wild turkey and classical music
Well here's a way to unwind on a Friday after a busy week:  wild turkey--not the adult beverage but the real thing and classical music.  I've managed to get the public radio station out here with the help of an antenna.  The audio messed up on the video otherwise you could hear it loud and clear.  The wild turkey are quite ugly.  Easy to understand why no one but that wild child Ben Franklin thought it would be a great national bird.  Around here they are quite plentiful.  My husband says he's going to kill one for Thanksgiving.  I say over my dead body!  I have "no hunting" signs posted all over this land.  However, should the turkey begin to take over I might have to introduce a natural predator--like my killer 11 pound dog, Spike ;-)

moving in!

We have been moving furniture into the house since the last week of September.  Still have more to move, but it's a process, just like finding the property and building the house.  Since the rooms are cozy, the right piece of furniture needs to be selected.  Still searching for a small coffee table and a side chair.  Hope to bring the desk, a small love seat and a second bed this weekend.


I've spent several nights sleeping at the house and it is very peaceful.  Last night it rained and the rain on the metal room was better than any sleeping pill.

what a long strange trip it's been

We are sliding into the home stretch.  Bill the Builder was at the property today cleaning up and overseeing installation of the appliances.  Seeding and cleaning up the last of the downed trees should happen this week and I received the word that the painter will come on Monday to do re-touches.  We have the go ahead to move furniture in the end of next week.   Hard to believe, isn't it.  It will be a year in October that I purchased the property.  The year seemed to fly by, but it isn't over.  It's just beginning.  Now I have to figure out how to garden in the woods and co-exist with all the wild critters that share the space with me.

water!

Finally, a potty and running water, also appliances and a stair case with a handrail.  Kitchen counter and cabinet hardware was also added.  Won't be long now, I think.  Yippee!

gingerbread and water

Drove out to the house today and was delighted to see that work had been done on the front porch and all the gingerbread accents had been put on.  The house is really looking cute.  The best part is that the materials are all low-maintenance but don't look it.


Also, talked to the finish guy about closets and measured for all the appliances which I ordered today.   Railing for the loft is up and the stairs are ready for the balusters and railing as soon as the painting is completed.   Appliances will be delivered on the 9th and oh yeah, the water has been hooked up.  There is a small leak near where its hooked up so the guy has to come back, but hopefully we will have a working potty out there soon.  We are finally getting to the end I think!  The builders have done an excellent job interpreting my vision for an old farm house with modern conveniences--don't you agree?

kitchen cabinets and other stuff

What a difference a few days can make when it comes to building a house.  Lots of new changes including electric power in the house along with airconditioning.  Cabinets have been delivered and work on the back porch is in progress.  Interior doors had been delivered as well as the window trim for the interior of the windows.  The giant wall of stone has been moved and it looked like the septic system and its lateral lines are in process.  Maybe by next week I'll have water.  Can't wait to see what my kitchen cabinets look like when they are installed.

the dance of the subcontractors

Each time I drive over to Indiana to check on the progress of the house it's like Christmas!  There are always new surprises awaiting me and today was no exception.  First surprise was that the walls had a first coat of paint and even better, the paint matched the paint chips I had selected.   The place was crawling with subcontractors and so noisy that the locust were almost drowned out--electricians worked on the switches, outlets and lighting; flooring guy was installing the laminate floors; HVC people were putting in the air conditioner and the builders worked on the steps for the back porch.  Meanwhile, the excavator was providing beautiful background music for this dance of the subcontractors.  He's moving the massive pile of rock that was unearthed to make the basement.  It will be dumped down a long ravine at the back of the property to create a dry creek bed in an area where there is already run off during a rain storm.   All of it was a delight to my ears and eyes because it means in a few short weeks I will actually be able to stay there.  Can't wait!

getting there


Checked in at Wildbranch this afternoon.   Someone is logging on the road and it was noisy!!  Never heard much noise before so hope this isn't gonna be a regular thing.  It was a joy to see that most of the siding was up on the house and it looks like all the dry wall mudding is done.  Also, the vinyl flooring was laid in the downstairs area.  Next week the AC gets installed and concrete will be poured for the patio and for the area where there is a hot tub going in.  Week after that the trim/finish guy will be in to install the molding, cabinets, stair case pieces.  Now if we could get the water lines run to the house!!  A toilet and a working sink would be nice too!   

a door key

Today I met with the builder and a couple of his subcontractors.  Selected a newel post, ballisters and  the texture pattern for the ceilings.  Also made my final selection on the flooring and counter tops.  Before I left the builder presented me with my very own key!  This is really happening.  Hard to believe after all these months that soon I'll be able to sleep over at Wildbranch.

garage door and siding

Ohh boy.  It's starting to come together quickly now.  The garage door was installed late last week and the siding has been delivered and installation of that has begun.  Also was surprised to find that the exterior doors now have door knobs.  I meet with the builder on Monday and the finish guy to select some stuff (but I forget what exactly lol).  I will be glad when I can spend the night in my sweet little house.  I made 4 trips over to Indiana last week for a funeral and it sure would have been nice to just plant myself in the house for the week until my work was done.   Hoping that by September I'm moved in.

roof, drywall and soffit

How exciting.  Already this week the roof has been raised and all the drywall has been installed.  Today when I visited the guys were working on the soffit and Bob the Builder said the "finish guy" was coming tomorrow.  I forgot to ask what the "finish guy" did.  I'm assuming he will get the task of cleaning up all that left over drywall and then taping, mudding and sanding the walls in preparation for painting.  Or maybe the "finish guy" is the guy who nails on the molding?  I'll have to get back to you on this once I find out ;-)   At any rate, things are moving along.

shhhhh

Went out to Wildbranch today to check out the progress.  No workers where there, but the rough-in of the electric, plumbing and heating/ac is completed.  Next week, Tuesday I think, the insulators will be there.  While I was there it started to rain.  Very peaceful and quiet and once the metal roof is on, it's gonna sound like heaven.

