't matter if it was sub-zero weather… Clothes would "freeze-dry."

9. ALWAYS gather the clothes pins when taking down dry clothes! Pins left on the lines were "tacky"!

10. If you were efficient, you would line the clothes up so that each item did not need two clothes pins, but shared one of the clothes pins with the next washed item.

11. Clothes off of the line before dinner time, neatly folded in the clothes basket, and ready to be ironed.

12. IRONED? Well, that's a whole OTHER subject!

Clothesline was a news forecast, To neighbors passing by, There were no secrets you could keep, When clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link, For neighbors always knew If company had stopped by to spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the "fancy sheets", And towels upon the line; You'd see the "company table cloths", With intricate designs.

The line announced a baby's birth, From folks who lived inside, As brand new infant clothes were hung, So carefully with pride!

The ages of the children could, So readily be known By watching how the sizes changed, You'd know how much they'd grown!

It also told when illness struck, As extra sheets were hung; Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe too, Haphazardly were strung.

It also said, "On vacation now", When lines hung limp and bare. It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged, With not an inch to spare!

New folks in town were scorned upon, If wash was dingy and gray, As neighbors carefully raised their brows, And looked the other way.

But clotheslines now are of the past, for dryers make work much less. Now what goes on inside a home, is anybody's guess!

I really miss that way of life, it was a friendly sign when neighbors knew each other best… By what hung on the line!
 

Attachments

#253 ·
Splicing

I have run all the 10/2 and 10/3 that I need except for two lines that need to be spliced. The rest of the lines are 14/2. I originally thought I could get the 8 runs to the Woodshop through a 2in conduit. But here you can see that with only the 10/3, and still needing 8- 14/2 wires, there was no way. I will have to go up to a 3 in conduit to avoid derating everything circuit!





Having run over a mile of cable and wire, I have installed approximately 4 splices. I am sure I will have to put in one or two more by the time I am done. I use Gardner and Bender's Under Ground Splice Kit. It requires about two inches of clean wire, with about 1/2 of stripped wire to be in the splice block.



As this line was just 14/2, carrying just three wires; the white, black and ground, I removed the unused splice block.





Make sure to put the shrink tube on before you put the wires together, especially if they are long runs! :) I use a propane torch to shrink the tube down. The key is to take it slow, start in the middle and work all the way around the tube.



Remember start in the middle and work out!





It is finished when the glue seeps out of the end.



Check both ends!



Remember to apply heat evenly all the way around the tube, working center on out. when you see it deform…and it will! apply the heat where the tube is thinnest as this is were the area where it is not shrinking!

Thank you for reading!

More to follow…

Nate
 
#263 ·
Continuing On

Theresa was released from the hospital on Saturday! Of course she was given a huge list of drug prescriptions that had to be filled before we could get home. Although it only took less than an hour to fill them, it seemed like forever, when you have spent the last 10 nights in the hospital and all you want to do is get your wife home, and comfortable. It seems the only way I got through it, was more coffee:). Thank you all for your love, support and encouragement!!!!



To get back to the project! I wanted to share this little tool! It is a great "third hand" sold by Wera. It is a screw clamp that attaches to a screwdriver or a bit. I am very impressed and highly recommend it! It works great for nonmagnetic screws!





Now on to electricity.:)

I set up a junction box that connects the generator feeds to the house and to the woodshop. You can see the empty spot in each of the insulated connectors. (I love those things!!)



The double gang box below the junction panel holds the control wires which communicate with the generator, for the automatic switches in each panel.





Everything is connected!



And the ground installed. There is a #4 ground wire that leads to a 3/4-10foot ground rod! Also a #10 ground wire that grounds the small control box.



(I hate heights and ladders…funny I know, coming from an Airborne, Air Assault Combat Medic! But I did not always hate them. It was only after my injuries and issues with vertigo that the dislike arise! The botox shots have helped immensely, but I still get attacks, which makes doing things like this…walking a thin line of stupidity and common sense! I couldn't help but complicate things by taking a photo of how it looks from my side. Add in a bit of swirling and, Ta! Da!, you got it!:)) My son was a big help in keeping me up!



I thank God for good tools! This particular rod was the hardest yet! It took almost a full ten minutes of actual pounding to get it in the ground. Must have hit some serious rock. With out the D25501K Combination Demo Hammer Drill, I would no doubt still be out there, pounding away.











The main panel has 2Ă—3/4-10 foot, copper plated steel ground rods separated six feet apart. They will be connected with 1/0 bare copper cable, once I get it installed. The 200 Amp feed through panel next to the Main Panel has a single 3/4-10 foot rod, connected by a #4 bare copper wire.



The 200 Amp Feed Through Panel Ground



Brentan learned how to handle the larger power tools, while installing the second of the 400 Amp Main Ground Rods.







The two rods connected with conduit; awaiting cable!



Thanks for reading! I have so much more to do:). Life just got a lot more complicated with T walking the edge of death like she did, so my demand is needed elsewhere that in the trenches. :) I gotta take care of my sweetheart! I will work as I can and keep you posted.

More to Follow….

Nate
 
#264 ·
It's WONDERFUL to hear of Tereasa's home coming; and I know she'll recover quickly now with your home care, her meds, and our continued prayers.

Thanks for the update including the trench work. Your son is learning from a true OCD professional. Things are REALLY looking just super. Where did you learn such great electrical knowledge. They don't teach that kind of thing to medical staff in the Army do they?

Give Tereasa our friendly love and assurance that God's mighty healing hand is upon her shoulders.
 
#272 ·
Update/4 Way Circuits

Has it really been 31 days since my last blog? Wow, time flies when you are busier that a bee and struggling to keep your head above water.:)



First let me update you on my lovely bride! Theresa is healing really well. She is still have some stomach issues with vomiting about twice to three times a week and she is still really weak. But she is doing so much better. I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and more. (The Flowers above are from my Mum, Catherine Helshoj, the most wonderful and kind hearted person I know.) Lew also sent us one of his world renown rolling pins, which was awesome! Thank you so much Lew! So many of you have lifted our spirits. I will keep you informed as to how she progresses.

And now, to work:)

It seems that while we were away in the hospital, some deer feel into my trench! Thankfully they did not cut up any of my wire. They do have wicked hoofs you know!





So, once again I had to bring out the big guns to drill through concrete. I actually really love using large power tools…who doesn't right?:) The hole through the block will carry the dogs water heater and their floor warmer in their new house…once I get it built. One thing at a time though:)





The circuit was able to come up the same 3in conduit that all the 4-way circuits are running in, so I just used a water tight hub to seal the hole in the LB.



