Amazing Prefab Garage built in 2.5 days by three builders at Sheds Unlimited in PA

My inspiration, another garage built by Sheds Unlimited

Building onto your home is never a simple task. I spoke with 6 different builders when trying to retrofit out house to move my mother into it. Initially we started with the biggest of plans, adding a full mother-in-law suite. After months of contemplation we decided to convert our basement into a mother-in-law suite and build a garage to accommodate my home business and provide temporary storage. We also wanted to build a multiuse space that could later be used for a master suite or apartment, positioning the garage on our lot so it could later be attached to the house.

Our complete garage arrives on a big flatbed truck.

I was interested in a prefab building for a host of reasons but finding one that built garages in our area proved to be limited. Local builders wanted to build the shell and finish the interior. I finally found several prefab shed builders that framed unfinished garages, a perfect fit for our needs as we wanted to finish the interior ourselves. A big benefit to prefab construction is that on-site construction time is significantly less than traditional stick building.  Pre-constructed walls and roofing were assembled in a warehouse and transported, streamlining the process. Our new prefab garage was erected in an amazing 2.5 days! No waste, no mess, and no workers at your house for months or even years.

If you're afraid of heights, this job is not for you.

Working with a company located in Pennsylvania five hours away was a little scary. I could only read online reviews and hope the company was truly legitimate. Making down payments over the phone and not receiving any product in return was unnerving. Some days I wondered if I was the biggest sucker in the world. Fortunately, we ended up with an amazing structurally sound garage, just as promised!

Foundation work by George Payne our concrete expert.

The majority of my work for this project was in planning. I had to fit the structure on the lot properly, find a concrete company, come up with the design, and convey the details accurately to Mark, my patient Sales Rep at Sheds Unlimited. I acted as the General Contractor so had to submit details to the county to get a building permit, which ended up being much easier than it sounds. Thankfully, our county does not have layers of requirements and the staff was always available to answer any questions.

AJ, Elmer, & David, our builders + our new darling garage!

When the builders arrived, it was totally in their hands to be competent enough to construct the garage. Hauling in large equipment, tools, walls, trusses, shingles, boards, trim, a dumpster, and a generator on one monster flatbed was incredible. Working from sun up to sun down is not an exaggeration. We had a few materials missing from the order and even after working 12 hour days, the guys made it to Lowe's to pick up the missing items. Extreme workers but they completed each process with ease and calm.

Loading up to leave with a lot less stuff!

We adore our new cottage garage and thank everyone at Sheds Unlimited that helped this become a reality; Mark, Austin, Gideon, AJ, Elmer, and David (plus a few shop elves).

We have a long road ahead as we'll be installing gutters, electric, insulation, drywall, trim and flooring ourselves and one day we hope to attach it to our house. Being big DIYers, this is what we call "fun" here.

This blog post is the second in a series, Finding a Place for Mom.

~Rebecca 

Finding a Place for Mom, Options and Adding on to your Home

Me and mom early 1960's

At some time during your 50's, the question, "Where should mom live" will probably arise. The situation came about for us when my father passed away from Alzheimer's over a year ago. Options will depend on the physical and mental health of your parent. Many years ago, my mother and I looked at retirement facilities and found it to be shockingly expensive and my mother's main complaint was "these people are OLD". I hear this often from seniors that have good physical and mental health but there are a broad range of options one can explore.

Aging in place is of course the top option but one should plan for the future expense of hiring in home health care. We found that having the same person assigned to my father was nearly impossible. Constant demand, patient needs and health care workers qualifications all cause the reassignment of caregivers. We finally did get one wonderful caregiver but it took several months to iron this out. In retrospect this was the best choice that my mother made for my father during his illness. Once he was placed in a dementia unit, a whole host of other - over the top - stressful issues arose. A topic I hope to one day be able to write about.

Tiling the new shower stall.

Another option for seniors is to move into a rental. After living in a home, some seniors balk at the idea of having close neighbors. There are rental communities designed for 55 and over, they often have long wait lists so plan in advance. Private home rental is another option but safety concerns must be addressed; one level, no curbs in showers, stairs, slippery flooring, drivability to shopping or alternative transportation options.  

First day of ripping up the yard.

