Domek Lesny Blog

Domek Lesny

Joe Wardzala — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:12:24 GMT

Welcome to Domek Lesny!

This blog is dedicated to our house in the north woods of Wisconsin. We took ownership of the house after Joe's father died in March of 2006. It needed a lot of TLC as the work was beyond Joe's father in the later years. This blog is the tale of our clean-up, restoration and decoration efforts. We decided to name the property Domek Lesny as it means forest cottage in Polish.

In the two years after my Fathers death a lot of work has gone in the house. The 1st floor or "road" level of the house has been totally remodled or redecorated. Last year with the help of Susan, Larry, Pam and Lou we started to basement or "Lake Level" of the house. This year I am looking forward in complete the interior of the house.

Joe Wardzala

Johnny Depp has left the area

Joe Wardzala — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:12:33 GMT

Well filming is over. The movie crews have left. And I had to go back working on the house.

This weekend I was able put 3/4ths of the boat dock in. The water is really cold, yes we have a thawed out lake now. I put on the waders and put the dock in. I think water is just above freezing. Putting in the first 2 sections was easy. But when I got to the 3rd section, some water got into the waders and... Wow! That was cold. The 4th section needs repair before it goes and it needs to warm up a little bit.

I started or restarted the work on the downstairs bedroom. Here are some images.

The top image is the Family room. As you can see it's painted. I am using it for storage. The middle image is the frame for the pocket door. I ordered the doors for it this weekend. They are glass doors in a Cherry wood frame. As you can see I might have over engineered it a little (but the main support beam for the house runs right above the frame. The bottom image is the bedroom. I pulled out the 2 closets and 1/2 the drywall. And if you look very closely you will see the reason I am pulling down the drywall...black mold.

The wall to the left in the bedroom will be partially removed. The closest will go on that side. Actually the closets will be in the next room. We are pulling out the summer kitchen in that room. And I thought the closest would be better if not against the foundation. And the back wall will be totally redone. It's going to be rebuilt following something I saw on Holmes on Homes; 2 inches of rigged foam installation and then the stud wall will be built next to that. And if I can find it...paperless drywall. If not then Green board.

And for those who know my pet peeves.....That black outlet will be replaced with an Almond color one. But moved over since that is where the closet door will be. You also can see the lights I put in, 3 on each side. I am keeping the fake parquet floor; it's kind of growing on me. Wait that is black mold!

Joe

Public Enemy

Joe Wardzala — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:28:46 GMT

We went up Friday night. While driving up, I told Susan even if the driveway has 1 foot of snow I am go to drive in and park in the garage! Well we still had a 2 foot snow drift at the end of driveway. And...well before I tell you that story let me flash back 22 years.

It was the end of March 1986. I drove up with my Dad on a Friday night to open the place up. We were driving his old Jeep Wagoneer (1984 to be exact). I remember that it was really foggy because it was very warm and the snow was melting. It was so foggy that the headlights of the car were just reflecting off the fog. So I decided to drive with the lights off, which made my Dad yell "You are going to give me a heart attack!". I only did that for a few seconds, but it was fun messing with my Dad. When we finally arrived at the house, there was 2 feet of snow on the driveway. I remember my Dad saying "Just pull in". So I did. I made it 30 feet before getting stuck. My Dad had a fit, apparently he was only kidding about pulling in. All was fine and the snow melted the next day and I was able to get the car out in the morning. But I had a lot of fun trying to get in.

Back to the present. Friday night I saw we had a 2 foot snow drift at the end of the driveway. But beyond that the snow was maybe 8 inches deep. With a clear spot further down the drive. So I pulled in. Almost got stuck. But I took it easy, and made it all the way into the garage. I have to say it was more fun when I got it stuck in 2 feet of snow with my Dad. And Susan did not yell "You are going to give me a heart attack!" I wonder why so many of relatives have heart problems?

I have no images this week. I did not do much work, so nothing to show. Lot's of mud every where.

