Let the Visitors Come!
Mon, Jun 29 2009 06:17
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The friends and family light is up and the bowl o' signing stones is stocked and ready. To heck with trying to get it all perfect first! I am ready to sit and visit!!! Six of my sisters and Karen spent the weekend with me for the Seventh Annual Seven Sisters Summer Solstice. We had a blast. Only Susie didn't make it.
We thoroughly enjoyed the hot tub. We got in at night and watched shooting stars and satellites. We saw 10 on our best night. Then, we had to get up early every morning to watch the big, fat, pink sun rise up over Turtle Mountain. I had great fun at Linda and Karen's land. We walked in the river to a bend and gathered rocks. The water was flowing pretty good there, and several of us body "surfed". Once we hooked up head to feet and four of us floated in like a snake for over a 100 yard. Alas, no videos were available to capture our feat. I am ecstatic to report that I can get PIZZA DELIVERY on Big Hill! We had pizza and salad the last night and celebrated Mary's 50th birthday with homemade peach ice cream (made without electricity!) and birthday cake.
I was so sad to see them go, but took the opportunity to unpack a bit more, vacuum and take a nap! Then Tracy came out and we hung out watching a couple of movies. And lo and behold! watching a rain storm pass over. That was a very welcome sight, as we are in a burn ban- again!! And in fact, we have had a disaster declared due to the threat of more fires- there were twelve last week! Needless to say, my cardboard and stump piles are not getting any smaller.
My queen sized mattress set was delivered today, just too late for sister weekend. I will look forward to sleeping in it after I get help moving it to the master suite.
My first house payment is due Thursday. That signifies a real mark of progress. I am finally paying regular old notes, like everyone else. Now let's have more parties!!
My first house payment is due Thursday. That signifies a real mark of progress. I am finally paying regular old notes, like everyone else. Now let's have more parties!!
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Molly G is...In...The...House!!!
Tue, Jun 23 2009 10:30
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Except when I am in Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, etc.....I have traveled every week for a few months. I am honestly ready to SIT for a while. Last week I was in beautiful Destin, FL for a conference. The sunset pictured is of the bay view from my room.
I did manage to get the friends and family light completely put together. It is as beautiful as I hoped, and I hope lots of friends and family pass beneath it's welcoming light.
My sisters will be on the hill with me this weekend. Seven Sister Summer Solstice 2009. I look forward to hanging out with them for a couple of leisurely days.
Also, I have to share this, because I think it is so cool. My dad, who will turn 80 in a month, joined a volleyball team at his church. Mom is the score keeper. They are really enjoying themselves, and I am delighted by the whole thing.
I will try to get some updated photos, but until next week....peace from the hill
Where Do I Live?
Thu, Jun 18 2009 05:30
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In anticipation of an imminent move to Big Hill I started moving some of my things out there. Every time I have made a trip there in the last two weeks I have repacked the same four boxes.
I have been on two business trips since I started this process. On both trips I forgot to bring underpants and a swim suit- both trips were on or near a beach. The first time I bought the bare necessities. The second trip I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it all over again, so I got up at dawn and drove back out Big Hill before leaving Glen Rose for my flight.
For some reason I thought I would be in the house by now. It just seems there is always one more thing that really ought to take place before I move in. Like sealing the floors, or having the dryer connected, or the sound system in, or the ladder removed from the kitchen. It has been like running in molasses. The harder I try the harder it seems.
Mike started getting the rock floor sealed this past weekend, and Tracy and I finished it on Monday night. We like it so much we decided we need to put a second coat on the floors in the bathrooms and the sun room. See what I mean? Always one more thing. At some point, hopefully in the next two weeks, I will simply take the plunge and claim residence there. I simply don’t want to fall prey to the human nature supported dilemma of moving in and never finishing those last few things.
Steve, a local rock and grade guy, graded the front “yard” and laid down a caliche and dirt circle drive, which we designed after the one on Glenn’s house plans. We made it smaller than the original plans called for. Ours has a radius of 28 feet from the center of the drive to the inner edge of the walkway, but it seems pretty looming, considering the current complete dearth of landscaping. Eventually I will add xeroscaping, but that falls way behind a dining room table and a bed.
