June 11, 2007

We made a double dump run and when I say the sellers left us a ton of stuff, I mean they literally left us a ton of stuff - and we paid for it! We have officially dropped off and paid for over 2000 pounds of garbage to be recycled - with a total of four trips spanning from last fall until now. There were two huge triple picture windows and several doors and a stove, tv and pipes and egg crates full of wood. And believe me when I tell you they were using this wood, with hinges and nails and screws, as wood to burn in the fireplace. We cleaned up the remnants of all that wouldn't burn when we cleaned the floor of the fireplace. And we're not really done...we could make one more trip with the odds and ends, but a nice bon fire and a couple of things for our local garbage pickers and the place will be officially trash free! Can't wait.

Lastly, Carlo mowed the front lawn - which is a fraction of what needed to be cut and we trimmed and just did some sprucing up before heading home. It was a great weekend and a lot was accomplished.

Now where's my calendar???? I need to get in touch with the crew!!!! xoxo

June 10, 2007 - part deux

The before and after shots of the much needed shed.
Time to load it with all our junk!!!













You may not be able to make out the inscription under the bottom stair, but written in the concrete it says "O'Wich '07" at the left and all our names at the right...Katie, Rick, Tom, Jackie, Alex, Carlo and Cindy!









And after we fed the crew another promised meal...we took photos down at the edge of the river. It was so wonderful to have everyone out at one time. Not just because we had work to do, but just to be together. I realize they just love working up at O'Wich, but maybe next time they can come just for a visit and a BBQ!

June 10, 2007

Good Morning all! The wonderful crew forged ahead again. Today, they started and finished the shed project and did a fantastic job.

I'm sure this shed was not meant to be built 3 feet above ground which made construction a little difficult when placing the roof. Katie jumped through the roof to help out!

Here's the crew, resting and proud of their work! Way to go...you guys are the best!!!

June 9, 2007

The work crew arrived right on schedule. And they were quite eager to get the deck built...we promised them an outstanding dinner!!!


Together, everyone got busy hammering and drilling and making the piles of lumber into something that resembled a deck. While the process was underway, Katie and I removed all the rotten (yes rotten, as in mice infested) insulation from under the house. Katie is certainly a trooper. She was like the EverReady Bunny! All that's left under there is a little vacuuming and removing some timbers and cinder blocks.


Carlo, Jackie, Tom, Rick, Katie, me were busy building the deck.






Alex supervised and took a Cheerio break!












When we were finished and showered, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner - just as promised! Rick and Katie decided to sleep outside in a tent - but they set it up on top of the deck. Carlo lit the tiki torches and the newlyweds enjoyed "The Tiki Hut" for the night!
P.S. Thanks Rick and Katie for the shadow figures! They kept us laughing for a long time!
P.S.S. Rick, did you take any Benadryl??????

June 4, 2007

We prepped for the deck which is necessary to support the shed that will be built when "the crew" arrives! We drilled 9 holes with an earth auger - through sand and a lot of roots. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do - and I burnt my arm! Once the holes were dug, Carlo poured cement into tubes 48" deep for support. After the cement set up, we added the beams that will hold up the deck. Although this is all noted in a small paragraph, it took the entire weekend to do this and trust me...
Carlo did most of it!

We bought all of the lumber at our new favorite store in Portage, Do It Best - Portage Lumber. We hauled the lumber ourselves and staged it for the next step; hanging the joists and laying the deck boards.