We did go out to dinner Saturday night at a local Italian restaurant. I over heard people talking about how Johnny Depp is in the area filming a movie named Public Enemy. I guess he plays John Dillinger. He is reported to be staying at a local Hotel. And because of the filming a lots of homes in the area have been rented out for the cast and crew. Darn I would do anything to have Johnny Depp stay at the house! So if he is reading this, give me a call. I promise to clear the snow on the drive way.

Joe

Hodag hunting

Joe Wardzala — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 17:12:43 GMT

Spring has almost arrived in the Northwoods. I don't think so! Friday night we still had over 2 feet of snow in the driveway. So once again we had to walk through snow to get into the house. Nothing really major went wrong. Well the circuit breaker for the clothes washer decided to fail. We had to run to Rhinelander for other things anyway.

On the trip up I found out that Susan is becoming a Hodag expert. She has been doing research and we might have a Hodag section opening up at the Library. Enjoy the youTube video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt9VAFEOGtI

We did not spend all our time tracking down hodags. We did prime the ceiling and walls "The Great Room". And I did paint the ceiling.

If you look closely you see 2 paint swatches on the wall to the left of the Windows. We both agreed that the lower color was it. Later on that was veteod after we saw the colors after sun down.Doesn't the ceiling look nice?

I was able to walk around the property. I discovered that we a small river running through the Boat House. There was 1/2 inch of water flowing right through the Boat House Below are photos from next to the house to give you an idea how deep the snow is (was).

As you can see there is a lot of standing water next to the house. I always refer to April in the Northwoods as "The Muddy Season". Once all the snow melts. All you have is mud.

We did go out to dinner Saturday night to one of my Favorite Places, Minoqua Brewing Co. They have a new item on the menu, Mesquite grilled pork chops. They are great.

Hopefully all this snow will be gone soon. It's April!!! Bring on the mud!

Joe

Who said you can't beleive everything you read on the internet?

Joe Wardzala — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 18:40:42 GMT

Friday night I did a few google searches on frozen Water supply lines for water pumps. I found that the most common points are freezing is right where the lines come into the house. That is between the house and the well. And most likely the line is frozen inside the house. I found a recommendation to heat the water pipe with a Hair dryer.

Saturday morning we returned to the house after a nice stay at a local Motel. The furnace stayed running over night. The first thing I tried was turning the water pump back on. Still nothing. Then I heated the pipe with a really heavy duty Heat gun, being careful not to set anything on fire. After about 10 minutes I tuned the pump on. Shortly after that I had a trickle of water, then after a minute a gusher. WooHoo! we had water again. Whew!

We had only one minor problem. I did not put the hand sprayer back on correctly on the kitchen sink, so we had water everywhere. But no pipe burst this year like last. Note to self, remember to leave to valve open at the pump and to blow out the drain lines for the furnace.

Saturday I put up more drywall. See image below.

You can see on the left the wall I pulled out last fall. Well I guess that is not see, because it's not there anymore. That is where 2 pocket doors go in. Ignore the wires hanging from the ceiling, they are not live (I think). You can see some of the paint sample on the fireplace mantle (right side of image). We did not pick any of those colors. The Cinder Block wall next the fireplace will be tiled with something that goes with the fireplace.

Lots more work coming.

Joe

Spring time in Northern Wisconsin

Joe Wardzala — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:48:36 GMT

Today was the 2008 grand reopening. Well almost. This morning we left home only to drive trough a blizzard, that was only for two hours of the trip. We made it up in our normal time. When we got to Domek this is what we saw.

We had to hike through the snow to get to the house. Who knew how much work it is to walk through 2 feet deep snow. You will notice the house did not collapse after I removed a wall in the basement. And there is a 4 foot snow drift on the roof.

The first thing I did was to turn the power back on. Then the heat. Then I went back to the car and picked up Max "the Cat" and Susan too.

After about an hour in the house I noticed that the furnace shut off. And was like 30 degrees in the house. I had to call someone out and fix it. A condensation line froze, I thawed it out and the heat if fine. But the water is another story, we have none right now. I have to wait for the line between the well and house to thaw out....maybe tomorrow, maybe a few weeks. Maybe I will have to call someone.