Now the fun part was getting all those wires up and in the sweep!





With all the 4-way circuit run to the Woodshop, I could finally run the last few pilot light wires to the Barn/Glass Shop; with the help of my son of course!







Just a few more!



All the pilot lights are powered with 14/2 UF Wire.



Just One MORE!





And of course, the last run just had to require a splice! :)



And of course, I just had to forget to put the shrink tube on!:)



But at least it is an easy fix!



The final step was to route all the lines through the maze, under the old well electrical pipe, under the concrete walkway and into the junction box in the house. It took both my son and I to manipulate all those wires!











Here is the Junction Box as it sits in the space between the shell wall and the mobile wall. The current dryer duct runs over the top of it, but that will definitely be changing before the power is activated. There are a total of 21 circuits within the Junction Box, so it has to be large.



That is it for the 4-way lines. I still have to complete the clothes line circuit but that is a 3-way.

Thank you for reading and for your interest!

More to follow….

Nate
 
#281 ·
Cold Black Ground

Before I start on the project, I wanted to share this.

So I finally go a photo of one of the Widows that have been invading my trenches. She not very big, just a yearling, barely out of her spots and into her black coat.





Anyway, I finally picked up the right length of 1/0 stranded bare copper wire/cable. The first piece was about 4 or 5 feet short and by code you cannot splice a ground, especially coming off of your main service panel.





The most difficult part of running the bare 1/0 was getting it to thread into the next run of 6 foot conduit that linked the two ground rods together. Because of the ground rod clamps there was some vertical variation. Getting the cable to bend that way was tough.



But it all worked out very nicely in the end. Now the panel is safe and code compliant!





Then I woke up one morning and I heard and felt "DUN DUN DUN!" Jack Frost had arrived! And all I could think was, "O man, I still have so much work to do!"









Thanks again for your interest!

More to Follow…

Nate
 
#294 ·
The House Lines

With all the small wire laid, I could finally run the last bit of large 2/0 wire from the Generac 200Amp Panel, into the inside House 100Amp Panel. It also needed to be routed under the concrete walkway. I spoiled it out and into the Generac Panel first, then pulled, measured, cut and re-ran it from there.









The new panel is going to be located in the laundry room as it cannot go where the old was is. (Which is in the closet and is against code…and very unsafe anyway!) I am going to build a secondary wall to hide all the wiring that is going to be running in there as well as to carry the panel itself.







I had to remove the propane heater that was located here, hence the towel in the wall. Don't worry. I fix that!:)This gives me plenty of extra to work with!



So then, the day before Thanksgiving, we woke up in the morning and after my wife got out of the shower we noticed the boys shower was making a funny "popping" noise. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach as I went outside. The trench that led straight to the house was full of sludge and waste water!

Turns out that an old connection that someone slapped together instead of getting the right parts finally broke, I think from the freezing temperatures.

I was hoping it would be a quick fix, but alas, no such luck. I ended up having to replace the entire slope run of 16 feet or so.





Then, when I was hooking that up, I found a crack in the 45 clean out, where last Thanksgiving I had to pull a huge root out.

I dug it out and found the original was never glued on and roots had invaded the seam causing leaking and cracking. Also the original down pipe was so old it was not standard 4in PVC.











I had to use a rubber sleeve coupler to connect the two. I then wrapped them with two rolls of self sealing silicone tape. Since plants do not like copper, I wrapped the joint in bare copper wire. It should keep any future attack from roots away! That, and the absence of leaks will help!



Now I can get back to the electrical stuff.

I don't know what it is about Thanksgiving, but this is two years in a row that I have been elbows deep in waste!

It really wasn't a terrible Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for! My lovely wife is here and healing. I have two awesome sons, many, many friends, great property, and many dreams that have seen reality. It was actually a great Thanksgiving!

Thats all for now, thanks for reading!

More to follow…

Nate
 
#301 ·
Highs and Lows

Our roof has been leaking for the last few seasons at the spot were the old fireplace pipe comes out, despite several attempts to fix it. There was a spot of good weather so thought I would brave the heights and climb up there and use the new spray seal stuff to see if that would help. (I hate heights now that I get vertigo attacks.)

Anyway, I am including this in the series because of the cool pictures I go of the trenches, piles, shovels, dogs and view!

This is the view looking Northwest across the valley.



This is the view looking North at US395 that runs in front of our house.



The Dogs! (they have to stay in their kennel when I am up here because they will run off and try to get to the dead deer that are on the side of the highway! They require vigilant watch!)



The two other wells. The close one is the Ag Well and the far one is the "New House Well."



The trench to the barn. And alas, my phone died so no more pictures of trenches from up here.



The leak fixed? We will see!



On to work…sort of!

Again, hear is proof that the crafty Mrs' are invading my spaces. I have to admit, I am intrigued by them. I find them very beautiful, in a strange way.

She was very much alive, just cold. She was so cold she tolerated me picking her up and poking her. I though about holding in my bare hand, just to say I had done so, but prudence told me to think better of that. :) Actually I was reminded of as of a story that I was told when I was a boy scout.

A young Indian Brave was sent out from his tribe to prove his worth. He was to climb the highest peak that shadowed there village. Upon his arrival to the top he found a freezing rattle snake, who begged him to carry him back down to the warmth of the base of the mountain. The Brave took pity on the snake and placed him in his shirt and carried him back down the mountain. When he reached the warm flat land at the bottom, he placed the rattle snake on the ground, but before he could with draw his hand, the snake bit him. The Brave jerked back in surprise, asking why the snake had done such a thing. The snake simply replied, "You knew what I was before you picked me up!" and then slithered off. The Indian Brave never made it home!

They used that story to teach us about drugs and alcohol but it definitely applied here:).





Anyway, I have a few lose ends to tie up before I am ready for inspection. The first was to safely terminate the Flag Pole run. We are not ready to put lights in or anything so I just wanted to bring it to the surface and cap it.



It is low enough that a lawn mower will not hit it but high enough I can find it when I want it.



Next was to finish the circuit to the laundry line. I had to drill a hole in the bottom of the pole, cut a slot in the hole so the nut would fit. Then I had to get the locking ring on! I tried first with my fingers, but the nut just kept flipping up. Then I made a jig out of cloth hook wire, but that was not working, then when I dropped the nut down the pipe, despite my safety file:), and I was just as I was about to get anger and throw something. I just was like, "Ok Father, I need an Idea!" and Bam! I went and got my bent screwdrivers. They worked like a charm. I got the locking ring on and was later able to caulk around the hole.