My mother did not want to live alone and wanted no part of a retirement facility or rental so we considered a mother-in-law addition. Our neighbors built a lovely apartment connected to their home for their mother and she also has hired home health care assistance. We entertained adding a complete addition, but pricing was upwards of $300,000. The time frame of the project and expense was like building a stand alone home. After speaking with our realtor and several builders, we decided that adding a garage with a bonus room over top would help better sell our house down the road vs adding a mother-in-law suite. We were fortunate to have a one level basement with 11 full size windows and doors that was acceptable to my mother. I do not recommend putting a parent in a dark and dank space, way too depressing! We would have to add a small kitchen and remodel a bathroom, add some insulation and sheet rock to a few areas, and attach it to our new garage. If you decide to go this route, make it as separate as possible (words of the wise from my neighbor with the mother-in-law addition).

Lots of big trucks, some driveway damage is bound to occur.

It has taken 1 year to investigate remodeling our home and it seems like a century! Everything takes longer than expected and a big part of it is pinpointing exactly what you need and want. Our original concept of adding a complete suite has been whittled down to a large single car garage with office space (or possibly a future master suite if we sold our home later). We are very happy we chose this route as the thought of undertaking anything larger is truly mind boggling. 

Concrete is a messy process, hiring out is the way to go.

A list of the steps: 1) Talk to numerous builders about options and the lay of the land. 2) Get a notebook with grids to draw, draw, and then draw some more. I filled a complete notebook trying to nail down what we needed and what we didn't need. This really helped! Even with this detail, I still screwed up in the end but even I am not perfect. 3) Talk to neighbors or get on a local online neighborhood group list and find out who they are hiring. 4) Try to do what you can yourself. I am the contractor for the project. I contracted a concrete guy myself and a separate builder. We'll be wiring the garage, insulating, and adding sheet rock as my husband has worked in construction in the past. 5) Get estimates as your time allows, bite the bullet at some point. Figure that no soil will be turned for a solid year from when you begin your project due to weather, busy contractors, and to give yourself a little breathing time to not make too many changes in your design (big $$). 6) Pick a builder and try to get a concrete date of beginning 7) Get that foundation scheduled as weather delays are imminent. 8) Wait for the builder, as there is typically more of a wait than anticipated. 

Foundation DONE - Done - DONE

I have worked my way to step 8 over the last year. We selected a prefab garage builder as I really liked the idea of doing the construction elsewhere and popping it up over 2 days! In and OUT fast! The garage slab took what seemed forever as the soil was wet most days (hurricane season) for months. It was also a little more complicated as the lot sloped off and required a cinder block foundation to compensate for the elevation. We also wanted a breezeway poured that we can later enclose.

I hope this has help you think through your situation. First and foremost you need to match your decision with your parents wishes. It's never easy, but it can be done. Deep breath.

I'll be writing soon as our project develops. We're estimating mom will move in 2019 at this rate! 

~Rebecca

How to Get Rid of your Stuff - Recycle just about everything, Donate, and Consignment

Next time you want to get rid of something don't throw it in the trash! There are numerous outlets for FREE recycling for almost everything. Since moving to Charlottesville 9 years ago, we have not had home trash pick up. We recycle or find a home for nearly every item we no longer want. I'll share a few ways to unload clothes that no longer fit, gifts that are just not your thing, and even old cell phones, batteries, and light bulbs.

Body wash that found a new home on Freecycle.

Unbelievably you can a new home for even used toiletries! Why dump down the drain 1/2 used shampoo or body wash. Almost every community has a local Freecycle program where you can post an item you will never use. You can search for the program in your area on yahoogroups or on Facebook under Buy Nothing. I've learned to place items at the end of my driveway and the person picking up my item doesn't even see me or my house. Items I've successfully "gifted"; Board games, 1/2 bottle body wash, old shampoo, tea, rubber bands (never thought that would go), foam pads, baking pans, knives, coffee machine, and even a kids treated wood jungle gym. I also have scored some great items; reel cover for our pool (easily a $300. item), packing materials, plants, cat litter box, shades, milk boxes, filing cabinet, sawdust, and more.

We love him but he creates a lot of waste!