Tracy’s kids came out on Sunday- Ashley, Jerrod and his girlfriend Jeanette. They got in the hot tub, and then we ate pizza on the deck. I am sorry to say I forgot to take a photo of us all together! Tracy’s two sisters with their spouses will be out this coming weekend for Girls Night Out. That should be a hoot.
I am about to get on a plane and head back “home”, and I am hoping that will be quite a bit more definitive very soon.
I have been on two business trips since I started this process. On both trips I forgot to bring underpants and a swim suit- both trips were on or near a beach. The first time I bought the bare necessities. The second trip I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it all over again, so I got up at dawn and drove back out Big Hill before leaving Glen Rose for my flight.
For some reason I thought I would be in the house by now. It just seems there is always one more thing that really ought to take place before I move in. Like sealing the floors, or having the dryer connected, or the sound system in, or the ladder removed from the kitchen. It has been like running in molasses. The harder I try the harder it seems.
Mike started getting the rock floor sealed this past weekend, and Tracy and I finished it on Monday night. We like it so much we decided we need to put a second coat on the floors in the bathrooms and the sun room. See what I mean? Always one more thing. At some point, hopefully in the next two weeks, I will simply take the plunge and claim residence there. I simply don’t want to fall prey to the human nature supported dilemma of moving in and never finishing those last few things.
Steve, a local rock and grade guy, graded the front “yard” and laid down a caliche and dirt circle drive, which we designed after the one on Glenn’s house plans. We made it smaller than the original plans called for. Ours has a radius of 28 feet from the center of the drive to the inner edge of the walkway, but it seems pretty looming, considering the current complete dearth of landscaping. Eventually I will add xeroscaping, but that falls way behind a dining room table and a bed.
Tracy’s kids came out on Sunday- Ashley, Jerrod and his girlfriend Jeanette. They got in the hot tub, and then we ate pizza on the deck. I am sorry to say I forgot to take a photo of us all together! Tracy’s two sisters with their spouses will be out this coming weekend for Girls Night Out. That should be a hoot.
I am about to get on a plane and head back “home”, and I am hoping that will be quite a bit more definitive very soon.
I Want to Go Home
Tue, Jun 9 2009 10:28
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Due to more travels, I only had Saturday to spend on Big Hill. Tracy came down with the last mesquite door and a DR brush cutter to clean up the undergrowth under the oak groves. I had thought about getting one before I met him, but had decided I was a bit scared of running one, since they are pretty powerful machines. I am thrilled that Tracy decided to contribute one to the outdoor arsenal. We didn't have time to sue it though, since we only had one day before I left Texas. Again.
I am writing this blog entry from Florida. Since I closed on the house four weeks ago I haven't been in Glen Rose more than two nights in a row. Not home long enough to buy groceries or eat leftovers. Or move furniture, or finish the last few interior chores on Big Hill, and start making it a home.
Throughout this blog I have admitted that patience is not one of my strong suits, and that certainly has not changed. But after five years of concerted planning and sweating, I am really, really ready to settle in. right now I have stuff in both houses and don't feel quite at home in either place. The Bonaparte of houses!
There are glimmers of progress- the seven sister lights are up! Not finished out, but hanging in their rightful place. One of the garage door openers is up. Now I just need to get the rock floors sealed so I can take the paper off the bamboo floors and give the whole interior a massive cleaning. Then start bringing in furniture and books and dishes and, as Ava Grace says, "all my stuff, everything I need."
And turn this house into a home.
Ode to the Punch LIst
Wed, Jun 3 2009 02:34
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Well, I DID buy a house. I just can’t seem to get in it. I got back from the two week trip to Florida on Saturday and left again Monday for a work trip to Atlanta, where I am sitting in my work booth right now. I get back from this trip on Thursday night and leave again for a four-day trip to Miami on Sunday.
I did stay overnight there, with G-Man and Sweet Pea, last Saturday and Sunday. We slept on the hanging bed in the sun room. The stars were brilliant through the windows, and the morning light woke me gently. But I was surprised that I, like my two cats, didn’t feel like I had finally come “home”. I thought about it all weekend and came to several conclusions.
