Getting started on a shed project-Chapter 1

OK I admit it. I'm a packrat. I represent at least the 4th generation of my family afflicted with the same pathology. Not only that, but I'm a hopeless collector, hobbyist, techno-freak and car builder.
This means I'm always looking for more places to keep tools, materials, collections. hardware, gee-gaws, fooferaw and what-nots. Don't even ask about tires, wheels, truck, jeep and bus parts.
Suffice it to say, that by the time I finish a decent shed project it will already be insufficient in size and in spite of all my organizational abilities, it will be instantly impossible to find anything within its confines.

The Shed
While contemplating the practical aspects of additional outdoor storage, my imagination immediately began drawing mental pictures of a 40 foot shipping container with a roll up door and air conditioning. A wooden frame shed, more like a little house really, also appeared on my fantasy shed parade. Both of these storage solutions unfortunately, start out over $1000 and inexorably go up from there.
A look at the Sunday paper revealed the only really practical solution: Arrow shed from Sears.
Our local Sears store had a 10'X11" gambrel roof shed for $349 including a floor kit. Sounded like a good deal to me.
The Sears experience was not exactly what I expected. The gal that runs the local franchise was not in any way equipped to sell Arrows products. I expect she has some sales ability for some product or other but metal sheds isn't on the list. We eventually negotiated a deal for the shed and the floor kit. Then I found out the shed weighs 250 pounds and she had no one to help me load it. Back tomorrow.
Finally, I have my shed kit and sufficient gumption to get busy putting it together.
I had already resolved to put it on the west side of the house with the door situated so that my truck or trailer could be backed up to the shed door for unloading and loading of stuff. It also needed to be situated close to my utility box so that it can be electrified since I plan to keep my air compressor within to keep the noisy thing out of my garage. Here's where the shed will go and the shed itself still in its carton.

I live on a granite bluff about 3000' in thickness so my ground is basically decomposed granite (dg). Here in the desert it is common to dig down 2 feet or so and find a caliche layer a couple inches thick. Dig through that and its sand until somewhere close to China. In my yard the deeper you dig the harder it gets. Simple as that!
In the next chapter we will get the ground prepared for the foundation and start the construction.