Renovation Project # 3

Welcome to my celebration of successes and reflections on setbacks, as well as progress on my newest and most exciting venture ever!

Friday, July 9, 2010

RECYCLING WOES!

I'm very pleased to say that in Nova Scotia recycling is manditory. But, I'll also be the first to admit that it's not easy sometimes to determine what's blue bag (recylable), compost or ordinary waste. So - if I can't get it right myself, you can imagine how hard it is to explain the rules of recycling to a visitor from "away". First there's a myriad of bags to choose from: kitchen-sized biodegradable bags, for compost,(including meat and bones!); brown paper bags for large compost carts, blue -or clear - bags for recyclables; black bags for ordinary garbage (what some Americans call "trash"); and orange bags for yard waste. Whew! No wonder there's a whole aisle in the grocery store for bags!!

My first renter (from Arizona and here for 3 months) had lots questions for me when she moved in, but first on the list was garbage collection. I did my best to explain, and had all the supplies in place for each container, but the first collection day is coming up on Tuesday and I'm anxious to hear how she made out.

Believe it or not there is a person hired by the Municipality who travels the highways and byways on collection day and inspects random containers along the route for violations. If you've been "bad" your garbage is rejected and a large green sticker is emblazoned on your container stating so. Locals "fondly" refer to him as the "Garbage Nazi", not unlike Kramer's "Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld. And he strikes about the same amount of fear into the hearts of the residents! Let's just hope that he doesn't appear on my renter's first collection day - She's supposed to be relaxing, not stressing out!!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

TIME FLIES!


Did you ever notice that the time you have for a project fills the void - that you never have excess time left over? That's me! I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since I updated for my friends the progress made on Stone's Throw Cottage, but I can proudly say that, although I didn't keep everyone up-to-date, progress happened anyway! This project is completed - for this season at least - and ST has been successfully rented through the month of September!

With the addition of a covered verandah, ST has become an inviting cottage by the lake and hopefully will provide for many hours of peace and quiet reflection for its guests.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Spring Clean-Up

Time is running out before my first summer renter arrives at the cottage - spring clean up came at the perfect time. I'm kicking myself for not taking a photo of the roadside pile at Stone's Throw that resulted from Queens Region spring clean-up week! It looked like the Beverley Hillbillies had moved in! The couple that previously owned Stones Throw as their full time home, had built and lived in that house for over 45 years and, if you're anything like me, you can understand how much "stuff" you can accumulate over that length of time.

Plus, this man was a scrounger, packrat, and handyman. He was the best at using "found" items to make, repair things needed at the house. Unfortunately, there weren't enough project ideas to keep pace with the collecting end of things!

Spring clean-up also brings out the "trollers", who travel the highways and byways looking for their own opportunities to scrounge. So, all the car fenders, engine parts, barrels - all that was metal - never even saw the garbage trucks on recycling day. They had long before been picked up and made their way to someone else's treasure hoard!

But, I can honestly say the place looks great - the shore of the lake is clean and the storage space in basement and garden shed - WOW! Now I have room for MY "stuff"!

Friday, April 30, 2010

Vacation Package Idea

Just attended an awesome "How To" workshop sponsored by Nova Scotia Tourism. It's an annual Product Development Day, for tourism operators in the province to connect with others in the business. The day was geared to the launch of a new "tool" to assist us market our businesses through various media, sponsored by the province.

As a novice operator, (I should have Stones Throw Cottage up and running by Fall) it was a great opportunity to pick the collective brain of those with experience in the business of vacation rentals!

Thank you to the Dept. of Tourism for the day, jam packed with information and practical, "implementable" ideas at little or no cost. Overwhelming, unless you take it slow and implement a little at a time.

Notably, research is showing that tourists would like to experience an authentic, hands-on holiday, so that's where I'm starting. I happen to have an "in" with a certain canoe/kayak designer and plan to develop a paddle experience on the shores of Blueberry Lake and my Cottage. What do you think??

Monday, April 19, 2010

A Mother's Advice

Like probably everyone in their teens, I didn't pay much attention to the advice of my parents - but this time my mother was right!! "Marry somebody handy," she said. I did - and boy, am I glad.

John's great at "do-it-yourself". In Ontario, he completely wired and plumbed our home, as well as build all doors, cabinets, etc. Since he's got proven skills, I've volunteered him to attack some of the renovations on "Stone's Throw" before our renter arrives in Nova Scotia. He's been a champ, not only helping out with painting, but has just completed changing around hookups for washer/dryer. Next on the honey do list is installing electric water heater and assisting electrician by stripping wires in basement. (Yes, we finally got an electrician!)

I think I got the better end of this deal - I get to go shopping for furnishings and kitchen gadgets, while he's standing on his head installing pipes!!
I won't go as far as to say that a mother is ALWAYS right, but she sure hit the nail on the head this time!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Calling All Electricians!

A good electrician is worth his weight in gold - around here, at least. I've heard other people's horror stories about how hard it is to even get a call back from electricians, plumbers, carpenters and the like, but I thought that was just an exaggeration - not so!

My first call (that was back in Nov.) was to my old stand-by, who has wired my 2 previous projects - and did a fine job. I caught him at a good time. He said he'd be able to provide a quote in Jan. and may--be do the work in Feb. Ah, good, I thought! And then bad weather, alas, sickness, and eventually came the disappointing call - can't get to it - too far behind as it is . . .

My second call - at beginning of March - (to someone new, but highly recommended). Perhaps could quote for me in April, but couldn't get to the actual work until May or. . .

Third call I struck lucky - I guess - The fellows came to quote within a week and, while I'm not thrilled with their price, they insist they can do the work in April! Hmmmm - What's a landlord to do? Take a chance on someone who, unlike his counterparts, seems able to get to my project right away OR hold out for someone you know and trust and maybe not have the work done before "V" Day (vacationer arrives from Arizona to take possession).

As I've noticed with other projects - and maybe you'll recognize this as well, the time it takes to accomplish a task is equal to the time you have to complete the task - and not a minute before. So, guess I'll try to get a jump on this one and go with the 'April' guys - keep your fingers crossed for me!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Taking the plunge!

Well, this is a new one for me - I've just become a blogger! Never thought I'd do it, but now I really have something I want to share. So many people I know are asking how my project is going that I thought this would be an easy way to get the news out - and to find others who have been bitten by the renovation "bug". John teases me that he's never seen me so happy as when I'm pouring over hardware and DIY flyers and catalogues.

As a "newbie" at blogging, I'm sure I'll make mistakes, so I welcome your comments and constructive criticism as to how to make this site more interesting.

I'm a few weeks into the cottage make-over, and am sorry now I haven't documented efforts from the beginning, but things are moving slowly, so you haven't missed too much. This season I'll focus on new wiring, plumbing and new paint throughout - not the most glamorous make-over topics, but in this case very necessary.

My target for this year's efforts is June 30 - I have a renter in place for July, so I have to stay on track!! Guess I'd better get started on things - today it's covering knotholes and completing primer on LR walls - boy, what I didn't know about painting over wood panelling . . .