We are staying in a Motel this weekend...Unless the water line thaws out. I doubt it. Max is staying at the Motel too, he is freaking out a little.

We went to dinner at local favorite place named Tula's. Normally we have all you can Eat fish fry (AYCE). But today it was only the 2 piece dinner. And I took one piece home. It was very like my parent's, they used to steal the rolls and pieces of fish from the all you can dinner menu.

After dinner we walked over the Super Market to pick up a few things. Susan need to look at the magazine section. The had all the good Wisconsin Magazine. Not only did they have Walleye Magazine, they had Crappie Magazine. But, they had the best one of all BASS! I would have been lost with out my Bass. So we loaded up the cart with my Bass in tow and went back to the motel.

Joe

What a difference 2 years and a day make

Joe Wardzala — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:49:40 GMT

It's been 2 years and 1 day since my father passed away. In that time alliances have been made, alliances have been broken. Promises have been made and broken. And we are still here waiting for the day for a certain person to keep their promise. And for that day for my mother to be moved from Wilmington back to the cabin in the woods.

Any way this Friday begins this year’s remodeling projects. This year the lower level (basement) will be completed. My brother and sister will be up in late May to visit. Little do they know of the work I have planned for them (so don’t tell them). There will be lots of painting going on, so Lou bring your electric paint roller!

After watching a Mythbusters episode in where they blow up electric hot water tanks. It is my number one priority to replace the 35+ year old Electric hot water tank. I am amazed that it still works and does not leak. Well we will find out Friday. I hope I do not break any water pipes like last year , especially in the new bathroom.

This year I hope to write funny stories about the work. Maybe we will have talking cats again. Maybe the wild turkeys will return. Maybe I will recognize a Coyote as a Coyote and not a fox.

Lots of fun coming.

Joe

Goodbye Unc

Joe Wardzala — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 23:59:15 GMT

If there is any one person who has influenced my life more than any one person, it's the person in the image above. He is my Uncle Willie, my mother's brother. We just called him Unc. My mother described him as a "character". He was a fun person to be around. He had this great ability to talk in circles. He was a very intelligent person. And very kind.

I remember when I was kid and he would call for my Mother. I would pick up the phone and say hello. He would say "who is this?" I would answer it's Joey. He would say "Why are you calling me, what do you want!". Of course I had to say no you called here. But he would always insist that I called him. I found it funny.

Years ago we brought him to "Domek". I remember he wanted to wonder the farmers field behind the house looking for Marijauna. I am not sure if he found any, or if he was really looking. But it had everyone wondering.

About 10 years ago we were at a wedding for one of my cousins. And I was talking to Unc in the entry way of the church. He asked me "What is the place?". I said "a Church?". He said "this place? " I said, "a doorway". Unc: "No Larger". Me: "Planet earth?". Unc: "Smaller". Me: "United States". Unc: "Smaller". Me: "Orland Park?". Unc: "Smaller". Me: "A Church?". Unc: "No, no. this place". Right at that time we both said at the same time "A Foyer!". It was very funny. At that time I realized I had some of his ability to talk in circles.

Unc used to repair old Radios. He always had a lot of radios around his apartment. They were always out of their cases or cabinets, but worked. I remember I was very facinated by the radios and the fact he could repair them. That influenced me to learn about electronics and later computers. He always had old copies of Popular Mechnics and Electronics around his apartment, I used to read them. And I used to get into big trouble at home because I used to tear apart the TV to be like Unc.

Today, 12/26/2007, Unc joined his sisters: Marie and Ceclia, his Brother Richard and Mother Sophie.

We will miss you William.

Joe

Sophia the Great Blue Heron

Joe Wardzala — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 18:37:24 GMT

I know it's the start of winter, but I wanted to post this image. This image was taken in July during the Schmidt Family reunion. It is a Great Blue Heron that landed along our shore line. I have named her (assume it's a female) Sophia or Sophie in honor of my grandmother on my mothers side.

The reason I named her after my grandmother is that this bird was being very protective of something along the shoreline, I assume her young. My mother and Grandmother were very strong people, the defended themselves well, defended their families, their opinions. I think that is were I get my drive stand up for others when I see someone being mistreated. This is for you Grandma. Merry Christmas.

