Closing up for the year

We made a quick run up this weekend to get things closed up for the year. We had a few sprinkles but for the most part the weather was very nice. Highs around 70. Not bad for the second weekend in October. A few weeks back we had bought a ceiling fan on clearance at Home Depot. We it and took it up with us and installed the fan in the "great room". It will provide a good amount of light and it will be nice on those hot summer days too.

From 2011 Cabin Work

We did a bunch of tree trimming that was long overdue. We now have much better views of the lake from the cabin area and no longer have to duck below branches to get down to the lake.

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

It it always sad to take the boat out of the season, but it had to be done. The dock removal guys need to get the docks out in the next couple of weeks.

I tried something new this year to empty out the water lines. I connected the air compressor to the water supply and completely blew out the water lines. In the past I relied on gravity to drain the water lines. The new technique seems to work much nicer and is really easy - thanks Pete!

We will try to make it up another time or two this fall if the weather permits. It's always interesting to see how different things look after the trees are bare. There is always a better chance of seeing some wildlife in the fall too. Last trip up we did see a black bear along the road just south of Emily. That was the first time we've see a bear in the area.

Well, that wraps it up for this year. If we do make it up again and anything interesting happens I will let you know. It's been a great year up there. Next year I just need to get that new roof put on. Until next time, take care and "enjoy" the other seasons.

Mud, Dust, and Paint

Got back last night from a 5 day stretch at the lake. Temps were a little cooler than they had been last month. Not sure if it was the cooler temps or what, but for some reason we managed to get a decent amount of work done this trip.

I finally broke down and bought a TV antenna on the way up. The first thing I did when we got up there was to install it. I knew going in that we would only be able to receive one channel (WCCO), but I installed it anyway. Actually, it's a good thing we only get one channel. Time up at the lake should not be spent watching TV anyway.

From 2011 Cabin Work

Next on the agenda was to finish the mudding of the hallway and closet. Twenty four hours later (give or a take a few) it was time to do the final sanding of the now dry mud. Getting covered in that white powder is never fun, but it sure looks nice when it's done. Once the sanding was complete, we cracked open the paint and got a couple of coats of paint put on. It's looks so nice once the paint goes on.

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

After the paint had dried it was time to install more flooring in the "great room". I was only able to install about 80 sq. feet because I realized I still needed to get the last base cabinet installed in the kitchen before the flooring can be installed around it.

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

Another thing we did this time was to build a step for the front door. Until now the step up from the "porch" to the front door was about a 16 inch rise. Not only did the kids have problems with it, our parents are having more difficulty getting in and out of the cabin. The new step makes it a much nicer climb in and out. Of course the whole porch thing is temporary until we get the wrap around deck installed.

From 2011 Cabin Work

The kids enjoyed more tubing and also both boys did some water skiing. They are getting pretty good. Julissa and I got some good daddy/daughter fishing time in too. She just loves to fish.

That's all for now.

The new approach is working

Last weekend we enjoyed several beautiful days up at the lake. I am happy to report that my new approach of "working very little" is in full force. We spent most of the weekend on the water. We got the boat back, and luckily it only needed a new primer bulb on the gas line, a sixteen dollar repair. It's running great now and we sure took advantage of it. The kids went tubing several times. Julissa tubed by herself for the first time ever. She really enjoyed it.

From 2011 Cabin Work

I also made several canoe trips around the lake with the kids this time. Once again, it was Julissa's first canoe experience.

From 2011 Cabin Work

A couple of weeks prior to going up to the lake, we were at Menards and we came across a bunch of interior doors on clearance. We could not pass up the deal so we bought all the doors for the rooms at the cabin. We hauled those up with us. Cheryl found a great deal for a linen closet for the bathroom on Craigs list. We stopped in Cambridge on the way up and picked up the linen closet. We really needed something in the cabin bathroom to hold towels and what not.

We did find a little time to install a couple of the doors and the linen closet.

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

On Monday before we left, I put another layer of sheet rock mud on the seams in the closet by the front door and also in the hallway.