Sensitive content, not recommended for those under 18
Show Content










Because of the concrete footing I had to do a double sweep!





I then cut out the opening for the switch and fed the wire.



This is going to be the type of cover plate but I have yet to figure out how I am going to adapt it yet! There are several possibilities floating in my head!



And it would not be a good work day if I did not hurt myself. While it was freezing outside, and I was forcing the cold uncooperative wire through the sweeps, all of the sudden it decided to yield and I slammed my hand down into the sweep. It is a Schedule 40 sweep with a beveled end. And it cut right through my thumb, and nail. I of course being a good medic, seeing I needed a stitch or two, ignored it, grabbed a roll of electrical tape and kept working! I had lots to do. It was my lovely wife who was bringing me coffee who saw it dripping that made me come inside and clean it. OW!

Sensitive content, not recommended for those under 18
Show Content


I will leave it there for now. Thank you for reading!

So much more to follow….

Nate
 
#302 ·
Nate, you can keep the spiders!!

I can completely sympathize with your concern about heights.

Glad to hear that Theresa is up and around. I imagine she enjoys being able to help you and not be in the hospital.
 
#315 ·
Inspection Day!

So December 4th was Inspection Day. The inspector spent about 15 to 20 walking around. I showed him all the boxes, though only the insides of a few since not all of them are done. He was just checking the trench work, wire and conduit. He was happy and I was very happy. Shortly after he left, I started to backfill with sand. So yes, I PASSED! I didn't have to change a thing! Thank God!

I still have communication wire to put in, both telephone and CAT5e wire. So I am covering the electrical conductor wire with a foot of sand then I will lay the como wire over that, re-sand, then backfill with our soil. I started back in the big barn, where I also have to lay the air line. Because of its location and because I like to have control, I backfilled with buckets. The sand was frozen on the outside of the pile so I had to break it apart.

This first picture shows where the sand pile is, just past the second trench. I couldn't get it any closer, though I wish I really had!















I am really happy with the fill sand. I have found a few rocks, and I through those out. But I confident that I am doing everything within my power to protect the wire.



I did not count how many trips of two bucket loads this was; I hate working like that. I like to set a small goal and push to that. Today my goal was the corner where the Dust Collection Trench merges. Sometimes I have to quite early if my body just says I am pushing to hard. My vision in my right eye will go out and I will get an increase in vertigo attacks. Other times, I can work for a long time, but then when I stop I know I over did it and I will get a headache, so it is a balancing act. It gets very, very frustrating! But I am thankful that I can still do this kind of work!







So I made it to my goal! But I ran out of sand doing it. I am going to have to order more!





I still have SO much more trench to fill!





Thanks for reading…

Much More to Follow….

Nate
 
#328 ·
An Hiatus (Getting back into the groove)

To get back into the game of blogging I wanted to post something cheerful. My mom loved Christmas so this is a good one to start back up on! Before my mom died, my wife asked me to hang lights in our fir tree out front. As you know our house is right by the highway so its is kind of our blessing to the drivers to let them the tree durn the night!

Getting them hung is always an affair. I have to back the truck up to the tree and put a ladder against the tree. My oldest son, Brentan, walks the lights around the tree as I place them. (of course Kale helps by mowing the lawn) It gets easier as they get to the bottom. The hardest one are at the very top!

mowi
Building Wood Plant Window House


Tire Green Plant Wheel Grass


Plant Grass Groundcover Jacket Landscape


Wheel Tire Automotive tire Tractor Toy


Arguably the view from the top of the tree is one of the best, even better than the roof!

Cloud Sky Plant Natural landscape Land lot


Cloud Sky Plant Natural landscape Plain


Sky Cloud Property Plant Land lot


Sky Plant Cloud Window Wood


Sky Plant Cloud Ecoregion Wheel


And here it is lit up!

Christmas tree Sky Snow Branch Larch


Christmas tree Sky Snow Plant Larch


Font Gas Electric blue Space Circle


(The light to the right is a car light!)

Christmas tree Tree Holiday ornament Liquid Evergreen


Thanks to you all for your patience! All of you LJs have been so supportive!

More to follow…

Nate
 

Attachments

#329 ·
An Hiatus (Getting back into the groove)

To get back into the game of blogging I wanted to post something cheerful. My mom loved Christmas so this is a good one to start back up on! Before my mom died, my wife asked me to hang lights in our fir tree out front. As you know our house is right by the highway so its is kind of our blessing to the drivers to let them the tree durn the night!

Getting them hung is always an affair. I have to back the truck up to the tree and put a ladder against the tree. My oldest son, Brentan, walks the lights around the tree as I place them. (of course Kale helps by mowing the lawn) It gets easier as they get to the bottom. The hardest one are at the very top!

mowi
Building Wood Plant Window House


Tire Green Plant Wheel Grass


Plant Grass Groundcover Jacket Landscape


Wheel Tire Automotive tire Tractor Toy


Arguably the view from the top of the tree is one of the best, even better than the roof!

Cloud Sky Plant Natural landscape Land lot


Cloud Sky Plant Natural landscape Plain


Sky Cloud Property Plant Land lot


Sky Plant Cloud Window Wood


Sky Plant Cloud Ecoregion Wheel


And here it is lit up!

Christmas tree Sky Snow Branch Larch


Christmas tree Sky Snow Plant Larch


Font Gas Electric blue Space Circle


(The light to the right is a car light!)

Christmas tree Tree Holiday ornament Liquid Evergreen


Thanks to you all for your patience! All of you LJs have been so supportive!

More to follow…

Nate
I love light on trees. The golden gate park in san Francisco has on giant tree decorated every year during Christmas. Nothing beats a tree with lights on it during Christmas.

The kids and I have fun putting on the lights when we decorate the house to celebrate Christmas.
I do the ladder climbing.

Last year one of present was a small helicopter… Half the Christmas tree inside the house went dark as soon as my younger son flew his helicopter. He managed to break a lot of light bulbs in less than a minute :)

Lesson learned.
 

