WE HAVE A DRIVEWAY!

One thing has always concerned us over the years. If you ever visited you know the parking is almost non-existent and the driveway was dangerously close to the crest of the hill making it difficult to back out. Well, problem solved! Not only is there parking for at least 4 cars including under the car port but the driveway no longer requires four wheel drive. The sharp hill has been grated and the vegetation is cleared as well as dug out to create a small parking lot. Our friend Chris returned w/ his back hoe and not only has landscaped w/ the back fill but created the most beautiful boulder wall around the area. At long last Colleen can feel safe parking and driving on to the property. Yippee! Check out the photo's at right and also see the fireplace installed, the plumbing started and the french doors in place. In yet another sleepless night Colleen came up w/the idea of a wet bar for the upstairs great room! A small sink and small frig will keep drinks and clean up easy for those pool games, video games or movies. No excessive running up and down the stairs! Also in the pictures is the attempt to capture the new view out of the master bathroom looking at Cascade Head. The view of the Head from the head as cousin Karen says!!! This week the plummer continues the rough in and Arne begins the electrical. What a birthday gift for Colleen last Saturday as she got to pick out all the plumming fixtures. Oil brushed bronze was the favorite and the manager just insisted on giving us huge discounts for our business!! Stay tuned for more updates. The insulators are ready once the rough in is ready, it's up to the plummer and Arne now!

Yes, it's been awhile!

Well I guess there are fans out there because I've heard complaints I haven't updated as of late. The work did slow for a period of time as we waited for the windows to arrive. They did and we're off again. The windows are set, the siding is to be finished this week with the "gutter guy" to be here next week. Arne in the mean time has been "digging out" the space under the house to make more room for the duct work and such. Had to evict a happy family of rats to do so but they moved on with the agreement they never return! The heating system is well on it's way which includes the gas lines for the stove, fireplace, etc. Arne decided to hire a plummer after talking w/an old friend who's son is starting his own plumbing business. Ryan Stolze had great ideas and is ready to tackle the project, soon soon soon. Time to shop for fixtures, oh boy!! So many things to be focused on, Arne has been doing a great job handling it all. Keep checking and I'll try to update once a week as before!! I've included some new photos w/the windows and siding but I think it's easy to see why we've now renamed the project our "Tree House/Beach House"

No News is, well, no news.....

There's not much to report the last two weeks or so. Arne's been finishing little odds and ends while we wait for windows to be delivered. The siding crew were to start last Wednesday but got a little delayed and are slated for next week. The heating/gas man was also delayed but without windows and siding there's not much reason to heat! Stay tuned for more progress......and keep the fingers crossed wet storms continue to hold off a little while longer.

More pictures

Each week adds more and more. Check out the new pictures of walls and structure. Arne decided it was too difficult to save the old bathroom as it was due to rain damage. Or maybe he just likes demolition? In anycase all but that jacuzzi tub of Colleen's is demolished and the walls expanded to make it a little less tight. The shower will be flipped to the other side to accomodate the new door position and then tiled rather than the tiny pre-fab. The walls were pushed out some taking space from the mud room but giving elbow room to the rest of the bathroom. For those that don't know the story Colleen found the jacuzzi tub in a back corner of Lowe's where they put damaged goods. (Okay I was lost looking for something, it's not a fabric store after all). Anyway, when she approached a manager to ask if he would sell the tub at a discount because there was a crack on the ledge (not where water sits) the gentleman said sure, "how about 50$?" Needless to say it is a prize posession not just because of the price but the comfort it brings to sore joints. It was the one thing that absolutely could not be touched in the remodel. Arne came close but the tub is safe, and truly the only thing so far that was left untouched!!! Hopefully the next update will show roof and siding done........expect the weather to improve once we have that done since it hasn't co-operated so far!!!

Now we're covered...

Well the trusses went up, then the dry sheathing and tar paper so Monday we get our roof on. The windows are ordered so ten days before they come but there's always things to do. Arne is at it this weekend and we'll try to add an update Monday (that is if he figures out how to take pictures on his phone, Daniel and I stayed home so he's on his own technology wise)......

Doesn't anyone have any comments???? Let us know your thoughts!

We've been framed!

