The View From Big Hill

2009- New Beginnings

2009-01-06T11:09:00.004-06:00

New Year's Eve passed quietly on the hill. A waxing crescent moon, Venus, Jupiter and Mercury all lined up in a tall rectangle in the southwestern sky. Venus was the brightest it would be all year. It was so cold that Tracy and I sat in the sun room, currently the construction "junk room", to watch the show.

We settled into two chairs squeezed in amongst the tiles, nails, lumber, tape and paint supplies, while we sipped on Cabernet and mused about past and future times. A feral orange tabby cat wandered in and out of our view. Even in the middle of the construction chaos there was a peaceful atmosphere. I imagine that will only get better.

The weather this the week went from brutal chill to spring time highs and then back to ice! While the warmth prevailed Johnny and his guys completed one of the front dry stack walls, much to my delight. I know they are tired of me asking every single day, "Are y'all going to finish that wall today?" To which Frank always replies, "Yes, we'll finish at five o'clock".

The wood on the ceiling is almost all done. Just half of the kitchen and TV area left to do, and then of course the edging (not to be confused with crown molding- there will be none of that here). They also got most of the wooden slats on the TV wall nailed up, and it looks very nice. We just turned the car siding over to show the non beaded side and used up the leftovers in a random pattern. I really like the way the grain shows.

I ordered all the rest of the ceiling fans on-line. It is a bit like Christmas when you order from the Internet, since you don't really get to see how something looks until it arrives. So far I have been very pleased with my choices. I just hope it looks good together, all in one house. In my head it all flows beautifully and is overall a very peaceful setting. Let's hope for a successful transition from mind to reality.

We are in the "home" stretch, and I find myself having to calm down a bit, stay on target, and remember that God is, as always, in control of every single thing. And He is the Boss of me.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-25T22:31:00.003-06:00

Christmas Day has finally come- and is almost gone! A lot has changed since last year when I watched the full moon rise up over the far horizon on Christmas Eve. Back them there was no foundation, and I had a fire going right in the middle of where the living room now stands.

This week I attended Tim's funeral. It seems everyone thought as highly of him as I did.

It doesn't seem real yet that he won't be here to finish the house with us. Mike and I met yesterday to try and help us both get a sense of how we will get the house completed by the end of the loan period. The bank graciously extended the interim construction period through the middle of April, and we will need every day of it.

The guys are working hard to do what they can. I know it is hard for them. They have started putting up the car siding on the ceilings. It looks really good.

The stone work is going very slowly- it is exacting work. They still haven't completed the two front walls, but at least they have made it to the roof line. It is also going to cost more than expected. No surprise there.

This week Tracy and I saw a big ol' tom turkey crossing FM 203, then walk into a pasture and cross paths with a deer. On the same trip out we saw two bobcats cross paths right at the bottom of the hill on 2012. Yesterday I saw a road runner. The animals are very active lately.

We are heading to Mom and Dad's tomorrow morning for a late Christmas gathering. Should be a full house. Can't wait to break out the Scrabble dictionary I bought for the whole family and play a game or two.

A Sad Day in the Village

2008-12-16T16:18:00.004-06:00

One of my favorite people I have met in the last several years has died unexpectedly. Tim Collins, my Big Hill construction foreman, died Sunday evening. He was delightful company, kind and soft spoken, and a hard and steady worker. He loved his wife, Janice, and his four children.

He was Mike's very dependable right hand man, and the other guys on Mike's crew, including Tim's brother, Robert, really looked up to him. We will all miss him so much.

Tim built so much of my home with his own hands. He was genuinely excited about the whole project and looked forward to seeing the completed results. We will most certainly toast him when the house becomes a home.

Stone Walls Going Up!

2008-12-08T23:27:00.004-06:00

I was right ! The new trailer was for the stone crew. The guys set up on Monday and started cutting and laying stone on Tuesday. They worked on Saturday as well, and I have about 5 feet of the front walls wrapped in stone. It is beautiful!! I was nervous that I had chosen too many colors and types of stone, but they all blend together perfectly and complement the green house color very nicely. What a relief.

I do think it will take 8-10 more weeks for them to complete there job unless things speed up as they get into the groove of the stones- which may well happen, Johnny says.

