LEAVING OAK VALLEY (TEMPORARILY)

Demolition began today.  The crew from Service Masters arrived at 9:00 a.m. to begin tearing out water damaged flooring and cabinets.  We're looking at a possible four to six week project before we get our home back.

This was my last look at our house before I left for work this morning.  The most visible damage is seen on the floor in front of the refrigerator, where the leak occurred.

When I arrived home after work, kitchen drawers were placed in the garage and in the living room and the kitchen was sealed off from the rest of the house with a plastic wall, using a zipper for access.

Debra packed up a few belongings before leaving the house.

Service Masters left air blowers and a dehumidifier in place to dry out the wet flooring.

The range, several cabinets, and boxed contents from our cabinets fill our garage for now.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES . . .

. . . Twenty four little hours.

Every morning when I arise and gravitate toward our coffee maker, I notice that the floor has changed from when I last saw the floor the previous day.  The hardwood hills are growing into hardwood mountains.

But in two days the mountains will be removed.  The demolition crew starts on Monday.  They will remove the floors and the cabinets and any damaged portions of the walls and then will set up fans and dehumidifiers that will run for a few days.  Once the salvageable part of the structure is dry, the general contractor will come in and start rebuilding.

Meanwhile, Debra and I will be living out of suitcases.

Yesterday.

Today.

FLOORING NIGHTMARE

Within only six weeks of moving into our new home, we noticed that the hardwood floor in the kitchen was beginning to buckle near the refrigerator. We also noticed that the joints were beginning to show stains where the boards were connected end-to-end.  It became apparent that we had a leak.

I pulled the refrigerator from the wall and noticed that the hose to the ice maker was dripping.  My heart sunk.  I easily fixed the leak with the turn of a wrench, but the damage was already done.

After several phone calls, we were given the impression that our homeowners insurance might not cover this particular kind of damage.  As it turned out, however, our policy will cover this damage. We will be housed in a hotel for the three or four weeks required to tear out the old floor, remove the cabinets, and put it all back together again.

Water damage to our kitchen floor is shown by stained joints and buckling boards.

The damage is most visible near the refrigerator, where the leak occurred.  The yardstick resting on the highest part of the ridging shows the extent of the damage.  Within 3 to 4 weeks, it will all be repaired.

INTRODUCTION TO SNOWMOBILES

To celebrate our eleventh wedding anniversary, Debra and I tried something totally different this year. We rented a room at Diamond Lake, rented a couple of snowmobiles, and spent three hours traveling through the snow.  

It was the first time either of us had ever been on a snowmobile.  And it's a pretty sure bet that it won't be the last time.

The road to Diamond Lake.

Novice snowmobilers.

Debra started out a bit nervous as the snowmobile rental guy explained how to work the machine.  Once her hands touched the controls, however, the nervousness was miraculously transformed into thrill-seeking exuberance.

I never was nervous, except for a few minutes when I learned that not all powdery snow can support a snowmobile and that, once you're stuck, you're really stuck.

After running my snowmobile off the path and realizing that I needed help, I flagged down the first people to come our way: Two men with three children.  The men had towing straps, adequate muscles, a helpful spirit and, within minutes, my machine was back on track.  

After nearly three hours of wintry bliss, it was time to return our snowmobiles to the rental place.

Debra, who once feared the machine, no longer does.

The afternoon ended with dinner at the lodge.

From our seat, we had a beautiful view of Diamond Lake, now covered with ice and snow and hosting mostly ice fishermen.  A couple of signs caught our attention.

"NO LIFEGUARD ON DUT".

"NO ACTIVITY ON BEACH AFTER 11 PM".   I don't know if that rule applies to ice fishermen who are actually beyond the beach.

Debra was not eager to leave our snowmobiling expedition behind.  

I believe she now wants to purchase two snowmobiles and a trailer for hauling them.  I believe she also wants to sell her car and buy a four-wheel drive SUV to pull the trailer.  And since we now live in a small 55+ community with no storage, I believe she also wants to pay monthly rent on a storage facility for our two new snowmobiles.

She never actually said any of this, but I know how to read body language.

OUR NEW FAVORITE COFFEE STOP

Debra and I love coffee.  We love Dutch Brothers, Starbucks, Human Bean, Mellelos, Bad Ass (we call it Bad Butt to sound not so crude) and Black Rock.

But since moving into the house on Oak Valley, we now have a new favorite coffee place.  And it's right across the street from the old folk's community in which we live.

Immediately after making a right turn upon leaving our community, Organic Grind is right across the street.

Organic Grind sits alone on a big piece of acreage and is accessed by a road that is partially paved and partially dirt.

The entrance.

One happy, satisfied, caffeinated coffee customer.

Only five more purchases and I get a free one.

ROOT PROBLEMS

Surface problems usually stem from root problems.  When, for example, three young trees are planted only two feet from the foundation of a house, those trees will eventually grow, the roots will eventually push against the foundation, and the foundation will ultimately crack.

So, last week three root problems were resolved at our house my removing three poorly placed trees.

The tree at the corner of the house was planted too close to the foundation and must go.

Gone.

Before and after from another view.

The two birch trees against the house will eventually crack the foundation unless removed.

Removed.

Before and after from another view.

THE LAST SUPPER

Or, to be more accurate, The Last Lunch.

Our weekend with Makiah and Naomi came to an end today.  We rose early, took the girls to church and Sunday School, took them to a restaurant for lunch, then took them home.

Naomi and Makiah stand outside The Breadboard Restaurant in Ashland.

After lunch, Debra took Makiah home and I took Naomi halfway home to a designated spot where Tim arrived to take her the rest of the way home.  

The first half of our two-hour trip together involved a lot of talking and listening.  Naomi talked and I listened.  At a certain point in our journey, it suddenly occurred to me that the interior of the car had become quiet.  It had been quiet for about a minute or so before I became aware of it.

I looked over at Naomi.  Her eyes were still open, but seemed distant and unfocused.  The silence continued for another few minutes, but was suddenly broken when I heard a little female voice say, "Papa, I'm going to conk out now."

And she did.  

Naomi, as she appeared during the last half of our trip today.