Going Green
Mon, Sep 29 2008 10:15
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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!
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!
Comments
Ugh.
Tue, Sep 23 2008 12:54
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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.
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
Mon, Sep 15 2008 11:01
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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
Tue, Sep 9 2008 07:12
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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!
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!
Tue, Sep 2 2008 07:15
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(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.
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.