The work continues by our contractor and at an incredible speed. Most of the framing was done by the end of the week (Friday August 29th). The trusses and windows are due Tues the 2nd so while the kids get back to school our project will be "closing in" by adding roof, windows and siding. Unfortunately the wet weather has left it's mark and dampness reigns inside. However, we're assured all be be dried out appropriately before the inside walls are sealed so no fear of mold or mildew. Sunday Arne and his right hand man Daniel managed to get an extra big tarp over more of the bathroom before the biggest storm hit although it was close. Hopefully this will minimize continued deterioration of the sheet rock walls that weren't demolished. Even better Colleen got to change her mind on some window size and placement, always a woman's prerogative!! Seems the kitchen corner windows were too high to see out of when seated on the bench seats. An unexpected view was discovered too. From the master bathroom you can see Cascade Head. It will require a little tree trimming but we all love the wide openness the views add all around the house. Part of the fun of having the house on it's own hill!! Take a look at the new pictures and see if you can tell where the different rooms are: living room, kitchen, Daniel's room and the great room. Colleen's already trying to arrange furniture, most we don't even have yet!! Stay tuned for next weeks changes....................

And the heaven's opened up.........

Well, the demolition is done but it had to be the worst time in August beach weather history. After an hour of work on Monday we asked ourselves who was out to get us because the circumstances were too extreme. Gale force winds that grabbed at the wood, rain that drenched just to make the wind feel even colder in the deep bone way. Although we anticipated the wind could help us by wiping out the studs it only made it more difficult, definitely not helpful. Monday we were so blessed to have John William (nephew) join us who had experience working with Arne on demo of Grandma Kay's house. He was able to get us organized and suggest approaches to make Monday most effective. Unfortunately he had worked all night and some of the previous day so he was exhausted before we started. I'm afraid we may have taken some years off his life working him so hard! But he sure helped us get it done. Then later on Monday Grant and Matt joined us. Hamburgers, Dairy Queen Blizzards and they were off and running to make the walls "come a tumbling down". Actually it was the roof they did the best job at! Through it all Saint Trisha was there packin' the dumpster, carting the wood, ripping the T11. We now call her Saint as the next day she was the only one besides Arne and Colleen who showed up to work. Grant and Matt had other jobs and other friends cancelled. Check out the photo's to see the "dumpster diva's". Although she had recently been frustrated by GE Healthcare, Arne and Colleen are thinking the company timed their lay off's just right. We never would have made it without her. As to be expected Colleen had to bail out because the heavy work, wet rain and cold wind took out her neck/spine and it's arthritic sensitivities. Good ole' Saint Trisha worked yet another day before she left. Arne keeps going, through it all. He gave up Wed as Colleen and Arne's 20th wedding anniversary, possibly a chance to re-sign up for councilor, maybe even mayor of Rivergrove, and Thursday night a warm bed as he slept in what was left of the house. Through all the difficulty and challenges we celebrate the help we did have from wonderful family and friends and know the end will make it worth it. But really .............did we need a winter storm this week of August????

The Latest Scoop!

Finally we are on our way! After turning in our building plans in April and struggling with variances, set backs and such the city of Lincoln City issued permits July 30, 2008. The waiting was becoming excruciating! Our hope has always been to get the remodeled house closed to the weather by fall. Of course with our current weather conditions that seems less of a concern as some days feel like fall has already arrived. Having been told the permits would be ready the 30th Arne was able to arrange the excavator, Chris, (from Brian Clompton Excavation) to start the same day. He did an incredible job over two days and the ground was ready for the new foundation. As every time before (mall, furniture store, wet lands etc) Brian's team has done the almost impossible in a short amount of time. Chris also survived a night on the couch, and Colleen's dinner. He gave up his family time to be able to get to work early the next morning and not drive home. We continue to hold a special place in our hearts for such a hard worker and his son who is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for an in-operable brain tumor. Once again we have been blessed to meet special people who remind us to not take our lives for granted and appreciate everyone we meet. Check out the photos to see our expanded footprint and Chris's exceptional work. The foundation team showed up Tues. August 5th, the following week and by Friday had not only poured the concrete footings but pulled the forms. So we are on to the pony walls and subfloor. All these tasks have been professionally supported by great people but the next step will be up to us. Sunday, August 17th will begin demolition of the old house. Have any frustrations you need to work out? Grab a crow bar or hammer and join us. From the roof to the floor all old parts will be sent down the road to prepare for all the new!! And remember our deal, a day of work and you earn a weekend in the house........just may take awhile before we can pay up!!!!!!