Sweat Free Construction....

This page is ongoing until the shed is built, painted and landscaped. I'll keep adding in case you are curious about how the looks develop.

Sweat-free construction for us. we are just taking photos of the workers and attempting to keep Henry happy.  Henry has conquered the semi-inflated garage ball game. His head tilt and wag combination has earned him lots of human playmates and exercise. Visiting a house with a construction project happening and four elderly kitties ruling the roost is a challenge for Henry boy - but it is a challenge conquered.

Today the construction On the shed is happening! Two workers are toiling flat out. After Seattle downpours on Thursday, today is just right.  Amazing how well the construction is progressing even without Henry's advice.

We prepared the base for the shed and it was very close to level.  We left three buckets of rock to aid the leveling if needed - but instead they used an untreated shim at the front left side.  Henry did not approve (neither did his parents). That seemed like a lazy shortcut.  We were told "no problem" - but Seattle is very wet and we'll be watching that section.  

There was a "yikes" moment when the builder told us our original plan with the door centered and windows on each side wouldn't work with the depth of shelves Samantha wanted - but we came up with a solution that worked for the construction team and for us. I think I like it even better than the original design.

 

The workers arrived around 9:00 a.m. And it is now 12:45 p.m. Pretty slick! They are doing a great job.  I think it is going to be both cute and functional.

Wall number three with a window and the shed door opening.  Pretty exciting!  On the wall to the right is the space for Sam's 20 inch potting bench. On the wall to the left (yet to appear) there will be a series of 16 inch storage shelves.  On the side with the two windows there was a long de-lamination in a section below the window.  

When we painted, we removed the unattached section, filled and sealed before painting. Grrr.

Below is the inside-out photo of the two window walls. There will be no electric, but I think these windows will let in plenty of light except after sundown.  If not, I saw a nifty small solar panel that is suppose to charge a battery enough for lights. 

After lunch - the roof!  Prior to building, there was a hiccough in the materials the home owner association would approve. They wanted the shingles to match to house. The builders supplied three tab, the association required Certainteed Presidential shake TL. Yes. That does sound important, doesn't it? The builders said no problem until they saw the shingles we purchased - they decided it was above their capability.  Humph.  The instructions were on the packaging.  It just required a 1/8th inch off set and was not really complicated - but more so than the bottom of the line three-tab.  Anyhow, they required shingles will look much better - if we can find someone to put them on the roof! The builders from Aurora cannot put them on.  The search is progressing as we speak!

 

The fellow above is finishing off the door.  So, below,  we are now on day two. Samantha and I stayed at the shed caulking until 9 last night. I am so glad we did because it took all day to seal the outside with Kilz. Five tubes of caulk and three gallons of sealer later...we are ready to start painting tomorrow!

Henry was a good boy. No barking unless I was out of sight plus only one, "Whoops,  where did that huge glob of paint on Henry's tush come from?" Not to worry - we caught it before it dried on his fur!

As always, Henry found the supervision demanding. Time to sleep.

Painting the inside was an adventure.  First I finished the back wall cutting the plywood to fit around the shelves on both sides.  The fit turned out surprisingly good!

Painting the ceiling was not so happy.  There was a de-lamination section above the door.  I peeled it back hoping to fill, but it ended up peeling all the way to a knot that exposed the roofing tar paper. It only turned out okay because we are having someone else to the roofing.  They will replace the section before they re-tar paper and shingle it. 

I think the ceiling de-lamination and the one under the windows were pretty serious quality control issues. 

Samantha found a accommodating roofer. He arranged for a fellow to come out and do the job on a Saturday since it was a small job.

Now we just have some planting and eventual replacement of the ramp to go. The ramp is solid and usable, but steeper than ideal and a just bit lower on one side than the other.

Larry the #10 Downing Street Mouser

I saw this story on the BBC News iPad App and thought you should see it:

No 10 denies Larry the cat claims

Number 10 denies claims in a new book that Larry the Downing Street cat is disliked by the prime minister and his family.

Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24316197

Now I must say, Henry is not fond of cats. They never seem to want to play with him. In fact, his "sister" Vivika protects that bedroom hall so Henry cannot go down to sleep in his peeps bed until he is carried by his papa peep.  That said, Henry will give any creature a chance, so he is offering to adopt Larry.  Maybe he will distract Vivika. 

Sam Adam's Treatment

Pizza and a bottle of Sam Adam's with a movie did not work out perfectly as our evening entertainment. In the middle of Iron Man 3, Henry decided his two humans were distracted and it was a great time to snatch and destroy the napkin under the Sam Adams bottle.

The I-phone that drowned in the process is shut down and nesting in a bowl of rice. The cats can't figure why Henry didn't get a timeout. We tried to explain that he was oblivious but they are not convinced.   You cannot explain things to cats.

Henry might have suggested I share this photo from my friend, Dana. He did make agreeable throat noises - he may just have wanted more kibble. In the foreground is the handsome new pup in Dana's household - Grover. In the background is Henry's friend, Arlo. Arlo is an old man and has a cyst on his hip so he is wearing a set of shorts. Pretty snazzy bit of protection - he looks like a backwoods guy heading out to his still. Get better fast Arlo!

