The Lake House

[Hopalong]

I'll bet you ARE great at it, Lighter.

You're exactly the kind of detail-oriented landlord B&B visitors dream of!

Hops

[lighter]

Looks promising on the eletrician front..... trying to meet him at the lake house this week AND bring the gal interested in having her retreat there in the same trip. 

This electrician is also a GC so maybe he can do a few more things, like finish up the plumbing too.

Holding space for not knowing and it's better to live without leaning anxiously into the future, for sure.

Lighter

[lighter]

I relaxed into the electrician not keeping me in the loop with his plans. I wanted to be at the Lake house when he got there, but he called when he was on the porch and I was 2 hours away.

I talked him through the sparking problems and he called when he was on the road to report what he'd found and fixed and what needed replacing.... ice machine.

And he's going back and will change out fixtures and put up exterior fans, whoo hoo!

As a bonus, he's sending his plumber to do work too!  AMAZING weekend: )

Lighter

[lighter]

Exect the electrician this weekend at the lake.  I left a couple small jobs out.... I think he has an ailing friend or family member in Atlanta, and the lake is now his resting place between home and Atlanta... as it was for me when my Mom was ill.  Feels right.

He let me know the ice machine is on the fritze, fixed 3 outlets and many switches.........I'll leave a couple small jobs for him to get to while he's there and look forward to his plumber calling.

I met with a builder from California who's recovered from a stroke and newly moved a few minutes away from my home.  He likes to travel and adventure and so does his wife, so he's lined up to do 50 hours work at the lake this month.... and he can do pretty much everything I need.  Will focus on the bathrooms, flooring, railings brought to code and trim work.... then see.  He's funny and uses many phrases my family uses.... feels very familiar and right.  Will be very good or very bad.... or could be both, come to think of it.  I think I'll really like his wife.

Sis and I got to do some fun things the past few days.  We worked hard to help my friend and his dd move.... they had SO MUCH STUFF.  Sis and I took his pool table, 2 beautiful rugs and assorted other things.... titanium bike for the island.... and we had fun setting up the lake basement with the pool table, an 8 person gaming table, checker/chess table, seating area with huge fireplace..... and a not at all insulated bedroom walled off with antique armoirs, which is beautiful but doesn't block noise or much light when people are in that public area.  There are rich thick curtains for privacy, but still... the space above the armoirs is open.... there's foam underneath..... we're calling that the Night Owl Room.  There's aslo a Family Room with a Q and bunk bed.... and a second master room witih a big fireplace and K bed. 

The upstairs Master will be perfect for bridal parties.... lots of space and mirrors for people to get ready and hang out with seating for 8.  I'm looking for a lovely way to hang the wedding dress.... the house seats 20 upstairs for meals indoors.  I'm picturing those stand up tables on the decks and porches...... will install the commercial outdoor lights.... won't be polished.... more of a rustic elegance. 

Would like to get set up with local restaurants catering services and pig roasting on site BBQ.  I'm looking for housekeeping services now........things are moving!

Lighter

[lighter]

I'm meeting a friend at the Lake this weekend. 

She knows how to eat prescriptively (thanks for that phrase, Amber) and I've reigned in my pasta loving 2 yo inner child.  2yo Lighter is mourning the loss of all things sugar, gluten and dairy just now.   Not gonna lie..... it's rough. 

I'll pick up some black stain and mix another batch of black/brown to do a one and done pass at distressing and aging what's left of the light oak cabinets.  It doesn't take much stain at all.  It's super fulfilling and I'll be very happy to be done with that messy phase.  The 4 fireplace mantles are done...might have said..... and the tall cabinets..... kitchen...... just two bathroom cabinets to do.  One is already missing most of it's finish..... it will be amazing.

There's a downed tree on the driveway and I'll chain and drag it to the house for firewood.  We're at zero firewood, btw.  I'm sort of glad there's no chainsaw at hand..... not sure how that'd go for me.  I've been shown how to use one, but never been the number one monkey in charge of using the chainsaw.  I love using a log splitter, but that chainsaw..... tough hard learning curve, that. 

The wheel chair ramp was very slippery after the rain.... did anyone here experience a lightening storm like WAR OF THE WORLDS last week?  I went down pretty hard.... on my knee.  I didn't get hurt, beyond sore muscles, but I was aware I needed to be more careful.

Looking forward to editing the lamps..... already pulled lots of art to go to consignment. I wonder where I put it?  Oh well.... gonna be busy busy busy again this weekend.

