Since my last post, and continuing on the handyman dilema:
- following in the footsteps of the lawnmower, the snow blower decided not to start, even though it was serviced and running tickedy boo in the summer. I'd googled the sequence of starting steps, followed them closely, gave it a tug....nothing. The neighbour gave it a try using an electric start (gotta get me one of those cables), claimed something wasn't right, and took it home to take a closer look....
- the propane fireplace pilot went out. After a fair bit of googling and lying on my stomach staring into fireplace bowels I finally got it going. Very exciting! (small successes mean a lot) - a) because it meant heat, and b) because I know in the past others who have faced the same challenge and not one of them had an easy time of it (one gave up!).
- one of the burners on the propane stove failed to light. The spark was there, the gas was there, but no fire was there. A bit of a conundrum because I'm sure we called in an expert when this happened once before. But surely not, - took a bit of trying and googling but a poke here and there and it was up and running again. Last time must surely have been something more severe causing the problem....surely?
- discovered water coming in the back of the truck. Only when it rains of course, which isn't much now since it's below freezing all the time. In fact I discovered the back seat pond while looking for the snow brush earlier in the winter just to be prepared for when snow would inevitably fall. Not exactly sure where it's coming in but next time it rains I'll be out there checking.

As for the cabin - the thinking and planning continues. Right now I'm learning all about sketchup. Very nice, and even though I'm not very good at it it's giving me a fair idea of what things will look like once complete. I've already decided to move the bathroom to a corner wall instead of using it as a separator between kitchen/living and sleeping areas.

So far I've been using 3D view to get the perspective but once I have something in plan view I'm going to send it off to a company in BC called Bavarian Leisure Cottages [http://www.bavariancottages.com/index.html]. This is the first prefab company I've found that has very simple type cabins that look nice on the outside and inside. Most other prefabs have too many rooms, and often more than one floor. All I want is a basic box, one level. My cabin design is still probably too simple but I figure I can see if they'd be willing to simplify one of the models they already have. If so, I need to know how much it's going to cost. I'm getting to the point where I need to figure out method. Basically I see two choices - if this prefab idea works out that would be one way, the other of course is to buy the material myself and hire a contractor.

First up in the spring will be to figure out location, get a perc test, get a building permit, clear the land and the driveway, then install sona tube concrete forms....