Framing

I haven't updated in a while, mostly because things have been crazier than usual. Both of the kids are playing basketball and now soccer has started, so yeah. Throw in a stomach virus and you have a party I wish I did not make the invite list.

              The framing is coming along nicely. Here's the latest progress.

This is the back of the house.

The dining area is to the left and the kitchen is to the right. The main area you see is the living area, beyond that is the master and the laundry room.









This is taken from the other side on the living room looking into the dining area.

The start of the upstairs.

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Looking into bedroom and sitting area.

Yes that is Bret, with a full beard. The little kids were over there taking a hatchet to an old computer someone had dumped and Bret couldn't resist joining. It is a good idea to let your kids play with hatchets, right?

                          He seems to be enjoying this a little too much.

We are almost finished with the framing. We are still trying to work up a kitchen design. We are going to go look at doors tomorrow. We still need to chose some roofing.

Stealing and Trespassing

Stolen Bricks

(ok, I didn't really steal them. I knocked on the door and asked the home owner if I could have one. However, I do believe that stealing would have been a little more exciting.)

From this house

Taken to 

this house

And clearly I need longer arms, but you still get the point. They are in fact the same brick! What a difference mortar makes!

So, we think that we are going to go with this brick option with the lighter mortar. I'm scared to commit because it will give me more time to change my mind. I haven't asked Katie for any more addresses to check out so we'll see what happens.

We have also picked out our windows. We have moved the bathrooms on the 2nd floor around so we can add windows to them.  We are meeting with the window guy again today to make sure we have everything right. We got prices from three different window companies and their prices varied from $3,500 to $14,000 for single hung, low E windows. This was an easy decision to make.

We have also shopped around several more cabinet shops. I was really happy with the selection of cabinets at a place we found yesterday. I just hope their quote will not be outrageous. 

Option #3

I have a list of brick choices that has addresses and I just drive around to see if I like them.  One brick (#3)  is listed in two subdivisions fairly close to my house. Two of the homes with the same brick look NOTHING alike! I figure that someone has just made a mistake and they are not the same brick as I like one (#3) and not the other so how can they be the same? So, I sent an email when I got home to clarify my findings. I hear back this morning that in fact they are the same.

Another option #3 with L/S Buff mortar

                                   Option #3 with desert buff mortar

I quickly replied to Katie (the girl that I've been working with that I'm quite sure I'm driving crazy and probably never hopes to hear from me ever again because I call and email  her so much she thinks I'm a stalker) That that is just not possible and I will be going to highjack a brick from the first option #3 and take it to the "fake" option #3 to compare them. I also let her know that she will be my first call from jail if I either get arrested for stealing or trespassing. As, I'm typing this now I realize what a terrible plan this is because I'm sure that Katie hates me and will NOT be bailing me out.

We've got squatters.

End of day two, things were off to a really slow start.

Here's where we are now. The first floor is almost complete. We've had pretty good weather so they have been able to work everyday since they began. Rain is in the forecast for the next two days so the FIL is going back to Georgia. I would imagine he and his guys are tired of living like squatters. We are renting a house for them and they are sleeping on air mattresses. We got the cable hooked up for them yesterday so they can watch some television. (I bet Herb's roomies are about to go crazy watching Fox News at 120 decibels) I told Ryan they are worse than celebrities with their riders, next thing you know we'll be picking out the red M&M's for them. Totally joking, I feel bad that their living conditions aren't the best but they don't seem to mind. I made them soup the other night and sent over bowls with it and Herb said how much he appreciated just having a bowl to eat out of! Maybe being uncomfortable will inspire them to work faster...

                

                                       Ryan pretending to work.

We've also gotten a couple quotes on brick labor and windows and exterior doors.

The search for the brick continues. Input on selection is welcome. Here are some of the choices:

                                                     Option 1

Option 2

Option 3