Joe

While cleaning out the basement

Joe Wardzala — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:02:21 GMT

To get ready for all the work in the basement we needed to do some housekeeping. We cleared out the bedroom of junk. We found the blueprints to the house, I kept those. But I don't know why? They are the original blueprints which has the house as a 3 bedroom 1 bath with all the bedrooms on the 1st floor and the basement as unfinished. The house is now 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, with 2 bedrooms on the 1st floor and and 1 in the basement. And the house is shorter and has only a 1 car attached garage that what is in the blueprints. Someday it might have 3 bedrooms upstairs....but as my Dad told me, that would be the next owners job.

We found and threw away my Dad's old Postal worker uniform. I wanted to keep it for that day when the e-mail problems at work finally drive me over the edge and I go "E-Postal". (I am just kidding).

Going through the closet I found "Uranus". I thought it was long gone, but it's been in the closet all this time. I thought I lost Uranus. It was a book on the planet Uranus. Now if I could find my Bass I will be happy. We also found more rolls of of toilet paper, kept near Uranus.

Sitting on a shelf was a cookie tin. When I found it I told Susan that is it still had cookies in it I was going to die. I opened it and sure enough there were cookies in it. I did the phoeny falling over backwards. I twas like that commerical were the women smells the Chinese food and passes out.

We also found a big map of Rhinelander. A map that my dad was keeping upto date and correcting. It was thrown out because it did not have the locations to spot hodags marked.

We cleanered the basement and took everything to the Onieda county landfill. Which is always fun. Susan always enjoys going to the dump. Especially when there is glass to break. While at the dump Susan spotted some chairs, which made me wonder. They charge you to drop things off at the dump, but if you take things out...do they pay you?

While leaving the dump you could hear "Big girls don't cry" by Fergie playing in the distance. I guess those dump guys are the sensitive type.

Joe

Lower Level Work

Joe Wardzala — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:02:17 GMT

The drywall is up in the "Great room". That is the area in the lower level that is directly uder the living room. I did not finish the mudding or sanding. But the hardest part is done. I foung that I can install Drywall by myself, all it takes is to rent a Drywall lift from the local Ace Hardware Rental center and a 2 by 4.

If you look on the fireplace mantel, you will see that paint samples. The concrete block wall next to the fireplace is going to be tiled. And if you look at the top 2 photos you see the lake through the windows.

Once all the mudding is done and the ceiling is painted, I will adjust the lights.

Joe

Fall 2007

Joe Wardzala — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:39:15 GMT

Fall at Domek Lesny is one of my favorite times of the year. The leaves are changing. The air is getting colder. Duck and Geese migrating. And it's Wife-Carrying Championship time! You heard me. Wife-Carrying. Only in the northwoods would they have such a great competition! Check out www.skimwp.org for details!

I think this week will be the peak time to be up there for fall foilage. A lot of leaves have already changed.

The above photo was taken from the house, through the tree to across the lake.

Well I had to miss the Wife-carrying Championships because of a storm a couple of weeks ago which took out 3 very large Oak trees.

The large tree that is cut at one end was knocked down by a smaller dead Oak tree. This large oak tree slid along side the larger still standing Oak, but was lost was the tree you do not see. That one went across the lines. We cut taht tree up and hauled it away already.

Here are some more fall colors.

I also need to correct my self on my blog entry regarding Foxes and Turkeys. Those were not foxes, they were coyotes! Several people have pointed out how wrong I was. Hey I have nver seen either up there, so what do I know. Joe

Gone Overboard!

Joe Wardzala — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 18:47:11 GMT

I had some free time today so I decided to add an addition to the place.

Like it? OK. It's not Domek, it's a house 4 doors down. I took this photo for Stephen Serwin who once lived in the house.

Construction on the above house was started about the same time as ours. The original owners were Chuck and Pat, school teachers from Milwaukee area. They sold the place a while ago.

