What it takes to bring an old homestead back

[braceysdad]

Originally Posted by neillarson

Keep in mind, I am an old man with replaced knees. So gotta go slow.

No problem...

[Frankenwheely]

You're one lucky SOB. Can't wait to see more progress.

[boisetrucker]

That's a nice place you guys have there.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

[neillarson]

Used my new zero turn today, cut about an acre and then found a 3' long piece of barb wire in the grass that must have fallen out of my front end loader while cleaning up a small pond. Found out it would stop a 24HP Kohler motor dead in its tracks.

While loading up I also broke my harbor freight ATV ramps, cheap ass POS. Went to Bass Pro and got a nice set that are TIG welded.

First 2pieces of the house are done and the porch and roof go on tomorrow. Hopefully I can remember to take some pics.

[neillarson]

Progress! After 3 days, the House is in, now waiting on Electric service (Monday or Tuesday), Sewage Treatment Plant and Water lines (next week), A bunch of trim work and clean up. Brick work and landscaping to start.

Had the Grand Daughters over for a weenie roast while we were waiting to do the external inspection and the first walk through. Service guy will be in Monday to get the A/C compressor installed and fix any outstanding issues. We hope to have the final inspection so we can plan move in right after Thanksgiving week.

Meeting the contractor Monday also for the Carport and Front Stairs. Rear deck will wait till next spring. Washer/Dryer and new furniture will be there the Thursday after Thanksgiving. Then to move all our stuff out of storage except for the shop stuff. Hopefully we can finalize the shop design and get it started in December. I am then giving the RV to my BIL and he will use it at his hunting camp all winter.

Taking a short break with a long weekend at the coast to see Joe Bonamassa in concert over the 1st of December.

Some pics from today.

Front of house


Back


Grand Daughters with my niece (in the middle)


Going for a spin with Grandpa


The Pond

[BigSki]

I couldn't visualize how big the pond was until seeing the pic.

[neillarson]

Originally Posted by BigSki

I couldn't visualize how big the pond was until seeing the pic.

Yeah, 18 acres doesn't really give you the sense of size, I was surprised when I first saw it and it was all grown up around it. We have an old crazy coot that cuts it for us a couple times a summer with a huge double batwing mower and a very large 4WD Kubota. Scares me just watching him. I could pull the mower with my MF but it is way to high and not 4WD, and the Kioti is too small. Just using the loader in the ditch in front of the house make me feel all tippy.

This gives you a little idea of the height of some of the levees.


Any here is a little guy I saw from the top of the 12 foot levee

[Duuuuuuuude]

Wow, that's a good hunk of water.


How long before you drop crawlers for boats?

[neillarson]

Originally Posted by Duuuuuuuude

Wow, that's a good hunk of water.


How long before you drop crawlers for boats?

lol, good question. When I was in Northern Illinois, I have about 10 to 12 local guys but only a few places to run. Here I have lots of places to run, but from what I can figure out there is ONE local crawler. There are a few on the coast and a few up north. In between I do have Bracysdad though we have not met yet. But I love the scale builds so I will keep on with them.

All that said, I have a Miss Geico coming and may try a Spartan. I plan for a few scale boats also. Tugs of course. Might even do some real steam power.

[BigSki]

With that much water available, you could build a few 2 man pirate ships and have water balloon battles!

[Duuuuuuuude]

Originally Posted by BigSki

With that much water available, you could build a few 2 man pirate ships and have water balloon battles!

Yar!

[neillarson]

Originally Posted by BigSki

With that much water available, you could build a few 2 man pirate ships and have water balloon battles!

Now that's funny right there, I don't care who you are.

A couple RC battleships with air soft guns would be cool but tough to blow that kind of money when your retired.

[braceysdad]

how deep is the pond? I was part owner of an aquaculter supply company for 13 years... I still have all my old contacts on chemicals, supplies, and fish if you need anything

[neillarson]

The 18 acre is 10' on average for half it's length then about 4' for the other half. 8 years of growth on the bass, crappie and bluegill but had some trouble with channel cats. Can't seem to get them to take hold.

The small pond at the front f the house is about 30'X40' and is only about 2 to 3 feet deep. Going to dig it out some next summer. That is where we are going to run a fountain. If I can get it to a consistent 3 to 4 feet and get some rock in it, maybe some Koi.

The other pond is about 45' X 90' and is about 4 feet but is full of junk. Not sure if I am going to fill it in or try to clean it up.

And we are considering a new pond in the middle of the bak yard, it would be triangular about 80' at the base and 120' at the apex. It would slope from about 10' at the dam and slope to zip. More Koi there and scale boats of course.

Too much info?

[neillarson]

Got power into the property today, should have it to the house and a meter in by Tuesday, then final inspection so we can wrap it up and start on the pad for the carport.

I discovered I REALLY hate stringing barb wire today. And I only had to do six poles at 4 strands. Still wore me out, lol.

Got the new (to me) 6' bush hog on today. That was a bit of a bitch too. The old 3PH on the MF 175 is pretty tough to work with.

[dropstep]

Good thing my wife doesnt hang out here, i complained about cleaning up my lot in town and its tiny compared too that. Why no basement though?

[neillarson]

No basement for the same reason as no brick around the crawl space. Too much movement in the sand/clay soil mixture in my area. Along with very high moisture retention. In Illinois, the same home would have been set on a basement or solid foundation.

Really doesn't bother me as my knees are shot and that would just be more stairs to climb.

The carpenter is coming by Friday to figure out the front steps and the rear deck.

[neillarson]

Finally got electricity in the new house. Now we have all the utilities and a Fnal inspection. New living room, dining room and master bled room furniture arrives tomorrow and the alarm system gets installed. Ready to start moving in on Sunday after I get home from the Joe Bonamassa concert in Gulfport. Monday is the floor people to complete the dining room floor. Tuesday is Dish, Internet, new washer and dryer, Wednesday is new Tv and surround system installation.

Anyone got a strong back and a weak mind that loves to pickup and move massive boxes and furniture?

Now to start work on framing the slab for the shop. Really hope I can be In the shop in the next couple months. Also need to get started on the tractor shed. And the stock fence. And the shelter for the horses. And the water tank for the horse and cattle (well, 1 steer to split with my BIL. It's name is going to be "T" Bone), And the cattle feeder. And the ground broke for the wild life plot, and the landscape timer plans for the gardens. All that is under the assumption that i fail to deter my wife on the horse(s). Man, the list never ends.

[JeremyH]

Originally Posted by neillarson

...the alarm system...

Two big dogs?

[sally1800]

Enjoy your retirement.

Any Plans on a Chicken Coup?