Anniversary "party" weekend

Ah yes, it's true. A weekend for Bonnie and me to spend together without the kids. Also, this was the first time we stayed as a couple in "Our House".

Friday night, we started off hanging out with the neighbors and then made it downtown. We painted the town and funny enough, when it was time to close-out the night and head home... we couldn't get the golfcart to start. Left with no options, we left the idle golfcart parked downtown and grabbed the island taxi home.

Saturday morning, after speaking to Chris, we learned that you may need to "choke" the golfcart to get some gas flowing before a cold start. Slightly embarrassed by our stupidity, we headed downtown for breakfast, found the golfcart and started it up (after "choking") with no problem. funny.

Bon later went to the beach and I worked on hard plumbing the A/C condensate line (more details below)

Early Saturday evening, we joined the neighbors for some fresh fried fish bites courtesy of Ron and Sandy. Then the whole crew took a golfcart caravan down to the Casino to see the Armstrong Bearcat band.

My stunning wife enjoying a Casino Royale Bloody Mary

 

Casino with the neighbors from the hood

Last stop at "Bag the Moon" for strawberry shots



Cottage construction update(s)...

One of the key reasons why the weekend was a success is because we were lucky enough to get a working shower installed earlier in the week thanks to Tim Arnold. He plumbed up the fixtures and shower head as shown below.

Working shower installed, yes!

 



Every step of the way is a nice step towards completion. However, having a working shower is huge. Big thanks to Tim for getting this done so quickly. 

 

I did spend a few hours on Saturday fixing a problem caused by the a/c condensation line draining directly onto the crawlspace floor. Over the past few days and weeks of running the a/c, at least 1/4 inch of standing water has accumulated on a good portion or the crawlspace and it was not drying up quick enough before more dripped/flowed from the condensation line = small persistent mess. To fix this, I ran about 40 feet of 3/4 inch pvc to extend the condensate line to tie-into the sump pump drain.

 

Next, I worked on the daunting drywall work as much as possible. I covered the attic access above the utility room and framed out the attic access above the main bathroom.

The attic access from the great room has been drywalled shut

I have not got a ton of work done lately, but we have been enjoying our weekends on Kelleys. I guess that was really the plan all along, so this is a good thing.

Next immediate step is to get the insulation situation under control. This includes wrapping the HVAC trunk lines (supply and return) and the ceiling insulation for the entire cottage. This stinks because I thought I had more time to get this done, but with the summer heat now upon us, the a/c is not running efficiently at all with the vaulted ceiling in the great room wide open. Of course the insulation needed for the ceiling (R-30) is way more expensive that I had planned for and installing it will be a serious hassle during the summer months.

Probably taking a break from the island this upcoming weekend...

Happy 15 year anniversary!

Today, June 20th, is our 15 year anniversary. To my wife Bonnie, happy anniversary baby!

Looking forward to another (yes, another) weekend on the island to celebrate. This time we will be leaving the kids home with Bob and Judy. Huge thanks to Mimi and Papa!

Father's Day on the island

We had another family packed weekend up on Kelleys. I did not spent nearly as much time as I normally do working on the cottage. However, I got to hang-out with the family a ton. We were able to borrow the Arnold's golf cart for the weekend. This was a big hit! The kids loved it and now, of course, it is all they talk about.

Golf cart time - look-out world! Anna is driving in the hood



On Saturday, after cutting-in and ducting-up the last cold air return, I started the long and tedious job of drywall taping and mudding.

Started the first coat of drywall mud

I know it will take some serious time to finish the drywall started last month. But when I began to mud, I realized that sheer amount of repetitive work involved. I will be lucky to be done with this mess by the end of the summer. whoa.

As soon as Anna and Sophie got a look at the 5 gallon bucket of joint compound (drywall mud) they had to get into the action.

Anna and Sophie working on filling the screw holes with mud

On Sunday, the family came up to celebrate Father's Day. We had a very nice day, good times and great food. It was tough leaving on Sunday night to head home while Bon and he kids stayed up for another few days.

Father's Day at the Cedar Cottage

Our anniversary is coming up this week on June 20th. Bon and I will be going up to stay at "Our House" for the first time together.

Family weekend

Just spent the weekend with the family up on the island for the first time this season. I still managed to get a ton of work done around the cottage, but I spent more quality time with the family. Also, the neighbors were in full effect having multiple gatherings every night and usually with a camp fire.

On Saturday afternoon, the Arnold's took Sophie fishing with them and their daughter Christina, her new best friend.

Sophie and Christina - fishing

By end of day Saturday, I was able to run 4 cold air returns and finish the bathroom sun tunnels (had to cut-into the new drywall ceilings). The sun tunnels are great source of natural light for both bathrooms.

Sophie and Christina took full advantage of the construction site and built a tent from drywall scraps, very creative little girls.