I have to share a story. When my Dad started building we used to drive up on weekends and vacation to work on the house. I think it was 1968 when the foundation was completed and my Dad started construction. We used to sleep in the car.

One weekend; me, my Brother, my Dad, my Future Brother-in-law (Bob) and his friend Al went up to work. I remember this day because it was when all the lumber arrived.

The Serwin's were staying at a rental house in Town while their place was being built. For some reason my Brother Larry stayed with them that night. And for some reason Chuck loaned Bob his car. I remember there was lightening in the distant skies that night.

My Dad had a 1966 Chevy Impala. Chuck has a 1967 Chevy Impala. Me an d my Dad went back to the lans to go to sleep that night. I slept in the back seat, my Dad slept in the front seat (bucket seats with a console).

I remember one time during the night my Dad got out of the car. But I sleep like a log. I was woken up in the morning by sound of a chain saw. When I looked out of teh car window. There was a big Birch tree laying next to the car. I looked behind the car, Bob was parked behind up in Chuck's car. The tree missed Chuck's car by inches.

Apparently a Tornado went through that night. There was a lot of wind and lightening. Lightening hit the Birch tree, which was about 5 from where I was sleeping. And may dad was up all night trying to keep his lumber from blowing away.

Funning thing about this. I remember exactly how the sky looked with the lightening off in the distance that night. So now everything time I see lightening like that, I remember that storm.

Joe

Foxes(coyotes) and Turkeys

Joe Wardzala — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 08:39:33 GMT

Domek Lesny borders a farm. I was going for a walk this morning and I heard Wild Turkeys making a heck of a racket. The Turkeys were in the farm and I grabbed my camera because I want to get a photo of them for the blog. Sorry the photo is grainy, I was about 1/2 a mile away when I took this photo.

I had to run to get to the farm before the turkeys moved on. I had to cut around a lot of tree. When I finally spotted the Turkeys, I found out why they were making a lot of noise. There was a group of Foxes. And I mean a large group, about 10 to 12. Did you know that a group of foxes are called a Skulk. Foxes are very shy and the ran off as soon as they spotted me. But I did get a photo of one.

I have been going up to this area all my life. Not until last year did I see Wild Turkeys. And only once before did a I see a fox. It was a Red Fox. I think the one above is a Grey Fox.

Joe

Hodag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe Wardzala — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 01:40:13 GMT

This weekend was very busy. We had our first Hodag spotting on the property. Here he (or she) is sitting on stump.

Ugly aren't they.

Saturday I pulled out on of the basement dorrs and replaced it with a Window. My outstanding planing and carpenter skills show in the images below;

Do you like how installed Window the exact same height as the existing picture window. And the panes of glass all line up. And it fit exactly in the door frame. I am good.

OK. OK. I am very lucky. I saw the windows at Menards a few weeks ago. I was not sure it would fit. So I decided to try. I yanked out the door. Fixed the major carpentry mistakes of the previous builder. I measured the window to make a frame. Then I installed. Later Susan pointed out to me the window was the right size.

Now I have to find replacement Siding. I am going to try to fabricate some siding using my recently purchased 1948 Sears Craftsman Table saw (parts still available).

I also moved the switches that were beween the Windows and now removed door. All the switches for this area in teh basement are no in one spot, next to the new door.

Saturday evening we attending the annual UKPOA meeting. No major complaints of water skiers this year. The big topic of discussion was the new subdivision going in "Kaubashine Manor". It's 12 acres of land subdivided into 8 lots. One of the lots has a house. A few years ago they tried to sell all the land and the house for 12 million. I don't think they are getting even close to that. The Lot with the house sold for $340K. The lake lots are selling for $240k each. There are 5 lake lots and 2 off lake. I am guessing the off lake lots are selling for about $80K. So if they get the asking price for all the land it's $1.2 Million. Still over priced.

Susan finished the road sign and we put it up this morning.

It's good to be on the bottom. I do not need the stress of being on top!

Joe

Wildlife Spottings

Joe Wardzala — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:06:00 GMT

There was a lot of different types of wild life spotted this last week.

