About 1/2 way up the chamber

So I kept pushing today. I am 13" up in the chamber and exterior IFB is in place. Phew. At least I am feeling like I am making progress.

A few things to note. Yes, the walls are beasts. Yes, they definitely need the iron work support especially at the corners now that it is getting taller. I debated on how to handle the burner ports. I opted to put hard brick on top of the opening only but it may have been wiser to square the whole opening in firebrick. This is one of those choices that a year from now I'll have to come back and comment. I did put it on the top because i was worried about the brittle IFB spanning the opening. Everything is still square and level. Interior dimensions are 27' wide by 31.75" deep. A little bigger than I had planned when I started but I think practical for the pieces and volume I make.

Here's a closer view and a birds-eye view from the rear. You can clearly see now where the door will be and the kiln shelves will go. The rear burner port is much better with a slight separation from the chimney. I ordered kiln shelves yesterday and my son, who is in FL on spring break, will be picking them up to avoid the expense of shipping.
My pottery page is very formal and I never post silly things or pics of my canine babies but since this is a blog (which I think of as a public journal) I just couldn't help adding these. :) These are my three "babies" who are always with me "helping" by running off with my tools, getting in the way, climbing on everything...

 and me, sitting in my kiln with a glass of red wine to wash away the ache and pains my tired aging body is already feeling! ;)