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June 29th, 2011: Family Vacation, & Cottage
May brought graduations for Jessi and I. Jes completed her Associates degree in humanities at Alfred State College. No word yet on her next step. I completed my Masters degree in counseling at St. Bonaventure. I was blessed to have my family and parents cheering me on at the graduation ceremony. A memory I'll cherish. I was also blessed to be hired at the hospital I did my internship with. They have taken me on part-time as the psych evaluator in the emergency department. Not hardly a boring job I assure you and I enjoy it very much. Jon had a successful syrup season. He employed his reverse-osmosis machine which lightened the boiling load. Total product was somewhere around 45 gallons. Mckayla, Katrina, and Isaiah are happy to have another school year behind them. Their summer already includes lots of plans - camp as well.
Here is our picture at Gettysburg, PA. We enjoyed a family trip there this past week. We enjoyed the museum and battlefield tour very much. So much history to take in. This picture is on the hill above Devil's Den, across from Little Roundtop. Devil's Den was our favorite of the sites with it's rocks. It would be fun to go back and do some of the buildings in the town.
The pictures below include updates made to the cottage. We were pressed in the month of May to complete painting and wood stains before flooring and furniture were delivered. Jon installed the railing, finished the sheetrock, and spackling. I painted, stained and cleaned. The cabinets got hardware installed, shelf paper, and dishes. There is new floor in the livingroom, stairs, and loft. The bedroom has hardwood floor that Jon installed. The pictures show the new diningroom, livingroom, and bedroom furniture. We are very comfortable there now and have enjoyed many stays already this summer. Oh what a difference having a shower can make.
The last part of our vacation was spent with our cousins the Rossis in Virginia. They took us on a day trip to the capital. We rode the Metro and walked, and walked. We visited the Lincoln memorial, the Washington monument. A few walked to the Capital building, toured the Botanical Gardens,while others took in the Airospace Museum. It was a very full day. Our last day with them was spent playing at the park, swimming, and chatting away. The entire trip was blessed with good weather. It was a blast hanging out with our teens. We have some really great kids. (not boasting here, just feeling really blessed.)
Now our agenda includes many visits to the lake and looking forward to visiting with more family toward the end of summer. We hope to see many of you then! Click on the first picture below to enlarge it. Then if you hold the mouse in the upper right corner, you can advance the pictures at the enlarged size. Enjoy!
Jessi, Mckayla, Katrina, & Isaiah sang Lead Me as an early 50th birthday present for their dad.
February 15th, 2011 - We miss the lake...but soon it will be time to get back to work!
We've been busy with basketball, and keeping warm. There is a picture of a fort Isaiah built with all this wonderful snow. Jon and I recently attended a Fernando Ortega concert and finally a picture of the railing in the back of the van.
Be sure to wish Jon a happy 50th on the 26th of this month! We are "getting away" this weekend for a bit of R&R. Hope all is well with you!
October 8th, 2010 - Summer is gone....sniff, sniff....
We have the rocks on the outside of the cottage completed. I have yet to get a good picture. The measurements have been taken for the counter-top which will be installed at the end of October. Cabinets are up and I think I've decided on hardware.
Lake draw-down is October 15th. We'll still be headed over to work on interior stuff. Watch for more pictures in early November. For now, here's some from the picnic and below that, some of the inside of the cottage.
August 11, 2010 Our fireplace............ROCKS!!!! :)
August 6th, 2010 Back to work at the lake!...now which one do I start with????
On a sad note, around the middle of May we had to put our beloved Shongo to sleep. Our faithful friend of 13 years. We still miss our "big dog" so much!
Our pictures show the beginning work on sheetrock, as well as the front window finished, framing and all! Our kitchen light is up and functional and the fabricated river rock is now "in house" and waiting to be set in place. We had an Amish man make the stones for us. They look great! The colors are not very good in the picture. You'll have to come see them in person!
