Up, Up, and Away

I just started the first installation of drywall on ceilings at the Wimberley house. Turns out those 13 foot high cathedral ceilings that looked so good in the drawings were just a tad challenging.

I normally try to get the right tool for each construction job, and a drywall panel lifter like the one in this picture is normally perfect. But, the local rental stores only carried ones that raised panels up to 11 feet. Being anxious to complete the living room ceiling, I rented "Shorty" here and built the platform you see him standing on (out of scrap lumber) to get the extra height.

So, the ceiling is done now, and I escaped with only a very sore neck from bending my head back for about 8 hours straight. Next big event: The living room limestone fireplace surround and hearth. Luckily, the limestone height is only about five feet above the slab!