..and the work ramps up in a major way.

Moonrise.

Well, work is going forward in leaps and bounds here at 8,100 feet elevation.  Besides still being a little on the frosty side of life, the scenery is still breathtaking...  Jim froze his butt off, but, the landscape is  beautiful.

Well, there has been major work done at our little piece of heaven this week.. the first being the Internet/TV/WIFI got hooked up! We are stoked.  We had the lines run in from the street last fall, but, with the early snowfall, we didn't actually have it installed... So, I called the company last week, and they made the appointment for "between 1 and 4" on Monday... And, sure enough, at 1:00 sharp, the guy showed up.  He told Jim that he was at the cabin earlier and hooked up the box to the outside wall of the cabin, so, it was just a matter of running wires inside the house. The WIFI powered up the laptops today, and the tv works perfectly...  (The larger box on the left is the electricity meter base, and the little box on the right is the Internet/TV/WIFI!)  I told the installer that having him in the cabin was just about as exciting as having the AMAZON PRIME guy there... giggle.

A little preparation had to be done before the furnace guy showed up...  Jim calls this area "Cheri's Decorating **it...  I call it a whole lot of wonderful...  Being that there were probably a couple of dozen boxes in there, and it would hamper the duct work being installed, Jim had to move all the stuff over...  It looks pretty good now... so organized...  And, Jim knows, organization is not my strong point... And, trust me... saying there are only a couple of dozen boxes is a serious understatement... giggle...

And, here's the start of the duct work..

This shot below was taken as the long run to the west end of the cabin was being hung.  It's now all nice and straight.

I find this highly exciting....

A couple of weeks ago, when Jim went up to the cabin for the first time, we found this depression across the road and into our property.  We don't have a clue what or who has caused it.... we know it wasn't us, but something, maybe a water leak on the far side of the road created it.  There was a part of the mountain that disintegrated about the same time, and the water has been cut off for a couple of weeks now... Jim is thinking there has to be a pipe that has froze and burst, and because the water is off, it isn't causing any further damage on our property.. I guess, when the water comes back on, we'll see.. It's been kind of sad that the people that actually live on the mountain full time, have been without water for so long...It's not so bad for people just coming to their cabins on the weekends, but for those who live there full time, they've been unable to shower, or flush toilets or wash dishes etc. for a while now.

Our new friends down the hill sent this picture off the internet.... it cracked me up saying that this is a little loose gravel.  Looks like it's some serious loose gravel...  Giggle.

While Jim was at the cabin, I went shopping and I found this great ottoman.  The colours will fit perfectly in the livingroom.  It's about 4' across and I am sure the grandkids are going to love it.  I was really hesitant to purchase it - Usually when I find something interesting now, I try and convince Jim that we REALLY need it, and he starts with, "Cheri... really?  Where are we going to put it?" And, I counter with, "I'll find a place"...  This time was a little different.  I sent him the picture and he immediately said, "Buy it!"  He thinks it will go up in the loft.

A couple of weeks ago, Jim started installing the cook top in the island of the kitchen... he ran out of time but over the past weekend he finished the job..  I am so stoked... I'm gonna have to figure out how to cook on a gas range, but I'm sure, after a few burnt offerings, it'll be ok... As everyone applying for a new job says, 'I'm a quick learner".. Giggle.

Another big push this weekend was: One, to dig for the propane lines to go in from the tank, as well as, Two, level out the space where the Jacuzzi is going...  This is Ben, as in Ben and Kelly fame!  They are our new friends down the hill, and Ben has been generous enough to work with Jim this past week.  He is amazing and willing to learn how to operate the backhoe... I think it's a guy thing... seems that everyone wants to operate the backhoe... except me - I have absolutely no desire.... But, Ben is fabulous and was an amazing help this past week.  And, I think he's really enjoying working the machinery.  I think the old adage applies here..."The difference between the men and the boys, is the size of the toys".. Giggle.. And, this toy fits the bill...

And, that $2k water heater was brought into the basement ready for installation... This is almost as exciting as flush toilets!  Actually, I don't know which is more exciting... the ability to have inside plumbing, or the ability to take a shower...  I was talking to Lowell, and he was pretty excited for that whole shower thing...  I think he was the only one last year that attempted to shower in cold, cold water... And, let me tell you... the mountain spring water is FREEZING!  But, I guess, after working a long day, under the hot sun, taking any kind of a bath/shower is appreciated by him...

And, here's an absolutely beautiful site...  the propane tank, filled with propane, and the trench dug, just waiting for Garkane Power to come and put the lines in, as of Monday!

... here's another view...

So, here's the propane line connected to the house on Tuesday...

..and, a different shot.