The month of May also saw Jessi flying off on her own to Texas to attend a close friend's wedding out there. She was a bridesmaid and LOVED flying for the first time. July brought the musical "Sound of Music" with the Short Tract Players. All three girls participated. Jessi and Mckayla were in the Nun Choir, and Katrina had the priviledge to portray Brigitta. They had a wonderful time and we are so proud of their efforts! They are all pictured below with Grandma & Grandpa on opening night. Isaiah would have been an orphan for the show, however he was away at Boyscout camp.
The most recent improvement at the cottage is our new stairs. Yes, indeed, we can now traverse from loft to basement in a smooth, ladderless fashion. :) Loving it! Katrina is pictured first on the stairs to the loft and then on the basement stairs.
On the docket for this coming week, are more sheetrocking, stoning the fireplace, and painting the kitchen. Jon is taking the next two days to put a roof on the neighbors cottage. (He's so handy I have a hard time keeping him to myself!)
I'm hoping to get my theatrical feet wet again early in September as the Angelica Players present a dinner theater at the Angelica Inn. Its a western and a new venue for the players. Should be loads of fun! I'm an uptight school-marm. (not type-cast at all!) ;) Come see it if you can. September 10th and 11th. Tickets are advanced sale only. Watch my facebook page for details. If you're not my friend, you should be!
Jessi is headed back to Alfred for her final year beginning the 24th of this month. We are anticipating an awesome picnic with Jon's family at the very end of the month and then I'm back to school and interning again at Olean General on the psych unit. The children begin school the first week of September...and I ask - Where did it go?
Don't forget to sign our guest book on the last tab! Stop back soon as I hope to post the nun choir and some bits from the show! Good stuff!
January 19th, 2010 - Ceiling is finished, Hanging lights, then on to sheet rock! woohoo!
The weather has been very mild with minimal snow which has made getting the wood up onto the property very easy - very thankful for that. Jon plans to turn his thoughts toward preparing for syrup season, giving the cottage a rest. We are also purchasing a property in Angelica for rental purposes. There will be some work to be done there. Some of you know it as Bill Ford's place out on Joncy Rd.
Jessi and I are back to school as of yesterday. Mckayla and Isaiah are busy with swimming. Katrina has a few more games of Basketball and will also continue swimming. Jessi has been rehearsing with the Short Tract Players for their upcoming dinner theater at the fire hall. The show will be presented January 28th, 29th, and 30th. This week Katrina will participate in a leadership workshop she was selected for by her teachers. She is excited to continue this training in being a student advocate for helping troubled classmates. (following in her mother's counseling footsteps perhaps?)
This past weekend Jon and Isaiah attended a "Zoo Snooze" with the Boy Scouts up at the Buffalo Zoo. They had a great time listening to the lion roar in the wee hours of the morning - not much snoozing I guess according to Jon. They slept in one of the housing facilities where the animals live. I haven't got pictures yet, as they are on Jon's phone.
If your interested in supporting Isaiah's troup, he is selling Niagara Chocolates. Orders are due by Jan 31st and delivery is March 16th. Payment is not due till then. Actually, Isaiah benefits directly as 20% of his sales go into an account he may use to purchase uniforms, equipment, or pay for future scouting events.
Use this link: http://sweetworks.net/Niagara-Products.php to choose a product. Email me with the item number.
The pictures below begin with some Christmas morning memories. Jes in her Civil War costume, Mickey with the telescope, Isaiah with Dukes of Hazard RC car, and Kitty opening up a camera, some of Christmas at my folks house, All the grandkids table, adults table, Isaiah and Steven playing in the mickey room, more of the cottage, and Katrina playing basketball.
Included in the pictures below is a photo of Jessi's first gown (the blue one). She had to purchase this beautiful dress for a wedding she is a bridesmaid for in May. She will be traveling to Texas with friends from Mt. Morris to attend the wedding of a treasured friend. She put it on as soon as I brought it home - thus the white shirt underneath...?
We are blessed with good health presently and hope this update finds you the same.
November 29th, 2009 - Insulation
October 16th, 2009 - First Snow!...and it stuck...(sigh)
Jessi sang this in the show "Meet Me in St. Louis" this past July Merry Christmas!