Probably the most difficult items to recycle are electronics and other related items. I recently discovered that at Lowes, near the return counter, they have added a recycle container for compact florescent bulbs, recycled batteries, and plastic bags. If you don't have a cat, you might not realize that many homes with cats use the disposable plastic shopping bags to hold scooped cat litter (I stopped accepting these bags 5 years ago so am always in need of them). While researching the Levy Lions a few years ago, I discovered a cell phone recycle bin at the UVA Alderman library. I've recycled my phones and even friends phones.

Sold this lovely on Craigslist for $75.00 & FREE haul away.

Trying to unload something bigger like a computer or TV? Best Buy accepts many electronics and even cell phones. There are some limitations as to quantity and sometimes there is a fee. I even found a local individual on Freecycle that will take any and all electronics. I can accumulate a load and away it goes.

Of course nearly every community has a local recycle center where you can take paper, metal, plastic, cardboard. Every center is different as to what they accept and how they accept it. Our center even takes food scraps and has a book exchange where you can pick up or take books! Speaking of books, you can drop off unwanted books locally at the main library or any branch that will be sold at the MEGA BOOK SALE that is held twice a year at the Gordon Library.

Animals get incarcerated because of no fault of their own.

My favorite places to donate items locally are the SPCA Thrift Store and Habitat Restore, of course depending upon what you have to donate.

If you have an item that you would like to try and sell, there are numerous ways to do this. Several sites have sprung up on Facebook groups recently; Craigslist and Online Yard Sales. Yahoogroups also hosts the email driven Craigslist. Consider online consignment if you can find someone in your area that sells vintage on Etsy or items on Ebay. I don't have a favorable impression of most retail consignment shops because they discount your item if it does not sell and often you end up getting very little for it.

Just because you can recycle something, doesn't mean you should consume MORE. Think about all the energy and resources used to create a product in the first place. To truly conserve and be more planet friendly, cutting your consumption is the key but why load up our landfills with junk if someone is willing to use your unwanted items!

If you have exhausted all avenues for an item, I would love to know what it is and am happy to try to find an outlet for you. I've set a new goal to get rid of something every work day either by selling it or giving it away. Off to see if I can unload those lamp shades!

~Rebecca

Sights to see in Charlottesville Virginia, do not miss Monticello and the Rotunda

Garden Pavillion overlook at Monticello

It seems often one doesn't take in popular area attractions. A nice perk to get locals to climb the mountain up to Monticello is free entry for residents. You must have an accompanying out of town guest and purchase a ticket, but that makes it 1/2 off. This weekend we finally took advantage of this offer when friends were visiting from California. One of my oldest friends that I grew up with was on the East coast for business and I had never met his wife. It was truly a thrill for me to see Danny again and had an immediate connection with his wife. Danny and I had not spoken in many years but he's a friend that I'll always be close to. It makes me think of my mother and her relationship with one of her dearest and oldest friends Sue. You may not speak with them often but you pick right up where you left off when you do.

Monticello overlooking Thomas Jefferson's vegetable garden

We could not have asked for a better day weather-wise. Humidity was low as was the typically horribly hot July temperature. No rain, plenty of fluffy cloud cover and temps in the 80s! Unheard of for this time of year in Virginia.

I don't often take the house tour at Monticello as I typically go during the Fall Heritage Harvest Festival and am totally focused on the tons of outside activities. Danny and I went on an Elementary school tour of Monticello way back before the Visitor and Education Center complex existed. This was only my second house tour since moving to Cville 10 years ago and I always learn a little more about the man that designed Monticello.

Cardoon bloom with Montalto ridge in background

All humans have faults and Thomas Jefferson was certainly not a perfect human being but he was a master of his time in so many fields. I just finished a book, The Founding Gardeners, about the gardening pursuits of our founding fathers and didn't realize how entrenched they were into agriculture and plants. Their private lives were totally immersed in planting, collecting, researching, and creating gardens (Washington, Madison, Monroe, Adams, and Jefferson). Especially craving the need to plant after retiring from the laborious political arena in which they all served.