I don’t think I will feel at home until the house is actually completed. And I don’t want to move in until it is completed. The seven sister lights aren’t up (althought there has been a ladder in my kitchen for a few weeks...), the washer and dryer aren’t hooked up, the garage door openers aren’t installed, the front door entry set is temporary. In order to lock the house up I have to leave from one of the back doors and walk around. The rock floors still need sealing. The master bath shower needs to be reset so that I don’t get water spraying from both the hand held and the fixed spout spray at the same time. There are so many other things.
It is constantly overwhelming, and my job and my adult responsibilities didn’t disappear just so I can get this house completed and furnished.
I do have a front walk, but Mike built it as a ramp and not as a step down like I asked for. We even went out there and measured for the depth of steps. He just had a brain fart. It will make Glenn happy that the front entry will be ADA compliant. Perhaps it will make me happy one day too.
Anyway, I thought about my little house on Grace Street, and how much heart and soul I have poured into that place over the last five years to make it my home. I can’t expect to instantly feel connected and at home on Big Hill. There is virtually no furniture out there, no decoration, no fingerprint of myself, if you will.
Having said all this, on Sunday afternoon, Tracy and I went “swimming” in the hot tub, with the water just warm enough to keep us from getting chilled. I bought a cheap float and we just hung out for a couple of hours, watching the buzzards fly and enjoying a perfect June afternoon. There was a moment, when leaning on my float with my eyes closed, listening to the wind and the birds and the water and feeling the sun on my shoulders, that I felt a palpable contentment and peace.
So I will keep my hand to the grinding stone, and little by little make Big Hill a home, ready to welcome friends and family and share in many happy moments.
I Bought a House Today. I Think.
Mon, May 18 2009 10:25
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I don't see the ledger balance on my bank account showing the loan amount removed. And in light of the total DRAMA in getting to the point of closing, I am not counting on anything until I see it.
I signed the papers on Wednesday, the day before I left for Florida with my parents for two weeks. On Thursday as I was driving to Tracy's, on my way to Louisiana, I received a call that one of the pages was notarized and was not supposed to be. Legal matters being as silly as they can sometimes be, I had to sign another one in person and overnight it to the Title company. So, Heidi faxed the copies to me, Tracy printed them out- two copies, as we decided to keep one for back up in light of Murphy's continual presence lately. We took them to a postal place and paid twenty dollars to get them overnighted to the title company.
Even though I signed something that said I didn't change my mind about getting the loan, I was supposed to fax a second version of the same thing to the title company no earlier than Sunday, but no later than first thing Monday morning. Heidi said she would do that for me, since I would be on vacation.
Monday morning no fax had been received by the title company. A couple of frantic calls later Heidi had it taken care of, and we were back on track. But like I say, I will hold off on the big celebration until I see the loan balance disappear!
I gave Mike the list of things required to finish the house - not the punch list, but things I actually need to live there. Hopefully he is getting them done while I am away. We have GOT to get the red dirt covered up. If we don't the house will never be clean. That is on my early list of post move in things.
Here is Sanibel we were mostly sequestered today by the rain. Rain every day in the forecast, I think for the whole time. Hopefully not every day ALL day though. By the time Tracy, Ashley and Brea get here we will be stir crazy.
We are having a good time and very much enjoying this beautiful home. It is good to be back next to the water like this. There is just something about the ocean. So soothing. After the last two weeks it is hitting just the right spot.
No. Not Today.
Mon, May 11 2009 09:23
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I am reminded of the story of how for lack of a nail the war was lost. We are one survey short. Found out Friday. I talked with them two and a half weeks ago and was under the erroneous understanding that they were sending a team out imminently.
Friday my lender called to say we did not have it, that we had to have it to close, and that he called and was told due to rain they were one to two weeks behind. That it had to be done Monday or we were going to have to get an extension (not to mention the bank's response and the fact that I leave for 16 days on Thursday). I prayed and called and asked them to prioritize me if no one else was waiting on a survey to close their home, that I would lose the rate, that I appreciated their dilemma, heck I don't even remember all I said. I just know they said OK to Monday- today, weather notwithstanding.