October 7th, 2009 All Windows are in as well as the fireplace.
With that said, we are happy to report that all the windows are in. There was a minor change to the upper ones and it was a good change. Jon thought the 3 lower ones below the pentagon should be longer. He'll tell you he did not enjoy getting them up there, but it's done now, and thankfully no one was hurt.
His attention then went inside as there is much insulating to be done. The fireplace arrived in Rochester and Jon had to go get it himself. Quite a task, but with the help of the excavator, it was put in place and now sits in the living room waiting for my attention in the spring. I plan to face it with Adirondack stone.
I've been working on our front door. It had to be finished. Still one coat of urethane to put on, but hopefully that will get done tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be warm enough for that little project.
The lake comes out October 15th. We are still hoping for one last boat ride to see the color, but the weather has not been conducive to that.
As I mentioned, the children have begun swimming 3 times a week. Isaiah joined a local Weebelos troup and enjoyed his first adventure with them. They camped out at the civil war encampment up to the fairgrounds Sept 19/20th. Only a whopping 40 degrees those nights. He still had a great time. The scouts got to have their own battle commanded by real reenactors. We all enjoyed an evening at the Angelica Grange for the civil war dance. Lots of interesting costumes. Watch a dance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80bPnoES92s
If you watch, you'll see Katrina dancing with Alex Ford in the center group. Jessi is in the group to the left. It was a fantastic evening.
I've included some photos I happened upon. It's good to reflect and see all God has done for our family. Pictures help me deal with changes. My favorite is the last one. All the days of school and all the things we did together day after day. It was a fun season homeschooling. I miss that time sometimes, and other times I'm thankful for my life today. There are pictures of Mckayla with Micah from the fair. She really had a good time competing at fair. Also, there are a few shots of Isaiah with his new best bud from scouts, Jarrid. Yes. That's Abe addressing the scouts. He encouraged them to continue to do their work and support this great country. The man portraying him is ranked 3rd in the nation for impersonating Abe Lincoln. It was pretty cool.
September 14th, 2009 A door, windows and trim!.....OH MY!
Jon has started putting the high windows in. Not much fun for him or me to watch him up so high. Praise God the three highest are in. I don't have a picture yet, but I will. I'm told the fireplace is in Rochester and due to arrive this Thursday. That will be the next big job as the 600 lb unit has to be set in place. Jon plans to use the excavator yet again to his advantage.
Some dear friends from Tennessee came and helped this past weekend. Thanks guys!
I've been busy nailing the floor down every 6 inches. It makes good therapy between textbook chapters.
Stop back again soon! ~
September 2nd, 2009: The deck...the door...getting buttoned up for ...s_ _ _! (I can't type it)
Jessi's party was very nice. So good to have family and friends around to celebrate her achievement. She began school the 24th of August and so far, so good. I started classes with St. Bonaventure the 31st and the children got on the big yellow bus yesterday. Lots of change in the schedule, but we'll get by - one day at a time.
Below are pictures from the party, and some inside shots of the cottage. Mckayla's dog, Mya, loves the water and especially enjoys boogie-boarding. The door in the one inside shot is not in the right place. It is just there while we stain it. The boat picture was Jessi's first time taking the boat out alone.
August 12th, 2009 - The structure is enclosed and the roof is complete!
We have installed the toilet upstairs and the vanity. There will be privacy for the party and a place to wash hands! (another yeah!)
Such a busy, rainy summer. The children and I have been busy with friends and the beach. So much more going on than just the cottage construction. Jessi finished her class with Genesee Community College and is now set to attend Alfred beginning August 24th. I was not accepted at Alfred University due to the fact that I have not taken a graduate studies exam - total bummer. But, God has a plan and I've been praying that He would open the door He wants me to go through. That one closed. I will be knocking at St. Bonaventure this week in hopes of attending their night school.
Mckayla, Katrina, and Isaiah have been busy entertaining guests from Virginia this past week. Lots of swimming between rain storms and a few boat rides.
