Day 1 was setting the posts and the floor for the cabin. That was done by the Amish that had planned on having the cabin built within 2-3 days. Not meant to happen. The Amish guy that builds trusses was a week behind which put us a week behind. No problem, with the high humidity, heat and heat index for 3 days last week it was a blessing. Without a doubt the Amish would have worked in it as I watched out the window (in air conditioning) fretting over them. As it was the day they worked we supplied all the ice tea, pop (soda for some) and a batch of Texas Sheet Cake for their breaks.
What did we do on 2-6 days? Once the heat and humidity let up we went to work getting some things that needed to be done on the cabin site. Dick still had to dig 3 more 40" deep holes for the porch foundation. Considering below 6 inches is nothing but rock and dirt. Big rocks. Apparently when they dozed the hill off around 4o years ago it was full of rocks. Digging by hand with a post hole digger is tough work and I am not going to mention age because at any age it is a sweat popping job. Lucky that Kamrie (granddaughter) did a lot of pounding and throwing with the post hole digger for her gramps.
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| Tough work |
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| 40 inches down |
My missions was to rediscover and uncover a beautiful brick side walk. I knew it was there, a few bricks would show themselves every now and again. If the side walk was still in good shape I would be one happy person. Edging along and digging the sod off the sidewalk was not as hard as digging holes but I did sweat. Did I ever mention how much I hate to sweat? This summer has been a 2-3 shower a day for me. The farther I went on the side walk the more I realized, this is it! We are salvaging something old to go with the new. Remember I had mentioned in a previous blog that Monty Hathaway was the original owner and builder of the property. Along with keeping the old garage, adding some fresh paint and trim the sidewalk will also add to the beauty and meaning of keeping the old with the new and memories of what was. The side walk is in great shape which means Monty knew what he was doing way back when. The sidewalk leads to cement and brick steps that led to the original patio. We had intentions of getting rid of them and build new steps. Not to be, once I got to them finished we started talking and thinking. We couldn't have planned it better if we tried (which we didn't). The steps are actually positioned and doable to use for the porch. My next job, get the sod and "stuff" off the steps. They also are solid, with a little facial cement..........we have steps! I would like to say, every shovel of stuff from those steps..............my eyes were searching for..............a snake. I was prepared to drop the shovel and run! No sightings, and that's a good thing!
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| Before |
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| There it is! |
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| Steps before. |
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| Steps after. |
Day 7 is here, as of 9:30 am the Amish are here, trusses and building supplies for the cabin. It is now 9:51 am, the sawing and pounding has begun. Time for me to bake a batch of Eleanor Stavisky's famous sour cream or buttermilk cookies (which ever you use makes delicious big soft cookies) for the guys and with the granddaughter to MA.
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