In Jefferson Gardens: Sunflower and brilliant Castor Bean

Recently I've come across several quotes by Jefferson that are relevant to the current political climate in the United States. One being, "I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as a cause for withdrawing from a friend." Often a truism in his behavior but at one point the political difference between one of his dearest friends, John Adams, was so broad that it took many years of aging before they forgave each other. Also interestingly, there was a bust of one of Jefferson's biggest political adversaries, Alexander Hamilton, at Monticello. It was placed here years after Jefferson retired from politics so he must of meant what he said. Jefferson apparently had a respect for smart minds no matter what their political view. Jefferson was all about educating his guests so one could imagine he also wanted to share the historic details with visitors.

N Plaza flight of stairs up to UVA Rotunda

Another wonderful place to take visitors is to the restored Rotunda. Previously closed for touring due to extensive restoration, it's back open again. Don't miss the 2 large  photos on display in the upper story showing the Rotunda when it housed the campus library during different periods. Be sure to poke around the book shelves as there might be a special exhibit on loan from the UVA Special Collections Library (another nearby campus treasure that one should explore). Also do not miss the many secret gardens behind the original campus, called the Academical Village.

Gazing over the Lawn from the lower level UVA Rotunda

A glorious day in Charlottesville, Virginia with friends!

~Rebecca

Supreme Court ruling to Collect States Sales Tax trickle down effect of Rising Costs of Shopping Online

Vintage mirror for sale in my online store, ForsythiaHill

Online sellers have been dreading this day. Shopping online just got a little more expensive today due to the Supreme Court 5 - 4 ruling allowing states to collect sales tax from ALL buyers.

As with many things these days, it's complicated. I think many of us pay sales tax for any retail store purchase without thought. It's a little fee added to each receipt that we have no option of reducing or avoiding. It's just THERE. But we might notice this fee when buying products online. Sometimes it appears, other times it's missing (which is an extra bonus). The reason you often do not see a sales tax fee on your online purchase is because you live in a different state from where your item is located (technically, it's where the sellers business is registered that you are buying from). 

One of a kind vintage dress in my shop, ForsythiaHill

The real complication comes in when states - and even jurisdictions within states - are allowed to set their own sales tax rates and rules. To any small online seller, the tracking, collecting, and submitting sales tax fees is akin to getting a root canal. It's a total downer, brain buster, and all around pain in the A**. I can only imagine that Apps are being developed (or probably have been developed) to manage this headache / toothache.

In order for states to begin collecting sales tax on EVERY single sale regardless if you buy a product in a retail store or online, each state will have to pass a law to do so. The problem is that when states begin make individual laws to begin collecting tax for online sales (and they will in droves) they can craft any rule they please. Congress needs to act ASAP to restrict the crazydom that can develop from this ruling!

I'm need one of these after writing this blog!

There are two states that have already begun collecting sales tax from anyone and everyone no matter if you reside in that state (Washington State and Pennsylvania). Fortunately for small sellers these states only require those that sell $10,000 in sales a year to their states have to collect and remit. So at least some guidelines exist as to how to draft these laws. Given that over 40 states and DC have their very own rates, one can imagine the laws will also vary. 

So in a nutshell, if you buy online you will see sales tax added more and more as states adopt the permission to collect sales tax from not only buyers living in the state of product origin, but from just about any US buyer. I'm going to really have to think if an International sale can have a state sales tax added. Hum? 

Small sellers need your business to stay in business!

Currently the purchaser of the product (BUYER) pays the tax and the seller has to submit that collected tax to the proper state. I sell mainly on Etsy and so far they are collecting this tax - so far - for WA and PA (from the buyer) and submitting it to the states for the millions of sellers - THANKFULLY. If they did not, I would feel many sellers would leave their platform, so it is in their best interest to do this. The problem comes about if you have your own website and YOU have to collect this fee and distribute it to over 40 states. To a small seller the thought of calculating this is astronomically time consuming. I will note that South Dakota has proposed to limit the burden of collection to higher sellers -- more than $100,000 in sales annually.

Higher prices are not liked by online sellers or buyers!

I do see the foreshadowing of higher fees charged to sellers by Amazon, Ebay, Etsy, and other online webstores. For them managing sales tax collection will be fairly route and simple but you can bet they will use this as an excuse to charge sellers higher fees. Amazon has the highest sellers fees and has been paying state taxes to over 40 states for years because they have warehouse locations in nearly every state. Etsy just raised their seller fee and is now also charging this fee on the shipping cost as well. 

