The Leaning Column of Tobin Hill is history

Column in mid air

Column in place---->

Here comes the plinth


East column before

East Column after

FOR THE WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 12, 2006

HIGHLIGHTS

1. It was a week of amazing carpenty progress! Wes Gooden and his crew strengthened the balcony substructure, straightened the Leaning Column of Tobin Hill, built brick footings for the rectangular columns attached to the house, and replaced 2 bases to the 20' round columns. Moving the column was nothing short of incredible. There were 3 cables tied off above the balcony handrail that pulled the top back toward the house, 2 struts down by the entry porch pushing the bottom away from the house, a hydraulic jack lifting the balcony ever so slightly, and 2 balcony handrails that remained intact throughout the process. (I'm having a hard time describing this without moving my hands.) We had planned for the worst case scenario but this went as close to the best case scenario as possible. Wes, you're a genius. If any of you want more engineering detail, let me know and I'll share more pictures than the ones above.

2. A token plumbing effort began with the first section of pipe being hung from the floor joists. Once you get accustomed to being under the house, it's not so bad. Our objective is to upgrade the water supply lines to PVC and simplify the maze of pipes.

3. Fireplace work began on Saturday. A new footing for the hearth was poured and the firebox, i.e., the place where fires actually burn, have been completed.

4. Who's coming over for Thanksgiving diner? We picked up the gas stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave. Getting them hooked up in the kitchen is still several weeks away pending a gas line, an icemaker line, dedicated electrical circuits for the stove, microwave, and refrigerator, flooring, current water heaters moved out of the kitchen, ... If you're coming for Thanksgiving, bring a sack lunch.

5. We continue to be blessed by visitors. Jim Zeller, a dear friend and brother from the Lafayette Church of Christ in Ballwin, MO, was in town on Tuesday. After a delicious breakfast together at the Echilada Warehouse, he took the tour. Two young ladies who are majoring in Urban Studies at Trinity University were walking in the neighborhood, were curious about the house and enjoyed a walkthrough. Buck and Katy Brockman did a progress check today. You, too, can make the blog when you come visit.

NEXT STEPS

1. The plumbing goal this week is to have the PVC water supply network laid out this week. It will be dramatically less complex than the beast under the house now.

2. Fireplace work is scheduled to continue. I need to pick up the cast iron fireplace front and a "strap" of bricks for the hearth. You'll love the before, during, and after pictures.

3. The exterior surface of the upstairs clawfoot bathtub is in the process of being taken back to bare metal. I've worn out one wire wheel so far. All 8 feet for the 2 tubs in the house were dropped off at a shop to be nickel plated. Can you believe a 3 week turnaround?

4. I need to check with the gas utility about what is needed to establish gas service. There is a meter but no connected gas lines into this all electric house. We'll need to get gas to OSHA Babe's gas stove and to the fireplace. More to come.

5. I am scheduled to attend a Tax Certification Meeting this Wednesday. My expectation is that the property will be approved for reduced San Antonio City taxes over the next 10 years after the planned work is done. Hopefully, this will be innocuous.