Glad to Have a Desk Job

Sometimes, I'm really just grateful our role on the construction is limited.  Like when it rains.

And when I think about anything having to do with roofs.

Moving

Now that we have a little distance, it doesn't seem so bad. 

The Firstborn took some great photos to remember the place by.   Just a couple inches difference in perspective really makes a difference...who knew it was so grand?

Darn that freshly mowed grass and springtime hosta look great. 

Well, maybe this photo gives a hint of anxiety over the sheer quantity of stuff - what to move? what to toss? how will we ever fit it all in? 

The kids were off to school, so there's always that worry that we'll forget to come back for them.  Just joking.

But, two truckloads later (one to the apartment and one to storage), here we are, looking somewhat happier and more relaxed.

And I think there's only two more boxes to unpack...

Lady Slippers!

 Feels like I'm continually being reminded what a gift this place is - today we found three different patches of lady slippers. What a great surprise!

Guess the lady slippers are lucky too, as I'm not sure how those on the path have avoided being stepped on.

 

New Porch

The former changing rooms are fast becoming a porch.  The plastic and dividers are gone, and the view has really opened up. 

This is the 'before' version.

Of course it helps that most of the stuff is gone.

For some reason this chair made it, but the life preserver and sewing machine base did not make the cut.

One more example here of what not to do with cross bracing.  

Look at that gap down by the floor.

Seems like cutting the bracing to the new concrete, or maybe just taking it out completely would have been better options - at least it wouldn't draw your attention to the issue.

At any rate, part of putting in a handrail (whoops, almost said 'new' handrail) will have to involve resolving that little corner.

Luckily, our man cave egress (see 'More Boating Accessories' post) will not be affected....the ladder remains.  We'll have to find another location for the aging preservers, though.

So, while we're looking at the back porch, I'll leave you with the before and current photos from the water side. 

Before -

Now -

Back with a Video

Ok, we're in, the internet is up, and we're just going to shove those last few boxes into a corner somewhere.  Time to get back on the blog!

So, to make up for the gap in programming, we've got something that really pushes the limits for us technically. 

Starts with this innocuous little box that has been strapped to a tree outside since the end of March.  It's seen snow, rain, and more than a few trucks.  

More wildlife

This giant rabbit was waiting for me when I returned home today. New
species to add to the list!

Move Complete-ish; The Adventure Continues

Now that the actual move is complete (and the guys at Viking Movers were awesome, by the way - didn't flinch when we asked them to move two boats and an air hockey table, and didn't laugh when we realized we had omitted to bring any chairs,) it's become apparent that there's a lot more we're going to miss.  Specifically, a dishwasher.

The last time we were without a dishwasher, we were also without kids.  This may be the summer that we increase our carbon footprint immensely with a huge new purchase of paper plates and disposable plasticware.

Also, our fabulous old fridge with the freezer on the bottom will be missed -- already my back is sore bending over to get out the milk, fruits, and leftover pizza from what seems to be the incredibly low to the ground refrigeration part of the apartment's fridge.

On the plus side, we've gained a whole lot of new animal friends.  For two days running (that would be both days in the apartment) we've been treated to a dinnertime display of a swimming beaver.  The first night, a little one, and last night the mama beaver (or perhaps papa, if anyone knows how to tell them apart or has the courage to google "female or male beaver" let me know).   Yesterday I took a break from unpacking and walked around the point - in about 10 minutes I saw turtles, fish, a variety of birds including a giant heron, and a black snake that made me wish I hadn't been trying to walk quietly so as to not scare the other creatures.

All in all, I'm surprised that I"m not sadder to leave the wonderful home we've had for the past ten years - but it speaks to how excited we are about the fabulous new abode.  This weekend will include more unpacking, hopefully getting internet connection (so we can resume posting), and maybe tracking down some life preservers so we can take some part of our fleet out on the pond for a maiden voyage.

Behind the Wall

We now know when the firewall between the two units went up - the carpenter signed and dated a stud that will remain in the back of the half bath.

It's the stud in the middle of the photo - here it is larger and turned. 

Reads: Bill Batten, Concord MA July 12, 1966.

I'm thinking we should all sign as well before it gets covered back up....where would you sign your house?

Interior Progress

Much more going on inside these days, so will share some interior photos today.
Since the old door is gone and the new one not yet arrived, you have to enter through the basement.  That's ok, though, since there's now a stair.

 

Looking back along the old porch, you can see through the closet wall and the bathroom.

If you look back the other way, you see this guy.

I could make a snide comment about how he's in the closet, but I won't. Sure beats the old view.

As an aside, the roof structure was previously supported by the 1" trim board you see below.  No wonder that roof is so wavy - it goes from a 1" trim board inside to a 1" trim outside.  Surprising it's still attached, really. This is another location with some new structure sistered in.

Let's make our way upstairs. 

This is one of the kids' rooms.  Not sure I want to be here when the brawl breaks out about whose it is. 

And check out their view.

You have to lean pretty far out to see the ground.  Or trim back those tree branches, so I'm told. 

Boy am I glad it's not me that has to put on the roof and siding.

Trusses

Things are looking a lot better structurally - the trusses have some reinforcement, the kickers have been replaced, and I no longer cringe every time I look up.

Basically there's a structure sandwich, with a new LVL on either side of the beam (which basically looked like three 2x's nailed together.  And, the diagonal bracing is back in the trusses - in the main room, Jacques was able to use some of the old lumber that was taken out (for example from the basement).

We're planning to keep two of the three skylights (the third is broken) so it should continue to be very light.

Much more sturdy looking than the view a couple weeks ago, at least as far as the trusses go.

Aggressive Gardener

The plantings from two weeks ago seem to be doing well.  We were lucky that it rained every other day for about a week, and then, while I was travelling and it was dry, this little garden gnome helped out.

I'm guessing it was Saturday, based on the soccer shirt. 

Today, even more green sprouts are showing.  Almost felt like summer!

Things Left Behind

Packing for the move has ramped up this weekend, with boxes everywhere.
Even with all the excitement and anticipation of moving, there are still things we'll miss.





















Built July 4 weekend two years ago, this is an awesome little nook.  If you've seen this you may notice the treehouse's mailbox is missing - it will be making the move with us, at Mairead's request, although I'm not completely sure where it will land.

I wouldn't say anything has outright thrived, but there are several plants that I'll have to get over my attachment too - the peonies, which were some of the first things we planted, the hydrangea, and the tulips that seem to be doing much better since the neighbor's cat went away.  We have divided some of Denise's hosta which has thrived here, and it's doing quite well over at the new place.

Mairead insists she doesn't like it, but it still makes me smile every night when we read our bedtime story.  I do wonder where I got the energy when she was an infant though.

Lots of good memories of this guy....defending us from the chickens, picking his way through the snow, being rescued from or searched for in just about every neighbor's yard.

While his ashes will be making the move, I can't help but think he would have really enjoyed tearing around the new place.  Until the hawk got him. 

More Framing

The rate of change on the exterior has slowed down since last week.  The porch is starting to be enclosed, and you can see the new opening for the door.

Here's the same view from last week.

And from the beginning of April.

No ladder in this one.

Framing Continues

Framing continues apace, even as I'm out of town.  Dormer for the second floor bedrooms and bath is complete with the roof, and the new porch is taking shape too.  Interior stairs to the lower level have been built, and the bedrooms are framed inside as well.  Photos to follow at some point when I'm back in town.

I hear that some pruning went on out the window on the far side of this -- glad I wasn't there as it's basically three stories straight down! 

This weekend promises to be a flurry of packing.  I can feel my back muscles tensing already.