Memorial Day Weekend 2008

Everyone is probably wondering about our status on moving into our new home over the Memorial Day weekend. The weekend was rather interesting as Shelly worked every day except for Memorial Day, I on the other hand ran up north to the cabin to get the boat out of storage and help Kris/Scott put the dock in.

On Sunday, the storm that produced tornadoes in Coon Rapids and Hugo rolled through our area with damaging winds and golf ball size hail. The house made it through pretty much unscathed; except for the north side of the screen porch that stretched out the screens. However, all of our vehicles received damage with the Toyota Prius being the worse as it was sitting in the parking lot at Walmart. Abby's car has a broken windshield and Shelly's 4-runner has some markings.

On Monday, Shelly and I along with Judy went to Fort Snelling National Cemetary to visit the gravesites of Shelly's Grandpa & Grandpa Dahlquist along with her Aunt June and Joanne. After going to Fort Snelling, we went over to IKEA and had a good old Swedish lunch of meatballs, potatoes, gravy and lingonberry.



Back to the move, well Abby moved completely back into the house on Thursday night so she is pretty well settled in her new bedroom. Aaron's bedroom is starting to take shape as we prepare to bring him home from college on Tuesday, May 27th. As for us, we gradually starting moving over the weekend and actually slept in the house on Thursday night. However, the concrete floor finish on the main floor is under review and we will not be on the main floor for a period of 1-2 weeks starting around June 9-10th and thus the reason for not moving things other than dishes, kitchen, etc. in over this past weekend. Shelly and I are not planning on living in the garage during this period as the bed that we had set-up is now in Abby's room. So, Aaron will more than likely be in the bunk bed out in the garage and Shelly and I living upstairs with Abby for this timeframe.

Now for the positive, take a look at the pictures taken last Wednesday, May 21st:

Kitchen, Living and Dining Rooms:

Exit from Living Room to Screen Porch:

Dining Room area:

Sliding barn door from laundry room to main part of house:

Master Bedroom, Closet and Bathroom:

Heading Upstairs - this is the sitting area:

Aaron's Bedroom:

Certificate of Occupancy

Happy Mothers Day & Fishing Success

Well, Shelly worked on this Mothers Day, but Abby and I along with Wayne & Judy went out to breakfast at Perkins before Shelly went to work.

After breakfast I came home and lounged for a while, then I decided to go try fishing again on the river seeing it was a blue sky day.

Today, I was successful in catching a nice 17" - 1 1/2# walleye along with a small mouth bass. I spent about 2 hours fishing, but it was great to catch something and to just hang out with the dogs down by the river.

So, for a special treat, I was able to prepare a walleye dinner for Shelly after work and it was very tasty! Here is a picture of the walleye both before and after filleting:

Rainy Day - Minnesota Fishing Opener

It's a rainy Saturday on the opening weekend of fishing in Minnesota or at least this afternoon when I decided to get my license and a dozen minnows to try my luck again in the Mississippi River. Anyhow, I waited for a break in the weather and then headed out, but by the time I walked down to the river it started raining again. So, I cast a couple of times until I lost my jig on a rock snag. Instead, I thought that I would update everyone where we are at in the house project.

There was a lot of activity this week as the porch area outside our bedroom was constructed, appliances arrived on Wednesday and installation occured on Friday, electricians worked most of the week on final terminations for lights, plumbers were here on Friday to install toilets, faucets, shower heads, etc. while the well gang finally got out to the house upon road restrictions being lifted on Thursday to convert the water over to the house and then backfeed to the garage. Anyhow, things were going great on Friday and Shelly was looking forward to taking a bath in her new tub finally after work. However, after everyone left, I continued to check as the plumbers asked for leaks as lines filled up and hot water came on and unfortunately I had to isolate the water to the main house due to several leaks in the mechanical room. So, to say the least Shelly wasn't a happy camper when she arrived home at 9 p.m. She will just have to wait until Monday now.

Here are some pictures from the week:

Porch area off the master bedroom:

Kitchen Area - Appliances and Lights

Screen Porch off the Living room:

This coming week, the plans are to finish up the concrete floor, interior painting touch-up, installation of the fireplace, continued electrical and the master bedroom closet will be installed by California Closets on Friday, May 16th. Then next week they plan to start cleaning the interior of the house with final preparations for us to start moving things in over the Memorial Day weekend. It's getting very, very close!!!!!

Road Trip

The whole group went to Gustavus Saturday for a honors lunch and convocation. Aaron was recognized for receiving the presidential scholarship and being on the Dean's list.

Timeless, Yet Controversial Art

Now I am sure you will all be as shocked as I was when Jeff called me from Kansas City to tell me that we would have to put a throw rug over this. Bryan was so much more diplomatic when he agreed that it is my property and can't, therefore, be classified as vandalism. (technically anyway) It is only 8X10, at the most, and I don't mean feet. It is in the far back corner of the porch off our bedroom. Come on Jeff, it's timeless. 100 years from now whoever lives here will love this house too, I'm sure.

This is the kitchen tile, and the hole is where the cook top will be with a stainless exhaust hood above it. This is the second time I blogged this because I locked up and lost everything and this is also the second time I almost spelled HOLE W H O L E. Oh computers, I hate doing things twice. Then again how many re-types were there in Freshman English on the old Smith Corona? Computers were invented, I just didn't know how to use it yet.

This shows the galvalume being applied behind where the wood stove will be.

Last, but not least, this is the screen porch with it's new galvalume ceiling and ceiling fan. Obviously it isn't complete, but getting there. A few screens, a door and a few finishing touches on the ceiling.

The Eagle Has Landed

Today after dropping Shelly off at work, I was driving up our driveway and came upon the bald eagle sitting in our cottonwood tree. All that I could say was WOW!

Below are some pictures of the eagle:

The eagle is out on the branch to the right.

I must of finally spooked it as it took off and I was lucky enough to snap a quick picture showing some of its wing span.

As you know, last week while canoeing on the river we found the eagles nest. These birds are so beautiful and it is so hard to believe that they almost became extinct at one point in history.