Motivation

To look back on the last post just over one month ago, and to see the changes that we have made is so fun and also very motivating! Sometimes in the day to day struggle (yes, it is real up here even in the wild northwoods!) can make you feel like you are running in place, or maybe even backwards? In reality, we are moving forwards and making things happen!

House updates:

• ICF basement walls finished, along with a scary tumble of one of the old foundation walls.
• Exterior wood basement walls built.
• First floor joists hung, and supporting walls and posts built.
• Sub floor installed on first floor.
• Walls beginning to go up on the first floor.
• Cantilevered part of house supported by large posts.

Mark has been working with a crew of two young lads - Raif and his friend James Schwinghamer. While capable and hardworking, they have not worked on a construction crew before and the teaching/learning process does take time. What a great opportunity for these kids! They fit work in around a rigourous XC ski training program which has them working out from 7-9 am M-Th, and two days per week in the afternoon strength program. Each of the boys also has lawn mowing jobs, and Raif has been working occasionally for the outfitter down the street Packsack. 

Designing this house ourselves has been a blessing and a curse. We were able to quickly adjust when we had differences in the foundation that were unexpected without having to consult an architect at a late date in the process. However, some of the details that a professional would have included in the plan we left out, thinking that we could figure that out later. Well, later is now and we have been scratching our brains many times with the challenge of fitting in windows, combining the conventional framing with the timber frame accents in our design. Since Mark is sawing all the lumber himself adjustments are easily made, but every change does take time. 

Another challenge we face is the occasional flow of visitors past the property. Many stop to talk, curious about the project and wanting to know details or share stories from the past. Mark jokes that he wants to have a sign "Do Not Disturb" for those times when he is really pressed to get work done, but he is also so happy to have the connection with people!

Cora continues to babysit for Fiona whenever I am busy either helping on the house, volunteering at the Ely Folk School or trying to complete my grad class assignments. She also cleans cabins at Packsack most Sat. mornings. Her busy schedule this past month included a role in the musical Robin Hood with Prairie Fire Theater, two dance camps, and social events. 

Sauna updates:

• Sauna stove installed with brick surround.
• Cedar walls and benches with pine flooring in the hot room.
• 1 door made and installed (1 remaining).
• Siding on the south wall. 
• 2 windows installed (1 remaining).

 

• First sauna taken on July 8! (many more since then:) 

Bonus: We spent a weekend building a dock on two pontoons with a long boardwalk for access. It was doing great, until we realized the it had a small leak somewhere. Mark hauled it out, and his dad attempted to weld the hole we found. In the end, a little glue plugged the hole, and back into the water it went for more fun and jumping!

We hosted a bunch of people at our place for Camp 4 Ely (nicknamed Camp 4 Real) held July 5-9. Kids and adults alike had fun cooking, eating, swimming, playing soccer, dancing, crafting, boating, exploring, and hanging out in the fire gazebo. We had a big push to get the sauna ready in time for camp; After hard work by Mark we had the maiden fire on the last night of camp! What a joy to heat up to a sweat, then scamper down the hill to jump in the deliciously cool lake for a refreshing dip! The only tough spots about camp were the mosquitos and the occasional rain. Typical camp! Plans are in place for next summer...

Out of town visitors this month have included my Aunt Lesley and cousin Anne; Grandma Nonie, Uncle Eric, and Aunt Marge; Taura and her girls; the Fischers and friends Robin and Susan; extra kids from the area for camp plus Nik and Riley Whitman from Wisconsin; brother Luke and wife Sarah with Thea and Camille, cousin Ryan and his wife Katie with Haley, Patience, Josie and a friend. 

One interesting part of living on Fall Lake is the appearance of floating logs left in the lake by previous logging in the early part of last century. Mark and Luke dragged one up to the landing, carried it back to the sawmill and cut it up. The smell was rather fishy and mucky, but the wood looks very interesting. It turns green, blue and pink upon exposure to the air. We will let the lumber air dry and then use it in the house. These deadheads are a nuisance for boaters in the lake because they sometimes are sitting just below the surface and can cause a lot of damage.


Other news of the month included a car accident last week which resulted in a totaled little red Matrix. Raif and Fiona were in the car with me when it happened. The crazy thing is that we got hit twice by the other driver. Once as he pulled into the intersection and I couldn't avoid him, then after we screeched to a stop his truck barreled into the rear end of the car with a startling second crash!  I only suffered a large bruise on my forearm, and the kids are fine. Two days later the area was hit with a hurricane like storm with wind speeds up to 90 mph in some reports. Luckily, our walls that recently went up on the house stood up to the wind, but one of our trees did not. We were without power for less than 24 hours, but some of our neighbors still don't have it back being that there was so much damage throughout the northeastern part of the state, and some of the areas are very remote. We helped a few neighbors with their downed trees, and were thankful that none of our family or friends were hurt. 

We took a short trip home to PF to help Kate and Steve Hearth say goodbye to their home of the past 25 years. They put it on the market, and bought a place in Menomonie as they transition away from the country and into town! It was a rainy, muggy, crazy fun party! Great to see old friends and neighbors from WI, and say goodbye to that place. We also had a short visit to my mom's place with Luke and Thea. 

Next month: We are looking for a car that will fit our family of five and handle winter ski season. Mark is focusing on the house everyday with occasional half days off to play. I am running kids around and running after the toddler as well as the grad class assignments, folk school stuff, and helping Mark when I am able. Raif has ski and strength training as well as work with his dad (an act of patience he says). Cora is dancing, swimming, and taking care of Fifi. Looking forward to Saunders Week and kids week at the cabin with my mom. School is coming but shhh....don't say that too loudly. We have work to do and can't be interrupted by distracting thoughts!