IT'S TIME FOR TEXAS

As the weather gets cooler here in the Manitoba Interlake, our thoughts are turning to the warm weather that is awaiting us in Paradise Park of McAllen, Texas. 

 

It will be a few weeks before we leave, as we are still waiting for our furnace to be functioning and we don't want to leave until that job is complete.  But, we are starting to make lists of things to remember to shut down, things to pack, things we have to do here, before we leave, etc. etc. etc.  

We still have a lot to accomplish with the house, but we have done enough for this year.  We accomplished most of what we set out to do and the few things that didn’t get done are certainly not essential.  The condo we used to own was easy.  Lock the door and walk away.  Now we have a real house to secure and lock down.  

OH WELL, I'M SURE WE'LL FIGURE IT ALL OUT 

THE BEACH HOUSE RENO "So far"

This is the beach house we purchased in August of 2016.  Where we live in the early spring, prior to the launch of Thunderbird and in the late fall prior to heading for Texas.  

It is located about 10 blocks from Boundary Creek Marina, where we dock "Thunderbird".  

It is about 1/2 a block from the lake.  

We sold our little downtown Winnipeg Condo, with the idea of eventually turning this into our retirement home.  It will be a work in progress for the next couple of years, as we spend our summers living on the boat and working on the house to turn it into our eventual full time home . 

It's a real house with proper cinder block foundation, insulation etc.  But needs upgrading to today's standards.  Year one - was plumbing and bathroom.  This is what we started with.  

With a tiny bathtub that you can only stand up in to shower with a hand held shower head and a hot water tank in there behind the bathroom door.  

 In the summer of 2017, Dan tore out all the plumbing and put in all new lines from the water pump all the way to the sewer.

Needless to say the house became unlivable that summer, as we gutted and rebuilt a completely updated bathroom.  

With two entry doors.  One off of the kitchen and another entry from our bedroom. 

And a nice large shower stall.  Then it was off to Texas for the winter. 

Then when we returned in the spring of 2018 our list was formidable.  Complete new kitchen and a new gas furnace.  

So where do you start?  Apply for gas lines to be run to the house.  And like so many other things that happen in reno projects it's hurry up, get that done then wait.  So while we wait for the gas fitters, we installed a nice big fire pit, because after all, whats the beach without a fire pit. 

  

Then there was the design process, the shopping for cabinets and hardware.  My fridge I had already  purchased in the "year of the bathroom".  But I still needed a stove, counter tops, paint, trims, etc., etc., etc.   This is the kitchen I started with: 

Fortunately the new kitchen was going into a different room, that the back door entered into, so that we could keep this one functioning while we created the new kitchen.  So, this is what we ended up with.  

I still need some small trim around the windows etc.  But I am very pleased with the results. 

So it is time to head for the Texas sunshine and some rest, while we make our lists for next years projects.  

START PACKING

FALL CHORES AND THINKING OF TEXAS

The last piece of my cabinetry, (the small closet by the back door) has finally been moved into my kitchen.   

 

We didn't put it in earlier, because of it's position just inside the back door.  We knew it would be in the way of the guys doing our new furnace.  So, now they have all their stuff in, my cabinetry is finally all installed.   

 

I have been busy the last little while dealing with and using up all of the left overs from Thanks Giving dinner.  Last week was Turkey Vegetable soup, this week it's Ham and Cabbage soup.  

All done and in containers in the freezer. 

I even started making apple pies with the apples my daughter scored for us.  

Sea-Enna is waiting for the soup bone to cool down so she can chew on it for a while. 

That will keep her happy for a while.  

Now, they say the furnace will be completely installed tomorrow,  so, it is time to create our Ready, Set, Go, list for heading to Texas.  Get our flu shots, renew our passports, order our medications for 5 months.  Sea-Enna needs a new Rabbis shot this year, start packing, etc, etc, etc.  Once that is all complete, we hope to be on our way by mid-November.  From my experience that is usually when we get snow that stays, and I want to be out of here.  Then it will be 

TEXAS HERE WE COME!

THANKS GIVING DINNER

We had a good family gathering on Sunday. 

It was a good turn out and everyone contributed "Pot Luck" style. 

My Dining Room is not exactly finished, but we made do. 

And Horror of Horrors as I was putting the left overs away, I found I had forgotten to serve the "Jellied Salad"  LOL

THAT LAST BIT IS A PRIVATE FAMILY JOKE. 

WE ARE MOVED INTO OUR NEW KITCHEN

We are, for all intents ad purposes, moved into our new kitchen.  I am still waiting for some cabinet organizers and the trim around the windows is still to be installed.  But, it's functional as I continue my varnishing and re-varnishing.   I want a real high gloss on these cabinets. 

I had been wondering if I would ever regret giving up some of the upper cabinets I would have been able to have if I had given up at least one of these large windows, but now I know that I don't.  I love the bright morning sunshine that greets me as I enter this kitchen each morning. 

We have also gotten the old kitchen gutted and ready to be made into my new dining room next summer.  But for now we will finish what we started with the kitchen then go to Texas for a well deserved rest and tackle the dining room and deck project next summer.  

THAT'S ANOTHER PROJECT FOR ANOTHER YEAR

SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY OVER!

The boat is put away for another year!   We had a very cool, but uneventful trip  to Gimli. 

We rounded Willow Island and as Gimli came into view there was the usual fisherman's net blocking the harbour entrance. 

 We never have any problem with nets, because of our keel, but they sure are a problem for others. 

As we entered the harbour, there was the trailer, waiting for us.  

And before long she is power washed and tucked away in her winter storage for another year.  

The summer seems to have flown by.  We only used our boat for two cruises this year.  I know we have been busy with the house and all, but I guess we have really lost interested in the boat.  So, it is going up for sale next year.  

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

KITCHEN PROGRESS REPORT

The fall colours are gorgeous out my kitchen windows.   It gets prettier every day.  

But when you step outside there is a real nip in the air.  So, it's a good thing our new furnace is being installed next week.  

This cool snap makes me think about Texas and how could I ever survive a Manitoba winter, without an escape to some warm weather.  It's been 10 years since we spent an entire  winter at home and even this small cool down makes me feel chilled to the bone.  

 

Meanwhile the counters arrived and are installed, the sink is in and I am staying busy inside working on my varnishing, 

while Dan has been busy installing some of the pull out shelving I want in my Pantry.  

WE'VE GOT TO BE FINISHED BY THANKSGIVING