Today I woke up to heavy mist and a cold breeze. I rode out to the property, called the survey folks and was told they were still going to try. By 10 AM I still had not seen them and couldn't be brave anymore. I cried. And prayed.
They showed up. I thanked them and God profusely and now will maintain contact with their office and my lending office to ensure timely paperwork.
The five brothers lights are all up, but not the sisters, and the friends and family light still lacks bulbs and glass globes.
There are so many other things that are half done, done but need repairs, not done at all, etc, etc. I have to remind myself it is not a contest or a race. Except for the closing. That is most certainly a race. I am just about out of breathe, but I can see the ribbon stretching across the road and will keep putting one foot in front of the other, and rest on the other side. Sort of...
Friday my lender called to say we did not have it, that we had to have it to close, and that he called and was told due to rain they were one to two weeks behind. That it had to be done Monday or we were going to have to get an extension (not to mention the bank's response and the fact that I leave for 16 days on Thursday). I prayed and called and asked them to prioritize me if no one else was waiting on a survey to close their home, that I would lose the rate, that I appreciated their dilemma, heck I don't even remember all I said. I just know they said OK to Monday- today, weather notwithstanding.
Today I woke up to heavy mist and a cold breeze. I rode out to the property, called the survey folks and was told they were still going to try. By 10 AM I still had not seen them and couldn't be brave anymore. I cried. And prayed.
They showed up. I thanked them and God profusely and now will maintain contact with their office and my lending office to ensure timely paperwork.
The five brothers lights are all up, but not the sisters, and the friends and family light still lacks bulbs and glass globes.
There are so many other things that are half done, done but need repairs, not done at all, etc, etc. I have to remind myself it is not a contest or a race. Except for the closing. That is most certainly a race. I am just about out of breathe, but I can see the ribbon stretching across the road and will keep putting one foot in front of the other, and rest on the other side. Sort of...
Ten Feet from the Mountain Top
Wed, May 6 2009 12:05
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Sooooo close. I am late writing the blog because I thought I might have news today that the final appraisal had been completed. We had the interim appraisal, but need this final one that says the house is ready for move in so that we can schedule the close date.
We are shooting for May 11, and it all comes down to this. We thought Casey was going to be there today. Mike and his guys have been out there long hours this week, and Mike even brought in extra help from his friend Paul. Last night Lalo and Armando came into the garage with an almost dead copperhead snake on the shovel they were using. twenty feet from the garage is a bit too clse for my comfort.
As it turns out, if we can still get the final report passed to TexasLending.com by Thursday, we are still safe to close May 11. And we are in a better light to have the final appraisal tomorrow, since the place has been cleaned and the last few things worked on.
The septic tank is running, it only needs a permanent power source at the house- we have it running off of a plug right now. The propane tank is in the ground and supplying the range and tankless water heaters. Tracy had to help Mike quickly find a rock trencher when our guy bailed at the last minute, but despite that and torrential rains this week we got 'er done.
I have AC running as well, though one of the units has a faulty part and won't work fully until it is replaced. The hanging twin bed is up in the sun room, the five brothers lights are up. Still waiting on the seven sisters lights and the friends and family light at the front door. And I don't like the front door entry set. I drove to Granbury to turn them in and got talked out of it. Tonight I am back where I started. The front door is no place for compromise.
The remaining appliances will be delivered tomorrow. The water treatment tanks/equipment will be in place by the end of the week, which is great since my water is orange with iron! The hot tub pebble tech coating will be placed tomorrow and the next day will be filled with water. I will have it working this weekend when my friend Beth comes to visit from Houston- but I don't know if I will actually know how to run it!
It is really starting to look like a home. Lots and lots of work to do, but isnt that always the case? Hopefully next week's blog will report a closing!