No further work on the deck this week, thought Mike says to go ahead and plan the deck party for December 14. That means I will have deck flooring- no rails, no stairs. So I can only invite responsible people with good balance...if that's you come on out next Sunday afternoon. Bring your own chair! And a snack. And a drink. I am keeping it simple, baby!

Cabinets are still being sanded. Alonzo says it should only take a couple more days, except for the kitchen cabinets. They will have to get to them on a day when the masons aren't working.

I meet with Wes tomorrow to talk about a loan extension. It's been nine months since we started the project, and Mike says we need about three more months- hopefully less. I hope so, too. That's cutting it close to bluebonnet season.

Last Monday I was out just before sunset and walked out to the back deck area and startled two does and two fawns who were munching on brush in my back yard. They came right back up and walked along the edge of the ridge grazing. Every once in a while they would look up to see if I was still there, but were essentially nonplussed by my presence. Cool. Hope it stays that way.

Is Monday Mason Day??

2008-11-30T21:47:00.003-06:00

Well, hope is free. I did notice a new trailer with lots of five-gallon buckets and scaffolding. I am reeeeally hoping there will be some stones laid starting tomorrow.

We were gone for most of the week to visit my family in Louisiana- a great time! We went out this afternoon to see what the crew was able to get done this rainy Thanksgiving week. The outside of the corner window has siding and caulking, and Lalo was out there painting it. The back wall was also caulked and painted. Mike will still have to put metal on the roof overhang before working on the main deck. No further work was done on the inside of the house.

It was only in the 50s, but it felt much colder with the high winds and lack of sun. The colors were still beautiful, and the sky and far horizon had a lavender glow. We sat on the sky deck enjoying the view. It's my new favorite place.

One Year Since my First Blog Entry!

2008-11-25T15:05:00.004-06:00

Wow! I was looking at my photos and saw the the blog entry photo group had 52 photos in it. I write the blog weekly, so the math added up to a year, but I actually had to go back to my first entry and check the date to believe that a year has passed since I first starting sharing this journey with you.

Good company certainly does make time fly. (Not to mention building a home in the wilderness while working full time). I offer my heartfelt thanks to all my friends and family that have been reading along, and especially to those that call or comment with words of encouragement.

I hope you all have a peaceful and family-filled Thanksgiving, and I hope to see you soon on the hill!

Autumn Ablaze

2008-11-24T00:13:00.005-06:00

Wow, fall is at its peak up on Big Hill, and I don't remember seeing one any prettier than this. The Spanish oaks and Scrub oaks are red and orange and yellow, and the flaming sumac is a rainbow of autumn hues.

The cabinets are fully installed, and most have been stained. They are very well made- Dad will most certainly approve the craftsmanship when he comes to inspect, er, visit. I chose colonial maple for the kitchen, pantry, wash room and library, and I absolutely love the results. Tonya is the one who pointed me to an orange-ish tone, and after seeing them them told me I need to varnish them with a gloss, to really differentiate them from the more earthy and matte finishes of the stone.

The sky deck is almost complete. Mike and Tim will start on the stair steps Monday. I climbed up the 30-foot ladder last week after everyone left so I could get a feel for how high it will seem. It is aptly named.

I am extremely frustrated by my lack of stone work. I actually have a mason on stand by, ready to go if Johnny can't get started next Monday. He is still working on a job that has taken much longer than he expected. This is really throwing Mike's schedule off. And mine! I'd like to move in!

We had a multi-church community Thanksgiving service tonight. It was quaint and funny and all in all a great reminder of what a wonderful place Glen Rose is to live. I am thankful to be here.

Cabinets in, Rocks Not

2008-11-16T21:19:00.003-06:00

Drexel started delivering and installing the multitude of cabinets this week. They really are nicely built. We compromised on the moulding- he wanted true crown molding, and I let him do a simpler version, more in keeping with the simple lines theme of the home.

I did meet with Johnny, the mason, but don't expect him out there until Tuesday at best. He is still finishing up his last job. In the meantime, the piles of rocks still adorn the would be front yard.