Attachments

#340 ·
Sand

If you look back at the last few blogs…I would say just remember, but I can't remember so :)...you will see that I ran out of sand to cover up the lines. Thankfully there is a very good company that delivers to this area. For about $250 total, not extra, they brought out 8 yards of beautiful sand on the 7th of December. This is way better than using a dumb trailer. First of all, I don't have to drive out there! Second, my fathers dump trailer only holds about 4 yards so it talks two trips. Second, the sand is wet so it is to heavy at 4 yards for the dump trailer to lift. So I ended up shoveling out half of it anyway. I really did not want to do that again! Thank God for Dump Trucks and the Hat Creek Construction Company!

Cloud Sky Wheel Tire Truck


Cloud Sky Wheel Tire Truck


Wheel Tire Sky Vehicle Automotive tire


Cloud Wheel Tire Sky Vehicle


Wheel Cloud Sky Tire Automotive tire


It was so cold some of the sand stuck to the metal inside the bed. But all the driver had to do was take a shovel and lightly scrape it and it all came out. Definitely way better than having to throw it all out by hand!

Sky Cloud Tire Vehicle Wheel


Parting was such sweet sorrow!

Sky Tire Cloud Wheel Car


Sky Cloud Tire Vehicle Automotive tire


Sky Cloud Ecoregion Natural environment Natural landscape


Cloud Sky Plant Ecoregion Natural landscape


Cloud Sky Plant Window Nature


And now I have something to work with!

Cloud Sky Ecoregion Snow Slope


But if I remember correctly:) that day I was not feeling well at all. The cold pressure was really giving me a headache. So I waited until the next day to get back to covering up the wire. Of course by then, it has snowed and it was all covered!

Snow Window Plant Automotive tire Freezing


Snow Plant Window Twig Tree


For some reason, in the snow, the walk seemed farther.

Sky Snow Tree Natural landscape Plant


But I was slowly getting it done, bucket by bucket. I had finally made the turn to the Dust Collection Room.

Water Snow Twig Wood Plant


The white pipes are old drain pipes to when that room used to be a live stock washing room.

Snow Building Freezing Water Tints and shades


Snow Water Building Door Freezing


I finally pushed to a spot that I could use the wheel barrow. That helped a lot. But moving sand is hard work, especially in the snow, so I quit just a after a short while.

Snow Plant Slope Tire Automotive tire


That is it for this one! Definitely so much more to follow!....

Nate
 

Attachments

#341 ·
Sand

If you look back at the last few blogs…I would say just remember, but I can't remember so :)...you will see that I ran out of sand to cover up the lines. Thankfully there is a very good company that delivers to this area. For about $250 total, not extra, they brought out 8 yards of beautiful sand on the 7th of December. This is way better than using a dumb trailer. First of all, I don't have to drive out there! Second, my fathers dump trailer only holds about 4 yards so it talks two trips. Second, the sand is wet so it is to heavy at 4 yards for the dump trailer to lift. So I ended up shoveling out half of it anyway. I really did not want to do that again! Thank God for Dump Trucks and the Hat Creek Construction Company!

Cloud Sky Wheel Tire Truck


Cloud Sky Wheel Tire Truck


Wheel Tire Sky Vehicle Automotive tire


Cloud Wheel Tire Sky Vehicle


Wheel Cloud Sky Tire Automotive tire


It was so cold some of the sand stuck to the metal inside the bed. But all the driver had to do was take a shovel and lightly scrape it and it all came out. Definitely way better than having to throw it all out by hand!

Sky Cloud Tire Vehicle Wheel


Parting was such sweet sorrow!

Sky Tire Cloud Wheel Car


Sky Cloud Tire Vehicle Automotive tire


Sky Cloud Ecoregion Natural environment Natural landscape


Cloud Sky Plant Ecoregion Natural landscape


Cloud Sky Plant Window Nature


And now I have something to work with!

Cloud Sky Ecoregion Snow Slope


But if I remember correctly:) that day I was not feeling well at all. The cold pressure was really giving me a headache. So I waited until the next day to get back to covering up the wire. Of course by then, it has snowed and it was all covered!

Snow Window Plant Automotive tire Freezing


Snow Plant Window Twig Tree


For some reason, in the snow, the walk seemed farther.

Sky Snow Tree Natural landscape Plant


But I was slowly getting it done, bucket by bucket. I had finally made the turn to the Dust Collection Room.

Water Snow Twig Wood Plant


The white pipes are old drain pipes to when that room used to be a live stock washing room.

Snow Building Freezing Water Tints and shades


Snow Water Building Door Freezing


I finally pushed to a spot that I could use the wheel barrow. That helped a lot. But moving sand is hard work, especially in the snow, so I quit just a after a short while.

Snow Plant Slope Tire Automotive tire


That is it for this one! Definitely so much more to follow!....

Nate
This is great Nate! A very good way for us to catch up while you heal … and a perfect way to help you get those creative juices flowing again!!
 

Attachments

#350 ·
Buckets and Buckets of Sand

What can I say, I am a glutton for punishment! In all actuality, I don't mind hard work! Being an enlisted soldier, I am used to working my butt off getting a particular job done to fulfill the orders of my commanding officer, only to be told to pack everything all up and move it down another 500 meters because he fancies a better spot. I figure that if I can bleed, sweat and toil for a man I respect only because of the rank he wears on his uniform, then why would I not work just as hard building a good home for my family?

The truth is, what ever I do I pour myself into whatever I do! The Word says in Col 2:23-24 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. So I am always working as if the King is coming to inspect my work!

So back to the buckets! Tractors really would help here anyway as there is no way to get around all those trenches.

Snow Automotive tire Plant Freezing Tree


Sky Snow Azure Infrastructure Road surface


Snow Freezing Watercourse Terrain Natural landscape


Road surface Asphalt Tints and shades Slope Wood


This 3in Conduit holds all of the wire for the 4way circuits that run from the woodshop to the house. Most are just outside lighting circuits.

Pipeline transport Plant Gas Grass Automotive tire


Snow Wood Carnivore Grass Twig


Snow Door Wood Freezing Twig


This is the junction box inside the woodshop. There are eight different 4 way circuits that run from this box back to the house.

Gas Wood Machine Room House


Snow Automotive tire Window Tire Branch


Snow Automotive tire Branch Water Freezing


This particular run will power the dogs water tank heater as well as the floor warmer in their new dog house!

Window Branch Automotive tire Wood Twig


Almost to the Main Panel! But I was done for the day! I made it to the large pit at least!