Citronella Collar

What the heck!?!  There Henry was, wearing his brand new collar proudly and in a barking rush to the door....he freezes in his tracks after just one explosive bark at the pizza delivery man. I have no idea who was more surprised, Henry or Mr. Domino's.  If there had been Mosquitos, Henry would have been safe. Citronella filled the air!

There is some concern.  The French bulldog in the packaging looks pretty dopie. They are usually handsome little fellows, but this one appears a bit drugged out - even his tongue ripples! So far Henry appears undamaged. Quiet and confused - but tongue isn't rippled.

The instructions suggest leaving it on no more than 12 hours out of 24. I took it off, and we went out to say hello to Henry's arch enemy, Sheldon the pit bull next door. Henry's barker obviously still works. As soon as he discovered that repercussion free barking was in place, he went wild. If Sheldon ever makes it through that fence, he is going to eat Henry. I tried to explain "low profile" but Henry didn't get it. Next time out, the collar is on.

Marilyn

Dogs are so amazing. Marilyn is Henry's cousin from Texas. She had never been in water other than baths - but this six year old walked straight In the lake and started swimming as if she had done it daily.

And once again Henry got skunked fishing.

Home Depot and Henry

We love Home Depot visits.since it is dog friendly, Henry meets more dogs there than at PetCo. Today henry met a huge poodle named Lulu. She had the same cut as Henry but her hair was a bit stiffer. She was lovely! Then a bit later we met a lady with two bishons in her basket. Just a bit smaller than Henry. She was convinced Henry was also a bishon (and of course a gorgeous one).  He is a handsome fellow what ever he is. Good boy, Henry.

An Update ...

Henry has been one busy doggie. When he last dictated his blog for me to scribe, we were in Woodinville Washington. We completed the leveling and rock base for Sam and Ryan's shed. Henry needed to rest up after his heavy supervision duties, so we headed to Eugene to Stephie's house.  There was chimney work and a damaged slab there to repair -and of course Henry wanted to be involved.

     

He barked advice and minor corrections...his help was invaluable.

   

        

Yes. I said invaluable. (That is definitely what he told me to type.) he was especially impressed with Stephie's pumpkin patch - but the red peppers and tomatoes were favorites too.  We also did a visit to the garden wall Stephie and friends built at the University of Oregon campus. 

        

So with that done - it was time to drop Greg off at the Portland airport for home. Someone has to work to support Henry in the manner he has come to expect. Next we get a couple of nights camping out with the favorite human, Sue (Henry is objecting. He says he likes Greg just as much and is very enthusiastic about Samantha and Stephie too).  ....so much for doggie treats today!

That blur is Henry's cousin Daisy Mae. Henry wanted it in there to show his visit to Karrie and Roger's house -- but Daisy is crazy active and that was the closest to a still shot in the camera!  So now just Henry and Sue are left in the little burro travel trailer and we are off for a couple of overnights on the road! First to Point Blank State park and a pretty good hike down to the ocean.

Then a night at lake Pleasant RV park. Pretty neat and great restrooms (fellow campers can will tell  you how special that is) but it was not necessary to post the ponds "no swimming". They looked pretty murky. There were ducks that kept encroaching on our site, but Henry the powerful wonder dog kept them at bay.

And finally, back to Woodinville. This is shed building day!! Tomorrow we'll show you the shed progress.  For some reason the builders aren't too interested in Henry's advice.  I know. That is so hard to believe!  Henry is stuck inside out of barking advice range.

More Supervision Duties

As always, Henry has demonstrated his support and patience in another project.

His humans leveled a pad for a shed then supported the edges with large rock before filling it with three inches of packable gravel. Henry even helped a bit with the digging -- unfortunately it was a patch of Ryan's beautiful lawn. 

Water Dogs

These guys spent the day chasing - in and out of the water - racing to the end of the dock (just in case a fish came to the surface) and then racing back to check on the humans.

...and checking out the neighbors full size poodle, Gerda. She is a cutie pie!

Kathy's House

We are talking doggie heaven here. This is the garage...walls finished. Rugs, air conditioning and heat. Raised snuggy bed, toy buckets on the floor.  Wyatt is inside raising havoc most of the time, but it gives him a nifty "vacation" spot when desired.

The house and yard spoils the pampered pooch too. Henry's cousin Wyatt has a plastic pool and a barrel fountain with water plants plus more toy buckets to empty.

Henry knows exactly where Wyatt's treat drawer is located and he regularly sniffs it for new fragrances...and then, of course, the inside doggie bed and two more spots with toy buckets.  Lots of love and care in this doggie heaven!

Henry's Tante Kathy sent him back to the lake with us and a can of the yummy stuff that make this picky eater gobble down his food. Does it work when his human adds it to the kibble? Nope. He won't even sniff the bowl. It takes Kathy's magic touch. Sigh.

Henry Recharging

Henry is back visiting his herding cousin. They had a great afternoon -- but now we have two exhausted pups. 

 Life is good!