Happily, I still like the paint colors. I am looking forward to seeing the wall colors with the stained cabinets and tiles, flooring, ceiling. Guess that will have to wait until the house is done.

The correct windows for the back wall are in, as are all the sliding doors. Still waiting on the corner glass, the front and the garage doors. Then the house will be dried in completely.

I found the lights for "the Seven Sisters" over my kitchen island. I searched and searched, and when I found lights that look like my "dancing ladies", the inner part of a conch shell, sanded down by the sand and waves, I knew I had the right lights. And they were on the low end of pricing. Yes! Now for "the Five Brothers", "Mom and Dad", "Tim"....

There was a full moon this week that rose just after sunset, over the horizon and the lights from town. I tried taking photos but just could not do it justice. Breathtaking.

All in all a good week. I look forward to seeing what next week holds.

Tim is Back!

2008-11-11T08:52:00.004-06:00

Mike's head guy, Tim, has been on another job for three weeks and came back Monday. I have a whole other level of confidence in the work when he is there- it enables Mike to be able to come and go more freely.

They put the sun room windows in Monday. It would be a great room to hang out in if not for the piles of nails and insulation and wiring- it's my own little construction junk room! We wanted to put old, sandblasted barn siding on the walls there, but it will have to wait until a later time- I can't justify the cost right now.

Johnny, the mason, has built most of the inner chimney, but can I say how much I look forward to seeing some of that stone on the walls? Mike can't finish putting the metal roof up until the front walls and the chimney are completed, so he is equally anxious to see some dry stack.

The walls are textured and primed, and the first coat of paint is up. Tonya and I chose colors in about 2o minutes flat. I figure there are so many nice colors out there, you can't really go wrong if you're in the right range. And all my friends and family won't be surprised to know that the shades are all in the foamy colors of the sea....

We didn't get to hang out much on the hill this weekend. Saturday we went to College Station and Sunday I took Christmas photos for some friends, so we only got a quick walk-through. I did take Friday off, though, and spent several hours on Big Hill picking up trash and visiting with the guys. I am actually really looking forward to living out there. That's a good thing.

Stone, Stone, Everywhere, and not a Mason in Sight!

2008-11-04T10:33:00.004-06:00

I have literally tons of stone in front of the house and no mason to be found. Mike, the 0riginal, too-busy mason Johnny, and I all called him. Johnny finally heard from him that he was too busy and would not be able to do my stone work after all. So now we are back to using Johnny, who will hopefully start this week. Hopefully.

The walls have been taped, bedded and textured. I have to choose paint colors pronto. I have it narrowed down, but don't know which walls to use accent colors on yet. Tonya says she will meet me out there this week to help with that.

The roof panels that have already been placed look good, I like the style and the color, except several will have to be replaced, as they were too short- the soffit was not accounted for when they were ordered, since it hadn't been completed at that time. Just another small road bump.

I had about 30 trick-or-treaters on Friday. Tracy and Ashley came down, and we went to Big Hill to watch the stars. They were out by the millions and we spotted 8 meteors.

Sunday the Sehnerts came down, and we all went to Big Hill to watch the Cowboys get stomped on. Ava and I had a delightful time together.

Got My Half

2008-10-26T16:35:00.004-05:00

This busy week began with a surprise introduction to a snake. I was reaching down to pick up trash on 2012 and got lunged at by a copperhead. I sort of lost my civic drive for litter control after that.

The stone, fire bricks, chimney lining bricks, sand and mortar mix are on site. I have exchanged a couple of voice mails with my mason, but no sign of his guys on the hill yet. The chimney structure itself will be built by one team and the dry stack by another.

The originally intended drywall team came out on Tuesday, looked around and said “no thanks”. They had other, lowered ceiling homes to do! LOL Mike got the same guy that did the foam insulation to do the dry wall. They worked furiously Friday and were still out there on Saturday going strong.

The roofing sheets are in Walnut Springs, and Mike was rigging up a contraption on his 40-ft trailer to be able to slide them over the top, since some of the sheets were 50 feet long.

The lost windows for the sun room were found and have been delivered. The sun room is filled up with stuff from all over the house, to make room for the dry wall team. Still waiting on the replacement windows for the ones that were built incorrectly for the back wall. Mike put in the horizontal beams for the corner window and has ordered the glass.