There doesn't appear to be any break for the small online seller at the moment or for the consumer. Buying online just got a little more expensive. As the cost of running an online store increases, sellers throw in the towel. Consumer choice suffers as the variety of items that can be purchased declines. 

When will buying online be looked at as too costly and consumers dream about the good old days when you could just go to that thing once called a mall. The evolution of the shopping experience has yet to be mapped out. 

~Rebecca

Levy Lions discovered at Little Biltmore in North Carolina

The Levy Lions with Shields gazing down on tiered gardens.

My mother recently told me that when I was a little girl I loved to put together puzzles (something that I still enjoy). I also love suspense and surprises, so searching for the Levy Lions was a fascination. When I began my quest to find the Levy Lion statues I never dreamed that it would take 5 years to track down 4 massive lion statues. I began to fear the worst as time has a way of eroding and destroying history. In the early 1900's Charlottesville photographer Rufus Holsinger photographed the lion statues many times, over many years, at Monticello. Big, heavy statues don't just disappear.

Amazing manes make this pair unique.

If you have been following my quest, I know you are relieved to know that all four lions have been accounted for! I had a feeling someone would eventually stumble upon my blog and contact me with a lead, and that's exactly what happened. A woman who lives in California claimed her parents had the pair of Levy lions with shields. The history passed down to them by the prior owners of their estate was that in the 1920's the lions were pulled from a storage area that held Levy family items. This certainly lines up with the 1928 removal of Levy items from Monticello. It was even rumored that the lions were won in a poker game! Who acquired the lions and where they were being stored is still a mystery. They could have been purchased at auction and warehoused or removed by a Levy heir prior to auction.

Historic Holsinger photos (1 and 3) vs current photos (2 and 4)

I still had to authenticate the lions. After several fake lion scares, I was suspect. As luck would have it, I was able to do a little online research because the historic home where the lions reside is currently listed for sale and there are several photos of the pair of lions. I knew the second I saw the lions that they were authentic but I proceeded to create a side by side comparison of historic and current photos. One of my favorite historic photos is of the back of the lion which outlines every muscle and details the lovely mane. Another match was the cursive "L" inscribed on the front shield. I've seen several without any inscription so to find anything on the shield is rare. The only discrepancy is time and wear. The lions are missing a few teeth but everything else matches up!

Massive circular fountain bowl & record red Maple on right

The lions guard a historic home and grounds that has an extensive history. Secluded on 28 acres of solitude in virgin forests, Chanteloup is on the North Carolina registry of historic homes. The estate was built in 1840 for a french Count and Countess and has been referred to as Little Biltmore. Two sisters bought Chanteloup around 1900 and hired famed designer Frederick Olmsted, the father of American Landscape Architecture. The Norton sisters knew the Vanderbilt's who were planning to build their estate in Virginia until they visited Chanteloup and fell in love with North Carolina. To note, a state record holding Ornamental Maple tree is on the property.

Leonard and the Levy Lion

Not only was the trip to see the lions amazing, the property owners, Linda and Leonard celebrated this event with us by providing lunch on the veranda. I could gaze upon the lions and the Olmsted gardens and watch the birds dip and dive down in the valley below. We were lucky as it was the first warm Spring day where you could actually sit outside.

Beautiful wall mural painted by Leonard

Linda has an eye for color which is tastefully reflected in the home with updated features and decor but in keeping with the historic charm, period pieces have been collected. Over the years many renovations have preserved the home for future generations to enjoy. The property would make a wonderful museum or wedding reception venue. Linda and Leonard so hate to leave Chanteloup, having committed 20+ years restoring their beautiful home. Even the lions could be sold if the right party would come along. Maybe it's time for them to be reunited with a Levy heir? Time will tell, just please let me know the new owner!

I can't think of a better spot for the lions and am happy they have owners that appreciate them as I do.

~Rebecca 

Rush to get to the Levy Lions, quick detour to the North Carolina Arboretum

NC Arboretum, up with the dog walkers

Rushing as fast as we could to hopefully end the quest to find the missing pair of Levy Lions, we were thwarted once again. Attempting to get to our destination before sunset we still had another 30 miles to go. We were not going to make it and after a horribly exhausting day getting stuck in traffic for hours, we were forced to grab a hotel room at 9 pm in Asheville, North Carolina.