We were fortunate not to sustain damage to our dock or boats during a recent storm that caused a log-jam at the other end of the lake. Jon heard that there were in excess of 20 boats floating freely after the big rain that raised the lake considerably. (see pictures at http://www.kodakgal lery.com/ ShareLanding. action?c= 31hna4lo. 4n8aontw& x=0&y=z6t9rx& localeid= en_US&cm_ mmc=site_ email-_-site_ share-_-core- _-view_photos_ button)
That's about it for now. We do hope to see many of you at some point on the 22nd. Stop in any time after 2. Come prepared to eat and play! If it's rainy, wear good shoes as the ground will be on the muddy side! :-)
Pictures below: Jon installing the new toilet upstairs. The new vanity (not quite in position) Katrina, Michelle, Abby, Lukas, and Isaiah enjoy dinner lakeside!
July 28, 2009 The roof is almost complete
After helping move the shower in, we took the boat out for only its second cruise this summer and did some swimming. It was a fun day. After finishing up the roof, Jon will begin the hard work of digging out the clay that has sunk in around the house. It will be removed and then he'll begin filling in around the house with gravel for drainage. Lots of earth to move as we hope to have the area filled in a bit before the party.
Summer is just flying by. Jes finishes her college class with GCC today. She begins classes at Alfred on the 24th of August. I am completing the paperwork to begin graduate work at St. Bonaventure. The children are a bit discouraged to already see school supplies being set out in the stores. The corn is more than waist-high - a sure sign we're getting to the home stretch into Fall. It would seem though that Summer never really arrived.
July 8, 2009 Second peak lifted and the roof is started.
We enjoyed the fireworks from the boat on July 3rd. Aunt Marlayna and Becca and some of Jessi's friends joined us. Jes and her friends camped out that weekend. There is also a picture of my friend Pam and I. Pammer got her first ride on a jet-ski. This week is the show Kitty and Jes are doing with the Short Track Players. Looking forward to seeing the product of all their hard work. Come see it if you can. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 7:30 at the Fillmore Central School's new auditorium. ~Blessings till next time!
June 21, 2009 Happy Father's Day - First Wall Went Up!
June 17th, Starting to see progress!
Recent news includes Isaiah and Katrina participating in the science fair at school. Pictures below show them with their projects. Isaiah tested how long the flavor lasts of gum labeled "bubblegum" and Katrina did a study of food and the gas created by processing. School ends next Wednesday and all are excited for the day.
There is also a picture of the seniors recognized at church and our new grass at the lake. I actually just mowed it yesterday. It's filling in nicely.
Later...on June 1st, after an email from my brother......GOOD-GRIEF!!!!
Last September Katrina won this trip for our family at the Rushford Lake fishing derby. She and Isaiah caught two, two-inch fish. They were each given an opportunity via a lottery-type drawing, and Katrina won!
What a hoot! Jessi has a rather severe phobia of actually catching a big fish so she asked to be excused from the excursion, much to her Uncle Tim's delight as he was asked to attend in her absence. (That's him in black on the right) So Here you see our catch and below a few close-ups. We set off from a little marina in Hamlin. The gentleman escorting us was very good with the children and everyone enjoyed the experience. Unfortunately, Uncle Tim didn't get an opportunity to bring a fish in, but he said he enjoyed watching us and he's done it before.
Katrina was first to reel - and caught the smallest of our catch that day. It was a salmon that delighted us with a jump or two on the way into the boat. Isaiah jumped up next to wrestle with what turned out to be the biggest catch of the day, the largest salmon in the photo. He had been reeling for some time when it appeared that the fish had gotten off. Captain Paul started bringing the line in and then announced the fish was still on so Isaiah jumped back into action. Mckayla was ready when the line zipped out and brought in a rainbow trout. Jon went next and brought in another salmon. I went next at my brother's insistance. The line went.....and then went again....some 450 feet out where I started. The fish never made an appearance until the net brought it into the boat. A rather large lake trout. My left hand was numb from holding the pole. Captain Paul handed me the rod and leaned back against the side of the boat when I started. He said "you'll be at this a while"....funny guy....he wasn't kidding.
