Things continue at a feverish pace at the ranch...
We poured 700 feet of footings yesterday for the creative fence we are building around the property. I can't describe it any other way as it lives only in my mind so far because I haven't had time to do more than a very rough sketch. But its on the short list of things to do.
We've decided to build using a releatively new method of construction... The new shop will be a concrete structure using the new styrofoam forms which remain in place to provide great insulation. The building method is perfect for our crazy way of building as curved walls and other details are easy to add. So it's all being engineered now... with us applying for our final building permit shortly.
It's Janis' birthday soon and Rebecca & Phoenix. Peter & I decided that we would get Janis some pigmy goats for her birthday. ( One sort of came with the property.) His name is Billy.
Then there's Rebecca's pony 'Chai Spice' who now lives on the ranch too. And three new additions (the baby pigmy goats) Mirth, Merryment & Pansy. They are a laugh a minute!!!
They missed their mommy greatly last night and we were somewhat worried. I checked on them a few times.
This morning I was surprised to see them snuggling with the pony. I called Janis to take a look & then Mirth decided she wanted to get a better look around the ranch & climbed up to the highest vantage point he could find... on top of the horse!!
He stayed there long enough for me to go get my camera & take a few snaps...
Giggling at the ranch...
-dan
[ July 10, 2003, 02:56 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
lol...animals are the greatest! glad to see the progress is going so well...i've heard of the concrete forms that you speak of...i think it's a great method..can't wait to see more pictures!
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Hey Dan! I'm Flying to Edmonton today and going to Pat Welter's meet in Unity with Duncan Wilkie...I wish I could stay an extra day and visit the ranch, if I can move my return flight, can you show me around? I've always been a BIG fan, and I especially like your Wall Murals!
I look forward to hearing from you as I am excited to venture to the Great White North!
Sincerly wanting to Giggle all day, Mike Meyer
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Mike
I'd love to see ya!
-dan
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
I think you could do a lot of cool things with the concrete walls, but we were leary when we made plans for our garage. There are a few companies around here that have been doing those for a few years around here now. While 1 company has a decent reputation, the others are unknown. I've heard some use rebar reinforcement and some don't. We got burned by a company that sided the house years ago, so we are being real conservative with the shop and decided the concrete walls haven't been around here long enough to prove anything.
Just please make sure you're dealing with a company that knows what they're doing.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Thanks for your oncern Chris...
Our building is to be structurally engineered by an engineer with extensive experience with this system. It's been around for a while.
As for construction... we are doing it with our own forces, and we do much more complex projects than this routinely. So I don't anticipate much in the way of problems and I know exactly what we are building. I tend to greatly overbuild and our stuff holds up well.
The building inspectors are on side & excited about our little project.
I think it's gonna be a fun one!
-dan
The only thing we are contracting out is the electrical.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Dan, you'll have to show off the progress pics! I have to admit, the pic of the new addition of family is a stitch.
Happy birthday, Janis!
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
Dan, My Cousins House is Built out of that styro fill.. It was a real neat setup. Its been up for a few years now and have heard of no problems at all and He can heat the house with a match. Keep us posted Im so excited for you...
Posted by Chris Elliott (Member # 1262) on :
Hey Dan,
I'm glad to hear of the progress!! I'm looking forward to seeing some pix of the dirt work or even of some sketchs.....it's a little tough to visualize that picture in your mind (I'm not as talented as Miss Cleo, the infamous mind reader on TV) so by all means, continue to enjoy yourself but when you get a chance, get that camera out!! .......please?
p.s. tell Janis Happy Birthday!! Posted by Source Signs (Member # 1164) on :
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