Lighter

[lighter]

New handyman and wife are scheduled to work at the Lake this weekend.  I'm not super sure it's going to work out like I need it to, but I'm refusing to assume in any direction.

 I just got off the phone with him and it was  a good chat.  I feel more confident about starting points and where we're heading.

Lighter

[lighter]

Getting excited about lake projects!!!

[lighter]

We're through day 2 of a working weekend with the new contractor..... and he's competently moving through job after job.  Yesterday he took out a toilet and fixed the leaking drain pipe in a very tight area..... just DID it.  One plumbing job down.

He replaced the kitchen sink faucet and fixed 2 drain leaks.  It was a lot. It's odd not to use the bar sink only, now.

Today he put in the upstairs master bath flooring after we grouted the walls.  That toilet went in next and it's working woo hoo!  Ahhhh I'm so excited to have 3 working toilets on the main floor!  Will work on the shower tomorrow... then move to the 4th bathrooms and maybe lay that bedroom bathroom floor... put together a materials list to finish the bathroom plumbing. 

Once that's done I need to order 2 shower doors and finish window coverings.  Hang art.  Bring railings up to code.  Replace handrails on wheelchair ramp, a few boards and stain.  Firepit.  Maybe paint the light-eating green ceiling white.  Or panel it. 

I'm very happy right now and hoping all is well on the board. 

::going to look now::.

[Twoapenny]

I will be very happy if you've found a competent handy man, Lighter, especially if he becomes one you can trust just to get on with things without having to be checked up on constantly.  It sounds like you've got your hands full over there, but in a good way xx

[lighter]

I hope this journeyman works out too, Tupp. I really do. 

His wife runs 3 large Airbnb properties and she's sharp as a tack.  I can harldly keep up with her ideas, flowing from one room to the next.  Bunk beds in closets and moving the piano AND pool table (we just set up) around.  Hmmm... we'll see about that.

I have to say.....
it's got my mind racing with ideas and drawings and researching hours and hours into best scenarios. 

The glass door guys just measured for the 2 showers and some mirrors.  That was quick.  Thanks to brother for that referral. 

Things are still moving along and sister arrives next week for a week before we leave for the wedding.

Hugs to you an ds, ((Tupp.))

Lighter

[lighter]

Well, I tried to ignore it for the last 2 days,. but last night I was pretty miserable..... really itchy post nasal drip bugging the bonkers out of me all night long. 

I started the XClear drops and that's helping.... hope I nipped it in the bud, but stomach issues are still hanging in there.

This morning I sat on the porch and had coffee.....
the wind was constant..... up in the trees, it felt like they were having conversations with each other... very excited about something.

The newly filled hummingbird feeder brought 2 buzzing in for a drink, and that felt just right. 

My handyman.... with the heart condition.... said he'll be back to do a little work next week and try to arrange his glass guy to do the measure and quite shower doors and mirrors.  I'm hopeful, but don't expect much.  It sure would be nice if he'd finish the shower edges up. He has his own way of doing things..... unusual, but makes more room in the shower. 

The new contractor's wife committed to bringing her mum and sewing machine this weekend... to work on draperies, woo hoo!

I hear the mum likes to decorate so looking forward o more input to consider.

Lighter

[lighter]

So the contractor and I are moving So fast through projects right now.  I'm scoping out tools and parts before he needs them, making sure everything is ready for the next step and he's shaking and moving.

He did have a weird little hiccup with trim this moring.  We installed a vanity light and had the vanity pushed into place when I reminded him we should finish the trim..... and it took him a minute to wrap his head around that.  I've never been able to do that at all.  When I peeked, his work was perfect and caultked so he got over whatever it was.

The mailbox is back up..... we got that done in about 20 minutes before it got hot and I washed and oiled my grandfather's hole digger, shover and weghted jabber thing. 

Hummingbirds are having little spats at the feeder and the red fox is back... where I tend to throw kitchen scraps.

Contractor's wife and MIL worked on the drapes yesterday and have a plan.... seems the drapes with black out lining are too thick to go through MIL's machine so we'll be using iron on tape and rasing the draperies rods so we don't have to hem so much length.

These beautiful floral draperies were made for the Biltmore and never put up.  Some aren't hemmed.... most are 104" long, so beautiful!  Wish we'd bought more but they're so heavy and take up lots of space.

