Chapter 3

Another trip to Mo to check the progress.  The shell is complete except for the "brick" that will finish off the front of the cabin.  Tim, the builder, is visiting family in Wisconsin and will stop in Des Moines on his way home to pick up the brick.  One day this coming week, Tim and Himself will lay the brick up the front and then all that is left to do this fall, is to settle up -- pay Tim for the labor and pay for the materials and then get back to work, nose to the grindstone, and save and save so that next spring we can insulate, put down the upstairs floor and plan and do whatever else we can afford.  It will take us several years to get everything done and paid for.  We are sure looking forward to the adventure!

We have had a few lively discussions (disagreements?), negotiations, changes of mind.  We have some challenges ahead.  We hope this adventure keeps us young and motivated and forward looking.  You all come along for the ride! 

We slapped together some steps this weekend for this end of the porch.  We borrowed the ladder from the boat for the other end.  Himself put on the doorknob and locks at the backdoor and we picked up, putaway, and planned and plotted.  Saturday evening was so nice, we even moved the rocking chairs from the little porch to the big porch and this time of year there are no insects! 

Here is Himself, deep in calculation: 

          insulation, check. 

          wiring, check. 

          light fixtures, check. 

          outlets, check. 

          braces, bolts and bolsters! 

The other side is thinking, now the davenport will go here, the round table there, we'll hang a little flat screen and here's where the coat rack will go.  lol  Not quite that extreme -- but, well, you know how it goes. 

Poor little cabin looks like "poor relation" now but don't worry, little cabin, we have plans for you!  There is a new roof, new siding and a new doorway or two in your future! 



Big Cabin sits up big and tall.  We (I) did not imagine the size and I always thought it would sit lower but I will adjust and get used to it and I think, when we are done, it will look "all of a piece".  Or so I hope! 

There's a big room upstairs, waiting to happen.  We are glad we put in the bigger windows up there.  We had thought to put in windows half that size but these will allow good ventilation and light up in that loft. 

You all come back in a few days.  Himself and I laid out the floor plan this weekend.  We marked them out with masking tape.  Everything subject to change, of course!