It was great fun. We took the fish, which were cleaned and bagged for us back to the lake and tried our fist taste of fresh salmon off the grill. Jon was the only one who has eaten it more than that one time. Unfortunately, we are not big fish-eaters.
June 1st, 2009 - The first log is cut and building begins!
Jessi officially graduated Friday. She and I were privileged to take a trip up to the Shakespeare Festival at Stratford, Ontario, Canada. We saw Cyrano and The Importance of Being Ernest. Great, great shows.
Katrina was awarded the Steadfast award at youth group. The award is given for achieving the gold level every year for 6 years. The gold level involves memorizing scripture, doing Christian services, faithful personal devotions, and reading Christian books each year. We are very proud of her efforts.
Isaiah had a drum solo in the 4th grade band concert. He has really taken to the drums after being personally invited by the director to be a drummer. He could not stand still, and kept the beat during the entire Fall concert. The director noticed his "talent" to keep time and found us after the concert insisting he take band. The funny part is that he had asked to take drums at the beginning of the year and he was told by us and the director that there were already too many drummers! HA! His dream now is to have his own drum set. ...that may require some modifications to the walls of his room...we'll see.
Mckayla was privileged to march in two parades this year for Memorial Day. She enjoys playing clarinet very much. The day was not too hot, nor the route too long. She did great!
Our most recent news involves a dream come true for two of our children. Jessi was given the lead role of Esther in the Musical "Meet Me in St. Louis" and Katrina was double cast to play Agnes. They begin rehearsals tonight and the shows are July 16th, 17th and 18th.
Is it me or is time speeding up? We are blessed to be busy and able.
Pictures below (left to right): First stack of wood cut, Katrina with her Steadfast Award, Mckayla marching in parade, Isaiah playing drums in Spring Concert, My diploma & transcripts arrived in the mail, Jessi and I enjoy a pizza lunch in Stratford before a show, Jes outside the Festival Theater where we saw Cyrano, and Isaiah playing pirate one sunny afternoon. (still not too old for dress-up)
May 21st, 2009 - We pour the floor with the help of some friends! Thanks Guys!
Jon was not happy with how quickly the floor set due to the heat of the day, but in his words, "it's done"and there are only a few rough spots that can be patched. Below are pictures of the progress. Unfortunately I didn't get any of the power-trowel they used to finish the floor.
LET THE BUILDING BEGIN!
May 19th, 2009 Waiting for weather to pour the floor!
Septic Tank installed: April 17, 2009 - and other news...
Clay is fun! Isaiah and his buddy Parker are enjoying quality time with their dads. They move the clay around while Jon and Brian "mud" the walls. The boys are standing on the new septic tank. We'll have a potty soon...just very little privacy! Currently there are 7 of 8 sides done with the sealing cement that covers the block. Next the leech bed and septic will be inspected and covered. I love the middle picture in the top row below. Notice the boys in the upper right corner "working" while the guys (Jon and Brian) are working on the walls. Parker is putting clay on Isaiah's back. The last picture is taken from the lake. A lovely view of the mess we've got presently.
The rush is on as we would like to have our graduation open-house for Jes on August 22nd. Mark the date and plan to come celebrate our daughter's success. If you stop in before then, bring a rake and help me out! I'd like to have a little grass by then too! :-)
I'm including a picture of Mckayla running at a softball game. She is really enjoying the sport! I hope to get some better pictures at another game. It was rainy so "witch that I am", I stayed in the car to avoid melting!
Jes and I begin "tech"week this week for the next two. The Angelica Players will present "Murder at the Angelica Inn" over Mother's day weekend. If you happen to be in the area come check out the show. You can find details about tickets and times at www.angelicaplayers.com
Final count on syrup was 48 gallons and we are sold out. Jon is working on a method to buy sap and "cook it" here.
Later in May, right after Katrina's birthday we plan to enjoy a fishing trip that Katrina won last summer at the Rushford kid's fishing derby. My brother Tim will be going with us! Going to be great fun on lake Ontario. Katrina will turn 12! I just can't believe how quickly they grow up. Happy birthday to Josh Rossi that day too!