Next week the contractor with the heart condition will be back to do a bit of work hopefully with his glass guy.  I'd love for him to do the shower doors and mirrors.... finish up the tile work he started.

[lighter]

Watching the show Escape To The Chateau is giving me lots of enthusiasm for finishing the Lake Lodge.  I loved the dining room lined with little pine trees...... the table set witih little logs and forest items at different levels....lots of fresh pine boughs. 

We bought warm gray resin adirondack chairs for around the fire pit and on the dock.  CHECK.
The fire pit needs to be built before fall weather and rentals begin in October.... I figure the third week, if all goes well.

We're attempting to dye some of the bedding we have and or order amazing bedding from society6.com.  The large prints are amazing..... love them.

We'll drive a lifesize angel back with us.... for the upstairs master room with a bit of a ship's theme.  She'll likely go over the bed with some drapes on either side....nothing for sure yet,. but very exciting.

The herringbone LVP should be delivered for in front of the fireplace in the upstairs LR.  I'd love to do the entire downstairs in the stuff... it's on sale.  It's just gorgeous and so on point.  Huge and amazing pattern. 

The realtor who had a contract on the lodge (fell through)will touch base when I get back to town.  She has amazing taste and I want her input.

 This year we do Thanksgiving at the lake..... will chop wood and make more walking sticks... BIL cuts them to exactly match our heights so we know who's is who's, lol.  So beatiful.

The contractor's wife said to keep the garage as our owner's space and let the guests have every interior closet.  I like that idea very much. 

I don';t agree the piano should be moved to the second floor and pool table moved upstairs...nope nope nope.  Not happening to me.

I finished staining and distressing the 5.5" crown moulding for the kitchen cabinets... numbered them according to which are most desirable for long runs and which to cut up for the short cuts.  Feel good about that and the flooring choice just off the kitchen, whic butts up brick pavers, golden oak hardoods and warm gray and beige stone on the fireplace surrounded by Pecky Cypress walls and ceilings.... golden as well.

Piano will be easier to wheel around on LVP. Feeling really good about it.

I cooked ahead for the contractor, his wife, MIL and friend who's heading to Stroke Camp the contractor runs.  Friend can't do stairs.  We left every bed clean and made beautifully..... I'll send instructions and photos of the food right before they arrive. 

The final plumbing will get done in the third upstairs bathroom September 19, then he can do the crown, the flooring, if it arrives on time, and maybe bring deck rails up to code. Still trying to find a supplier for pipe fittings to add 4 inches to the height.... will add more 2"x2" cedar pickets to match what's already there... have a great source for lumber and trim. 

Have to figure out the rest of the baseboards and ceiling trim...... won't be too hard. Just takes time.

Will add trim to the top of the front door and paint it all to match..... make it a statement.  Need to change lighting on the front porch and add some beams to dress up exterior.

The landscape needs to be addressed.  Not sure how that's going to get solved, but refuse to worry about it.  My brother will handle it. I have no doubt. 

Lighter

[Twoapenny]

How do you keep track of all the different projects, Lighter?  Have you got notebooks with everything written down or do you just remember it all?  Amazing stuff xx

[lighter]

I have SO MANY NOTEBOOKS, Tupp!  And I just found a few I forgot about......in a file.... with measurements on all the kitchen cabinets contractor and I measured in the heat today.  I felt like my wheels were coming off for a while there.

I'm not doing a great job keeping up with the different projects at the moment.  My sister and I were working 18 hour days pulling one of our brother's properties together for rental....... and it's almost done, but not quite.  Had to run back home, pick up a different journeyman and jump back into this lake project.... was messy, bc I didn't have time to prepare.  I felt like I was spinning part of the day, but we hammered out some projects to finish, begin and not tackle, then went on a materials run.

I have to tell you..... we brainstormed how to hang a 5' tall Angel over the master bed this evening.  As tiring and frantic as this can be... there's creativity and discovery and amazing outcomes too.  My brain gets dopamine from this kind of work and I don't see myself putting it down anytime soon. 

Brother has another property wer'e pulling together next.  Bedding and accessories are falling into place..... almost like magic, which is helpful.  We're figuring out our strengths and communicating better.  Learning each other's weaknesses too.  Being gentle and stepping around rather than judging and lashing out.  Brother just said to me... "it took my almost 60 years to grow up."  It's a happy time, but frantic with a pretty good journeyman working at brother's properties.... found him at Home Depot last week. 

I'm planning a huge Halloween this year..... what do you and DS have planned?

Lighter