2011: representing Paterson Habitat

BOTTOM ROW: NANCY, DUSTIN, BOB, DEBBIE, JOHN, CRAIG, BILL AND OSCAR
TOP ROW: CHARLES, MARIE, JOAN, BARBARA AND ANDY

FRIDAY -- Last work day

Friday began with a heavy fog, laying broadly over land from the bay and west across the town. It has been a tough week, with long hard days on the construction site.  Now, on this final day, although we will be sorry to leave the lovely town of Bay St. Louis and our many friends here, no one will miss the days of physical work.

OSCAR, IS THAT YOU SAYING HOORAY?

THURSDAY -- Do it again

This is what happens: do a job well and then get to do it again. And, no surprise, today we moved to the next 2-unit foundation and commenced the work on its deck. We were told that we were now "experienced"!

Just so you know that we actually worked again today........

MARIE'S POWER GUN NAILS PLASTIC TO SILL.

TOM (L) AND ANDY CHECKING MEASUREMENTS.

Actually, this week there are several groups on site, working on single family homes and the 2-unit duplexes. Two of these teams moved to our Wednesday unit and laid in the subflooring.

1. From a high school in Bedford Hills, NY -- six students here with their art teacher and another adult chaperone.




BEDFORD HILLS


2. From metro NY area, Tuesday's Children -- 22 young people who lost a family member in the Tuesday 911 tragedy here with the founder of the organization and a couple other adults.

TUESDAY'S CHILDREN

This isn't the first Habitat trip for Tuesday's Children, but it is their first to Mississippi. Service work is very much in keeping with their motto, "Helping Heals" as it brings together children who were greatly affected by the loss of a loved one, in most cases, a parent. Local TV interviewed them.

If you want to learn more, link to:

http://www.tuesdayschildren.org/

WEDNESDAY -- Making the deck

Paterson group was moved to a new project today. Next to the house we framed yesterday, we were now tasked with prepping for the deck. Our foundation was in, but we had to build from there.

So, on top of the block, blue "sill seal" was put into place. This prevents moisture and bugs from slipping through under the house. Plastic was put on the ground within the block foundation and will further reduce moisture buildup. Pressure-treated 8 inch "sill" was drilled and installed; then 10 inch pressure-treated joists were bolted in place. Last step was to get the floor joists set across the span, into place.

Voila! Ready for the floor decking.

ANDY DRILLING THE LONG SILL BOARDS.

Here's a sample of the work in progress:













BOARDS CUT TO LENGTH BY BARB.



DEB USES RATCHET WRENCH TO BOLT JOISTS IN PLACE.



AT END OF DAY OUR FINISHED WORK!



TUESDAY -- Raising Walls



TUESDAY MORNING: SHOWING DECK AWAITING WALLS.





BILL, ONE OF MANY
NAILING THE WALL STUDS.

Framing a house has a certain sound to it: hammers at work. And in this case, a couple dozen of them, all pounding as if a symphony. Exterior walls here in Mississippi are made using 2x6s for the strength advantage and to provide additional space to insert extra insulation needed in this southern climate. These exterior walls are the first ones to be raised.

We are working today on a duplex  -- 2 units side-by-side and each unit, approximately 18' wide by 60' long. This means a verrry long first 60' wall to raise. It's a good thing we have many folks working on site. Here is how it goes up:
1. build the wall
2. line up the volunteers
3. on a single count, begin lifting
4. raise the wall into place.

YEAH, ITS 9:30 AND FIRST WALL IS IN PLACE!
DUSTIN, CHARLES AND BOB.

Walls, and more walls. Exterior and then the interior ones, those built of 2x4s. And so the day went. By 4:30 quitting time all walls of unit #1 were in place, including the tall firewall which extends high into the roof peak.



END OF DAY: SHOWING WALLS PLUS TALL WALL BETWEEN UNITS
WITH SOME OF THE FIREBOARD IN PLACE.
VOLUNTEERS ON SCAFFOLDING ARE SHEATHING THE EXTERIOR WALL.



MONDAY -- First day on the worksite

Weatherwise, this was a perfect day, with sun, warm temps and a slight breeze keeping the bugs away. So sorry that you folks back home couldn't have the same. What snow you said?

The day began with 7:00 a.m. breakfast provided by some lovely parishioners at the local Methodist Church. Then off to the worksite for the 8:00 a.m. morning meeting.

This will not be a blitz "build a house in a week", but we'll be assigned different projects every day. We moved to a house a block away and prepared to complete siding with the hardy board. Scaffolding was set up, siding panels measured, cut and installed. Siding was caulked, a team began the painting and another three worked on the soffets.

SUPER CRAIG FOUND A PERFECT SPOT FOR A BREAK!

It was a productive first day and we are satisfied with making a lot of progress on this house.

Now, just returned from dinner and tired feet and muscles need their rest before tomorrow, when we'll be out there again.

Ready for Mississippi -- 2011

Today is Monday and 14 days from today, we will be on the worksite, building another house for the fifth time in the beautiful coastal town of Bay St. Louis. Traveling south for this weeklong "Build" of a frame house is our group of fourteen volunteers, including seven returnees. Four are veteran builders, returning for their 5th trip to the area.

We have come to love the Mississippi Gulf Coast, its friendly folks, interesting cuisine and the wonderful staff at the Bay/Waveland Habitat office. Work finishes on Friday, Feb 25th. That evening we plan to stay overnight in New Orleans and maybe take in the first of the Madri Gras parades that evening.  What Fun!

Stop back for all the details of this latest Paterson Habitat Build.