After buying property in October 2000, we started the building and  site preparation process, by having the house pad graded and the ‘pond’ filled in. Next, were plans for our first ‘outbuilding’, an 8 x 16 shed. The house wouldn’t be begun until Feb 2004.

From November 2002

Folks in this area build their garages, barns and shed first, then….build their homes. Usually, this is so they can live in it, or store tools in preparation for building. We had tools and equipment to store so, this was the reason we built our shed first.  In his auto repair shop office in Fresno, our good friend Russ sketched out the plan and made a list of materials in about 15 minutes, writing on the back of an envelope.

Rain was predicted the weekend of the build so we had supplies delivered by Lowe’s to Russ’s new pole barn. The sides and floor were assembled inside the barn and transported to our place the same day. That afternoon, the concrete block piers were placed at the bottom of the ‘circle drive’ at the end of the driveway.

Son, Greg, daughter, Madeline and friends Ed, Russ and Jeff came over to help. The floor was constructed sides added and roof trusses built on site. We all worked from 7am to 7pm and the next morning, veryone arrived again at 7am, to put the roof on. That evening we had enough energy to barbeque at the neighbors and were joined by the wives and everyone on our circle.  We all walked down  to see the finished shed and took a group photo.

There is no way we can adequately thank everyone for the help for this project. We are most thankful to have wonderful friends here, who are like family to us. Without them, living up here wouldn’t be half as rewarding and time after time they have come through for us with friendship, labor and support.