I lived here the first year, by myself. Norms only been here just over a year.
Over breakfast today we were talking about all Norm built in LESS than one year.
By himself. When we moved here, I thought - realistically, it would take about 5 years to build all we were planning. A covid blessing in lockdown - Norm was locked at home with lots to do & me to remind him! Lol.
A few bumps here & there & much ‘encouragement’ - some times in the form of yelling:
Don’t tell me, you don’t have anything to do! Do anything!
That shops not going to build itself!!!
I had to argue with him to buy ALL the lumber for all the projects in advance.. it took planning on his part but he later thanked me again, as we watched the lumber prices soar - or good luck getting all you need right now. I know what Norm is capable of, how good he is.. & fast. 29 years experience taught me, make sure when he starts a project he finishes it before he starts another, which we also had a few disagreements about, I made him promise - before he even moved up here, how it was going to be & hold him to it.
Bossy? Who me? You bet. Some say bossy, I say encouraging, tuff love in some cases - because being nice & patient doesn’t always work - does it? I’m hearing & reading about contractor troubles left & right & I am giving thanks to God - I have the ultimate contractor under the same roof! Weeeeee! Oh, the lessons covid has taught us.
Yesterday, he said (again) “Thanks George. I wouldn’t have done it without you.” As he looks at his incredible shop he built on his own, Storm was up one weekend and helped with the main beam which was a task in itself! When he moved the sauna I thought to myself, anyone else would have had a few guys to help or even a small excavator. Norm figured it out and ended up wheeling it up a ramp he made as if it was a tiny box on a dolly. Impressive…. Even to me after 30 years. Hahaha.
I only had one stipulation: IT all MUST look the same as the house. It does & it looks fucking fantastic! I have to pinch myself. I am grateful. Dreams come true!
All the lumber was bought - saved us thousands and now - it’s DONE.
Well, almost - a tiny gazebo awaits. It will be a completely screened in area for me to read - bug free (with dog door)... in his spare time - I'm sure it will be done sooner than later.
“Thanks George, I wouldn’t have done it without you.”
Me: Remember that, the next time you think I’m nagging.
Yes, I’m sure many see me as bossy & even bitchy about it, but I knew what Norm could do - in less than one year Norm rebuilt our deck with bench & custom rail details. Built a ultimate Chicken coop, A perfect goat barn (for 3), the farm perimeter 40 x 40 (Storm helped with that too), moved and built the sauna deck... AND finished his workshop!
BY HIMSELF! Which has an upper floor where guests can sleep so they won’t be eaten by bears. Yay!!!
Covid, thanks for the small blessing of lock downs & time - to get shit done!
5 years accomplished in 1.
Thankful, for every day.
Over breakfast today we were talking about all Norm built in LESS than one year.
By himself. When we moved here, I thought - realistically, it would take about 5 years to build all we were planning. A covid blessing in lockdown - Norm was locked at home with lots to do & me to remind him! Lol.
A few bumps here & there & much ‘encouragement’ - some times in the form of yelling:
Don’t tell me, you don’t have anything to do! Do anything!
That shops not going to build itself!!!
I had to argue with him to buy ALL the lumber for all the projects in advance.. it took planning on his part but he later thanked me again, as we watched the lumber prices soar - or good luck getting all you need right now. I know what Norm is capable of, how good he is.. & fast. 29 years experience taught me, make sure when he starts a project he finishes it before he starts another, which we also had a few disagreements about, I made him promise - before he even moved up here, how it was going to be & hold him to it.
Bossy? Who me? You bet. Some say bossy, I say encouraging, tuff love in some cases - because being nice & patient doesn’t always work - does it? I’m hearing & reading about contractor troubles left & right & I am giving thanks to God - I have the ultimate contractor under the same roof! Weeeeee! Oh, the lessons covid has taught us.
Yesterday, he said (again) “Thanks George. I wouldn’t have done it without you.” As he looks at his incredible shop he built on his own, Storm was up one weekend and helped with the main beam which was a task in itself! When he moved the sauna I thought to myself, anyone else would have had a few guys to help or even a small excavator. Norm figured it out and ended up wheeling it up a ramp he made as if it was a tiny box on a dolly. Impressive…. Even to me after 30 years. Hahaha.
I only had one stipulation: IT all MUST look the same as the house. It does & it looks fucking fantastic! I have to pinch myself. I am grateful. Dreams come true!
All the lumber was bought - saved us thousands and now - it’s DONE.
Well, almost - a tiny gazebo awaits. It will be a completely screened in area for me to read - bug free (with dog door)... in his spare time - I'm sure it will be done sooner than later.
“Thanks George, I wouldn’t have done it without you.”
Me: Remember that, the next time you think I’m nagging.
Yes, I’m sure many see me as bossy & even bitchy about it, but I knew what Norm could do - in less than one year Norm rebuilt our deck with bench & custom rail details. Built a ultimate Chicken coop, A perfect goat barn (for 3), the farm perimeter 40 x 40 (Storm helped with that too), moved and built the sauna deck... AND finished his workshop!
BY HIMSELF! Which has an upper floor where guests can sleep so they won’t be eaten by bears. Yay!!!
Covid, thanks for the small blessing of lock downs & time - to get shit done!
5 years accomplished in 1.
Thankful, for every day.