Members Popular Post DMB Posted March 23, 2021 Members Popular Post Report Share Posted March 23, 2021 Hi. I'm currently undertaking one of the last things to finish of my late husband. A few years ago his cousins invited him down to the bay where they rent a little cottage. This place was like a little resort back in the 50's which they all remember going and staying there as children. As the years went by and the owners passed away, this property was handed down, one generation basically did nothing with it and it has since gotten pretty run down. Now they are slowly trying to bring it back to life. Some cottages are still livable, some have been re-modeled and some are complete tear downs. My husband and cousins picked 2 spots next the other cousins already renting there, and in 2019 he tore 2 down, and put up 2 new ones. The owners supply a lot of the materials while my husband in return for all the labor will have this season free of charge. OK, well he's gone. He didn't make the finished product, or get to enjoy it. We are left with 4 walls and a roof, no water, or electric yet but we're close. We're allowed in now that it's a little warmer, so we are on a mission to complete this project by the end of May. I've been calling in favors, going through his tools, my son went down with me last weekend. Whether it's someone's time, letting me borrow something, or giving me something, I feel all his friends and family will have a special spot in the bay cottage which we hope to enjoy for years to come. Before and after pics attached. Hope to post more as this gets going. 11 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Perro J Posted March 23, 2021 Members Report Share Posted March 23, 2021 Nice! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gail 8588 Posted March 24, 2021 Members Report Share Posted March 24, 2021 What a great project to honor your husband. Gail 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators KayC Posted March 24, 2021 Moderators Report Share Posted March 24, 2021 What a huge and yet wonderful undertaking! Of this one thing I'm sure, he is smiling upon you for doing this! 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DMB Posted March 24, 2021 Author Members Report Share Posted March 24, 2021 Thank you guys. I had to make a spreadsheet. LOL. I started painting cabinets last night. It's raining today so I get the night off. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Popular Post JohnB Posted March 25, 2021 Members Popular Post Report Share Posted March 25, 2021 I love seeing this! Diving into some projects for me has been a way to keep Rhonda close but also to keep myself occupied. The projects are good ways to pass time, but for me, it was just so bittersweet to see how well things had turned out, as it would have been so much more rewarding to share together. But regardless, great work. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sparky1 Posted March 25, 2021 Members Report Share Posted March 25, 2021 Those new cottages look amazing, a night and day difference from the old ones. Nice. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steveb Posted March 26, 2021 Members Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 Beautiful!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members annie123 Posted March 26, 2021 Members Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 You did a great job!!!!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Popular Post DMB Posted March 26, 2021 Author Members Popular Post Report Share Posted March 26, 2021 Going back down tomorrow. My son is letting me borrow his truck. At the very least I can load up 2 more cabinets and bring them home to paint them. I'm taking husband's sister and husband with me. My daughter will be home too. So, we will get a few hours of something done. The weather looks good, I'll take a few more pics. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members annie123 Posted March 27, 2021 Members Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Yes, take more pictures!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steveb Posted March 27, 2021 Members Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 Ditto!! Take some more pics! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators KayC Posted March 27, 2021 Moderators Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 You're inspiring! Not that I want to take something like that on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DMB Posted March 29, 2021 Author Members Report Share Posted March 29, 2021 Getting closer to having electricity turned on. Hopefully this week! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members annie123 Posted March 29, 2021 Members Report Share Posted March 29, 2021 Very nice!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DMB Posted April 5, 2021 Author Members Report Share Posted April 5, 2021 I hope to have electricity soon, and plumbing will be next. Would love to have both done before May 24 (his 1st Yr.) My son took down the repaired and painted cabinets. He also took a generator as he wanted to see the place with the lights on! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members annie123 Posted April 5, 2021 Members Report Share Posted April 5, 2021 Great job!!! Being near the water is so therapeutic!! May you relax and find peace there!!!!!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sparky1 Posted April 5, 2021 Members Report Share Posted April 5, 2021 Very nice, I like that high ceiling. It looks like a nice and cozy little place. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators KayC Posted April 6, 2021 Moderators Report Share Posted April 6, 2021 Wow, I love the vaulted ceiling! Beautiful! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Popular Post DMB Posted May 18, 2021 Author Members Popular Post Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Well I had to take a little break from this project. I was having melt downs. It did help, so I finally took brother in law and sister in law with me this past weekend. They had not been before. Lots of people coming in now and opening up. We didn't get much done. The cousins next door had one of guys that helped my husband build these working so it was nice to see him, and know they are paying him, and if he does any work on mine, they are covering that cost for me as well. He also gave my son some guidance as well when he got there. So I sanded some drywall in the bathroom, fed everyone lunch. The electricity is finally hooked up. Started digging around for where the plumbing will be going. I told my daughter just don't ask me anything about it. That part is so beyond my comprehension that I simply cannot think about it or else I just get too overwhelmed and will have another hysterical crying episode of "I can't do this!!!". She agreed. Hope to have water soon. Doesn't look like I will make the 1 yr mark (May 24), but perhaps Father's Day? I'll take some more pics next time. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DMB Posted July 23, 2021 Author Members Report Share Posted July 23, 2021 Well it's Friday and another weekend of work trying to get these cottages finished. We still don't have water but getting closer. I think. First was hoping the end of May, then Father's Day, now it's almost the end of July. You see where I'm going with this? It feels like no where fast all while carrying this grief around. BUT, just when you have no more patience, you discover you have no real talent for spackling and taping drywall, people are giving you orders instead of helping, you see this out your door: A few moments of peace. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steveb Posted July 23, 2021 Members Report Share Posted July 23, 2021 Very cool! What’s the name of the lake? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DMB Posted July 23, 2021 Author Members Report Share Posted July 23, 2021 This is where the Elk River meets the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. I’m in PA just about an hour away. The Jersey and DE ocean beach’s are 2 hours away and very busy. In my old age I sort of prefer less busy. My husband who never liked venturing more than 3 miles from home fell in love with the place. He dreamed of retiring his business and just working for the owners of this property fixing everything back up. They were very genuinely in shock the 1st time I went back there and informed them of his death. So I feel we must finish and one day hopefully enjoy it. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steveb Posted July 23, 2021 Members Report Share Posted July 23, 2021 Sounds like a wonderful project DMB! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gail 8588 Posted July 23, 2021 Members Report Share Posted July 23, 2021 Amazing photo. I don't know that I have ever seen a bald eagle on the ground like that. Maybe he just caught a critter. At any rate it is a lovely sight to see. Gail 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators KayC Posted July 24, 2021 Moderators Report Share Posted July 24, 2021 19 hours ago, DMB said: you see this out your door: A few moments of peace. And you remember why you're doing this. Beautiful, so serene. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members annie123 Posted July 31, 2021 Members Report Share Posted July 31, 2021 Very nice picture DMB, I too have a place near the Elk river and Chesapeake. It is in Earleville, MD, we have been there for 26 years, such a peaceful place. It was my husbands happy place. I haven't been back much, its so painful to be there without him. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Popular Post DMB Posted August 2, 2021 Author Members Popular Post Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 Thanks Annie. We are Chesapeake neighbors. If it weren't for my son having learned these skills (like plumbing) from his father, and having the help of his sister and husband, and hubs older brother helping me, I probably would have let the place go. WE HAVE A TOILET INSTALLED AND FUNCTIONING!! It was long hard day but they did it. Going back again this weekend. I'll take more pics then. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gail 8588 Posted August 2, 2021 Members Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 Congrats on the toilet. That is a huge step forward! You are doing great on getting this wonderful tribute to your hubby done. I am sure he is happy seeing the family pull together to do this with you. Hugs Gail 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members annie123 Posted August 2, 2021 Members Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 DMB, I am going to Maryland this weekend also. Thursday is my husbands birthday, we were always there on his bday!! It's the only place he wanted to be, so I will head there on Thursday night. I have been crying non-stop lately, just thinking of being there without him on his special day. I am so sad. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators KayC Posted August 3, 2021 Moderators Report Share Posted August 3, 2021 17 hours ago, annie123 said: DMB, I am going to Maryland this weekend also. Thursday is my husbands birthday, we were always there on his bday!! It's the only place he wanted to be, so I will head there on Thursday night. I have been crying non-stop lately, just thinking of being there without him on his special day. I am so sad. Praying for you as you go...you'll be on my heart. I can't think of a more honoring way to spend his birthday. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members annie123 Posted August 3, 2021 Members Report Share Posted August 3, 2021 Thank you KayC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DMB Posted April 12, 2022 Author Members Report Share Posted April 12, 2022 Husband's birthday is Jul 1st and I hope that will be the day we can christen this place he built. I started making a headboard for the bed that's going down there. My kids and I went down and have unloaded the materials for the walls and ceiling into the cottage. My son will be doing that and finishing the plumbing. Still a ways to go.................. I've been doing some retail therapy imaging where the few things I've purchased will go, and how the theme of iron and rope will look. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators KayC Posted April 13, 2022 Moderators Report Share Posted April 13, 2022 I hope that for you too...and so others can view it differently, I rotated it... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tnd Posted April 14, 2022 Members Report Share Posted April 14, 2022 I believe they call a place such as this "paradise". 🏕️ 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DMB Posted May 2, 2022 Author Members Report Share Posted May 2, 2022 I get really worked up doing this. i hope that when it's done that feeling of overwhelming stress and the sadness that we aren't sharing this experience together will go away. We got a wall and a ceiling up, I painted some block and lattice outside since it was a nice day out. Still a ways to go. This is actually pergo flooring on the wall. It was free! Today I ordered an orange life ring from an old cargo ship and it's going to hang on this wall. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members annie123 Posted May 3, 2022 Members Report Share Posted May 3, 2022 DMB, The Pergo looks wonderful. Great job!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tnd Posted May 3, 2022 Members Report Share Posted May 3, 2022 What you're doing is incredible. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators KayC Posted May 3, 2022 Moderators Report Share Posted May 3, 2022 Beautiful work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gail 8588 Posted May 3, 2022 Members Report Share Posted May 3, 2022 It is looking beautiful. I love the idea of the orange life saver ring on the wall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Popular Post DMB Posted May 23, 2022 Author Members Popular Post Report Share Posted May 23, 2022 Got the water on. Toilet works, everything else still needs plumbed up. Some more walls and ceiling going up. Been putting primer on. Tomorrow is 2 years. I hope to have it almost finished by his birthday this year which is July. Wish he could see it. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members annie123 Posted May 23, 2022 Members Report Share Posted May 23, 2022 So beautiful and peaceful!! I am sure he does see it!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators KayC Posted May 24, 2022 Moderators Report Share Posted May 24, 2022 Such a beautiful way to honor him and continue with him... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DMB Posted June 6, 2022 Author Members Report Share Posted June 6, 2022 We are having some nice weather. I couldn't get down to the bay this past weekend. My son has been busy working and it's hard that I have to rely on him, but I will ask and even pay for more help if he would be honest with me and say he can or can't do things. Anyway, the weekend wasn't a total loss. I finished this dresser that I've been working on. I have a lot of sand dust to clean up which I tried to do yesterday but I ended up watching tv on the couch all day. Alone. It was such a nice day, yet I just couldn't go out there and enjoy it. I feel that's OK though, days of doing nothing are still OK too. No rule book for this stuff! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steveb Posted June 7, 2022 Members Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 Thanks for sharing your “Mission” with us DMB😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gail 8588 Posted June 7, 2022 Members Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 I felt absolutely anything I accomplished was a great victory. It was so hard to focus and follow through on things that finishing any project was to be celebrated. Five years in I still feel that way some of the time. Gail 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators KayC Posted June 7, 2022 Moderators Report Share Posted June 7, 2022 @DMB It looks nice! And it's okay to take a day and do nothing now and then. I rarely do but if I need to, I would. Applaud yourself for what you DO do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DMB Posted June 20, 2022 Author Members Report Share Posted June 20, 2022 We're plugging away but doesn't seem like it will be done by his birthday July 1. I took that day off so I will share some more after that long weekend. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gail 8588 Posted June 20, 2022 Members Report Share Posted June 20, 2022 You are making great progress! You are also making new memories with all the construction you are doing. Cousins, in-laws, children, friends all working together to complete The Mission. Your resolve to finish the cabin(s) is a huge display of love and devotion to your sweetie. Together you are all making his vision come true. Enjoy the process as well as the finished cabin. Gail 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Goforth860 Posted June 21, 2022 Members Report Share Posted June 21, 2022 On 7/23/2021 at 7:05 PM, Gail 8588 said: Amazing photo. I don't know that I have ever seen a bald eagle on the ground like that. Maybe he just caught a critter. At any rate it is a lovely sight to see. Gail It's a sign. He's Watchung you finishing his project and he's so happy. With and for you. It's an amazing thing to do. Keep his memory alive and have a place to relax and enjoy the fruits of y'alls labor. He is so proud of you and his family. I can guarantee that. It's nice to be able to finish something he had started. I am proud of you for taking this on and although you've passed a cpl milestones it will happen in due time. Best wishes. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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