I toured Drexels's cabinet shop on Wednesday and got to see all the cabinets for the house. They are really beautiful. We compromised on molding- no crown, but a simple step down trim. I cannot imagine what it will be like to have so much storage space.

So! I got my half of what was expected this week, and I am happy. It is Sunday noon; I am on a plane to Chicago for 4 days for work. I hope to have a metal roof and some dry stack when I get home.

I had a city planning meeting this week and then went straight over the Citizen’s Center to help fight the battle against a rock crushing operation on Chalk Mountain. I wish that Mr. Davis would go find a less beautiful and beloved mountain to “take down”. We shall see.

Saturday Diane and Jerry Cassell came down to Glen Rose and visited with Tracy and me before they went to Rough Creek Lodge. We toured the home site and had a muey delisioso burger at Big Cup Eatery. Then we went to Lord's Acre, where I donated a windmill tail that I painted a Texas flag on and bought a European mounted buck. Quite a country exchange.

Saturday evening we joined Linda and Karen at a Friends of the Brazos River fund raiser at M & W Ranch on the Brazos. It was a good but short weekend and a productive week on the hill.

R Factors

2008-10-20T16:00:00.004-05:00

My insulation guy tells me he doesn't even know what my R factor is for the ceiling, it's so over the scale. That makes me happy. He and his wife were out on Sunday blowing insulation on top of the hard kind. The house should be tightly sealed.

We burned more stumps this weekend. The weather is so nice these days, perfect for fires.
On tap for this week- construction of the inner chimney, dry wall installation, completion of insulation, roof material delivery, rock delivery, start of the rock walls construction. If half of this happens I will be one happy future home owner.

Windows!

2008-10-13T13:15:00.006-05:00

Finally! I have windows- lots and lots of them! I LOVE the outside- the anodized dark bronze, with a simple straight-lined, clean look.

And...I am not crazy about the inside...rats! I am learning that I need to be absolutely granular when explaining what I mean when placing orders. "Simple, straight lines, craftsmen style, no graduations, nothing at all fancy", did not translate as I intended. I suspect the cost was higher as well to get something that was more detailed than I really wanted. The interior side of the windows is multi layered, with no nice, deep, plain horizontal ledge, resulting in what I see as lots of edges to keep free of dust (what are the odds of that?) and no flat edge for cats or rocks or treasures to sit. Plus, 4 of the wall-o'-windows windows are double hung and are supposed to be picture windows. They will have to be reordered. Last, only the top row of windows was to be non-low E, but the top two rows are. This was actually Glenn's first choice, but was changed due to local regulations, so this may be a fortunate mistake.

If I could write an op ed piece about home building, I would definitely include advice to be as utterly explanatory as possible. Draw a picture, literally, if possible, ask for a sample before the whole order is completed- whatever it takes. I just spent a lot of money on windows that I don't entirely love. And that is a shame.

My bad, and I will now work on "loving" the windows I have. They are highly efficient and I do really like the big design of them- as in the picture windows on top with the awning windows on bottom. OK, I am starting to feel better.....

Tracy and I got to see the "neighborhood" owl fly across the valley. We heard him very close by, then saw him pop out of a tree and dart straight across the valley to a perch on the top of the far ridge. I will hopefully see that quite often through my new WINDOWS......

Oh yea! This weekend Linda, Karen and I rode the Paluxy Pedal- along with over 800 other riders. The weather was perfect and the scenery was outstanding. I STILL haven't done the 45 mile route, which is the shortest one you can do and ride up "The Wall"- my home site! Next year I will have less of an excuse, as I will be living on The Wall and can practice a lot more.

Live Where You Are

2008-10-06T09:23:00.004-05:00

My sister Mary asked me how I was staying patient watching the progress on my "dream home". I let her know it is by focusing on where I am right now. That means decorating my front porch, planting Fall flowers, involving myself in downtown, being focused at work, staying in touch with friends.

I was recently appointed to a city planning advisory council in Glen Rose. Our challenge over the next year or so is to work with expert city planners to focus on how we want to handle the growth of our fair town, how we can attract the right kind of businesses, keep our unique identity, and maintain a healthy economy all at the same time. Very interesting stuff.

