Up In the Air

Chris and I hovered around the edges of the roaring machinery listening for any changes in the noise that would alert us to the fact that something was wrong. There was so much large equipment racing around the house that we didn't dare to get too close. But every once in a while we would chance it and move in for a picture. It took most of the morning for Mr. Sylvester and his crew to position the girders onto the cribs and through the holes in the foundation. Then towards the middle of the afternoon we were informed that "lift off" would be in about 5 minutes. Chris and I stood in front of the house, watching intently and silently willing the house to levitate off it's foundation in into it's construction place. Eyes watching for any movement, we heard a creaking sound as it ever so slightly was removed from the concrete blocks it had been resting on for over 50 years. Chris and I held our breath, lest anything happen at this critical moment. And up and up it went.  Then all the machines were turned off, blocks were reset, hydraulic jacks were repositioned and the crew got ready for another round  of lifting. They lifted the house about 16 inches at a time until they raised it to about 8 feet above the old foundation. I commented to Mr. Sylvester that I thought this was a little extreme and couldn't he lower it down a bit. But there needs to be enough space for the foundation crew to be able to work under the house. Then when that work is completed the house will be lowered. We couldn't believe that this herculean effort was accomplished in just  two days. Mr Sylvester told us that it was only possible because of the modern hydraulic lifters and the aid of a laser level. When all the machines were quiet, Mr. Sylvester rode off on his big Harley chopper and all we could hear was the song of the male cardinal who had been watching the proceedings all day from a nearby tree, Chris and I stood in front of our summer cottage and wondered "What the hell are we doing".