It’s been awhile since I have written a cabin update on my mountain property. The reason is heartbreaking really. A year ago my son-in-law and I removed the tongue and groove pine and the rodent infested insulation from the cabin’s interior. We stripped it down to the studs. I signed a contract with a structural engineer to begin work on improving the cabin and adding a septic system. I also got a bid on refurbishing the original 1938 stone fireplace. Everything was working according to plan until I received an email from my ex-husband.
It read, “I am retiring in January. 40 years. Per previous communications, I will be filing to terminate maintenance. I am traveling for the next week. If we can not come to an agreement, I anticipate we will file for maintenance termination in September with a January effective date.”
It could not have been worse timing. I made an appointment with an attorney to discuss options. His advice was to put off improvements until I knew what my income was going to be and whether I would be able to keep the property. So, I cancelled the contract with the structural engineer and put the fireplace work on hold. I was heartbroken. My childhood dream was possibly going to be taken from me. A dream possibly unfilled. I waited to be served court papers.
And waited.
In the meantime, I continued to rake and clear the property of pinecones and pine needles and hawling it down the mountain to the recycling center. I also took many Jeep loads of the tongue and groove paneling and insulation to the landfill. This spring I mowed and trimmed the tall grasses.
I ordered and installed an address sign (the blue one on the tree). The property didn’t have any identification when I purchased it.
This spring I hired Adam’s Tree Service from Estes Park to cut down a tree and lots of limbs for fire mitigation.
I began building a rock garden and fenced it off from neighborhood dogs and deer.
My son-in-law installed a new solid wooden door. Well, a new old door I bought at the Habitat for Humanity Restore for $20. It took the place of the hollow interior door which had been on it. The screen door was even repaired.
I began removing the exposed nails in the cabin due to taking down the tongue and groove paneling. I have never seen so many nails. It’s a long and tedious process but necessary when we get ready to remodel the interior.
I also took pictures of and pleasure in the wildflowers which bloomed this spring due to an abundance of rain. Flowers helped expose the silver lining in this waiting game…I should be thankful for this gift God has given me and only he can help make my dreams come true if I’m patient. I’m waiting.
