The Garden Cottage

It became apparent right away after we moved in, that everyone had a place in the house but me. I needed a spot for meditation, for music, basically my own room. So I asked Cab if I could build a "she shed" in the backyard and he said... "okaaay".

I bought a blueprint/pattern on ebay, and went for it. Because of the concussion effects I needed something to do. I couldn't look at screens, couldn't work out, couldn't read... but I thought I might be able to build.

The pattern I bought

I was at Home Depot with Ru scoping prices on supplies when I got a call from the school's disability claims person. She said my check would be arriving soon. My jaw dropped. I was on summer vacation, I already got paid for summer. She said no, because the doctor had placed me on disability, and I COULDN'T work, I would get some money. It came out to $4000. Exactly what I needed to build the cottage, and pay for Ruben's choir tour. Coincidence?

The guy who helped us with the roof is named Cody. I met him that day at Home Depot just minutes after I got the money call. He had fun showing us around as we bought gloves, tools, supplies, earmuffs, eye protectors, level, square, tape measure... on and on. I asked him if he did side jobs. He said no "wink wink". He was from Hawaii, and we played some music when the roof was done.

We (Ruben and I) started the cottage in August, and finished in October, just before the rains started.  I pretty much moved in for the winter.

This was a very cool project for Ruben. He got to be part of ground up construction. He worked along with me the entire time.

When we were putting the flooring on, the neighbor got tired of listening our terrible hammering and loaned us his air nailer. Probably cut the construction time in half. I never bought a table saw, did all the cuts with a little circular saw, but It all went together remarkably well.

People think I'm nutty for saying so, but it was about the same amount complicated as putting together and sewing my renaissance gown. I think I like painting better than sewing on buttons.

What it looks like today (6/13/19) 

(The fence is being replaced, will be up next week and the neighbors house will disappear)

Cottage Construction Album

Progress Photos

End of Summer 2018

Ron and his daughter Jennifer came over to sing Karaoke with me. 

Ruben's first shave. 

And Ruben registering for his Sophomore year at Sprague High School

FBI in the secret training facility

The gas leak incident: 

I had smelled natural gas since I moved in, by the fireplace in the living room, and whenever I asked Cab about it he said it was no big deal. Molly and I had both been having headaches (I assumed mine were concussion related) but I worry. So while Cab was in California, I called to have the suspected leak checked out. The gas company guy said OMG this is a huge leak (by the turn off valve to the gas fireplace) and turned off the gas to the entire house till it was fixed. That meant no hot water or cooking on the stove. I called around, but nobody in Salem was able to come look at it that week and into the next. I called Jeremy, and within 3 hours a guy was there to cut and cap the line. The gas was back on later the same day. 

Jenkins modeling my birthday flowers

Cab baked me a pineapple upside down cake for my 44th birthday :)

Judy's birthday Tsok for me!

Oregon State Fair

How could I not go to Kool and the Gang?

Ru and I didn't do the rides, but we had a great time at the show, and eating nacho fries. 

Betsy and Robert came up and said Hi also!

Kool and the Gang were sooooo good. We do several of their songs in Funky Beats Initiative. Our favorite was Hollywood Swingin

Cotton Candy

YMCA- The Village People weren't really good at all

Puerto Vallarta

Cab and I had been on and off about this Mexico trip. Things weren't going smoothly with me and Ru moving in, then things got worse with my concussion, and we argued about whether to go or not several times. We ended up going, because, I figured I could be miserable at home, or miserable in the tropics.
So I had some spells of hard times, but mostly it was delightful. The all inclusive resort thing was super cool. SO MUCH GLUTTONY. But I'm glad I experienced it. Our #firstworldproblems were things like not getting the mini bar restocked in a timely manner, and no turndown service while we were at the pool.
Before we left I ordered plans to build a "cottage" in the backyard so I was thinking of that often, and making lists of supplies. I think that kept me grounded. Here are some smiling pictures.

The stormy weather was cool, and never lasted very long.