My screen name refers to the reason I have joined, my beloved cottage, Braeburn. It's been in the family since 1918, but we believe the house dates to the 1880s, though the original foundation is even older; it was once the foundation of a stagecoach inn in the 1840s or so. It is located on the Wisconsin River in the now unincorporated town of Dekorra. Legend has it that Dekorra would be the state capitol but for a bottle of whisky, but that's a story for a different time.
Due to lack of use for many years, dear Braeburn is in rough shape. Her immediate needs include replacing all the floors and likely sistering the joists; my stepfather stupidly cemented the old dirt floors in the basement and subsequently moisture from below has caused the floorboards to rot. There's even mold on some joists.
The rubber roof over the sleeping porch (added in 1918) needs replacing and there is a leak in the main roof next to where the kerosene & wood stoves' chimney once was. This leak has caused damage to the ceiling in the kitchen. The sleeping porch roof leaks have exacerbated the deterioration of the sleeping porch floors. And the electricity in one room does not work (Braeburn was electrified in 1948). Most of the screening on the sleeping porch is original to the 1918 addition and desperately needs repair/replacement.
Adding character, Braeburn does not have running water. We also need to build a new outhouse before the current one falls over, lol.
On the plus side, we built a beautiful brick fireplace in the living room in 1976 using what was once the front door and the front stoop. In 2003 we built a new 12 x 14 deck in back, using 6 x 6's and 2 x 12 joists-- it is rock solid.
Our main home is in foreclosure, and the possibility exists that we may need to make Braeburn into a primary residence. After 2+ years of unemployment or underemployment! we are facing a potential bankruptcy and I cannot and will not lose my cottage. It is the place on this earth where my soul is at home.
This summer, even with no money and a crowded work schedule, I'd like to begin tackling the floor issues and the outhouse. I know we will have to tear the floors out down to the joists and I would LOVE advice on doing this! And of course the million other things that need doing, too
.I hope to make friends and gain some advisors in this labor of love.
Peace,
Carrie