Guess that's all for now!
April 16, 2009: We dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, the whole day through, we dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, it's what we like to do.....no diamonds though....just clay. (sticky)
Jon and Brian have been digging in the clay to prepare for the arrival of our septic tank this Friday. Praise the Lord for excellent weather, early, to begin work over to the lake. Most of the hole was dug with the excavator, and then finished off by hand.
A whopping 48 gallons of syrup this year. Yummy! Now our efforts turn to the cottage...
Jessi has decided on Alfred. She'll be attending full-time in the fall. We are planning a graduation celebration over to the lake in August - details to follow.
April 16, 2009 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ISAIAH!
Isaiah was blessed to celebrate his birthday early, with his best-bud, Alex! Our friends visited from Virginia and we made the most of our time with them. It was a very happy birthday day! Can't believe the "little man" is 10. ZOIKS! Time is just flying.
March 26, 2009 - 25+ Gallons and counting!
March 24, 2009
Well, swimming is done. The children all received a certificate for their participation on the team. The coach had something nice to say about each one of them at the banquet. They have numerous ribbons tucked away for winning heats and setting their best times.
Jessi passed her driving test today. She is ready for a little...LITTLE more independence. Below, she is pictured with a spinning wheel she has been loaned by a dear "uncle" in Angelica. Her passion is fiber. Yes, she loves to spin and according to Uncle Bob, she's quite good at it. She has knit several scarves and is selling them in the Sweet Shop where she works.
Jon is doing ok with syrup this year. I think there is about 20 gallons thus far. It has been especially cold so the sap has slowed down and is very low in sugar content. Today Jon is over to the lake digging for the septic and drain pipe in the yard. We are going to go pick out windows for the cottage soon!
Mckayla is very happy to be playing softball with the modified softball team at school.
I think that covers what we're up to. Happy Easter!
January 28, 2009
Lots going on as we "hunker-down" and endure the brutal cold. Spring cannot come soon enough. ~good grief! I've gotten so I dread to go outside. Today is a whopping 28 and it is GLORIOUS to step outside and not have your breath taken away. We are currently logging some of the property to get some "cash for the cottage" and also harvest the logs needed for the lumber to build the structure. Somehow that will endear the place to us all the more as we build with our own trees. ~Hey if we can't get syrup out of them, then they'll have to work as cabinets, studs and flooring. (and anything else we can think of)
Jessi has been working everyday for a few hours down at the Angelica Sweet Shop. Her BIG news is that she was recently accepted to Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. She and I took a tour last Friday and would both very much like her to attend there to get her Bachelor's in Adolescence Education - English degree with a minor in Theater. The college will have to offer a really incredible financial "package" for that to happen. She is also applying at Alfred State and will commute for two years then transfer to Roberts if we just can't swing the tuition.
Mckayla was "student of the month" at Genesee Valley for November. Her teachers gave her the award for the courage she has demonstrated in starting at a new school. Katrina recently participated in a snow-sculpture contest at school and Isaiah and she are busy with basketball when they aren't doing laps in the pool.
Our holiday season was a blessing as we spent time with family. (Jon took advantage of the slower pace, see photo) It was a very good, big meal so we'll just let him off the hook for falling asleep at a family gathering. My dad was at the other end of the couch. To Jon's credit, he built my parents a beautiful shelf for their kitchen. I am blessed to have such a "handy" man.
I've been doing battle with pneumonia. Resting affords me time to soak up the textbooks I have to plow through to graduate in May. (I am hopeful). Feeling much better thanks to super-drugs and my family "picking up the slack".
I think that about covers it for now. Hoping all is well with each of you. ~blessings abound, but ohhhhh how I look to Spring's arrival! (cough, cough)
November 25, 2008
There is nothing like snow to make a boy silly. Isaiah came in from playing with snow on his head. He said it felt good. (does that make him a "hothead"?)
