Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Weekenders

On the drive to Florida last week, the car mysteriously found its way to NC.  (I can never figure out how that happens.)  On this trip Uncle Chris decided to joined us making it the first time in almost a year that we were all together.  A good time was had by all, especially our two little munchkins, who never lacked for attention.

Fun loving Uncle Chris is a popular guy with his niece and nephew.  There was a steady diet of wrestling matches, video games and teasing.   At one point during the weekend Allie inquired "Uncle Chris, are you a grown-up."  Now there's a question we'd all like to have answered!

Below is a snapshot of our time together.

First up, the Gamers,

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the artist at work,

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hitching a ride,

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& hamming it up with Dad.

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Late on Sunday afternoon a pick-up game of soccer was organized.  It didn't take long to drag out the ball and set the make-shift goals in place.

Ahh, Uncle Chris, I believe you've got the wrong equipment.
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Team Chris evaluates the competition.

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while Team Pappy celebrates a score.

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The action heats up.

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And what backyard pick-up game would be complete without tears?  I believe this episode had a little something to do with tripping.  Where's the ref with the red card?

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I will leave you today with two of my favorite images from the weekend.

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Admit it, aren't they just the cutest kids you've ever laid eyes on?


Sunday, October 28, 2012

Absence

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If absence makes the heart grow fonder you should be missing me something fierce this week.

We packed up the cottage and began to zig zag our way to Florida over a week ago.  There were brief stops in the Music City and Hickory, NC to visit the boys before finishing the trek south.  There has been unpacking, reorganizing and entertaining in our past few days.  I'm hoping to be back on a more regular basis in the next couple of days.

Until then, stay warm, dry and safe if you are in Sandy's path.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Can't Get Enough

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It's fall y'all and I can't seem to get enough.  Autumn colors and falling leaves invigorate the senses.  Until they need raking.

That's how I know it's time to head to Florida.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Construction Update, II

The past week is a blurr of contractors, decisions, revisions and mud.  From my vantage point this type of renovation is not for the faint of heart.  What looks good on paper doesn't always mesh with a sixty year old building and what I visualize in my head isn't always what is off loaded from the delivery truck.  Life and construction, it's all about compromise.

We had one major snafu last week...twice.  Two feet were lost from the bedroom side of the project  when the footers were poured.  We caught it the first time.  The foundation crew was called back for a re-do and adjustments were made.  And then somehow it was lost again.  The second time it was caught by the framers who were having a difficult time matching the floor plan to the actual space.  It was too late by then to correct the problem and two feet of precious square footage was lost forever.  I ranted and pouted for a few hours, our contractor graveled and eventually we worked it out.  (Don't tell anybody but I think that when all was said and done I ended up with more usable space in the utility room than I had prior to the missing two feet.  Also note:  when your contractor screws up he begins throwing in extras to ease the pain.)

Yes, it has been as muddy as it looks.

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We had a fantastic framing crew.  Ryan and his boys (okay men, but they could have been my sons so they're boys) have a work ethic from 50 years ago and did an excellent job.  They raised the roof in 40 degree temps and drizzling rain.  We loved them so much we kept the coffee hot and plentiful, and fed them a hot lunch on several occasions.

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For some reason this is the last snapshot I have of the progress to date.  The windows have now all been installed as well as the sliding door and the little window on the end has been exchanged for a longer one.  (It was one of my disappointments, too much frame, too little glass.  It's hard to tell exactly what you are getting without a visual.)

The original cottage roof is low and squatty which posed some challenges with regard to how the new roof would tie in, especially on this corner.  It's not how I envisioned it, but it works.  Compromise, people, it's all about compromise.

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All in all it has been a relatively smooth process.  As we pack up to head south for a few weeks we are comfortable with the progress made.  We expect to return at Thanksgiving and find a new front entry and a roof with shingles.  Work will then slow to a crawl during the winter months.  That was part of the offer we couldn't refuse, our contractor will use our job to keep his full time staff working during the slow winter months. When we return in May for the big reveal it will be just like Extreme Makeover Home Edition, except for the fact that we are writing the checks and there won't be a crowd of thousands chanting "move that mini van."  But you get the drift, it will be a big surprise.  Hopefully a good one.

Update to the update:  Look what I found!  I haven't lost my mind.

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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Magic

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Fall color + morning light =  Magic

Monday, October 8, 2012

Funk Be Gone

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I've been in a bit of a blogging funk of late.  I think it is a combination of the cold, the dark and the dreary and possibly the fact that The Kid has commandeered my computer to feed his addiction to Lost.  This phase is much like his 24 addiction two years ago.  I fear an intervention could be in order.

Regardless of the reason, I have a couple of stories to tell and a construction update to share, so Funk, be gone.

Do you think that will do it?


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

One Part Berries

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Take one part red berries, add thorny branches and gently fold in faded greens and yellows.

Don't you just love fall?

Monday, October 1, 2012

Construction Update

These days the hours are filled with decision making...windows, doors, tile or vinyl, counter tops and kitchen cabinets to name just a few.  We have done this before, three times and yet this time it is completely different and much more challenging.  In the past we selected a house plan and modified it slightly to our liking.  Most often the changes were made with confidence to better conform the dwelling to how we live life.  This go round we are renovating a sixty year old cottage from a plan that we designed.  I have lost sleep over window placement and style, roof lines and traffic flow.  Our very patient draftsman has drawn (by hand) and redrawn until, as he claims, the paper is growing thin from his eraser.  We all know it is important to get it right on paper before the real work begins and it becomes too costly to change.  Thus I stress and he erases.  The outcome rests squarely on our shoulders and it scares me to death.

I apologize to friends and family who have endured endless conversations about windows and doors as the details of renovation swirl around in my head, gather speed, and pop out in a flurry of indecision.  Your patience is appreciated.

Early last week heavy equipment began to arrive at the cottage.  Ground breaking was official on Tuesday when the first shovel full of dirt was removed.

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Tree stumps were removed and carted off along with the concrete pads from the porch and the old garage.

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The workers plugged away in the rain on Thursday digging and pouring the footing for the kitchen side of the project.   The sewer line was severed leaving us without water or a bathroom for several hours.  A bump in the reno road that was soon repaired.

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Friday dawned warm and sunny and we were excited to see what the boys would accomplish on their first nice day of the week.  The answer?  Zip. Nada.  Nothing.

Most likely if I had turned and faced west I would have seen them bobbing up and down on the lake, fishing poles in the water.

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It's now Monday.  The weather man is calling for blue skies and sunshine.

Perhaps they'll work tomorrow.  There is rain in the forecast.