Lovely yellow Magnolia tree

I blindly booked a room on my phone based on good reviews. I had no idea where it was located - just somewhere in Asheville. Missteps snowballed as we attempted to check into the wrong hotel but miraculously the right hotel was conveniently 4 miles from the North Carolina Arboretum! Exhaustion was not going to keep me in bed the next morning and we arrived when the Arboretum doors opened at 8 am!

NC Arboretum Visitors Center lined with tulips & ranunculus

We were scheduled to see the lion statues at noon so we had a few hours to roam the tranquil forests and landscaped grounds! I'm not sure which I was more excited about, lions or trees. After all this is the NC Arboretum, this is not a forest you just drive-by without stopping. I can't believe that I had originally planned our trip to do such a ghastly thing!

It was a tad bit early in the season as many plants were only thinking about unfurling leaves and bursting open blossoms. But no matter the time of year, there is always something interesting to see; mountain views, majestic trees, thick forests, babbling brooks, stonework, and even bonsai plantings.

Frederick Olmsted,father of American Landscape Architecture

The Arboretum is located at the end of the road after leaving fits of traffic and shopping malls which makes this peaceful place even more special. Each day our protected forests are being walled in by roads and businesses, or just plain greed. In Virginia we have protesters camping out in equally as majestic trees to stop pipelines from destroying privately owned land and our national forests. Imminent domain is used to seize ANY property for "justifiable public good". These last three words can be construed to suit business interests and PROFITS.

Prominent sculpture of butterfly wings and chrysalis

I wonder if those in the business of tree destruction have a soul? The feeling one gets in quiet places among spring ephemerals, walls of trees, and trickling brooks is worth fighting to preserve. Even 20 years ago I thought it unimaginable that our national forests would fall prey to corporate greed. Times have changed and people are nearly going to war to save what soon could all be trashed. Make note, the door has OPENED WIDER.

Tiered gardens guarded by Levy Lions, designed by F. Olmsted

I was sad to leave the magical forest environ but a short drive took us to an amazing spot where the Levy Lions have stood waiting to be found for all to read about. Sunday I will reveal the amazing details about the lions!

~Rebecca 

Monticello Levy Lions, Exciting Discovery

One of the Levy Lions with Shield

If you have been following my blog posts concerning the large lion statues that were on the grounds of Monticello in the early 1900's, I have exciting news to share!

To recap, four lion statues were pictorially recorded mainly by local photographer, Rufus Holsinger. These statues were assumed to have been purchased by the owner of Monticello, Jefferson Monroe Levy, at least as early as 1905. Two statues were of lions with a ball under a paw and two other statues were of lions holding a shield with a large L inscribed. The ball footed lions became famous when their photo, along with Monticello, were minted on the back of the two dollar bill. It was noted by a local Charlottesville resident that it was in error because they were to honor Thomas Jefferson, but the lions were placed at Monticello long after Thomas Jefferson died and were owned by the Levy family.

Ball footed lion, 1912 historic Rufus Holsinger photo

I became very curious about the whereabouts of the lion statues after finding no concrete documentation as to what happened to them after the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation purchased the estate in 1923. Five years later any property that was not present during Thomas Jefferson's lifetime was sold at auctions held at Monticello and in New York City.

My search for the lions began in 2013 and eventually I tracked down the ball footed lions but the lions with shields remained elusive. Recently I went to the Monticello library for clues. Even with the help of the wonderful library staff, I once again hit a dead end.

Rumor was that lions statues ended up in a junkyard. The thought of this has always horrified me but certainly was a possibility due to the size of the lions and difficulty transporting such beasts. During the transport of a similar lion, the weight topped out at 3,000 pounds!

First lion reported as authentic, not a match.

I have been contacted a few times with reports of lion sightings only to determine they are not the statues that are in historic photographs from Monticello.

My hope was that eventually someone would read my blog posts online and contact me. Finally - finally someone has done just that!

Second lion reported as authentic, not a match in the least.

It is reported that the lions with shields have been gazing over grounds created by famed landscape architect, Frederick Olmsted and guarding the home of what has been referred to as "little Biltmore"! Oh if it is true, it's such an exciting discovery and fitting site for these historic lions.

In a few days I will publish my findings after seeing the lions with my own eyes!

~Rebecca