This week was all about drywall and cement board, and we were thrilled to finally reach this stage of our project. Our neighbor Ty kindly came over to assist with the ceiling since Cat couldn't manage it. Not only was it heavy, but tilting her head back still triggers her vertigo. Unfortunately, our excitement was short-lived. Drywall lifts would have made a significant difference, but we weren't going to invest in them just for the cabin. Rick was feeling the pressure as he and Ty worked diligently, but things just weren’t going as planned. Time was slipping away, and they had to finish under the work lights. They eventually got the ceiling up, but it wasn't the best result.
We jumped back into the project, hoping that a bit of rest would clear Rick's mind and allow us to move forward smoothly. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. We lost count of how many times he expressed his disdain for drywalling. We faced one issue after another, and we resigned ourselves to the idea that mud and tape would fix everything. We nearly completed the main cabin, but we were still three sheets short. To make matters worse, rain set in for a couple of days, and then our local store closed for the weekend.
Wednesday was Rick's birthday, and Cat's followed on Friday, so we decided to celebrate with dinner on Thursday. We tried out the local Chinese restaurant, and it was fantastic! It had been ages since we enjoyed a meal like that. On our way home, we stopped by Walmart to grab dessert and chose some delicious fall-flavored cheesecake.
On a rainy day, we tackled tiling the hearth. As we sorted through our tiles, we discovered that a few had broken. It quickly became clear that we wouldn’t have enough to cover the entire hearth, countertop, and backsplash, so we needed to come up with a new plan. You'll have to wait to see what we decided! We managed to mortar the tiles onto the top of the hearth, while the sides and backsplash will be done differently. When the rain let up, we took a chance and headed into town to buy our drywall, including the purple drywall for the bathroom. Although it started to sprinkle, we brought tarps along, and thankfully, the drywall made it back home safely.
The next day, we successfully got the rest of the walls up. It went better than before, but we still encountered some challenges. We worked until dark, but we got it done.
Next up was mudding. Cat took charge of the screws while Rick handled the joints and corners. She's not great with joints and corners, so it worked out well. The process was going well. Unfortunately, we ran out of mud. We turned our attention to grouting the tiles, and they look great—just need to seal them now. That sums up our work for the week.
I want to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We are incredibly grateful for our friends and family, and the support we've received during this big move has been invaluable. We know you're all cheering us on and are excited to see what we’ve accomplished. This year, we’ll be spending Thanksgiving Day with our friends Christy, Wes, and Judy, just like we did last year. Momma always puts on a fantastic spread, and the company is good for the soul. After our Thanksgiving meal, we’ll head over to Tom and Theresa's house for a few days. We’re really looking forward to visiting their farm, playing with the animals, and catching up. The guys are still trying to reconnect after being apart for over 20 years. It will be a nice break from work, and Cat also plans to shop at their farm stand. She has been eyeing all the amazing products they offer, and now we get to support their local businesses.
On a sad note, We want to share that Cat's friend Petra lost her husband this past weekend. He had been battling cancer and was doing well, but unexpectedly passed away from a cardiac event. We never had the chance to meet Mike, as they lived in Kentucky and the timing never worked out. Cat knew him through Petra, and he was truly her soulmate. Their love for each other was immense, and he treated her like a queen, embracing her daughters and their families as his own. His passing has left a significant void in their lives, and my heart breaks for them. I can only imagine the pain they are enduring. Please send prayers their way, or if prayer isn’t your thing, send positive thoughts and love. They have a long journey ahead. Petra is a strong woman who has faced so much in her life; she will find a way through this, but she will never be the same. "I love you, my friend, and I’m here for you." -Cat
Mike, may you rest easy, knowing that your girl is surrounded by love and support until she can stand on her own.
Take care, friends, and hug your loved ones tightly. You never know what tomorrow may bring.
Remember Small Steps Get You Miles
Rick & Cat
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