Time To Move - posted 2/3/12
Things are starting to happen again!
We're in the process of packing up anything that is being kept so that demolition can begin. We'll have to empty the house, so it's like moving. DJ & Mary got us started a couple of weeks ago. We're hoping to have the odds & ends done within the next week (by Feb 15th). Major furniture pieces (like living room wood furniture & dresser from front bedroom) will be moved as demo begins.
Update on some of the current thoughts as to post renovation locations; the dresser in the front bedroom will be moved to the back bedroom (back bedroom dresser is being tossed if anyone wants it) in order to accommodate the bunks, gun rack will be moved to other side of wall and a set of shelves for groceries will take it's place in the kitchen, stove and fridge are switching locations to allow for outside venting of stove.
By the way, the kitchen cabinets have been ordered. The new kitchen plan is somewhere on this page (I don't have much control as to where). They are raised panel with Maple Cognac color from Home Depot.
Dan is lead on the kitchen planning. He's also taking care of ordering replacement windows for the two in the kitchen and the big one in the living room.
Doug is lead on the electrical wiring and has started developing a wiring schematic. We're thankful for his planning particularly because there's a narrow window available to accomplish the wiring (major demo starts 3/29 and rock starts going up 4/9).
We're Moving - posted 1/14/12
We're not really moving of course, but we do need to pack as though we were. Everything we're keeping needs to be packed, marked as "keep" and stored out of the way. DJ & Mary got us started this weekend (Thanks guys!). Everyone was notified to pack up anything they want to make sure gets "moved" into the new and improved cottage. Hopefully this will be done before February 5th. If anyone can't make it up and wants something packed, drop me a note & I'll pack it for you. Here's a few items I know we'll be keeping:
-kitchen dishes, linens, painting of cottage, reunion pictures, bed rails
-living room wood furniture, bedroom nightstands (dressers are going, anyone want them?)
-whatever is packed and marked "Keep"
PACKING DEADLINE IS FEB. 5th!!!
We now have dates for demo and drywalling. The demolition will be on the "Guy Ski" weekend on March 30 to April 1. The drywalling will be done on the "Rehab Week" on April 9 to 15. The "Guy Ski" weekend is restricted attendence but everyone is welcome on Rehab Week. Additional details are listed on separate page (see tabs above).
Awesome Chain Gang! - posted 9/29/11
Our excavators, Mert & Kurt, did an excellent job putting in our drains & basement floor! Of course, putting in drains means a messy yard.
Paul, Dave & Dan looked like they were working on a chain gang ;)
They were raking/shoveling/throwing rocks for the first half of Saturday. Once they cleared most the rocks they spread out two loads of dirt and put down grass seed & straw. The yard will be able to recover from the drain work before winter sets in! Way to go guys!
Andy, Earl & Joe got the heater & water heater reinstalled, added some lights & plumbed the drains out for winterizing. So utilities are all back on in our new basement!
Paul & Mary provided a hearty lunch!
Next? - posted 9/20/11
Andy & I made the following list on our way back from the work weekend. We don't mean this as taskmasters, but we are being asked to help guide and coordinate. Please feel free to have me delete items or add items to the info I post here. That being said, the next steps as we see them are:
-dump run for trash left on backyard pad and the old burn barrel
-seal up all cracks in foundation and house to complete the critter proofing
-once basement floor is done, reinstall heater and water heater (scheduled Sept 24th hopefully)
-once drains are done, finish grading and seeding
-clear limbs and overgrowth from perimeter of yard
-stack wood by fire pit
-clean and reseal both decks
-start rough in of wire
First Steps Done! - posted 9/15/11
I believe the weekend was a success! Everyone had tasks and much was accomplished.
Dave and Dan replaced the door on the utility room and cleaned it out.
Matt and Cathy sealed up the rear opening, cleared some branches and other miscellaneous things.
Andy and Joanna uninstalled the heater and water heater and cleared the basement.
Earl and Gloria helped all over with cleaning, clearing, moving stuff and burning trash.
Beth and Winnie provided sustenance to all.
Looking forward to next time!
First Work Weekend - posted 9/7/11
Our main objective this weekend is to critter proof the house and prep the basement.
Paul starts first on Thursday & Friday. He's planning to get the basement cleared and cleaned.
Dan, Dave, Andy, Beth, Joanna, Matt and Earl arrive Friday night.
Jim and Doug arrive Saturday night.
Dan is project leader on the utility room door.
Andy (and Joanna) is project leader on uninstalling heater & water heater for basement prep.
Matt is project leader on sealing rear opening.
Beth plans to feed everybody. (And everyone is welcome to stay at Cedar Hill if you'd like.)
In addition to the main projects identified above (which will need extra hands, etc.), there are a number of other items to be done.
-Cleaning out the utility room and repairing the openings made by the squirrels.
-Fix into place the crawlspace vent on the front of the house.
-Cut back the bamboo so we can see to pull out of the driveway.
-Clean up trees, etc. from the storm.
-Take old burn cans to dump.
-Cut briars out of lilac bush.
-Paint cellar door.
-Pressure wash and reseal both decks.
-Run new wire to outlets for new panel box.
-Etc., etc.
Please bring tools with you. Chainsaws are helpful. Anyone have a pressure washer strong enough to do the decks? (That would probably be on a different weekend.)
FYI: We have heard from Kurt & Mert, our excavators; they may be able to start next week.
Good Start - posted 8/21/11
Dinner at Mom's was full of constructive conversation and a general sense that together we can do much. In an effort to keep focused and not taking on more than we can finish, we identified the following as our goals for this year (before the reunion):
-seal up the house from pests (squirrels & mice) -resolve basement water problem causing mildew issue
-replace all fabrics including beds & cushions
-install new electric panel & rewire house
-replace drywall in kitchen & back bedroom
-renovate kitchen
It's a daunting list, but "many hands make light work." The more of it we can do ourselves the more affordable the project becomes. At this time we have agreed that the basement floor and the electric panel be handled by professional contractors.
More to come ....
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