Sky Building Snow Daytime Property


After a few days of wrestling with more headaches! I was able to get back to it! Thankfully I thought ahead and during the first my first deliver of sand, the in which I had to shovel it out. I strategically placed a few small piles around so I did not have to walk to far all the time! The bummer part was that it was frozen so I had to get through the outside six inches and break it all up.

Snow Fawn Freezing Gas Composite material


Plant Sky Snow Tree Slope


It felt so good to watch the cables and wire get covered with soft sand!

Wood Gas Soil Concrete Automotive wheel system


Wood Gas Hardwood Cylinder House


Brown Snow Plant Natural landscape Wood


Plant Snow Tree Slope Body of water


My brother-in-law, Shawn Butterbach, who is a very dear friend as well, came over after a few hours and really helped me out! He filled the buckets while I carried and poured them out. It was nice to have help. It more than doubled my efficiency time! He helped me finish one pile and move right on to the next!

Sky Building Snow Plant Tree


Tire Snow Car Wheel Plant


Wheel Car Snow Tire Plant


We even filled up most of the Main Panel Recess with the required sand level.

Snow Wood Twig Grass Freezing


Snow Twig Grass Wood Freezing


Thats if for this one! Thanks for reading!!!

More to follow…
 

Attachments

#351 ·
Buckets and Buckets of Sand

What can I say, I am a glutton for punishment! In all actuality, I don't mind hard work! Being an enlisted soldier, I am used to working my butt off getting a particular job done to fulfill the orders of my commanding officer, only to be told to pack everything all up and move it down another 500 meters because he fancies a better spot. I figure that if I can bleed, sweat and toil for a man I respect only because of the rank he wears on his uniform, then why would I not work just as hard building a good home for my family?

The truth is, what ever I do I pour myself into whatever I do! The Word says in Col 2:23-24 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. So I am always working as if the King is coming to inspect my work!

So back to the buckets! Tractors really would help here anyway as there is no way to get around all those trenches.

Snow Automotive tire Plant Freezing Tree


Sky Snow Azure Infrastructure Road surface


Snow Freezing Watercourse Terrain Natural landscape


Road surface Asphalt Tints and shades Slope Wood


This 3in Conduit holds all of the wire for the 4way circuits that run from the woodshop to the house. Most are just outside lighting circuits.

Pipeline transport Plant Gas Grass Automotive tire


Snow Wood Carnivore Grass Twig


Snow Door Wood Freezing Twig


This is the junction box inside the woodshop. There are eight different 4 way circuits that run from this box back to the house.

Gas Wood Machine Room House


Snow Automotive tire Window Tire Branch


Snow Automotive tire Branch Water Freezing


This particular run will power the dogs water tank heater as well as the floor warmer in their new dog house!

Window Branch Automotive tire Wood Twig


Almost to the Main Panel! But I was done for the day! I made it to the large pit at least!

Sky Building Snow Daytime Property


After a few days of wrestling with more headaches! I was able to get back to it! Thankfully I thought ahead and during the first my first deliver of sand, the in which I had to shovel it out. I strategically placed a few small piles around so I did not have to walk to far all the time! The bummer part was that it was frozen so I had to get through the outside six inches and break it all up.

Snow Fawn Freezing Gas Composite material


Plant Sky Snow Tree Slope


It felt so good to watch the cables and wire get covered with soft sand!

Wood Gas Soil Concrete Automotive wheel system


Wood Gas Hardwood Cylinder House


Brown Snow Plant Natural landscape Wood


Plant Snow Tree Slope Body of water


My brother-in-law, Shawn Butterbach, who is a very dear friend as well, came over after a few hours and really helped me out! He filled the buckets while I carried and poured them out. It was nice to have help. It more than doubled my efficiency time! He helped me finish one pile and move right on to the next!

Sky Building Snow Plant Tree


Tire Snow Car Wheel Plant


Wheel Car Snow Tire Plant


We even filled up most of the Main Panel Recess with the required sand level.

Snow Wood Twig Grass Freezing


Snow Twig Grass Wood Freezing


Thats if for this one! Thanks for reading!!!

More to follow…
Love your attitude, old-time values.
 

Attachments

#362 ·
Telephone!

Now that all the electrical lines have sand protecting them. I have to run the new communication lines. I still needed to dig the final trench to the flagpole. The ground was still frozen and it was pretty cold outside so it made for some hard work. But with the help of my oldest son, the Rockwell/Worx hammer drill, an earth auger and a "Potato Bug", we got the job done.

Snow Wood Plant Trunk Twig


Tire Wheel Shoe Automotive tire Vehicle


Plant Tire Grass Wood Working animal


Sky Plant Cloud Ecoregion Branch


Sky Plant Tree Wood Natural landscape


Wood Natural landscape Twig Sunlight Trunk


Tire Wood Tree Automotive tire Grass


Tree Wood Composite material Gas Plant


Automotive tire Wood Trunk Soil Automotive wheel system


Sky Plant Snow Tree Branch


Here is the Worx Drill that the President of Rockwell sent me while I was in the hospital. I love the adjustable grip!

Road surface Asphalt Slope Garden tool Grass


And here is my "Potato Bug", Jerusalem Cricket helper!

Hand Sleeve Textile Grey Collar


Hand Sleeve Grey Dress shirt Denim


This is the utility company's spool trailer. A friend brought it over and let me use it because I had so much wire to run!

Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire Tree


Sky Plant Branch Road surface Tree


Before I could start to pull the telephone wire, I had to go the line that runs the length of the driveway, as I had forgotten to sand it. Theresa was feeling good that day and really wanted to come outside. She came out and filled some of the buckets for me!

Sky Window Building Plant Tree


Once that was done, pulling the conduit/wire was really easy!

Wood Tree Road surface Plant Trunk


Property Window Plant Tire Building


Here is my Jorand CST-1900 Cable Stripper. I ended up giving it to a friend that needed more than I do!

Automotive tire Wood Road surface Rectangle Automotive exterior


Wood Office supplies Grass Garden tool Tool


These pictures were the last "Power Project" pictures I took before my mom died! So the next update will have a drastic jump! I am sorry about that. However, thank you so much for your patience, kind understanding and encouragement through it all!

Much, Much more to Follow!...

Nate
 

Attachments

#363 ·
Telephone!

Now that all the electrical lines have sand protecting them. I have to run the new communication lines. I still needed to dig the final trench to the flagpole. The ground was still frozen and it was pretty cold outside so it made for some hard work. But with the help of my oldest son, the Rockwell/Worx hammer drill, an earth auger and a "Potato Bug", we got the job done.