Sophie in her drywall tent



Bonnie and Anna ran in the Annual Kelleys Island 5k on Sunday. I heard that 900 runners participated this year. Matt and Adrianne Bailey made it up for the run as well.

Anna, Bon, Addrianne and Matt ready for the race

 

Missing the island already. Bonnie and the kids stayed all week. I will be joining them this weekend!

8 guys and 90 sheets of drywall

What a whirlwind man. I've been planning drywall weekend for many months, but I could not be any happier with the results.

The weather was nice, clear and warm but very windy. I heard the ferry was rocking something fierce. The crew began arriving late on Friday (May 17th) afternoon. As different groups of dudes began to show-up, the madness ensued.

After checking out the new cottage and hanging a few sheets, it was time to head to the Cedar Cottage for pre-partying and then hit the bars. Friday night turned into a blur, fun had by all.

Bright and early Saturday (May 18th) morning, we started around 8:00 am.

Meet Albert, the King of all things drywall. If you can measure it, cut it and screw it, Albert is your guy. He runs a tight ship.

Albert, the Foreman

 

Uncle Al, gets to take a break from long weekends of HVAC. Enjoying his new role as Drywall Co-captain and Ambassador of fun.

 

Uncle Al, Drywall Co-captain

Using 12 foot sheets makes the process a whole lot faster. I can't believe I actually considered only using vertical 8 footers for the whole cottage - bad idea. Here is a photo of the first bedroom done. Look at the ceiling, nice.

Anna's bedroom

 

Second bedroom done. The place is starting to look like a cottage. This will be lil' Neil's bedroom.



Lil' Neil's bedroom

Meet the Hasek brothers, Gary and Kenny. Or as Brad calls them, Kenny Gary/Gary Kenny. He couldn't remember their real names all weekend. These guys know a thing or two about hanging drywall and drinking beer. Gary is one hell of a guitar player as well. Kenny briefly lost his wallet on Sunday morning to later be surprised it was in his duffle bag all along. Good news man.

Gary and Kenny, the "Drywall Brothers"

 

The Hasek brothers working on the master bedroom

 

We wrapped up Saturday at around 5:00pm. Thanks to Brad and Andy for making food. Time to get our party on. We started out at the Caddy Shack and closed out the night at Bag the Moon as far as I can tell.

 

Sunday morning was a little tougher to get started. I think Albert was back at it around 9:00 am. We started to lose crew members as the morning rolled on. Albert, Al, Scott and me kept at it until around 1:00 pm. Here are some photos of the weekend results.

 

Looking at the kitchen area

  

Scott helped out working on finishing up drywalling the closets

 

 This is one of the last photos of the weekend, late day on Sunday. I was beat...

 

Looking towards the front of the cottage from the dining area

We were able to get an amazing amount of work done. The cottage really took shape this weekend. All of the rooms are now clearly defined and the spaces feel great. I have a few walls to finish hanging and of course the taping and mudding, but overall the majority of the drywall is hung!

The crew that deserves to be recognized by name:

• Albert Hobar
• Al Stenger
• Gary Hasek
• Ken Hasek
• Andy Stenger
• Scott Kanengeiser
• Brad Sale

I am honored to have you as my friends and family. Thank you so much for your help. I seriously could not have done this without all of you. Bonnie and me appreciate and love you beyond words!

Next step. Take a break for a few weeks and try to save cash.

Back at ya soon...

Lowes and Bayside Comfort

I got to the island late on Thursday (May 16th) night to get the cottage prepared for the drywall delivery (from Lowes) and the A/C compressor charge (from Bayside Comfort) both happening first thing Friday (May 17th) morning.

It turned out both guys were on the 8:00 am ferry, so I met them at the dock to follow me back to the cottage to get rolling.

Lowes flatbed truck delivery, the ferry buster!

 

Lowes unloading

 

90 sheets of drywall, thanks for good weather

 

Bayside Comfort finishing up the A/C Compressor

A/C is now working blowing cold. Bayside installer did mention that I will need to add a few cold air returns that are currently missing from the install to properly feed the air handler. Not sure when I will get this done, but I will add it to the list.

Next steps... drywall!



A/C Compressor

Quick work weekend up on the island. I made it up late Friday and worked on the ceiling registers and flexible ducts for all the rooms. Uncle Al came up Saturday morning to finish up running the line-set for the A/C compressor, helped me with the cold-air returns, and finished the plumbing for the air handler.

I build a stand for the A/C compressor from 2x6s and 4x4 posts to keep the unit level and elevated properly. Al stubbed out the line-set and wired up all the electrical.

Uncle Al admiring his fine work

It was Derby weekend and the weather was beautiful. However, we both left on the 8:30pm ferry on Saturday night. The ferry was packed with all-day party'ers and it was tough to leave, but we wanted to have Sunday to spend with the family since we have put in so many long weekends so far this Spring.

I'm heading up again next weekend, probably just for the day, to insulate the main duct trunk lines and clean-up the cottage in preparation for the long awaited drywall weekend.