I saw a weasel running across the property one morning. There are Muskrats swimming along the shore line. Several Bald Eagles. And a Blue Heron was spottred along the beach. All of which I did not photograph.

But I have the following images;

And there are a Family of Mergansers on the lake. This is the 2nd year in a row.

And I spotted a couple of Wild Turkey's on the way home.

Joe

Cherry it is

Joe Wardzala — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 16:02:00 GMT

The tree thatw as pointed out to me that it's might be a Cherry Tree...Well you decide.

Looks like it's going to be Cherry floors in the basement.

Joe

The Schmidt Family Re-union

Joe Wardzala — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 15:44:00 GMT

We survived the Schmidt Family Re-Union. And I have the T-Shirt to prove it. The weather was perfect. in the 70s some rain showers. But ther re-union ended before the heat moved in.

Some highlights were;

We went to Mama's Supper Club to celebrate the in-laws 50th, but it turned out to be a birthday dinner for me and Susan's neice Amy. I suspect the photo of me wearing the "Limp Candle" Hat will appear some time soon.

Patty and Llyod loaned us their Boat and "Tube" to take Amy, Samantha and Max out on. The girsl went first and begged me to go really really slow. That lasted about 10 seconds when they asked me to speed up. I should have warned everyone that I know how to handle a boat and proceeded to try to knock the Girls of the tube.

Next was Max. I really tried to wipe him out. I had him (and the boat, don't tell Patty and Llyod) air born at one point.

My In-laws tried to convince Susan I needed a boat. Susan kept telling them no that I don't need a boat. I had to remind them I don't need a boat I need a John Deere ( I want a gator).

On the 4th Max decided he wanted to Skate Board down "Berrend's Hill". It's a very steep hill down the road. Well Max fell and has some serious road rash on his back. That reminded me of a story. Me and my Brother rode a Schwinn Fastback 5 speed down that same hill (we were on the same bike). This was before the hill was cut down in size and had blacktop. I remember the front tire of the bike going back and forth wildly before we both flew over the handle bars. I did not get hurt, I think Larry had some road rash, but I think he was more worried for getting into trouble if I got hurt. It took us a while beofre we tried that stunt again. Now I ride my bike down that hill at 40 miles per hour.

The Schmidt famility offered to help me with owrk around the house. But I declined. They go off easy. I any make my Family work hard.

Joe

My brother always has been an influence on me

Joe Wardzala — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:23:00 GMT

My Dad's Brother, Wally, has his 90th birthday coming up soon. I have been asked to look for photos of him, which are rare. While looking for photos of my Dad's brother, I found this photo. It's me and my brother, the hat speaks for itself. Joe

"All American Drinking Team"

Weekend fun

Joe Wardzala — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 13:03:00 GMT

This past weekend I decided that it was time to cut back some of the trees on the lakeside of the house. I am trying to stay 30 feet away from the house of all trees, with a few exceptions for the healthy hardwood trees. With my new chainsaw I cut down several smaller Pine and Maple trees. That alone gave us a better view of the lake.

But I have a few dead Birch trees because of the broze birch borer. There was one birch tree maybe 10 to 15 feet from the house that needed to come down. But there was a 15 foot pine tree in my way. So I started to cut down the pine tree aiming the tree to fall so it just cleared the house. No such luck. That tree fell towards the garage, hitting the service door. No damage. I decided to cut down the birch tree. It fell exactly where I was aiming, missed the house.

Then I had a larger birch tree closer to the lake that was 14 to 16 inches in diameter. It was dead. I decided cut that one down too. I aimed between a larger pine a smaller balsam, my mothers favorite balsam. It took a while for me to cut through the trunk. Once I did the chainsaw ran out of gas and the tree feel. It sideswiped the balsam and removed all the branches on one side. Oh well, too bad. That balsam will need to come down too.

Well at least lakeside of the house is starting to look much better.

On Sunday I had some people at work doing an upgrade on our Systems. Well disaster struck. Systems went down, things had to be fixed. Well what does this have to do with trees? Well there is a group at work that names their systems after trees. We lost some Redwoods and Sequoias. So I was relaly busy cutting down trees!

Joe