catching up with us

When we started working on the cottage this summer, we thought these aging bodies would loose some fully paid for weight, firm up and look pretty buff. However, we didn't loose a pound (actually gained), thought that extra weight did look a "little" firmer. "Muscle weighs more than fat" says I.

But I must admit, I was a bit disappointed. After all those hours sweating and toiling all we really got was tired.

Now, when we work at the cottage its one day on the weekend. Maybe it's because we made good progress and CAN relax, but I think it's actually because we're still tired. Our age is catching up, I guess.

This weekend we started mixing and pouring cement for the footings of the back porch. Also readjusted the positioning of the forms for the deck.

No pictures again this week. Sorry, but even I have to admit, forms are just plain boring. Lets save a pic for windows and doors. Now THAT's exciting. They should be delivered this week.

I'd yee-ha, but I don't have the energy.

roots & rocks

Not much happening this weekend, so this will be a fairly boring post. Windows probably won't be ready to go in until the first of October.

We started on the deck though, so actually having the better part of a deck this year, is kinda exciting on its own. Now that we have all that decking cedar sitting in the yard, its kind of given us incentive to get it done.

Our goal for the day was to get the forms built and in place. We got out the measuring tapes and figuring diagonals and all that jazz then rough marked where each form had to go.

Bill started by digging out the dirt in and around where the forms were to go. Similar to what we found when putting in the piers for the cottage itself, some areas are nice flat rock while others go quite deep in spots. On one, there were tree roots to contend with and Bill struggled with those. Some were too big for either the shovel or nippers and required a saw. It had rained the night before, so everything was quite muddy on top of it.

My job was nailing forms together again. I tried to be extra careful throughout, figuring I really did not want to sacrifice another finger. Down to the last form, then that dangerous 3rd last nail and I'm telling myself "be carefull, no getting careless". So I survive in this manner, talking silently to myself, and escape with my fingers intact.

Next I helped Bill with the digging. Most were easy as it was relatively flat and close to the surface. However, two of them went quite deep. One had a large loose rock along the side that would have to come out. Luckily we had a large pry bar in the shed and Bill was able to get it out using that.

And that was that. We were tired so called it quits. All the forms were built, and put in place, not perfectly in place mind you, but enough to justify to me that we had accomplished our goal.

What was I thinking?!?

Bill says, "I think you need to change the blog" "Why?" I ask. He explains that the deck will not be easy, as I claimed on the last post. But, me? I didn't really believe him. After all, at least I won't be dangling off the edge of a 2nd storey.

So we go out last weekend to begin planning the deck. Measuring, deciding on placement of the piers, figuring out what tree roots we have to dig out, things like that. And afterwards I sit and look through the "Decks" book put out by Home Depot. My mind begins to turn to mush. Strings strewn all over to help determine level, braces for the posts, notching the posts for the side rails..... Not to mention hand mixing of the cement. *sigh*

Easy? Did I say easy? Sorry, I must have been hallucinating. Nothing is easy in this project.

The front of the cottage WITH roof, but before windows. 

Work and no work

We've been able to enjoy our reprieve from work. Not only has the wedding and receptions kept us totally entertained (and might I say, well fed), but the contractor we hired for the roof is doing such an excellent job that we never worried about it a bit. The windows are on order and as soon as they get in, he'll put them in as well.

Bill caught a cedar sale at Home Depot and bought all of the cedar we would need for the deck, with possibly enough left over for a dock. So our next project will be the deck, which should prove to be a much easier job than framing, sheathing, etc.

I'm actually looking forward to it.

Side view of the cottage. Windows and doors are next.