Next week is the Paluxy Pedal. My intention was to ride the 45 mile trek so I could go up 2012, get my "I climbed The Wall" patch and see my house on the ride. I haven't ridden my bike since last summer and have serious doubts about the feasibility of riding 45 miles, rest stops and all.

The green spray foam insulation has been installed. Messy work! A small load of ipe has been delivered, enough for the upper two decks. The treated pine deck base has been stained. The siding still has not been completed in the highest part of the back house. Still waiting on Mike's Foreman to return from an east Texas job with his son.

Mike burned some of the scrap wood this week, but it was way too windy yesterday to finish that job. The good news is that the wind came with a front has has brought us the first rain in 3 weeks and dropped the temperature as well.

One of my Glen Rose friends, Betty Grace, Tracy and I grilled steaks last night. Tracy had to put up wind barriers to keep the fire going. The plastic house wrap around the window openings was so loud, flapping violently every time a big gust came through. But the steaks were great.

Going Green

2008-09-29T10:15:00.003-05:00

The house is 80% painted. The main color is called Villita. Not sure how that name was chosen; it's sort of a sage/avocado/putty green. It "matches" the local environment well. It's funny, I seem to have always wanted a green house with a brown roof- and finally I am getting it!

This week traveling for work I was in a conversation where we were talking about how our tastes/styles have changed- or not- through the years. I have always been drawn to the things of nature. I've gotten less "frilly" over the years, looking for cleaner, simpler lines. And now looking for lower and lower maintenance!

I had trouble getting the photos emailed from my home computer so have finally just today gotten the deck photos to my brother. along with several options as i see them for the aesthetics for the under support of the deck. We shall see.

Too much travel lately to suit me. I got home Saturday and am off again today on another trip. Summer has lost its grip, the Autumn flowers are springing up along highway 67, and crisp Fall weather is just around the corner. I planted mums on Grace Street and am keeping my eye out for a road side pumpkin sale to complete my seasonal decorations. My favorite time of year!

Ugh.

2008-09-23T12:54:00.002-05:00

Nothing to report, except the deck won't be like it was drawn. Seems the foundation drawings did not line up with the intended design, which showed more clearly on another page of the plans. I sent photos to Glenn and am waiting for his aesthetic input.

Plus, I now realize I have put the only non-fire resistant material of the exterior house on the underside of the most likely place to catch fire- the down slope over the ridge. I have a feeling I will be rebuilding the deck at some point in the future. Always go with your first answer.

Otherwise, the progress is striking me as excessively slow for the last several weeks. I'll admit some of it is that wiring and ducts were going up, but some of it is simply a lack of real progress.

Like I said, ugh.

Autumn Air

2008-09-15T23:01:00.007-05:00

Since the remnants of Hurricane Ike passed through last Saturday, there is a spark of Autumn in the air. On Sunday Tracy and I took a hike down the hill, following the still damp rock bottom creek. Tracy found several nice fossils, and I contributed a couple of keepers. It was so pleasant to be outside in something less than 95 degrees!! We took the scenic route back to GR on the Harley and got a double dose of nature- a brilliant, deep red sunset to the west and a soft pastel full moon to the east.

The Hardee siding is almost completely up, a few more wires are in place, the bottom deck support is done (in treated pine), but there still isn't anything notable for the subject of new photos- again- this week; I have already pointed this out to Mike, with a response of heavy sighs : ). Although, I hear I might have a burnished burnished slate colored metal roof next week!

Last week I realized I had ordered all the faucets and sinks- except the kitchen sink. Ha! Today the kitchen sink came via UPS delivery. So there.

This evening I went out to clear a bit around the site. As the sun went behind the horizon a couple of hoot owls called back and forth in the valley. I was never able to find them with my binoculars, but it was an audio feast. It is just those little things that make it so hard to leave.

TV on the Hill

2008-09-09T19:12:00.003-05:00

Well, it had to happen sooner or later. "Civilization" has come to Big Hill. Tracy and I went out on Sunday afternoon and got another fire site prepared- a bit too windy to burn.