Snow Wood Plant Trunk Twig


Tire Wheel Shoe Automotive tire Vehicle


Plant Tire Grass Wood Working animal


Sky Plant Cloud Ecoregion Branch


Sky Plant Tree Wood Natural landscape


Wood Natural landscape Twig Sunlight Trunk


Tire Wood Tree Automotive tire Grass


Tree Wood Composite material Gas Plant


Automotive tire Wood Trunk Soil Automotive wheel system


Sky Plant Snow Tree Branch


Here is the Worx Drill that the President of Rockwell sent me while I was in the hospital. I love the adjustable grip!

Road surface Asphalt Slope Garden tool Grass


And here is my "Potato Bug", Jerusalem Cricket helper!

Hand Sleeve Textile Grey Collar


Hand Sleeve Grey Dress shirt Denim


This is the utility company's spool trailer. A friend brought it over and let me use it because I had so much wire to run!

Tire Wheel Vehicle Automotive tire Tree


Sky Plant Branch Road surface Tree


Before I could start to pull the telephone wire, I had to go the line that runs the length of the driveway, as I had forgotten to sand it. Theresa was feeling good that day and really wanted to come outside. She came out and filled some of the buckets for me!

Sky Window Building Plant Tree


Once that was done, pulling the conduit/wire was really easy!

Wood Tree Road surface Plant Trunk


Property Window Plant Tire Building


Here is my Jorand CST-1900 Cable Stripper. I ended up giving it to a friend that needed more than I do!

Automotive tire Wood Road surface Rectangle Automotive exterior


Wood Office supplies Grass Garden tool Tool


These pictures were the last "Power Project" pictures I took before my mom died! So the next update will have a drastic jump! I am sorry about that. However, thank you so much for your patience, kind understanding and encouragement through it all!

Much, Much more to Follow!...

Nate
Nate, I get tired just reading! I know how happy you will be to get everything buttoned up and start working INSIDE the shop.
 

Attachments

#370 ·
After They Left

Ok, so turns out taking care of a sick wife, her taking care of me having a torn up body and brain and the two of us taking care of two kids takes more balancing than I thought.:) My ability to adapt has obviously been slowed since I was in the military. Anyway, what matters most is that we are moving ever forward! Thanks so much family for your patience! You guys rock!

So, going back in time. When the men from the church came over to fill the trenches I was running around like a mad man trying to supervise all the work so I did not get any pictures. Here are the pictures I got of the work when they left.

Sky Daytime Ecoregion Natural environment Land lot


Sky Land lot Fixture Rural area Grass


Sky Plant Tree Wood Branch


Sky Plant Plant community Natural landscape Branch


Sky Plant Tree Cloud Land lot


Sky Ecoregion Natural environment Land lot Horizon


The ground was not completely thawed so we were not able to fill in all the trenches. As you can see, on top of the sand base there was a layer of wood. (I had my son and nephews getting all that together.) I really wanted the wood on top of the sand especially on the roads. Eventually the wood will rot away, but for now, it will keep the rocks from working themselves down to the cable until the soil hardens.

Sky Larch Tree Road surface Asphalt


Sky Building Plant Tree Land lot


Bedrock Window Slope Plant Building


Sky Ecoregion Slope Wood Land lot


Over all, the day was a monster of a day and tons ways done! It was very nerve racking at first but then it turned out to be a huge blessing!

So much more to follow…I have to get you all caught up!:)

Nate
 

Attachments

#371 ·
After They Left

Ok, so turns out taking care of a sick wife, her taking care of me having a torn up body and brain and the two of us taking care of two kids takes more balancing than I thought.:) My ability to adapt has obviously been slowed since I was in the military. Anyway, what matters most is that we are moving ever forward! Thanks so much family for your patience! You guys rock!

So, going back in time. When the men from the church came over to fill the trenches I was running around like a mad man trying to supervise all the work so I did not get any pictures. Here are the pictures I got of the work when they left.

Sky Daytime Ecoregion Natural environment Land lot


Sky Land lot Fixture Rural area Grass


Sky Plant Tree Wood Branch


Sky Plant Plant community Natural landscape Branch


Sky Plant Tree Cloud Land lot


Sky Ecoregion Natural environment Land lot Horizon


The ground was not completely thawed so we were not able to fill in all the trenches. As you can see, on top of the sand base there was a layer of wood. (I had my son and nephews getting all that together.) I really wanted the wood on top of the sand especially on the roads. Eventually the wood will rot away, but for now, it will keep the rocks from working themselves down to the cable until the soil hardens.

Sky Larch Tree Road surface Asphalt


Sky Building Plant Tree Land lot


Bedrock Window Slope Plant Building


Sky Ecoregion Slope Wood Land lot


Over all, the day was a monster of a day and tons ways done! It was very nerve racking at first but then it turned out to be a huge blessing!

So much more to follow…I have to get you all caught up!:)

Nate
looks good nate

God bless good friends

aside from a few trenches

you might want to go out
and sweep up some
make the grounds look tidy

for the guys in the 18 wheelers driving by
 

Attachments

#383 ·
Slow Going

Right, so who was I kidding when I thought it was going to get easier to get back into the routine of things after the year we have had!:). And with summer racing in it just gets worse! I am sure all of you feel the same way!!

So backing up all the way to March! I took a day to work over at my parents…at my dads. Since my mom has died my sister and her 9 children have been staying with him for the time being. (He has a very big house which he built for my mother and all of us children. Anyway, I wanted to do something for the kids as it has been a rough ride for them having there Grammi pass and there father move out on them. (that happened about a year before my mother passed away.) So I took the day to work with one of my nieces and together we built a tree swing. There were allot of granite boulders that needed to be removed first! It was a day of fun on the tractor.

Plant Tree People in nature Wood Smile


Plant Ecoregion Natural environment Tree Sky


Plant Sky Nature Tree Wood


I still had to finish the wiring to the cloths line. But first I had to raise the right side post as it was about 5in out of level with the left one, and being the perfectionist I am, I could not just let it be! I used the tractor I was borrowing from a friend to pull it up and reset it. Then I realized my line was to short so I had to put in a splice to correct the error.

Cloud Sky Plant community Plant Land lot


Dog Plant Dog breed Carnivore Grass


Cloud Sky Plant community Plant Tree


Plant community Plant Sky Land lot Slope


Notice, yet again I forgot to put the shrink tube on!