Moving on, this is the area where the Jacuzzi is going in... Last year, when I was discussing the Jacuzzi area with Jim, he didn't quite understand that I wanted it in a different spot than he thought, and didn't think there would be enough room. Well, he and Ben started working on this area, and Jim widened the spot and admitted that is more than enough room and this is now exactly what I wanted...  Jim worked the backhoe in this area, and Ben moved dirt around the retaining blocks with a shovel.  I know Jim was exhausted at the end of the day, and I can only imagine that Ben slept solid that night...  Twenty feet of retaining wall was placed and it's extremely hard work but all the retaining wall is now in to hold back the patio area.  The next step will be remove excess dirt in the Jacuzzi area and get it ready for paver bricks.

The business we bought the Jacuzzi from are really pestering us to deliver and set up the hot tub, so it's really important, at this point, to get this project to the point where it can be set up.  They're driving me crazy...

We were hoping to be able to pour concrete into the sonotubes to continue building the deck, but it's still waaaay too cold at night.  Poor Jim was hoping to spend the night in the cabin, BUT, being that there is no furnace/heat hooked up, this plays a major role.  On top that there, there was a rock slide in the east canyon, and it broke the water lines from the development's well, so, as mentioned above, everyone in our little community has been without water for several weeks now.  Hopefully, this problem will be fixed this week... I was kind of wanting to go to the cabin this next weekend.... but, without water there is no toilets, and I'm not really the kind of girl that likes roughing it.  Jim says it was bitter cold, and had a hard time working in that temperature early in the morning...  

Looks like he's snug as a bug... not!

And, taking a walk down memory lane....I was thinking back to a time when my Bradley went on a scouting trip.... it was in Fillmore, Utah, which is basically a huge open dirt field.  The scouts pitched 100's of tents, but with no grass around, Brad came home with, I swear, 10 pounds of dirt in the cuffs of his pants, in his socks and shoes...  And, after he showered, that 10 pounds of sand was in the bathtub.  Well, Jim came home from the cabin last night, and because there is a lack of water at the cabin, the first thing he did was climb in the shower.  We used to be able to go into Panguitch and pay the people at the RV park $5.00 to use their showers.. Well, the park was sold last year, and the new owners no longer offer that service.  Jim didn't know the service was discontinued and the first day he just put $5 in their mail slot, walked into the showers and had a shower, so he stayed reasonably put together...And, because he and Ben have been doing major dirt work the second day, between digging and runs for blocks, and propane and leveling ground for the Jacuzzi, he was really ready for another shower.    But, Sunday night, he went to get a shower and found out the service was no longer offered. . . . After getting back home he showered. . .He felt so much better getting nice and clean ... BUT there was this layer of dirt in the bottom of the tub...  and, my thoughts went back to that 13 year old boy scout camping in Fillmore..... Giggle.. I guess Jim will be forever... my boy scout...

Jim was at the cabin for a full week and I stayed in Provo, and I convinced him to come home and not stay another weekend.  He was exhausted, mentally and physically and really needed the rest.  I'm glad to have him home...  Jim has spent the last couple of years doing major travel for work, and while, at first, it was exciting with all the world travel, but, now, even smaller trips are mentally and emotionally taxing, not just for him... I hate evenings alone, and my bed is especially cold...and, quiet... giggle..

With all that, the adventure continues...

Love, Jim and Cheri

Making Progress!!!!

 

Top of the blog today... this picture cracks me up...  Jim went to the cabin to do a little work... I didn't go because we still don't have heat and it's kinda cold there... I called Jim and asked him what the temperature was like... he sent me this picture..  giggle.  He said it was 29 degrees and so cold that he was having a problem working....  poor dear....

Well, last week I told  you the continuing saga of the surround for the downstairs bathroom.  Jim took the surround to the cabin and unpacked it.  Apparently, it had quite a ride because all the packing inside the box was totally broken up.  Jim checked the surround for broken parts and couldn't find any.. there was one extra little piece, but nothing broken... As suspected, the driver really didn't want to delivery this item because of the weight.

We've been slowly, but surely unpacking the living room and putting the various items in our storage building in Panguitch.  And, it's kinda nice to start seeing the living room floor again.... Whenever Jim takes a truck load, he makes sure that every single little space is filled with... something.  He is a master at organizing.. and, I hate to admit it, but organization is not my forte in the least... Jim calls me the "project manager" and, thank goodness that job doesn't entail organizing...  

As you can see, there's not much space left for anything.

And, this is what inside the back seat of the cab looks like...

Mahayla once told Jim that when he doesn't want to work for Boeing any longer, that he should get a job at Build a Bear.  I think he should get a job on "Hoarders"... he would be amazing... Giggle.

Because of the cold and the snow in Panguitch in the winter, most of the restaurants close down.  With this trip, Jim has found that a couple of the restaurants are now opening up.... which means, he can actually have a meal at the end of the day!