Final Countdown
Mon, Apr 27 2009 11:13
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To be exact, the final count down, to the final appraisalbefore closing. Yes, that's right, the closing. That in itself is quite the momentous occasion. We were trying hard to get everything finished by this Friday, but the rain started falling last night and came with a several-hour tornado warning. We have rain in the forecast for every day this week. It wouldn't be a huge problem, except that I have a very large back hoe/rock digger machine about 10 feet from my front door that is only half through digging two holes.
The first hole was for the septic tank, They expected it to take 6 hours, but it took three days. The silver lining is that I hold the award for the hardest rock they have come a cross...woohoo.
They were going to dig the propane tank hole today, but got rained out. Unfortunately, if they had been able to work Saturday, they might have actually been done with the whole project. Oh well...
Speaking of the rain, we had a bit of rain come through the house down the columns and chimney, despite the flashing added. Mike did not add the sealant yet though and will do so this week. We sure can't have rain coming through the walls.
So, our new time line is getting all the MUST DO FOR FINAL APPRAISAL things done by Monday. On Tuesday we hope to have Casey back for a final appraisal, which will put us on a fairly firm schedule to close on May 11. I am praying that is will work out for that day, which will keep us inside the due date for the bank loan to be transferred without penalties and losk in a great loan rate.
Mike, Drexal and teams have been working furiously to get the final list completed. Mike almost finished the stairs, we have just one middle railing to go. Same for the deck. The lights are starting to go up. Tracy had to get a rush order for a 24 inch down rod extension for the master bedroom fan, so it wouldn't hit the beams. Heaven is in the details.
The glass shower walls are up in the master bath. I heart them very much. Tracy and I cleaned and then sealed the rock floors there and in the guest bath, and today I applied a second coat, plus did the tile back splash. It is cool seeing the colors in the rock come out. The rain forest tile back splash reminds me of all the colors of tropical fish- and how much whimsy Gos has put into His creation.
Linda and Karen came out on Sunday and put in several hours of work. They put Danish oil on nine mesquite doors. They decided they'll have to have some in their own house, since they are so beautiful!
It was a bit weird not having the rock guys out this week- they left on Wednesday after completing the hot tub steps and decking. the results are quite nice. I will have them back to rock the front entry way as soon as funds allow.
All in all a productive week. And we are truly in a rush to the finish line. In the final countdown of the pre-closing phase. Can you believe it???!!!
Looking to the Future...
Tue, Apr 21 2009 08:37
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...is really the only way to get through this part of the project. We are so close!
Drexel and his guys have really stepped up to help in David's absence. They just about have the back deck completed. But like so many things on my six page To-Do list, I can't put the green highlighter though "complete deck" because it isn't TOTALLY done. Same with the front entry, the lights, the floors, the plumbing, the rock work, etc., etc., etc. Almost everything is almost done. Almost.
Today is the official day that the loan should have closed. Needless to say it will not happen. I have been in touch with Casey, the appraiser, and she hoped to complete the tentative appraisal last night. No word yet today. I have to get this all wrapped up before I take Mom and Dad to Florida on May 14 for two weeks. So many spinning plates!
Speaking of Mom and Dad, they made a momentous trip all by themselves to my house this weekend. We had such fun playing the tourist role in Glen Rose. Tracy and Ashley came down Thursday night, and we toured the Big Hill construction before dinner. On Friday, Mom, Dad and I went to the miniature horse show at the expo center and marvelled at the tiny equines, especially their little high pitched neighs. Then we went to Fossil Rim, where I learned I am a bit afraid of ostriches. At least when they try to get in the car with you. They are excessively large and aggressive. We pretty much had the park to ourselves, as it was a weekday and the rain had just stopped. Linda, Karen and Melanie joined us for another tour of Big Hill, where Mom and Dad climbed up to the sky deck for the second time! We went to their land as well, to see the newly acquired acreage with the magnificent oak tree.
On Saturday Tracy came down and we headed to Austin for Travis' wedding, my sister Terri's son. The wedding was beautiful, the bride and groom both ridiculously good looking. And if Kristen is half as kind as Travis, they will also be the nicest couple on the block.
Now I am off to tackle my personal list o' Things to Do! Git 'er Done!!!