Road surface Grass Plant Tints and shades Asphalt


Thankfully, the spliced line was short so I was saved the work of undoing all the work I just did!

Bedrock Grass Groundcover Wood Soil


Next I had to drill the hole through the pipe and get the male coupler connected. Since I had accomplished this on the other side I assumed it would be easier this time! Wrong! Never assume! Right? Well anyway, I ended up dropping one of my drivers down the hole and that started what turned out to be about an hours long battle to get the metal washer threaded onto the coupler! With some deep breathing and some praying. I finally got it…but I won't lie. There were some frustrating moments too! That is why the pictures stopped! I got frustrated and focused!:).

Gas Wood Pipe Grass Circle


And here is where the driver went down and the job started to get hard:). I know you have had one of those days!!!

Grass Gas Plant Twig Wood


Before and after I worked on the splice of the cloths line. I did some box scraping to level out the all the dirt from the ditch work.

Sky Cloud Ecoregion Plant Building


Sky Plant Cloud Ecoregion Tire


This is the old Case tractor that a good brother from Church let me borrow!

Tire Wheel Sky Vehicle Plant


And here is an old splice that I hit with the box scraper. It was only buried about 6-8in down. They used wire nuts and electricians tape and then put the thing in an old plastic radiator fluid bottle. Awesome!

Plant Motor vehicle Wood Grass Groundcover


Plant Soil Grass Road surface Asphalt


Motor vehicle Grass Plant Wood Automotive tire


Thats it for this particular update. As I said before, getting back into the groove hasn't been easy, heck it hasn't even happened yet!;). So thank you all for your patience! The good news is that things are moving. Theresa is getting better with her medication though it is going to be a life long battle. I feel really good considering, thank God! I still have days, but don't we all? Thanks again and I love you guys! LJs are awesome people!

More to follow…..

Nate
 

Attachments

#384 ·
Slow Going

Right, so who was I kidding when I thought it was going to get easier to get back into the routine of things after the year we have had!:). And with summer racing in it just gets worse! I am sure all of you feel the same way!!

So backing up all the way to March! I took a day to work over at my parents…at my dads. Since my mom has died my sister and her 9 children have been staying with him for the time being. (He has a very big house which he built for my mother and all of us children. Anyway, I wanted to do something for the kids as it has been a rough ride for them having there Grammi pass and there father move out on them. (that happened about a year before my mother passed away.) So I took the day to work with one of my nieces and together we built a tree swing. There were allot of granite boulders that needed to be removed first! It was a day of fun on the tractor.

Plant Tree People in nature Wood Smile


Plant Ecoregion Natural environment Tree Sky


Plant Sky Nature Tree Wood


I still had to finish the wiring to the cloths line. But first I had to raise the right side post as it was about 5in out of level with the left one, and being the perfectionist I am, I could not just let it be! I used the tractor I was borrowing from a friend to pull it up and reset it. Then I realized my line was to short so I had to put in a splice to correct the error.

Cloud Sky Plant community Plant Land lot


Dog Plant Dog breed Carnivore Grass


Cloud Sky Plant community Plant Tree


Plant community Plant Sky Land lot Slope


Notice, yet again I forgot to put the shrink tube on!

Road surface Grass Plant Tints and shades Asphalt


Thankfully, the spliced line was short so I was saved the work of undoing all the work I just did!

Bedrock Grass Groundcover Wood Soil


Next I had to drill the hole through the pipe and get the male coupler connected. Since I had accomplished this on the other side I assumed it would be easier this time! Wrong! Never assume! Right? Well anyway, I ended up dropping one of my drivers down the hole and that started what turned out to be about an hours long battle to get the metal washer threaded onto the coupler! With some deep breathing and some praying. I finally got it…but I won't lie. There were some frustrating moments too! That is why the pictures stopped! I got frustrated and focused!:).

Gas Wood Pipe Grass Circle


And here is where the driver went down and the job started to get hard:). I know you have had one of those days!!!

Grass Gas Plant Twig Wood


Before and after I worked on the splice of the cloths line. I did some box scraping to level out the all the dirt from the ditch work.

Sky Cloud Ecoregion Plant Building


Sky Plant Cloud Ecoregion Tire


This is the old Case tractor that a good brother from Church let me borrow!

Tire Wheel Sky Vehicle Plant


And here is an old splice that I hit with the box scraper. It was only buried about 6-8in down. They used wire nuts and electricians tape and then put the thing in an old plastic radiator fluid bottle. Awesome!

Plant Motor vehicle Wood Grass Groundcover


Plant Soil Grass Road surface Asphalt


Motor vehicle Grass Plant Wood Automotive tire


Thats it for this particular update. As I said before, getting back into the groove hasn't been easy, heck it hasn't even happened yet!;). So thank you all for your patience! The good news is that things are moving. Theresa is getting better with her medication though it is going to be a life long battle. I feel really good considering, thank God! I still have days, but don't we all? Thanks again and I love you guys! LJs are awesome people!

More to follow…..

Nate
Nate,
So glad everyone is doing better! Love that smile on the little girl, she looks like she is having a blast.
 

Attachments

#394 ·
Nearly There...I can almost taste it!

O what a summer it has been! I bet you all know what I am talking about. As the school year winds down you look forward to a change of pace, some R&R and some time to really get things done…...Right!!!!...I forgot summer is busier than the school year. When the boys are in school your wife can't come home and say, "Hey, I'm feeling good, lets go the lake for the next three days." And then when you get back its a BBQ at Dads and a get together at the brother-in-laws. Whew…Now seriously, I am not complaining. Really, after the year my family just had, some awesome time together was just the ticket. But the projects at home still need doing:).

(But First, let me say, Theresa is doing much better. She is still on a lot of medication and probably will be for the rest of her life. Her energy level is about 1/2 what it used to but she is up and out in the summer weather. Its awesome. I am doing ok myself, the migraines and vertigo have been hitting me like a freight train lately. The VA stopped giving the Botox treatment until they could find another Dr so I was way past due and feeling it. Thankfully I saw the Dr on Thursday so it should get better. I still have abdominal issues they are working on and have a surgery lingering in the future but I am putting it off as long as I can.)

Now to the meat of the matter:).

