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Home » Pilings, a Shed & Love. Oh my!

Pilings, a Shed & Love. Oh my!

America along side her new pilings

Our first priority, to make America secure. Hurricane season has passed, and our basin is a hurricane hole. Regardless, Tom wants to protect his girl. Well, I should say girls – which includes America, Me, Midget, Georgia, Tiny and Mookie. Funny, if you know him, you know he has always enjoyed his girls. I digress. Storms and winds are our primary concern, we need taller and sturdier pilings. Of course, Tom expected we would do it ourselves. What?!? This made me wonder, should we tackle that job ourselves?? After a little research, he estimated the range to have them installed at $500-$1,000 a piling. We needed at least five now, but will have to install at least 21 more. My perspective changed, of course we could do it ourselves!

Tom watched You-Tube videos. If inclined, you can learn to do anything (or learn what not to do) by watching a video. He purchased the materials, set up the equipment, got the excavator ready, and called me out. I don’t ask many questions, which is beneficial to both of us. He doesn’t like to waste time explaining, and I really don’t want to know what I have gotten myself into.

Installing a piling with the excavator
Installing a piling with the excavator
Getting ready to insert pilings by the boat with excavator
Getting ready to insert pilings by the boat

With a little excavator leverage and our determination, Tom’s plan should work. To me, it sounded simple enough, right?? Now, for any of you that know me….you know I have a very difficult time being told what to do. This was going to be interesting. With a bit of a learning curve two pilings went in without a hitch. It was the third that gave us the test. I flunked….I almost fell in and ended up marching off muttering under my breath. After that, Tom hired someone for a few hours and sunk that impossible one, plus another. It was a success!

Next, a shed. We need it to house Tom’s beloved zero-turn John Deere, his tools and my garden supplies. He designed for temporary storage use, but his end vision was as a cozy mini cottage floating on the river. On a Friday, he asked me to find old windows and doors. That weekend, I discovered a yard sale around the corner selling the ideal materials. We didn’t need it all, but couldn’t pass up vintage stock. After stuffing the back of the Ford Edge and my trailer full…..once again, we felt blessed and led.

Yard sale score
Yard sale score
Building of shed
Building of shed
Shed building in early beginning
Shed building in early beginning
Shed building in progress
Shed building in progress

The shed features French windows, a nine light glass door, tin roofing, and port hole for an attic window. How fitting. As most of our plans are fluid, the future use of this shed has changed many times. Our final decision, it’s going to be MY future potting shed/ chicken coop. I can already see the front workspace with chippy painted furniture, a chandelier and vintage art and the rear being a cushy chicken haven. Here’s to baby chicks in the fall!

Shed almost complete
Shed almost complete

Basin sunrise on trees
Basin sunrise on trees
Basin sunset on trees
Basin sunset on trees
Tom & Tiffany
Tom & Tiffany

Tom and I are task masters and have a habit of working all day long attaining our goals. We make an effort to remember to recognize beauty, participate in hope and celebrate life. We are sure to take time to read scripture to one another, enjoy al fresco lunches and marvel at the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Most of all, we are grateful for our time spent together and love each other every day with full hearts.

Sunrise seen from master stateroom
Sunrise seen from master stateroom
Sunset over sound through the trees
Sunset over sound through the trees

5 thoughts on “Pilings, a Shed & Love. Oh my!”

  1. Isn’t it great when you go to yard sales and find things you need and/or can repurpose for projects? I have also been able to find useful wood items in a “big box store” scrap pile, to use for making my future chicken run. Love the French windows in the tiny shed!

    1. Yes, Teena! I absolutely love repurposing for many reasons, mostly because it is recycling at the very root of the concept and because used stuff comes with a story. I love the story!

  2. Love all these pics Tiffany and you have such a gift for writing! It gives us a glimpse of what your
    Life looks like right now until we can make it down to see you guys in person.
    Great work!

    1. Thanks Julie!! I’ve been working very hard at making it interesting. We can’t wait for you to visit. xoxo

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