Friday, February 21, 2014

I've decided, life is great

  OK, since I was taken ill and have recovered very nicely and feel I am back to my good old self, I feel I may have made some hasty decisions. For the past week, I have pretty much sat around and have done a lot of thinking and have decided what my future will be from here on out. I am not selling my remote cabin but, come Spring and much of the Summer, I will add on to it and make it more livable and comfortable for permanent residence. I also came to the conclusion that since I retired and have spent so much time on the road system, that has caused me to make some bad decisions and has been hard on the way I am used to living. I am not sure what I will do with the town cabin yet but, it will play a small roll in my life.

  I do know that I can't leave the town cabin vacant for to long because of theft or vandalism. So, I am toying with the idea of finding someone who would like to stay at my town cabin and keep an eye on it and make repairs or some other kind of work around there. In return, that person will live there free of charge but, in a separate very small comfortable cabin, also willing to give me a hand at the remote cabin now and then. This person must be a jack of all trades.

  This would be a great opportunity for someone wanting to experience Alaska or someone here who needs a place to stay. I will let this person know, it will not happen without close a close background check.

  I'm feeling good and getting anxious for Spring and Summer to get here so that I can get started. As I stated, I am making changes. Most everyone knows I don't like clutter and so, I started to declutter and downsize all the stuff I have accumulated over time that I really don't need. I did start with the huge futon I bought as well as one of my chairs. Which has freed up my cabin of clutter. My intention is to make it a real cabin.

  This futon took up half the cabin when pulled out and it was almost half the length of the cabin.

Before

AFTER: sure makes a difference, as for the cot, I moved it back out, to uncomfortable and took up to much space. Back to sleeping on the floor which is better.

By moving the table, I am not bumping into it when doing stuff in the kitchen.

Before


After

  To me having more space makes sense. I had been feeling cramped and closed in. Many of you remember this stove I bought and I decided to take it up to the remote cabin so, I put it outside under the polebarn until I took it up. One of the legs sunk into the ground and froze there. I tried to pry it out and broke it so, hauled it inside to work on it.

I used two coats of JB Weld on it

Finished look

I let it sit for a couple of days, set it on the floor and it worked. That is until I took it back outside and when I sat it down, it broke again. I will have to take the foot to get welded the right way. Oh well.

  Last night I decided to get the grill going and grill some chicken, I do like grilled chicken. Sorry about the serious look, hopefully I will get my glow back soon,LOL

  The results

  It sure feels good to get back to real cooking and enjoyable dinners. This was from the night before, Moose Burger with fried potatoes and good ole canned Cranberry Sauce, LOL. I like mustard

  I suppose that is it for now, Anyway, I feel great and am excited to get on with my plans. I do plan to post more often and keep you informed on a regular basis as to what is going on. Take care.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ok I do have to admit, it does look a lot better with out the futon. When it is gone you can see the space it really takes up. I like the table in front of the window. You always had it in front of the one by the kitchen. Now that you have the wood stove in that corner... It does look better.

I pick up the trailer tomorrow, I will email you pictures of it. I have started drawing up the plans for how I will build on it. One of these times when we are out there you need to walk me through your electrical system...how it works hooked to the generator. I'm wanting to make this an off grid set up as well.

Wash

Bushrat John said...

Thanks Wash, I knew you would agree. I will enjoy seeing your progress. Make sure you get rid of your stuff first or your new place on wheels will become storage, lol. Just ask my camper, lol

CottonLady said...

Sure like your new header pictures, John!! I agree, you definitely have more room without the futon. AND your table must be in front of a window!! I spend alot of time at my table watching the wild and tame life around!

You need to do what you are able and what makes you happy, John. I look forward to hearing and seeing your changes this Spring.

Blessings!

becky3086 said...

Well, I for one, thought you cabin was very cozy looking in the "before" pictures but it still looks cozy in the after pictures as well. You should do what makes you most comfortable. I know I always love it when I get rid of a bunch of stuff (I really have way, way too much).

Bushrat John said...

Thanks cotton, it was time to change them. I enjoy sitting there with coffee and planning. Things will change for the better.

Bushrat John said...

Hey Becky, I do like it better this way. Things are really going to change this year. I still have a lot more stuff to get rid of. Big yard sale this Spring.

Paul said...

You are making me hungry John, BBQ in the snow, we normally do it on the beach here!

Anonymous said...

My actual plan is that we are going to dry in the structure on the trailer. I'm going to move out of the house everything I'm not selling then I will have a huge clear out the house sale. Moving stuff up and out of the sheds, pricing it and continuing this until everything is pretty much gone. The plan is to eventually have an open, empty area to work in for the rebuild of the interior of the house. When that is done, we will then start building in the interior of the trailer. In the mean time I still have a place to live while working on the house. I will probably temporarily move back into the house to finish the trailer. Then I can either list the house for rent or sale.

Wash.

Bushrat John said...

I know what you mean, after looking at the picture, I wanted to eat again.

Bushrat John said...

It sounds like a well thought out plan. I will watch for your progress.

Anonymous said...

Hiya john checking in to see how you are...looks like from the pictures you did what I call de-junking..home is looking good....how have your doctor appointments been going?Good I hope.....spring is just around the corner here and looking forward to flowers....hanging ferns...and sunshine.Take care....Bert from bama

Bushrat John said...

Hi Bert, I'm doing fine and have been to many appt. but, haven't heard any results yet. The days are getting longer which makes me feel better. I still have a ton of snow. Hope everything is good with you.

Unknown said...

Hi John,
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving me the words of encouragement, they are greatly appreciated. As always I am in awe of the photos you have posted especially that sunset picture. I am so glad you are feeling better, there is nothing like an illness that knocks you off your feet to make you appreciate your normally good health.
I look forward to your coming posts.
Laura

Washkeeton said...

Just checking in...haven't heard from you in a while!!!

Things here keep plugging along slowly. Will get some down sizing done this next week while the little one is here.

Wash

Bushrat John said...

Hi Wash, just chilling and thinking

Washkeeton said...

Been a couple weeks since you posted, starting to worry about you. All ok??
Not much going on here, geese gone, got a new rooster that is just about all that is happening here. Bunnies go next.

Wash

Anonymous said...

Hiya John is all ok? I'm like Wash when you don't post for several days I'm wondering if your doing ok.Any word on your test results yet? Do you still have snow? Just crazy weather here low 40's one day 60's next..the pollen is geting bad here and going to get worse hope it rains enough to keep it washed away.Well post something soon my friend to at least let us know your ok....take care..Bert from Bama

Bushrat John said...

Hi wash, everything is fine. Just nothing to blog about.

Bushrat John said...

Hi Bert, yep, I'm fine. No test results as of yet. Nothing to blog about.