Slowly but surely

 
It has been a bit simply because prep work takes time and well there just isn't much to  show or to say about it.   

How things are done sure have changed since we built our current house 44 years ago.  The equipment available is so much bigger and more efficient.   When gravel was put in the footings, the operator directed where the conveyor pointed to sling the  gravel by walking around using a joy stick.

Basement Prep

Pink concrete pumper truck

Nobody was riding on a concrete smoother (or whatever that contraption is called) 24 years ago.

Early morning fog - our view from the future front porch

One of the biggest issues that faced us early on was that they weren't able to dig down as far as we wanted because of the lay of the land.  Water would have drained towards the house.  The solution is to bring in lots of fill, then sub oil, then top soil.  We've found a source for the fill.  We'll know by Friday whether the sub soil we found will be available or not.  Top soil is still evading us.

Slag fill - free for the cost of hauling

More slag fill 

At 7:30 this morning we could hear the beep beep of a large truck backing up.  By 8:45 they had the I-beams set. When things happen, they happen quickly  It is all the hurry up and wait time that is killing us.  

Here come the beams

The truss guy measured for the trusses this morning too and then let us know they are running three weeks behind.  Sigh.

In addition to the house progress, behind the scenes the lagoon has been dug and trees that had to go in order to get electric to the house pushed.  We are waiting for our chipper guy, Korte Tree Service, (we've been waiting five weeks so far) to finish clearing  the way so the electric company can do their thing. We were warned they were four weeks behind.  The electric company is behind too and won't get us on the schedule until everything is cleared.  Two steps forward, one step back.

 Today was overcast, but the weather held out and we now have footings for our new house.  It was fun watching the workers do their thing.....

 It's been 14 days of behind the scene progress.  Water figured out.  Electric figured out, which will require the removal of many trees ($$) and of course running the lines to the house ($$$) and a four to six week wait for Callaway Electric to be able to come out and do the work.

Every time we have turned around we have gotten rain.  Usually not a  lot, but just enough to keep Bruce from finishing digging the foundation and put the footings in.  Imagine our surprise when, even though we got a good soaking yesterday, workers were able to start framing for the footings   Oh happy day!

All things considered, we are hoping to get into the new house sometime next Spring.  In the meantime we are happy to know we will have  one more Thanksgiving, Bake Day, and Christmas here.  Probably even Easter, and get togethers in between.  We aren't finished making memories in  this house yet!  Until next time.  

Big machinery / baby steps

Our Vision - in black and white

 

The past few days we have watched with trepidation the dozer operator move dirt around  At one point I was scared we would end up with foundation walls jutting out of the ground, rather than a nice gradual step down from the porch we envisioned.  We talked about moving the house down the hill further but the dozer operator, Carson, convinced us all would be good.  We gave him the go ahead to do his thing.

Today we lunched with dear friends and then came  home to this:  

Jim is standing in  the bedroom 

  

Footings, walls, floor, fill next.  Lots of rain in the forecast.  This house will get built on God's time.

Home is where the heart is

 During the summer of 1981 we began the journey of building a log house on 22 acres of land in Callaway County.  Together Jim and I designed the home during many late night sessions, long after our three children were safely tucked in each night.  Jim then bought the lengths of logs he needed from Gastineau Log Homes, hired a semi-retired builder, grabbed a chain saw and spikes and set about building.  I may have simplified things just a tad, but you get the idea.  During the past 44 years the house has taken on a life of its own as our lives evolved, with walls being moved or removed, rooms added on, garages built, and on and on.  The house became a much loved home.

Now we are in another phase of our lives, which means our needs have changed drastically.  The focus is on what is best for us, yet keeping an eye out for large spaces for family get togethers.  After much praying, talking, God Nods, looking at various other options, we made the difficult decision to divide the acreage, sell our current home, and build a single story home on the ten acres by our pond.  

Come to find out, that decision was the easy part.

After many delays, with the biggest gotcha being the surveyor from 44 years ago did not properly register the land with the county (Yes, we've been paying taxes on it, though.  We're still scratching our heads over that one)  It only took the survey company six weeks to do a new survey.  I'm not going to talk about $$.  Plans completed, builder hired, construction loan final (we will sell this house when new house is complete) and survey registered, we are off and running!  

Yesterday was a push trees - many, many trees - kind of day.

Heading into the forest...

Do things look a little different?

Today - digging the foundation!  It is getting real.

Digging the foundation

So close to finishing, but then the 30 minute down pour came that made it too slick to continue

View from the road.  The house will be nestled into the far trees.