And, we have lined up a few contractors in the next couple of weeks.  Jim found a stone mason to do the hearth for the wood burning stove.  We've had the rock for the hearth for several years, but couldn't find a stone mason..  The guy came out last week, and actually gave us a bid and we set up a time to have him come in and do the job.  He's set to do the rock work on May 9th, and he gave us some really good suggestions to customize the area.  We needed to pick a colour for the grout and after going to several stores, we decided on "Navajo Brown".  The rock is a creamy white/yellow and we liked this medium brown to hold it in place.  

And, the guy doing the installation for the furnace, air conditioner, duct work, and water heater is coming this next Tuesday.  The stonework and the furnace work, each, are going to take three days.  I am just thrilled they are showing up.  

The water heater was delivered today, and Jim will be picking it up tomorrow to take it down to the cabin...It took a little longer for delivery than we anticipated, but that's ok... We said that as long as it was delivered before Friday, we were good..  Today's Wednesday, and the guy at the store said he  watched it be unloaded off the truck today.  So, we're golden.

The hot tub people keep calling and wanting a firm date of when they can deliver the tub... not quite yet...  sigh... Jim did pick up the block that goes out in the patio under the hot tub today, and I don't think his truck quite liked the weight...  It looked a little sad...  With all the block PLUS the water heater in the bed of the truck... I just hope the truck makes it!

And, I picked out the top edge border tile for the loft bathroom... The bathtub is white with a grey marbling through it, so I wanted something that would really harmonize..  I saw this tile and thought it was perfect.  Jim suggested that I replace some of the circles with a round green circled tile, that would match the countertop on the sink, and I think it's a great idea.  I haven't made it to the tile company in Orem yet to see what they have, but I am hoping to do it this weekend.  It's been so freakin' cold here, I am not really motivated to go out any more than I have to.  But, I am loving the idea.

We've just a couple of days off till the weekend, which means another trip down south is coming.  Jim and I were talking with Brad tonight - he and his family purchased a house in Alaska, and totally gutted it and are redoing cabinets and flooring and wiring.. and, he mentioned how disheartening it was, at times, looking at all the work they have to do, and how tiring it was... and I immediately reflected on the last 8 years... and, I so understand.  You take on a huge project, and you just get overwhelmed at times... At least, this year, we are seeing so much progress, and it gives me hope for the summer.  I wish Brad and his family the best of luck with their "huge project".

As always, the adventure continues...

Love, Jim and Cheri

SO EXCITED, I ALMOST WET MY PANTS!

 First up on the list, for this week..... We celebrated Mahayla's birthday.  This little beauty celebrated her 11th birthday... I personally don't know when this happened.. but, I am sure that she is still only 4 or 5... Sure doesn't seem like 11 years have gone by... Hopefully, she liked the Legos we sent her - if not, Brad has friends who would be happy to take them off her hands...  So, happy birthday, little Chickaphant!  You are loved.  (And, this grandma misses you like crazy).  We are hoping that the grandkids will have the opportunity to come to the cabin in the summer, from Alaska and Provo... and, visit with us!  I keep telling them that we have flush toilets, so they must come visit!!

We have been desperately waiting for the snow to go away.... waiting, waiting, waiting... not so patiently, but my friend Kelly, sent me these pictures, earlier in the week... So, we are feeling hopeful!

Then, on Thursday, Kelly wrote me and said she and her husband were taking a drive around the mountain, and sent me pictures....  My heart just about jumped out of my chest, I was sooo freakin' excited.. This was one of the first ones she sent... this is going up to our cabin....

THEN... I got this picture.. of the actual cabin...  I was so excited I could barely contain myself.  I called Jim at home and told him to go to messenger NOW!!!  We were both so absolutely thrilled!  It looks like a lot of the snow is gone, and there's a HUGE possibility we can start going back and get working!

Looks like the roads are still messy, but we figure, if we just take the truck that has 4 wheel drive, and not pull a trailer, we should be able to make it!  I was all excited about going, but then realized, there is still no heat or hot water, and with my current medical woes, it needs to warm up a little bit before I show up and spend the night...  But, the excitement continues.  Jim is going to go this weekend, and meet with the HVAC guy on Saturday, and a couple of rock masons on Saturday and Sunday and see what we can get going.

So, this is a HUGE thank you to our friend Kelly for taking all these amazing pictures, and bringing such ultimate joy to us!  You rock!

And, we got a call from the hot tub people..... the new hot tub is in Springville (which is about 5 miles from Provo) and they are ready and raring to deliver the tub and get it installed.  We have a whole lot of dirt work that needs to be done before it's delivered... and, hopefully, that's one of the things that Jim is going to do this weekend... depending on how much mud is still making it's presence known...  Jim also has to dig a trench from the propane tank to the house, so the HVAC guy can put that line in, and we can then attach the hot water heater...#7939 is our's, I can't believe it!

