When mired in the muck of a project, it is easy to become impatient when it stalls. Anxious frustration is used in a futile attempt to propel lost momentum. One such project that had us tugging to free our mud-stuck boots was the raising of the cabin.
As mentioned in previous posts, the cabin’s foundation is in bad shape. Half of the cabin rests on the dirt. The joists and floor are rotting with plenty of critter entry points from which to make themselves comfortable in our humble abode. Before we complete any interior work, the cabin has to be lifted at least 4 feet, the ground dug out, joists replaced, new support footings added, etc…
No one would take the job. Company A complained that the job was too small, the roads too impassable for heavy equipment, the risk of collapse too high. I complained that their price was ridiculous. We parted ways.
Company B said: “No problem! We can get it done!“, but their price was even higher than Company A’s proposal.
Local Guys 1, 2, AND 3 never returned my calls after they visited the property.
All of this rejection was starting to sting. We were beginning to think that the sinking cabin was doomed to forever rest upon the dirt.
We had decided that we could not raise and repair the cabin ourselves. We had agreed with one thing Company A had said: the risks were too high. With the amount of rot that could be seen (who knew what other surprises lay hidden) the poor thing could collapse at any moment, especially while being raised. As the cabin is actually two structures – the original cabin and a little addition -the inside seam is already starting to split.
In life, it is good to know your limits.
It is also good to remember something else, with no shortage of ample practice opportunities: shit happens when it is meant to happen.
A recommendation finally found its way to us about a local guy who might be willing to take it on. He agreed to take a look.
Based on previous experience, I did not expect to hear from him again.
We did. Angelo’s first words were:
“Well, she needs work, but I have a vision for that little cabin.”
He had me at vision. Finally, someone was not telling us how terrible, how difficult, how hopeless the job was.
I liked him. Dave liked him. I loved his two big dogs who, while we viewed the site and discussed the project, took turns sitting in the driver’s seat in his truck, paws on steering wheel. I liked their optimism, and his quiet confidence.
A handshake and wad of cash later, we were in business. Then the borders shut down again. We crossed our fingers that the work would still happen, and tried to surrender to another faith-based skydive.
Trust is a muscle that needs daily, strengthening practice. Mine is tad flabby when money is involved, and not being able to check on the progress made me nervous. But in order to proceed, I had to tell my anxiety to heel. At times, anxiety makes me forget what I intuitively know and feel is right; Angelo was the right person for the job – I had felt that immediately after meeting him. I needed to get my anxiety under control and let him get on with his work. Let go of the reins, girl, was a daily mantra.
Finding Angelo (or Angelo finding us) has turned out to be a giant stroke of luck. He and his little crew have been working diligently on the cabin. “I will work on it as if it is my own”, Angelo had assured me. He is a man of his word.
We will see the final project this weekend, but here is the progress so far:
Everything is being done painstakingly by hand and bottle jacks. Cribbing is slowly being added to gently raise the cabin while repairs are completed. New footings are being prepared.
Here’s the rot issue that turned out to be far worse than we expected- the joists weren’t just rotting, they had rotted away to oblivion. The ghostly black marks are all that remain now. Stella the wood stove rested directly above – the only thing holding Stella up, and the floor, was the dirt.
The cabin stands proud and tall now, dirt cleared away, foundation and joists slowly being repaired.
Next week I will add the final photos as the project is being completed today. For now, this is a major step forward in the right direction.
A solid foundation is good for both body and soul. It is essential for a karma cabin too.
Karma Cabin Lesson #10: Mud-stuck boots serve a purpose. The right opportunity, or person, will eventually appear in their own, good time. The wait will be worth it, and a flabby trust muscle will get a work out.
Your sense of accomplishment must grow with every new step in progress or completed. No matter what stage you are at, it sounds as if ‘Life is better at the Cabin’ is a song you sing.
This one is a glory step most definitely. We sing your tune when splitting a beer at the end of the day…sometimes between sobs 😂
Looks great! We had to do the same thing to our cottage a few years ago. We could reach our hands into what used to be the joists and pull out handfuls of the compost the wood had become. Not good. It is a reassuring feeling when that solid foundation is put into place.
That is some serious rot – “compost” and “joists” in the same sentence makes me shudder. Happy to hear you now have a solid foundation. Kitchen party may now commence.
Many kitchen parties – they are the specialty. Usually involving the singing of Day O, or Bohemian Rhapsody.
I’m lovin’ the eclectic playlist
Looks like Angelo was a godsend. So happy for you to have found him!
Thank you Cheryl, you are absolutely right – a true godsend!
Cheryl is my sister, Karen. She is undergoing her own reno challenges and triumphs in NS. She gets you!
No kidding! We can swap stories!
Wow, you have the perfect little cabin! It looks fantastic!
He is standing a little bit straighter, prouder, eh? With increased airflow underneath, he has a new lease on life.
What a wonderful transformation! You must be so pleased with the work completed.
The soul of the cabin rejoices.🌞🍾
Celebrate this very important step.
The poor cabin deserved this TLC. We are anxious to see the finished product!