He brought out a little 13 inch TV and hooked it up with its antennae, and it worked like a charm. We had the Cowboys game in the background while we worked around the site, and then watched the last part of Extreme Home Makeover (the part that always makes me cry).

The progress is harder to appreciate these last few weeks on the house, since it is measured in feet of wires, pipes, vents and Hardee board siding. But there is indeed steady progress, and still lots and lots of decisions made in rapid fire. I have a steady string of goods being delivered to my door.

The weather has been getting a bit more pleasant day by day, and I am now looking forward to cool nights, warm fires and hot chocolate!

Wired!

2008-09-02T07:15:00.004-05:00

(PHOTOS TO FOLLOW) And I don't just mean the house. I have been on the road more than home and writing the same lists over and over after I misplace the original list. Lots and lots of details to keep up with, but as usual, the most draining is getting things done right after they were done wrong in the first place.

Forgotten electrical outlets, right place for doors, right materials for things. Plus, getting information to subcontractors, remembering how many of each type rock I wanted for the chimney and walls (and chose several months ago, then promptly lost the lists (see above...).

Plus, Sweet Pea, my little white female cat, was stolen by a new neighbor, and I had to leave while she was still missing. Another neighbor had a feeling about the whole thing and through cleverness and tenacity rescued her back.

Aside from a couple of fix-its, the electrical wiring and A/C are done. Sound guy should be there today. The best thing about this week- the burn ban has been lifted! Tracy and I went out Sunday afternoon and had several small fires going. We also took turns looking through my night binoculars and were able to see Jupitor with up to 3 of its moons. More good times on Big Hill. Hopefully many more to come.

Air Conditioning, Electricity, Plumbing, Rocks, Audio, Lights

2008-08-18T17:52:00.003-05:00

Decisions a mile a minute- and hoping I don't decide something fast and wrong and hard to correct. Walking around the house with the electrician was particularly concerning, as I learned what a Raab light was one minute and then was saying to put them here and there the next. I have had to be a bit like Marilyn Monroe and depend on the kindness of strangers...

Mike has a rock guy that has his own rock supplier near Weatherford. He comes highly recommended with skills in dry stack style. I did ask for addresses where I might get a view of some of his work, as it will be one of the most impacting visual features of the home.

Having to shore up the feature window in order to get it guaranteed. It will now have a 4 x 4 steel post in the corner and metal inserts abutting it. I am fine with that.

Tim Jones has most of the air conditioning duct work up, and the unit over the master bed room in place. It is a very tight fit. We had to do some creative trouble shooting to get air to the full house with the least noticeable "duck's feet", as I say.

I meet with the lighting person (Angie) and the surround sound man (Frank) tomorrow. Lighting will be fun. Surround sound, though I will certainly appreciate it, I would rather pass on, if I only could.

Soffits and Siding and Plumbing, oh My!!

2008-08-11T09:35:00.004-05:00

The Hardie board is up along the first story, the soffits ands taking form, and the plumbing trim is just about complete. I ordered and received all but two of the sinks (the boring ones- kitchen and washroom). I opted for all vessel bowls, and they are really beautiful. I especially like the teak wood burl sink for the library bath. When Drexel (cabinet maker) pulled it out of the packaging, his face lit up, and he took it all around his shop showing it to his crew and telling them this is what "organic modern" looks like.

Mike, Glenn and I had a conference call on Sunday to discuss the sky deck and options for all ipe vs. some treated pine for under support.. After that call, a good night's sleep combined with days before of musing, I called Mike and let him know I want to stay pure to the design and build it only with ipe. Something about the 75-100 year durability appeals to me. Plus, no need for ipe veneer, and worries about stability.

This week I will meet with the electrician. I still haven't ordered the plumbing hardware, and will most certainly be asked to get lighting in place. Better jump on that this week.

Doors are in progress by Danny in Arizona. I am really happy about that find and can't wait to see the finished product.

Saturday night after working a couple of hours cleaning around the house site, I sat and watched a great horned owl. He was atop a dead tree trunk across the ravine and was screeching, preening and watching the wildlife. I used my wide aperture binoculars to get a closer look. What a great way to end the day, by watching one start for a hungry owl.