As I was leaving the inspector was on his way up.  Let's hope he gave everything a thumbs up.

anarchists at wildbranch!

Got a call from the builder yesterday to tie up some lose ends on a couple of things and he informed me that some of the plumbing boxes had been ripped open and the parts strewn about on the floor.  Bandits?  Anarchists?  Kids already bored with Summer?  No.  Not vandals--at least not of the human variety.  Probably a raccoon who also gnawed on the blue board in the bathroom.  Is this a threat, a not-so-subtle message to get out of the neighborhood?  Gee, I haven't even moved in yet.  I hadn't considered raccoon which can be very pesky!  I was more worried about coyote, deer and rabbits eating any plants I might want to set out.


 I asked Bill the builder if there was anything we could do and he said once the garage door was on, that would help.   Sure hope the critters that live there will learn to live in peace with me.  Otherwise, I'm investing in a live trap!  See the evidence below.

doors and windows

I met with the electrician and the cabinet finishing guys today and was surprised to see that the windows and doors had been installed.  Yippee.  I could even camp out in my own house now if I wanted.  Things are really moving now.  I'm being asked to make all kinds of decisions that I am too mystified to make.  I need to know what stackable washer/dryer I'm getting so the electrician can wire at the correct height--add a trip to Sears to look at appliances to the growing list along with selecting paint colors, flooring, and bathroom and lightening fixtures.

 I feel design-challenged.    I think most people find this stage the fun stage, but I'm daunted and it doesn't feel fun!  And sure wish my designer pal Jean hadn't moved away or that my interior designer sister-in-law, Carolyn, would make a speedy trip to Kentucky to help me.  The kitchen cabinets will be white--who knew there were so many shades of white.   In the next day or two I have to go select flooring.  I know I'm going to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices.  I've narrowed it by going with laminate, but still need to choose a color and also tile.   Any advice from you who have done this before?

It's a good thing the builder constructed the porch for a swing.  I'm going to need it!  The photo below shows the rafters studded out with additional support!  Should I be insulted or go on a diet instead?  Don't answer that haha.

progress!


Met with the "finish" guy yesterday and selected my kitchen cabinet design.  While I was there the heating and air conditioning guy was scoping out where to put the duct work.  Things are happening!  The bathtub and shower were in the house, as well as the exterior doors--yes I think I can call it a house now.  The decking was laid on the front porch and had a conversation with Bill the builder about constructing an extra support beam on the porch for a swing!  On Friday I'll do a walk-through with the electrician to talk about where to put light fixtures.  I of course want a firm completed date, but of course can't really get that with all the variables that the builders face.  I did get from Bob (the builder, not the husband) that we are about 1/3 completed.  This is good news!

confessions of a box turtle killer

Sadly, it might be true.  I think I accidentally murdered my first Box Turtle today--this from a woman who stops rush hour traffic to save the life of turtles in the middle of busy intersections.  I went out to Wildbranch today to scope out the work and the trajectory of the hill makes it impossible to see over the nose of my car.  When I got to the top of the hill and backed the car around to point down I noticed a pile of broken turtle shell and other disgusting things.  There is the slimmest of chances it wasn't me, because flies were already gathering to feast.  My hope is that more critters will come tonight to clean up the rest, since I didn't have a shovel to get rid of the "evidence."  Don't want my builders to have to face THAT the first thing Monday morning.


On a lighter note, things are really moving along.  The screened porch off the bedroom has been framed out and board has been laid over most of the framing.   See the photo's below!

looking down into the great room

Inside looking out

West front entrance

East

North

view from the loft

South

progress

Met with the contractor today to select decking material, look at siding options and select doors.  It's really starting to look like a house.  Roof has been framed, the loft is up and there are even steps to the loft.  It was so hot today I felt sorry for the builders--appreciate their effort on my humble little retreat.

Framed:  Part II

Drove out to The Branch today to take another look at the framing and took Bob, my husband along.   It was fun to run around in the future rooms and still see the great outdoors.  It won't feel real to me until the first weekend I sleep in it and/or make the first loan payment, lol.  

framed!

YIPPPEE!  The framing on the house got underway today and will continue all this week if the weather permits it.  Bob The Builder and his crew put up two walls in less than a half hour.  It looked effortless, but I'm sure it wasn't.  Bob's  been building stuff for more than 40 years and says he's built more than 100 houses.

After they finish the framing then we will have to wait on the roof guys, but next week Bob is on vacation.  Yep.  Even builders get time off.  Great job Guys!  Can't wait to see what it looks like in a month.

sunday at wildbranch

Busy Sunday as usual, but I had time to run by the property after worship at church #2.  It was drizzling so I didn't hang out long.  The basement has been poured and the plumbing roughed in.  Late this week or early the following week, framing will begin.  I discovered that the water company had put their meter in which means I'm now paying utilities on a non-existent house, sigh.  Eventually, I know there will be one, but I sure am sick of the bad weather messing up the process.