The State of the Tree House...

Somewhere along the way, the husband got the brilliant idea that he needed to build a tree house.  I guess rebuilding a real house isn't enough for him...or maybe building the shed inspired him...or maybe he is trying to relive his childhood, just a little bit.

I veto'd the purchase of the wood.  I insisted that his to-do list was too long, his time frame too short and it would sit.  I wanted to spend the money on something that was needed and could be used now.

As sometimes happens, the husband takes matters into his own hands and does his own thing.  I strongly voiced my [negative] opinion, but he went ahead and purchased the wood anyway.

Mind you, this happened in the fall.  It is now almost May, and here is the state of the tree house.  The wood has sat in a nice pile for about six months now...waiting...

Maybe one day it will become a magnificent tree house.  Perhaps the elves will show up and build it.  I will keep you posted, but I believe it has fallen down the list, behind finishing the front, painting the side, gutting the bathroom (dining room and part of the upstairs bedroom), and finishing the bathroom...  As you see it may be years yet...

Shed down and a friend...

Inspecting the progress

The burning of the shed

The shed is being dismantled.  The wood supporting the roof is so rotted that it comes apart by banging it with a crowbar.

The husband spent the day taking it apart and burning the pieces.  He says he will salvage some of the front boards as they are "true 2x4s", you know back when a 2x4 meant a board that was 2" by 4" and not todays 1 1/2" by 3 1/2".  This can be problematic when you are working on an old house and cannot find replacement boards of the right dimensions (no matter what they call them).

I guess calling them 1.5 x 3.5s just doesn't have the same ring...

Anyway, the point is not the boards, but the removal of the fine shed.

Our projects are not without their little (or big) surprises. This one was found in the rotted shed sill.  Don't worry he let it go. I don't think it is in my basement or behind my fridge, or in my bed, but you just never know.

Ripping down the shell of the Shed...

The Shed Snake

Farewell to the shed...

The tarps and roofing are off and now it is time to begin dismantling the caving in shed.

I took some pictures to remember it by as the next time you go to look for it, it may no longer be there (let's hope).

It is sort of pretty though, the way the sunlight filters in through the holes.  The other two photos are not so pretty, but that is why we are taking it down.

I never thought it would take us four winters...or that it would make it through that much snow.  Maybe it is stronger than it looks!  Yeah, I doubt it.  Must be luck.

Adieu to ze olde shed

Ze Olde Shed...

Inside the shed, nice view of the collapsing roof

Removing temporary tarps and roofing asphalt

I heard sounds of a chain saw outside today, and went out to investigate.

I guess this is the year we take down the old collapsing shed that somehow has made it through four new England winters since we inherited it.

I wouldn't call the structure exactly "safe" and it is quite an eye sore.  The husband remarked that it was originally cobbled together with bits and scraps.  He found some knob and tube wiring and thought maybe it once had electricity, but upon further investigation seems that they just reused a board that had once been in the house and didn't both to remove the electrical conduits.

He is a little sad to see it go, because he now has to figure out what to do with the stuff he keeps inside it (um yes that is why he built the other shed, but apparently a shed can never be big enough).  More on shed

I am not going to miss it one bit.

Phase 1: remove tarps and asphalt roofing material

Phase 2:  dismember shed, salvaging usable boards (?!)

Phase 3: have a big bonfire


Phase 4:  Rake the area and maybe reseed grass or plant shrubs

Man defying odds of falling through roof of shed

View from the back - can you see why I want this gone?

Another view from the back with that crazy man on top...

Removing the weather-beaten tarps...

Man builds shed...

I really lobbied hard to buy a shed this summer.  I found a company with free delivery and set-up, add water and instant shed!, but the man wanted to build his own.  I guess the opportunity to build something new from the ground up instead of demolishing years of filth and rodent remains was just too tempting...
Needless to say, the "little" project has been on-going since June.  Our good friend Dave (we shall call him Mr. Sr. Design Engineer) has been assisting T with the project.  Between the two of them they have done quite well with a pile of boards and some rough scribbles on a napkin that went through the wash.  What you wanted a shed plan?
Name the structure...poll This is absolutely a back yard shed. 33.33% (1 votes) Major man cave 66.67% (2 votes) He's moving out - that's a cottage 0% (0 votes)

"I thought it would be more like Lincoln Logs"

Hmmm...isn't it a little big?  

Two men, one nail gun.

The emerging post and beam structure

Contemplating where to put the beer fridge...