Check out our newest page - "What are we up to?" It will bring you up to date on some current "stuff"
Also below this is the last picture of progress over to the lake. This is the way it sits until further notice.
Hunting update: Jon has taken two deer...Heidi has taken none. :-( But it isn't from lack of trying.
Next week brings our holiday show with the Angelica Players. Friday, Saturday at 7pm with a Sunday performance at 3pm. All but Jon are participating in the show in some way. To see previous shows, check out angelicaplayers.com
That's all for now!
November 10th, 2008 Haven't seen the grass since.
Monday morning we got up to "white stuff". Some were excited. Others were depressed. It snowed all day and we haven't seen the grass at our house since. The children have been sledding every spare minute they can find. (When they're not swimming. More on that when I have photos). They've even convinced their father to go out and ride down the hill a few times. They've given up on asking mom. I am saving all my heat for hunting season. It will take me the rest of Winter to warm up when I'm done with that. Hunting starts this Saturday. I'll be coming home from an "all-nighter" with our teen group. I plan to sleep while they are bowling. Then I'll drink coffee all the way home (from Elmira) and head up the hill around 7. It will actually work out great for me as I always dread going up into the wood before the sun it up. Some hunter huh?
I took this picture as they were headed down the driveway that morning to catch the bus. None of that snow hit me...fortunately for them!
Be sure to check out the new tab at the top labeled "Holloween". There are photos and a video from the night we went up to my brother's house.
November 6th, 2008 The Lake is gone, but the foundation rises out of the ....well...muck?
This picture was taken while standing out in front of our place, in the middle of the lake, looking toward the dam. We recovered Kitty's fishing pole. She had left it out with a worm on it one night and a fish took it in. She couldn't find it the next day and we suspected it had been dragged in.
We have been so thankful for the beautiful, mild weather. The pictures below show the progress over the last week or two. There is also a picture of Jessi's muddy feet - she enjoys walking on the lakebed. There is a picture of our new boat too. (Yes Tim, the big cover is on it now.)
Jon took several days off work to put up the block. His fingers are mighty sore. This may be the last bit to get done before the weather really gets to cold to do any more. Today, the 8th, I'll get over to take a couple more pictures as he says he is up to full height on some walls.
October 28, 2008
Here is the footer. It's been real wet and cold. We were hoping to get the blocks in before the weather got too bad. We're waiting on the bank now.
Foundation is 24 x 36 feet.
Jon has been over since this picture and worked on digging out where drainage stone needs to be filled in. Lots of hard work by hand.
October 20, 2008
Big Oak tree comes down. The electric company came and took down the big tree up on the hill between our neighbors and us. Unfortunately I didn't get over to take a picture of the mess. There was a lot of tree laying where the house used to be. Jon and couple friends got it out of there. Fortunately he has a friend with a special truck for moving trees. They managed to have it all cleaned up in two days. By Friday (10/24) Jon was pouring concrete for the footers.
Our porch will sit about as high as what is left of that tree. (I think) Jon will let me know if I'm whacky.
October 8, 2008 ~Almost ready for the foundation forms!
This past week Jon has spent every evening moving chunks of concrete. He borrowed a jack-hammer and has decided he'd be happy if he never had to run one of those again in this life-time. We found out the house was actually a grainery way back when. That explains the double layer of concrete under the entire floor. Surprise! It is Jon's hope to begin making the forms for the footer this weekend. I have yet to get over and get a picture. This one is actually from last weekend. There are more photos on the cottage tab.
October 2, 2008 It's DOWN! (Praise the Lord no one got hurt...well not seriously :-) )
We all have our little scratches and sore muscles.
Last Saturday the excavator proved its worth. The building didn't fall over as Jon had hoped, but it did come down with a bit of effort. For a few nights I'm sure we all saw wood when we closed our eyes at night. Picking up piece after piece and sorting metal from wood we could use at home was an all day task. Many hands make light work and we had several dear friends come by and help. I'm happy to report that the site is now only pieces of concrete and each day Jon has a few more moved to their "final resting place". There will be more pictures on the cottage tab soon.
