Irene

Well we found out Saturday morning just how much stuff had migrated out of storage in the pod to scatter itself around the yard.  Actually it all fit pretty easily into the shed, and the boats were moved up to higher ground and tied to trees easily as well.  

It was the construction stuff that was more worrisome.  We moved some wood inside, and tidyed loose scraps, but besides closing the door on the dumpster there wasn't too much to do but keep our fingers crossed.





The level of the water at the pond had dropped 4 or 6 inches.  Interesting, because I didn't think the previous owners had sold the pond, so I wonder who has (or assumed) that responsibility.  The poor beaver lodge was completely out of the water - wonder how that impacts them.

 

If we hadn't been so busy moving potential projectiles around, I would have loved to take a rake and cut back on the seaweed. oh well.

During a break in the storm midday today we did a tour of the perimeter.  Luckily, there was not much damage apparent. 

The tarp had come off this beauty, another gift from the previous owner that one of the workers offered to take for scrap metal - we had happily agreed because we couldn't budge it. 

 We also found some erosion along the side of the porch and foundation.

 

 

Looks like the silt fence did its job, though.

 And, one big branch down.

  

All things considered, though, it fell in a pretty good place - we can get in and out, no damage to the house, shed, or garage, and we had moved the zip line from this location a couple weeks ago.

Hope you all are safe and dry as well.

Sauna?

The site plan shows a structure where there is very little remaining, and we were trying to figure out what it might have been.  After all, we wouldn't be allowed to build anything new within the 100' line from the water, but we can always rebuild/repair. 

Unfortunately, what is there doesn't give much of a clue.  We were thinking maybe a gazebo or tent platform from when it was a camp.  It's built into the side of the hill, faces the water, and has a pretty nice view.  Plus this rather cool looking stump remnant.  (Guess the plot plan is a little dated)

Then it was pointed out to us that no self-respecting Finnish group would be anywhere near a pond without a sauna.  Aha!

Now, I've enjoyed a sauna a few times in my life, but I'm not sure my own private sauna is high on my Christmas wish list.  And I haven't actually convinced myself (or anyone else in the family) to go in the pond beyond wading, so that dip in the pond after the sauna is still questionable.  So I think we'll just let this linger on the 'possibilities' list a while yet.

Stuff

WOW we have a lot of it. In spite of the dumpster we filled, multiple porchfuls of Freecycle goods, and several carloads to the goodwill, there's still more than I want to think about in storage.  And some of it has come back to us.

I think Jonathan was on to something when he dreamed that they loaded up the pod and drove it off a bridge. 

Sure, the outdoor patio furniture is handy to have back, and the kids were excited to have their fishing rods (hopefully we'll test them out soon), but all in all I think it's a good thing that the dumpster is between the pod and the front door.  Gives us a second chance. 

Leaving Marks

As requested, the mason who was re-pointing the chimney closed the old opening on the second floor.

Following in the footsteps of many before him, he left his mark.

Just like Bill Batten in 1966  http://bukiharia.blogspot.com/2011/05/behind-wall.html, the mason who built the chimney in our former house, and many who have passed by wet concrete, his initials are now preserved. 

It has me wondering, where should we sign our house? What would I leave in a time capsule?  Sounds like a good summer project for the kids.

If you've done renovations, have you left something for future occupants to discover?

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...

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.

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.