After I finished the Clothes Line Light feed I moved into the Ag Well. Then got taken up in the summer stuff and just left my tools in the well house for a little while. Thankful it is a dry safe place. This is the Ag Well (old picture)

Sky Plant Cloud Land lot Slope


I forgot to take pictures of what it looked like before and then of the work I did up to this point. Basically, there was one 3/4 EMT that came nearly straight to an outlet box which then took the power to the well switch and so on. It was much to near the surface so I rerouted everything, upgraded the wiring, separated the wires that go to the outlet/heat lamp and well pump, and installed a light. I have had to do maintenance in the dark!

Gas Flooring Wood Composite material Machine


Eventually there will be a fire pit between the big barn and the house. I wanted to put a small post on the other side of the well to hold and outlet so we had power for music, food, what ever the wife wanted or the need required. I drilled through the block using the Dewalt Hammer Drill and ran the EMT all the way through. Then I sunk the post and hooked up the outlet.

Air gun Trigger Bumper Gas Tool


Grass Terrestrial plant Twig Gas Wood


Wood Grass Lumber Landscape Plank


Light Architecture Wood Gas Stairs


Waste containment Gas Machine Electric blue Public utility


After that was complete, it was on to the "New House Well." (Old picture)

Plant Wood Window Sky Tripod


This well was a mess! It was and still is currently inactive, though the well itself is still good. It was put in many years ago when they used the old soft poly pipe. That stuff it a nightmare to maintain but easy to cut out:). Basically I pulled everything out but the pressure tank and copied everything I did over in the Ag Well set up minus the Post on the other side. Instead I had to add another leg that was going to eventually run out under the driveway to another driveway post light.

Motor vehicle Automotive design Automotive exterior Asphalt Gas


Motor vehicle Automotive exterior Floor Flooring Gas


Hood Automotive tire Wood Motor vehicle Gas


I was able to bring the lines through in a neat and orderly fashion while giving the well house much more space. (It is much smaller than the other two) I have finished everything but the light fixture. I am going to hold off placing the heat lamp until we actually plumb the well. (The one you see in the photos is the old one)

Water Road surface Automotive tire Wood Floor


Automotive tire Bumper Asphalt Wood Automotive exterior


Gas Water Composite material Wood Automotive exterior


Water Rectangle Wood Automotive tire Line


Gas Tints and shades Flooring Composite material Concrete


That is it currently. I am going to be putting on the light then that well will be done! Then I have about three more moderate steps and we can get the power company out here to transfer the power over! I will keep you posted. Don't be surprised if it takes a bit, with the end of summer looming I see many camping trips coming:).

Thanks for reading and staying with me. You all are awesome!

More to Follow….

Nate
 

Attachments

#395 ·
Nearly There...I can almost taste it!

O what a summer it has been! I bet you all know what I am talking about. As the school year winds down you look forward to a change of pace, some R&R and some time to really get things done…...Right!!!!...I forgot summer is busier than the school year. When the boys are in school your wife can't come home and say, "Hey, I'm feeling good, lets go the lake for the next three days." And then when you get back its a BBQ at Dads and a get together at the brother-in-laws. Whew…Now seriously, I am not complaining. Really, after the year my family just had, some awesome time together was just the ticket. But the projects at home still need doing:).

(But First, let me say, Theresa is doing much better. She is still on a lot of medication and probably will be for the rest of her life. Her energy level is about 1/2 what it used to but she is up and out in the summer weather. Its awesome. I am doing ok myself, the migraines and vertigo have been hitting me like a freight train lately. The VA stopped giving the Botox treatment until they could find another Dr so I was way past due and feeling it. Thankfully I saw the Dr on Thursday so it should get better. I still have abdominal issues they are working on and have a surgery lingering in the future but I am putting it off as long as I can.)

Now to the meat of the matter:).

After I finished the Clothes Line Light feed I moved into the Ag Well. Then got taken up in the summer stuff and just left my tools in the well house for a little while. Thankful it is a dry safe place. This is the Ag Well (old picture)

Sky Plant Cloud Land lot Slope


I forgot to take pictures of what it looked like before and then of the work I did up to this point. Basically, there was one 3/4 EMT that came nearly straight to an outlet box which then took the power to the well switch and so on. It was much to near the surface so I rerouted everything, upgraded the wiring, separated the wires that go to the outlet/heat lamp and well pump, and installed a light. I have had to do maintenance in the dark!

Gas Flooring Wood Composite material Machine


Eventually there will be a fire pit between the big barn and the house. I wanted to put a small post on the other side of the well to hold and outlet so we had power for music, food, what ever the wife wanted or the need required. I drilled through the block using the Dewalt Hammer Drill and ran the EMT all the way through. Then I sunk the post and hooked up the outlet.

Air gun Trigger Bumper Gas Tool


Grass Terrestrial plant Twig Gas Wood


Wood Grass Lumber Landscape Plank


Light Architecture Wood Gas Stairs


Waste containment Gas Machine Electric blue Public utility


After that was complete, it was on to the "New House Well." (Old picture)

Plant Wood Window Sky Tripod


This well was a mess! It was and still is currently inactive, though the well itself is still good. It was put in many years ago when they used the old soft poly pipe. That stuff it a nightmare to maintain but easy to cut out:). Basically I pulled everything out but the pressure tank and copied everything I did over in the Ag Well set up minus the Post on the other side. Instead I had to add another leg that was going to eventually run out under the driveway to another driveway post light.

Motor vehicle Automotive design Automotive exterior Asphalt Gas


Motor vehicle Automotive exterior Floor Flooring Gas


Hood Automotive tire Wood Motor vehicle Gas


I was able to bring the lines through in a neat and orderly fashion while giving the well house much more space. (It is much smaller than the other two) I have finished everything but the light fixture. I am going to hold off placing the heat lamp until we actually plumb the well. (The one you see in the photos is the old one)

Water Road surface Automotive tire Wood Floor


Automotive tire Bumper Asphalt Wood Automotive exterior


Gas Water Composite material Wood Automotive exterior


Water Rectangle Wood Automotive tire Line


Gas Tints and shades Flooring Composite material Concrete


That is it currently. I am going to be putting on the light then that well will be done! Then I have about three more moderate steps and we can get the power company out here to transfer the power over! I will keep you posted. Don't be surprised if it takes a bit, with the end of summer looming I see many camping trips coming:).

Thanks for reading and staying with me. You all are awesome!

More to Follow….

Nate
This must be a huge project. It seems to be coming along very well. I'm glad to hear that your wife is better. Chronic health issues can be very tough to live with, especially when you and your wife both have them. I'm glad to see that in spite of this you are keeping a positive attitude and making your life matter. Keep up the good work!
 

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