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