Voicelessness and Emotional Survival > Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
This and That
lighter:
D D15 still enjoying the boy's company. I'm astonished by her boundaries and basically stick to what appears to be the 51% rule..... I'm in awe. She's so smart.....truly an old soul, with a tremendous talent for physical comedy. A lovely combination.
On the Little cottage in the Bahamas... It's time for repairs and researching the next steps. Contractor went on day trip and has materials list. Need to order new metal door with tamper proof hinges and an inside screen door. Need to order hurricane shutters for doors and windows still lacking them. Electric has problem but not sure how bad it is.
Basically we get it in shape to sell or keep. Not sure which. We bring an electrician the first planned trip, then ship major supplies for longer trip....at least 2 weeks.
I'm getting along with the contractor fine..... he's basically my father, same make and model. An angry white man with mad skills. Lots of opportunities for boundary work, and he likes me bc I work hard, no whining, beside him.
I admit I worry all that together time could render me one water bug in the ear away from going over the edge, but....
The journey continues.
Lighter
lighter:
My contractor is doing well, as we mull over window security.
New windows? Exterior mounted burglar bars? Hurricane shutters? Right now we're leaning toward 3M security film with interior mounted burglar bars that can be opened in case of fire. I get excited about ideas then demoralized when remembering thieves will get in no matter what, if they really want in. This is a herky jerky emotional rollercoaster for me. I haven't been to the cottage in over 10 years. It's a good chance to work on awareness and letting memories go by without latching on, kwim?
So,Amber, what solutions did you have on your beach windows, and do you have any advice?
We have some accordian hurricane shutters I'd like to secure from interior of house. Maybe put them over the remaining 10 windows while replacing a few.
The ocean front wall needs lots if work....metal studs and new windows for sure. Some kind of water proof interior finish as water gets in during hurricane season and has seeped up the paneling...thinking stucco.....maybe stone tile , at least at the bottom of the wall.
We ordered new kitchen cabinets, and will close off the little secondary kitchen in favor of creating another bedroom....maybe with built in bunk areas that feel very private. That's where I'd sleep. The back bedroom is over the old cistern, and I always disliked that room. Have to figure out how to deal with that.
No lower cabinets....all drawer packs. I won't ship another full size fridge again....too hard to have it stolen, so planned on 2 under counter fridges on one wall. Solves nothing, I realize, but less expensive, and easier to replace. Will bring something for on counter to cook on....no more ranges or ovens either. I wonder if I could find a safe place to store small appliances it if it's possible. Probably should just carry on and off island every trip. Huge PITA.
If I can find someone trustworthy to manage the property I could rent it out, and that means leaving the place stocked with appliances... At least minimally. I'd love to have an ice maker, but so would the thieves. I'm so suck of schlepping thing on to the island then getting broken into. It felt like stocking a store.
Optimally I'd like to get the place cleaned up and refreshed so it can be listed. Maybe find folks interested in living there from the US several months out of the year....maybe several people taking turns so it's occupied.
I'd like to spend some time there not working every second. If the girls and I could fish and harvest seafood ourselves...maybe have a little garden with fresh veggies, that would be nice. Tai Chi on the beach. Rest and restoration.... learning to do something else there besides struggle, and feel lost. That would be nice.
Lighter
sKePTiKal:
There's a reason a lot of beach houses have the appliance level on the 2nd floor. Even a lot of the OBX concrete block flat-tops, are getting a 2nd floor these days... except when there is historic value in keeping them, as is.
Tough call; steel studs which rust in salt air or wood that rots & molds from sea water exposure? If the contractor is local, I'd tend to lean on his experience and preference. If you accept that things need replacing on a shorter time-line in that environment then he'll likely go with what is easiest to refresh. Stucco is also susceptible to mold; it's holds pollen and sand in it's little pores and requires regular power washing with chemicals to keep it looking "clean". Tile might be the better option.
Windows are probably the most important part of a structure, as they are the most aesthetically pleasing but structurally weakest element. I like exterior, steel, roll down hurricane shutters. The slats fit into an enclosed track and will discourage the thief looking for an easy target - it would take tools and make a lot of noise to get through them. And the shutters can also cover doors. Steel won't get mishaped in the heat as quickly as aluminum, and will survive impacts better. These are typically rated to a Cat 3 hurricane. (All bets are off, when it's a more intense storm.)
The shutters on the exterior, also helps preserve the integrity of the mechanical functioning of the window, not just the glass. And the insulation - which is important if you're running a/c. Do you have power at the cottage? Those shutters are extremely heavy and hard to crank open manually. But it's easy to add a power switch to operate them. (You MIGHT be limited by your breaker box however.)
Power would also let you use one of those high-tech induction hot plates, instead of gas. I would prefer gas, and the 1 qt propane cylinders/camp stoves last a lot longer than one might think - but yes, you would need to stock back plenty of these cylinders - or get the adapter that would let you hook up to a 20 lb propane tank, like you use for a grill. Camping supply places will even have stove top ovens that seem to work well. (Like Cabelas...)
As for not schlepping all this stuff back & forth - it's extremely common to have an "owner's closet" in beach cottages to store your own bedding, appliances, cleaning/paper supplies, emergency kit, etc. It stays locked until the owner is there, all the time. Could be interior - or on the exterior of the house - but for say propane storage would need to be insulated and vented.
As for the theft problem... outside of an alarm system and a caretaker who's on the call list, along with the authorities... I got nothin'. I'm not sure which is worse - theft or vandalism - the latter being completely incomprehensible to me. This is one of two huge issues with owning property at a distance from "home base". The other issue is maintenance.
I didn't want to have to deal with either of those issues at two other properties. Ack - the opposite of simplifying my life! - so I decided to let both go. I might have kept the little cabin, if the opportunity to buy the land behind me didn't show up. But it did, and apparently someone had been watching for this cabin to get listed for awhile.
I'm still letting all that sink in and adjust myself into understanding that the property line isn't where it was anymore, when I bought this place. It's a huge adjustment for me... and I'm still basically thinking "small"... this one little spot I can see from the front porch and I'm just not able to really get out in the back 40 much yet. Too wet, too cold, and probably not very good cell signal if I get myself in trouble. (I don't think I will, but crap happens.)
lighter:
Amber, we're mostly thinking accordian shutters at this point. Bolted from interior of wall is only way I can real my mind around it. We need to replace some windows and yes, there is power. I'm walking electrician's passport through tomorrow....huge PITA. They don't say you still need appt at post office even though working with super expensive expediting company. Errrrr.
Electricity went out at sundown when contractor was putting materials list together. Could be small or large problems. Won't be sure till we have professional on it, and there's wires everywhere.... exposure to sea and sea air not helpful to the cause.
Owner's closet is same as house to people willing to break in, and cause destruction. We had a fake wall they figured out pretty quick once. I think security has to come from caretakers who carry respect and clout in the community.
Good thought about stucco collecting dirt and dust etc.
I like tile. I hate mildew.
My contractor is same one who worked on my house. Getting island labor is worse than getting help on Beech Mountain.... a nightmare I'm not up to.
Thanks for the input.
Lighter
sKePTiKal:
Good luck! It sounds like a worthwhile project. I think it maybe helps to keep things as simple, in as many locally available materials as possible in that situation. Keep things simple; even primitive - and it'll be more cost-effective when you have to replace things later... and be less attractive to the takers of the world. (Maybe; I have no experience whatsoever in that part of the world. No idea what society is like.)
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