Whadda day.

[Old and In the Way]

Gotta call from a friend last night. He's building a house up here in Central Maine. He was looking for help today. I'm pretty sure he's a Republican, but a really good guy. How good? He was there for me 5 years ago when I needed help building my place after our fire. He works at the local hardware store and he donated every Wednesday (his day off) for 6 weeks to help me get my loghome built. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciated his help. I knew he was getting close to building, but he called last night asking if I could help him today. I cleared my schedule and put in 8 full hours hammering, measuring, cutting with 3 other guys.

We started with a 30' x 36' empty deck at 8:00AM today. We got all 4 walls (2 x 6/OSB/ 18"OC) and framed up all inside partion walls (2 x 4) (Kitchen/Bathroom/2 bedrooms/living room).

Are we good or what? :-)

Best part was the 4:30-6;30 happy hours watching the sun set over the Western Mountains of Maine, enjoyed our very tired muscles, having some brewskis,.... as we congratulated each other profusely on a job well done.

Helping your neighbor, that's where it's at..

[realisticphish]

1. there is nothing

more satisfying than watching a house go up as you build it; the foundation stuff sucks, but once the frame goes up, you feel hella good

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[Old and In the Way]

2. I don't do foundations.....

I know my limitations! Rough framing is my "specialty". Yeah, I really enjoy being able to see the fruits of your labor show up directly. I can work for 8 hours in my office, and at the end of the day, the piles look slightly shuffled.

Building is good for the soul!

[Jokinomx]

3. I couldn't agree more....

One of the best feelings we can have as a human is when we truly help someone in a time of need. There is something to be said about the barn raisings that communities had decades ago.. when everyone in the village or town came out and built a barn in a day. It bonds the community like nothing can.

I can picture your setting very well... Old and in the Way.... I grew up in the great Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It has to be very simular to Maine.(Take away the mountains of course):-)

[Old and In the Way]

4. Back 15 years or so ago.

300 people (about 10%) worked on building a community playgorund. A huge pressure treated wonder, with castles and slides and ropes, etc. Still looks great. It took 3 full days to build it. Now that was a community experience.

BTW, I worked with Oylympia Snowe (my Republican Congressperson for pretty much a whole day. She pitched in and really helped build it.

[Jokinomx]

5. We had the same type of Project

here in Greenville a few years ago. We call it the Danish Kingdom. It has become the most popular city park Greenville has. The kids love it. I had just moved to Greenville and didn't participate.. however.. I have volunteered my time with the local theater troupe in building of sets. I am currently an unemployed woodworker...working the summer as a grounds keeper for the little league and adult softball fields. The job ends in October and I am hoping to be able to be hired permanent by the city by then...if not I will have to commute to Grand Rapids again.. about a 45 min drive.

[Old and In the Way]

6. Welcome on board!

I'm about 45 minutes from Greenville....Maine, that is. :-)

Best of luck on your employment plans.