This last week, we got even MORE snow. We were effectively snowed in from Tuesday – Saturday! It was pretty fun, but it did get pretty tiresome eventually; even for me! I took way too many pictures, because I really really love the snow, so I added some more to the weekend four post as it is all about the snow. Weekend Five, we got a LOT accomplished. Our goal was to clear out the upstairs and then get the flooring removed so we can take a gander at the beams that will be holding the loft up. A portion of the floor will be removed completely for the loft and the beams reused to strengthen the lofted portion. I won’t lie to you, this was definitely the dirtiest job thus far. But it was also a blast to watch the Cabin transform.
The first thing we did was remove the flooring. Again, we found pretty wood floors underneath the vinyl flooring that was essentially just laying over the top. Then we had to start removing the pink and blue wall that separated the space, and the walls around the staircase. Once we got that space opened up, we started (mildly) second guessing our decision to make a portion of the Cabin lofted. It’s going to be a very small space, and we’ll be sacrificing a large portion of that space to get the vaulted ceilings open feeling. However, we figured we won’t need that space until there are young-ins around, and any storage space we keep we’ll just end up filling with unnecessary stuff. We know what portions of homes we typically use, and that is really the only spaces we need. Eventually more bedrooms and at least a second bath will be necessary, but not yet!
After cleaning up all of the materials we removed and sweeping up a little, we started to check out the floors. I confess, I didn’t check much out, I just pried up a board or two to see what I could see and earned a, “oh whoa, okay!” from the Husband. It cracked me up, but that pretty much sums up how we work. I just start moving and try to figure it out along the way. Husband looks as things, figures them out, comes up with a game plan and a technique, and then starts in on his action plan. I must say, sometimes it’s a challenge combining them (because I am so impatient!), but I believe the combination is complimenting. He slows me down and keeps everything moving in a logical order, and I speed up his decision making process…sometimes too much haha
The first board I pried up had an old deserted honeycomb underneath. We also found quite a few mouse nests. Which stunk. A lot. Actually, nearly all of Weekend Five’s project stunk. And boy was I excited to get all that stinky crap OUT of my future home! On the right is where we stopped on day one of Weekend Five. And it felt incredible to look up through that small space. It made the whole cabin feel brighter and more open, and solidified my opinion about the loft. I LOVE having natural light, and I plan on having loads of indoor plants which will need the natural light, so opening up that space to the upper window is really going to make the space feel bigger and brighter.
On day two of Weekend Five, we picked up right where we left off and started pulling out the flooring as quickly as we could. We saved a lot of the flooring as well as a lot of the shiplap that made the ceiling of the downstairs. Our whole addition is full of wood that is going to be stored in the barn until it can get cleaned up and reused in the new and improved Cabin.
Though this weekend was incredibly dirty, dusty, dingy, and smelly, it was equally and even more so rewarding. Watching the light pour in from above and change the space, and uncovering the old wiring, along with other cool (and simultaneously gross) finds kept smiles on our faces throughout.
multiple intact mouse skeletons 
lots more newspapers! 
old wiring hanging down
It took a lot of manual labor, and we were definitely feeling old and sore by the time the flooring was all removed, but it was so worth the time and effort. Once we got the flooring removed, we took a few minutes to just step back and enjoy the view. The natural light is incredible (though I didn’t do a very good job capturing it!), and the big open space makes it feel so much larger and grandiose. The way the windows are placed along the rafters give it something of a barn feel that I love. I’m interested in a modern farmhouse feel when it’s all finished.
Cleaning up after our short break to appreciate our hard work was a whole extra job on its own. We filled that big green garbage can with construction bag liner to the brim! And then we did that half as much again! The layer of dust, dirt, and mouse nest on the floors was absolutely impressive. Once we got it all cleaned up though, we had to take another break and appreciate our hard work.
Next weekend will probably be less exciting will less instant gratification (not my favorite kind of work!). I believe we will be removing all of the saved wood from the addition and getting it ready to be demolished (YAY!). Our current plan – which is ever evolving – is to get a dumpster up here for the weekend and possibly even some heavy machinery to get the addition torn down and removed as quickly as possible. After that big job is completely we’ll be hoping for nice weather so we can media blast, sand, stain, chink and seal the Cabin. Then doors and windows will follow, and we’ll be officially ready to start the interior process! I’m already dreaming up paint colors and floor plans and interior design…wayy ahead of time.
The Homestead Journey 