Walls, a door opening, a floor

(August 30, 2014) It's beginning to look like a house! By the end of Friday, the basement walls were up, the trusses laid for the main floor and the plywood hammered on. Every seen a power hammer? Work goes amazingly fast using one of those!

 

South basement wall nearly ready to go up

 

Basement, from the east, apartment end, through the gathering room, Dennis' office, guest room and bath, to storage

Walk out basement from the south east. The land isn't shoved correctly yet. Likely we can't landscape until spring. I have vowed to plant some bulbs anyway. One must have crocus and daffodils to watch to see if spring will actually arrive!

(Susan)

Framing time and house

(August 22, 2014) Our builder gave us a time frame this week. The goal is to finish the house by the end of November. Three understandable qualifications: he can't control the weather, timing of subcontractors and our changes of mind. I'm guessing we'll move in on the coldest, snowiest day of 2015. I promise cocoa to anyone who helps!

Dennis meets with the builder Thursday mornings. Yesterday guys were smoothing the basement floor, after the plumbing was done, for laying concrete. Tools included skid steer, shovel, rake and hands. Both the plumbers and these cement folks commented that sand is much nicer to work with than clay. Glad to oblige. Anything to make the job easier.

When the first floor wall studs go up, we'll invite you to come write on them. Contribute a poem or prayer or joke or drawing or anything that should be foundational to a house that provides welcome shelter to family and friends. If you aren't local, we'll do the writing for you. Maybe we can have another gathering! Dennis has cleared lots of paths that you can walk. Some have huge cottonwoods across them, but some are more accessible. He has cleared out the yellow jacket nest near one that unpleasantly surprised him. Let us know if you wonder where the paths begin.