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.

May 2, 2007

During my two-week vacation to O'Wich, the trees bloomed, the squirrels ate all the feed of corn and oats that we put out for the deer. I enjoyed the peace and quiet between all the things that were on my To-Do list. I will certainly miss being at O'Wich.



A bad day in O'Wich beats a good day in Cicero - hands down!



No noise; no horns, no loud music, no sirens.
No crowds; no rude people, no traffic.



If I click my red shoes together, how long before I can get back to O'Wich???



Until next time, it's this road I must travel to get back to reality.

Thanks for visiting - come back in June!

May 1, 2007

Carlo came back to "Labor Camp" for more torture. He cut the grass - this is a long process due to all the land and all of the trees.



Then, he tethered the new tank down...you know - flood zone. We actually heard that tanks have made their way to the river during flood season.

April 29, 2007

Although you might think that one of Alex's favorite things is visiting O'Wich I'd have to correct you and say that it's reading. After Jackie read this book to Alex for the umpteenth time, it was time for their visit to end. Bye bye Alex! Thank you for visiting O'Wich with your mom! xoxo


Not too long after their taillights were out of sight, my project list came out of hiding. Time to build a bench. Looks simple enough. It took over 9 hours and a little bit of sunburn to realize that offering someone a seat on this bench would be a big mistake. The after picture hides the flaws and unfinished assembly. Help! I need help to build this. The box says "Team Lift" - I think is should say "Team Assembly". Please, whatever you do, DO NOT TAKE A SEAT!


This photo is very deceiving...looks good - from afar!

April 28, 2007

While Alex took his morning nap, I started my day off with a surprise for Carlo. I laid some really heavy 18" pavers along the deck in what was attempt to create some additional curb appeal. Still a work in progress, I am happy with the way step one turned out.


After lunch, Jackie, Alex and I went to the Oschner Park and Zoo in Baraboo. Alex visited with a swan, two white tail deer, two llamas, a timber wolf, a pot bellied pig and a couple of goats. After feeding the goat some goat food, Alex decided to share his own snacks with the goats. He was so proud of himself for sharing!



We drove around for a couple of hours, taking in the sights, while Alex napped before dinner. We ate at the Log Cabin, near the zoo. We thought this was the end of our day until we went to the lot to find the car had a flat tire!


Alex's reaction could be a good indicator of our surprise that all the places we called for repair were closed! So after several phone calls to several places, the owner offered that the cook change the tire. Luckily, he can do more than make a good slab of ribs or grilled cheese sandwich. Once we were on the road, we hit Wal-Mart, just before the tire center was closing and bought a new tire.


We made it safely back to O'Wich - my ever so nice neighbors were both upset I didn't call on them for help. It's nice to know they're there - for next time!!!