So What Have I Been Doing?

Almost nothing it would seem.

Actually, I did get the insulation installed in the loft area, so I accomplished something. However, winter rain proved to be a problem.

The previous owner had a lean-to attached to the side of the shop (facing south). I removed it as part of installing a new "carport" to cover our horse trailer. Unfortunately, he had installed a piece of sheet metal into a slot he cut to divert water from the side of the shop to the roof of the lean-to. I removed it, but left the slot open as it was, hopefully, protected by the carport. Un-huh.

When I found wet spots, and some mold, on the sheetrock, I knew I had to solve that problem before continuing.

So, I went and bought some expanding foam insulation and went along the loft area, spraying it into a gap between a 2x10 and the sheet metal. Didn't get it all, it turned out. So, I went outside and tried caulking it with silicone sealant. That didn't work. Last resort, I used the foam insulation from the outside to seal the gaps. Doesn't look great right now, but it worked! I'll clean off the outside excess some other day.

Now that the leaks were patched, I used bleach (full strength) on the moldy sheetrock. Next day, it was gone.

So, I've lost a few weeks due to weather and its associated problems, but I've been doing other things also related to the layout.

I updated my version of 3rdPlanIt to V8, which I run in Windows XP via Parallels Desktop ( I use a Mac). I had intended to do my layout design in it, but the Rickreall club needed a quickie concept for a new area, so I lost a few days doing that (and now they want updates!).

I also built some roll-around "carts" made of plywood, 1x4 and casters. Cost about $10 (mostly the 2-inch casters) and I built 4 of them so far to put boxes of magazines on them (and maybe other things later). They'll hold 3 boxes vertically, so I can store a lot of stuff under my layout (when it's built).

Well, we have decent weather today, so I need to get out and mud the sheetrock and see what else I can get done (after my other chores).