Plans

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2023

August 19, 2023: Jan sent a photo of the new balcony, saying that the renovations are almost complete. They are thrilled with the new balcony: it's probably 30 - 50 percent bigger, new beams were added to extend the roof, and best change: the "solid" wall was opened to see-through metal railing. Ruth had put the "solid" wall up for more privacy, but this new railing really opens things up.

 

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2022

April 25, 2022: see also, future.

After Ruth moved from her "summer home" (2013?) and before Jan and Dave bought the "Montana house" (2021), the house was often the site for Oksol family reunions. During these family reunions, the siblings thought of ways to keep the house in the "Carl and Ruth" tradition.

Those plans are kept here, archived, but obviously after Dave and Jan bought the house, things will change.  This is NOW Dave and Jan's house.

This page will be updated as I learn more from Jan and Dave.

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2021

Balcony pass-through window:

Cameron's indoor-outdoor kitchen: 

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2020

Update, 2021: instead of a granny pad for Dave, the plans were changed significantly in 2021. Now, the "granny pad" will become a new garage to the east of the house, attached, with an entry in the rear with access to a huge washer/dryer utility room. The old garage / Craig's hunting room will be converted to a huge living area for Dave with bedroom, "bonus room," and, a bar that all opens to an enclosed patio facing the lake and accessible through through huge sliding doors.

Granny Pad
Posted: summer, 2020

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Alternative
Posted: summer, 2020

Instead of a "granny pad" on Ruth's lot, how about a fairy tale cottage on Bruce's lot. Very low so it won't obstruct the view of the neighbor up the hill to the west. Outside, the cottage would look "old" and quaint, but inside, all the amenities of the 21st century.

Also, to minimize obstruction of the view, no tall trees, but a very nice British garden.

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Until Then
Posted: summer, 2020

When Jan and Dave more out to Montana full-time, I'm going to have professional landscapers come in and re-sod the grass on our lot. The grass in Flathead is incredible; lush, green, and easily maintained if done right.

Then, once the grass is in, I will turn the lot into an English / a British garden. I'll get ideas from existing gardens; get input from Jan, et al, and then put that in. No tall trees; nothing to obscure the view of the neighbor farther up the hill to the west of Ruth's house.

Maybe concentrate on natural foliage from the Flathead area.

Possibly, a small Japanese garden in the center, or maybe in one of the corners. The lot is easily big enough for a very, very nice flower garden, but also a small Japanese area.

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After Ruth / Before Jan & Dave

Motel 6 concept ("we'll leave the [security] lights on")

• each room with its own towels, linens, etc

Kitchen

• "island" to replace that table; utilitarian, perhaps at first, but then Carl-approved

Hunting lodge

• bunk bed
• initially utilitarian, but then Carl-approved
• eventually custom made, solid wood, rustic, fit in with rest of hunting lodge

Plumbing

• re-do all taps, shower heads

Phone

• no cost; leave it as is; security system might require it (don't know details) 

Light bulbs

• only LED bulbs unless you want to be known forever as a non-environmentalist and Trump supporter 

Themed Rooms

Note: have fun, but everything must be Carl-approved in general and Ruth-approved for framing. 

The cowboy room; Craig-based theme

• hunting lodge downstairs
• bunk bed
• move freezer to new location, perhaps in the garage, in the back if there's room; replace with inexpensive refrigerator for the hunting lodge

Theme 2

• master bedroom
• perhaps the Redlin pictures (max, 2; rotate the rest) 

Theme 3

• contemporary theme (Norwegian) -- Jan is eager to do a Norwegian room
• middle bedroom

Theme 4

• far south bedroom
• Spanish (Mexican, Hispanic) room

Theme 5

• downstairs living area
• entertainment center
• Carl's study (small photo of Dad)
• English pub; proposed table and chairs; 
• (alternatively, Connor suggests a Casino Royale theme; poker table, etc)
• game room: Scrabble; Mah Jongg, monopoly

Theme 6

• kitchen
• photo of mom

Theme 7

• garage
• "lakeside" theme

Theme 8

• hallway bathroom
  

Theme 9

• hallway
• family pictures
• graduation pictures
• wedding photos

Theme 10

• laundry room
• Carl-approved shelf

Theme 11

• pending