Dog Days of Summer = BURN BAN :o

2008-07-29T11:06:00.006-05:00

This is the fourth burn ban in effect since I bought the land 3 1/2 years ago. Needless to say, Texas has been dry. This week temperatures will be over 100 degrees every day. No chance of rain. I hope the guys have LOTS to drink out there.

Once the sun goes down it actually feels fine to me. Tracy and I went out on Friday night and got up on the roof- it is now ply boarded. We saw 12 meteors and about the same number of satellites. The Milky Way was so visable we thought at first it was a cloud formation. Binoculars confirmed otherwise.

Speaking of the roof, most of it and the outer wall has boarded in. It makes the house look a bit smaller and more manageable. Every time Mike's guys add substance the view from the road becomes more striking. You can even see where the sky deck will be- yikes, it's high!!

I am picking out sinks, appliances, cabinetry, etc. The fun stuff!!!

And I am praying for RAIN!!!

Rafters!!!

2008-07-21T21:57:00.004-05:00

(Not to be confused with a group of turkeys, which, I learned, is called a rafter after seeing a group of them crossing CR 203 and googling it to see how to describe what I saw). The house has rafters on most of the roof, window outlines and some ply board. It looks like the rough draft of a house that Glen drew almost three years ago...I STILL can't believe it is coming to fruition. The front doorway wall forms are also complete, giving a real image of the future profile. It is absolutely beautiful to me.

This weekend I had several visitors. Tracy and I were out on Saturday, and Drexel, the cabinet maker, brought his wife out while he and I went over the cabinet plans. Barry Payne, a local artist and school teacher, came out to see the view. He has a search engine that alerts him when anyone writes about Glen Rose, so he has been reading the blog. Tracy's friends from Glen Rose, J.R. and Carla Jones, came out as well. Carla and Barry's wife are great friends...more of that small town feeling that I love so much.

Today I made a small fire on the downward slope and had the water hose ready and primed- just in case. I am happy to report an incident free burning session.

The sunset was pink and lavender and oh so peaceful. I stayed until dark then reluctantly left. Some day I will only have to go inside. Wow.

Fast Forward...

2008-07-13T23:41:00.005-05:00

Boy, I asked for speed and I got it! This week I met with Carolina from the window and door company and picked out windows and then with Drexel, a Glen Rose local, for cabinetry. I had to make a bunch of quick decisions regarding style, materials, pricing, etc. I spent a fair amount of time over the last year looking at photos in magazines, books and the Internet, so had a pretty good idea what I wanted.

Still, it was a little nerve racking knowing this is really it, but in a good way!

A busy week ahead, but have to make time for the homework Drexel gave me- have to pick out appliances and sinks, so he can build everything to fit.

Linda, Tracy and I went out on Saturday to water the hot tub gunite and then climbed the scaffolding on the second story. It goes as high as the future sky deck, so we all got a great look at what sort of view we'll have. You can see the far horizon about 3/4 of the way around. We brought up the binoculars with us and took turns looking. The sky deck will be one of my favorite places for sure! I also find myself going to the guest bedroom a lot. I call it the cocoon room, because it feels very cozy and safe. And has a big window with a great view. I may have to be a guest there sometime myself...

I am whooped...off to bed and then a busy week ahead at work. I owe, I owe, so off to work I go!

Up!!!

2008-07-08T13:49:00.006-05:00

Framing has begun! I can walk through doorways and look through window framing. It is very cool to watch the progress. I was out on the hill twice yesterday solving step problems on the master suite deck (not enough room on the hot tub level to suit the project manager, Craig. We finally solved it by increasing the height of the lower deck by several inches so we'll need less steps down from the upper deck.

When I was out there in the morning the guys were working on either end of the house (Mike said this keeps more men busy more of the time) and when I was back there in the afternoon they were working on second story walls on the garage end. I hear from the guys that the view from the second story level is even better. Can't wait to see it for myself!!

I had an absolutely full and fun Seven Sisters Summer Solstice weekend before last and another great July 4th weekend. Parties, family, friends, church, good food, Harleys and Monte Montgomery. And as always, some time on Big Hill. Life is good.