From 2011 Cabin Work

A new approach

Just back from a beautiful week at the cabin. Everyday was sunny and in the eighties. It was the best weather we've had up there in a long time. We did lot's of fireworks, fishing, swimming, paddle boating, etc. Julissa even caught a turtle. Unfortunately the new fuel pump on the boat motor appears to be a lemon. The boat is back at the marine getting fixed. If you are interested in playtime photos click on the photo below:

July 2011

Cheryl's mom joined us and brought her new puppy with her too. And for the first time in years, we brought our cat up. So we had 3 adults, 3 kids, 3 dogs, and a cat.

With all the good weather, we decided to take a new approach. Work a little, play a lot. Now that we have the kitchen all working, I can see that this new approach may become the norm.

We did manage to get a little work done however. We completed the sheet rock in the first of three bedrooms. Two more small rooms to go and all the sheet rock will be up.

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

In addition to the sheet rock I managed to install a new toilet (with a insulated tank) that won't sweat all over the floor from the cold well water. We also did some cleaning and organizing of the stuff in the garage. All in all a great week.

For the first time in history...

we have a fully functional kitchen! I am happy to announce that we now have counter tops and the sink installed an working. We were up again last weekend and of course, it rained most of the time we were there. Seems to be par for the course this year. The good news it that installing the counter tops and sink (with the exception of the drain) was an inside job. The mosquitoes were thick, so staying inside was not a bad thing.

My parents came up to spend some time with us too. On Sunday it did stop raining, so we did manage to get some time outside. My Dad helped me get the kitchen drain hooked up to the main septic line.

I am also glad to report we got our boat back from the shop and the engine is working great. Just needed a new fuel pump.

Here is how things are looking now.

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

Back to work

It's mid May, and we finally made our first trek up to the cabin. I am happy to report that the cabin, the garage, and the property survived the long harsh winter. No break-in's, no tree's laying on the roof, no mice nesting inside.

It was raining when we arrived, so my plans for yard work got delayed for a couple of days. We brought up a couple of old recliner chairs and also the electric stove that we bought last fall. After getting situated we got to work on the kitchen. The base cabinets finally got installed and the remainder of the kitchen cabinets did too. We then mounted the microwave in it's location above the stove and moved the stove into place.

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

From 2011 Cabin Work

For the first time ever we were able to cook and eat in the cabin, which was very nice since it was raining and in the 40's most of the weekend. I can not wait to get the sink and countertops installed. It feels like these years of work are starting to pay off.

End of year 2010

It's been a strange fall this year. September came in with temps way below normal while October has been fabulous with temps in the 70s and 80s. I have made 3 trips up to the lake since my last post.

My Dad joined me for a weekend run up over Sept. 18th and 19th. It was a chilly weekend, but the insulation in the cabin keep us plenty warm with just a couple of space heaters. We took a load of laminate flooring with us in anticipation of getting the "great room" floored yet this fall. I was also able to complete the remainder of my electrical work in prep for the final electrical inspection. We also took the boat out and got things ready for winter.

Friday, Sept. 24th I went back up again with my good friend Pete. Pete had volunteered to help me install the flooring because he had installed several floors in the past. The flooring went down great. It took a while getting started due to the "non-squareness" of the room, but once we got the first few rows down, it was smooth sailing. It looks better than I imagined it would.

From 2010 Work

From 2010 Work

From 2010 Work

From 2010 Work

We were not able to finish the entire floor as you can see below because I still have a cabinet to get to complete the base cabinets in the kitchen. I also discovered a little water leaking in around the front door, so I want to make sure it's fixed before covering that area with flooring.

From 2010 Work

After we finished with the flooring we moved in the refrigerator from the garage. We also moved in our kitchen table, some chairs, and dishes too. No more eating in the garage from here on out. As soon as spring rolls around, we can finish up the cabinets and counter top.

I went up again on Sunday, Oct. 10. The electrical inspector came out the next morning and did the final inspection. It's nice to have all of the electrical work completed. I closed up the cabin for the season. Usually this makes me a little sad, but it's been a productive year, and frankly I am ready for a break.

Next year I would like to finish up the kitchen first thing in the spring. A functional kitchen will be huge. My only other real goal for next year is to get a new roof on the place. Who knows, maybe next year we'll spend more time enjoying the place, than working on the place.