We were out and about a week ago Saturday, and found a cooktop that we liked...it's gas, and I tend to incinerate everything when I'm "cooking with gas", but, I guess I'm going to learn.. or else, Jim is going to be eating lots of meals that actually should have been considered... burnt offerings.  Brianne loves gas stoves, so at least, someone will be happy! Here is the cooktop sitting in the island in the kitchen.

And.. here's an interesting story.  I ordered a surround to go in the downstairs bathroom.. we are eventually going to tile, but until that happens, the surround is going to go around the bathtub that is already there...  I told Jim that it would be nice to have a place to have a shower after working all day... and he agreed that we'll get the surround, and it would be temporary... So, I ordered it... 3 weeks later, I get a notice that it has arrived at the shipping company, and it would be delivered the next day.. I am stoked.  The next day, I get a message saying that it will be delivered in 10 minutes.  Again, I'm stoked.  When I get home from work... no surround.. So, I figured that maybe it was on the truck and we have until about 8:00 PM for the delivery... midnight comes and no surround.. I call the shipping company the next day, and they say they couldn't deliver it because nobody was home.  Well, Jim was home all day and there was no delivery.. But, they said it's on the truck and would be delivered that day.. and guess what.. no delivery... Well, these shenanigans go on for a week..  I call the supplier and they call the shipping company, and ask why it wasn't delivered, and they say that nobody is home, and there's nobody to sign for it.. The paperwork states that they don't need a signature... they can just drop it off at the front door...  So, the shipper says they will redeliver the next day...  uhuh... yep.. no delivery the next day... so, the supplier calls the shipper again, and they are told... nobody is home, so they sent it back...  I am totally incensed at this point, and tell the supplier that I want my money refunded, and they say that they can only refund my money after the product has been delivered and then shipped back... I am beside myself..  Then it is discovered that it wasn't sent back, but, they couldn't deliver it because we lived on an unidentified, unpaved, rural street... We live in the heart of Provo on a cul-de-sac with a school across the street...  Finally, after I write negative reviews and complain to anybody who would listen, I am told that it wasn't sent back, and it will be delivered... the next day... I told them that I don't believe a word they say.. when I see it, I'll believe it...  

So, just in case they showed up, I put this big sign on our trailer, asking them that if they do show up, to put the surround in our trailer.. no need to travel down that long. . . unpaved (concrete) rural street. . . and, I sign my name... And, this trailer is at the end of our driveway right at the street.. they can't miss it...

Jim comes home from work, and the surround is finally delivered and apparently, the delivery driver is blind, because, he drug the surround down to our front door...  So weird... So, after 10 days trying to get this stupid surround delivered, it showed up!

And, while we haven't been able to get to the cabin, Jim has had tons of other projects to work on... one of them is to weld together the corbels that support the roof on the east side of the cabin.. and, here's what they look like... We'll now take it to the powder coater to make them look like black wrought iron, and then we'll install them...  So proud of him.. He does really amazing work.

And, of course, we have issue with purchasing the water heater.  We have been contacting the plumbing supply company to get a propane water heater that is for over 8,000 feet in elevation.  They kept saying they have them in stock and they are good for 10,000 feet.  So, yesterday, Jim goes to pick it up, and reads on the water heater itself that it's only good to 8,000 feet... And, we are 8,300 feet in elevation.  So, the search is on to get one that is suitable for our elevation.  Well, Jim found one this morning... of course, it's not in stock - has to be ordered... And, it is $800 more than the original one we were going to purchase...  We needed a water heater that has a side PVC vent, not a metal roof vent.  I originally told Jim that I wanted double water heaters because I flat don't want to run out of hot water... But, having to spend about $2k on ONE water heater, I'll abandon that idea...

But, it's still getting so exciting...  I can hardly contain myself.

We'll keep you updated...  I was going to say when we get the Jacuzzi installed, we'll take pictures.. And, then I rethought the situation... not gonna happen...  I don't do spandex!!!

Until then, the adventure continues...  Love, Jim and Cheri.

Side note:  It was our 15th wedding anniversary this past week... If anyone would have told me that this cabin building project would be part of my future, I would have though they were crazy... Being married to Jim has been an incredible journey, and the adventures never stop... He's my heart and my soul and my life's breath... I am blessed, and thankful, and a thousand other things all rolled up into one... The first picture is from 1978 and yes, it is our original engagement picture...  But that, is a whole 'nother story.... (Jim no longer has the "Saturday Night Fever" hair, and I let Elton John have his glasses back.. Giggle...)

... still love this guy something stupid.  Cheri