cruise? brake?

I just got done adjusting the e brake cable and I would like someone to explain to me how I had to back the bottom adjusting nut the entire way down. We're talking about an inch to get it to work. The nut was tight before I started. How could it turn itself up an entire inch with the top nut tight also.

Until I get my garage cleaned out my SS sits outside under a car cover...I had to kill two yellow jackets and one wasp while I was working on the e brake...I hope there isn't a few nests inside somewhere...