April 24-27

They've gotten a lot done this week - it's just not very exciting pictorial-wise. The heat/air ducts went in and the septic system. I'll be glad when they stop tearing up the woods...that's the hardest part for me. I know that it'll all grow back, but it's still wrenching. I've been clearing out garlic mustard, and we need to start back cutting down the autumn olive, but who has time? We've finally decided that we just don't have the time to side the house ourselves, fortunately our builders are ready and eager to take on that project. At least we know that it'll be done right...

I'm off for a Chicago weekend with the daughters, sister and friend; the baby's turning 21! I'm afraid that this is a preview -







I'll get appliances figured out next week, this all we have for now.

Porch with a roof!

April 23rd

I had to check out the framing on the screen porch yesterday. We've been looking forward to this. Lot's of engineering went into our little porch. We figure it's our safe zone during storms. Come on over and strap yourself to a footing!


Checking out the porch


"Can I go out there Grandma?"


View from my kitchen is going to change....

April 16-20

The floors in the master wing, and the basement were poured this week. That allowed the interior framing to be completed. You can get a feel for the sizes of the rooms (ok, big/small depending on who you talk to....) Also, Consumers finally figured out that we're actually building there and have started the discussion on where the power will come from. You'd think that with all the power lines around, we wouldn't have a problem....Ha! Looks like we're tapping into our neighbor's pole and running underground from there. Thanks LouAnn!


Basement framing


Pocket doors ready to go

Basement shower

I love concrete....

My huge laundry room!

All framed up


We love the pop-in - Cary & Eric stop by

Friday night grilling -

Where's the porch?

And, at the end of the week, we saw our friends Robyn & Brian be married.

April 8-13

So, we really did have a crappy week, weather-wise. Still, the house went on - shingles, framing, pluming and yeah! windows. The grand finale was the application of pesticide for termites and the delivery of the fireplace. It's starting to feel like home!


Dez says "no more snow!"

Framing for the fireplace and Arno's study wall

Me on tv

Shingles going on - just in the nick of time.

Plumbing in the laundry, master bed/bath area



The front entry will eventually be glass, but for now, we're happy just to have a door!


Wow, windows! I really appreciated the view again, after the plastic came down.

Winter's back

We had a return of winter at the end of the week - the boys wrapped up the house in plastic and worked inside. Not so pretty of a view, but they started on the wall between the living room and Arno's studio and didn't have to deal with the wind and snow.



Meanwhile, we worked on the other big thing in our lives - Gretchen and the impending Grandbaby!

April 3-6

This week, we should see the continuation of the venting for the hvac in the master bedroom wing - being slab on grade, they've got to get it done before they pour the concrete. Windows are coming in the next couple of weeks, so we want the slab poured soon. The weather is supposed to change from spring back to winter so the builder boys can work on getting some of the interior walls framed up. That will help define the spaces a little better - and Arno can stop saying this house is too big!

We've picked out all the hardware (great store in GR) and are working on selecting the stone for the master bath and powder room. The only big things after that are the appliances - and I'll deal with that after the Waite house goes on the market - just 12 more days!

One more thing - I've looked on this site for an automatic email notice when it's been updated. I haven't found anything like that, so you have to check back on your own if you're interested. I can't guarantee that I'll update every week, but I'm trying!

April Fools

Ok, I was going to play a little April Fool's joke and put pictures of the new Girl Scout building as our house on the blog, but I just don't have time. But, you've got to check it out if you're in the area, it's fabulous!

But, we think our house is pretty fabulous too!

April 1-2

And notice the skylights are in - yea! Let there be light in my laundry room!



This is what I like to call the fortress side of the house.


Look! It's a garage!

March 28-31

Is that a house back there?

Garage getting framed up

Bedroom without bracing; the roof is waterproofed.