It’s finished! The structure is staked down, the braces are in place, and the swinging aparatus is hung! I finished up with the project Sunday afternoon (sorry for no post, but I’m sticking to my new practice of not turning on the computer on Sundays) and the kids were swinging by 2:30. After a meeting at church, I finished some last touches (sanded a few edges and staked the ladder, slide, and monkeybars) and trimmed the trees. Many thanks to the wife and dad for their help in getting this project started and finished. It was quite a job, but having saved around $2,500, not too big.

So close! We erected the monkeybars and the swing beam (with A-frame) today. The only remaining items are a couple of braces and stakes to secure the structure in place. Then we hang the swings and we’re done!

The fort is done! I finished the ladder today and installed it. Next: Monkeybars!

Last wall, canopy and slide are installed! All that is left on the main structure is the ladder. Then on to the swingset and monkey bars. The kids have already figured out that you can go up the slide, so maybe the ladder is optional at this point.

Got 3 of the 4 walls done today. I think I’m starting to develop a good blister on my “hold the drill and press really hard” hand. Lots and lots and lots of screwing things together today. Hopefully I can get the last wall and the ladder built tomorrow.

The deck is done, and I’ve started the first wall. I overlooked one cut in a deck board that I had to go back and do after it had been installed, but that turned out to be OK since the plans were a little off anyway. With any luck and continued good weather, I should be able to finish the walls tomorrow afternoon.

BOY, drilling and countersinking bolts takes a long time. I’d say we’re about half way thru assembling the fort, at this point. It seems a little bigger than I thought it would be, and it sure is sturdy.

Today we continue the project to build a Fort/Swingset for the kids. Last week we cut and sanded the lumber, today we drill and assemble. Here’s hoping it turns out to be something resembling a Fort/Swingset, and is somewhat stable!

Drool.

Well, well, well. I’d say the election results from last night speak pretty clearly to the Democrats–it’s time for the way you guys (especially Tom Daschle) do things to go. Even though the media tried to portray the races much closer than they ended up turning out. And if there was any question about the public mandate from the 2000 election, I’d say that’s been answered as well.