Porch Rails

Things have seemed to really slow down over the past week or so. All of the major framing is completed, the front porch is completed and the soffit is sitting in the basement ready to be installed.  We got some bad news on the windows yesterday.  Turns out they've pulled the window we were going to order from the shelf because of some nasty scratching issues (glad we found out now instead of later!) so we're back to the drawing board to find a good window we like.  As far as I know the doors and siding have been ordered and will be here sometime soon.  Bracy has started on the plumbing (I think I saw one toilet pipe in place yesterday) and the electric has come to an unexpected halt right now.  We're still waiting on a few budgetary adjustments before we can take off on that project.  But I was pleasantly surprised, but not as much as Josie, when I saw the back porch now has rails and for the most part, I don't have to worry about anyone just walking off the edge anymore!

 



 

 

 

Front Door has been ordered!

Now that the framing is just about finished up, we are at that stage where we're picking out windows and doors, and other details that will make our house our home.  The front door was easy.  As soon as we saw it, we knew this was the one!  Made of fiberglass, meant to look like wood, and the way the owners in the picture dressed it up with the nails and hinges is just perfect!  I just hope ours will look just as great once it's all finished!



Green Shingles

Lunchtime Progress:

Impending rain.  Yesterday it rained.  Sunday it rained.  Saturday morning... rain.  Tommorrow - chance of rain.  It seems like the never ending story - so thankfully when I went out at lunch today, this is what I saw...

 

Update:  The roof is now finished including roof vents, AND it looks great!   Thanks so much Terry! (Edwards Roofing, Inc.)



 

 

Final rafters on the overhang!

Front Porch

Waiting on lumber

So now that the back porch is finished, the lumber has been ordered for the front porch and the front overhang, and while they waited for the lumber to arrive, they finally built the stairs to the upper level of the house!  Josie and Me-ma were tickled to finally get to go up there and see the rooms!

(climbing the ladder to get up there was SO out of question!)

And I've been meaning to take some pictures of the retaining wall we worked on this past weekend, so here it is.

All it needs now is some topsoil and some pretty rose bushes :)  I hope we get to work on the other section of this wall (other side of steps) this weekend! BTW - that's the pile of lumber they were waiting on in the background.  Tomorrow they should start on the front porch!

And my entry wouldn't be complete without a picture of my little sawdust sweeper.  She loves to help in any way she can.... Even if it is sweeping the sawdust OUT of the pile and all over the floor ;)

Back Porch Completed!

beginnings of a back porch

The roofers came and installed the tar paper over all the living areas of the house.  The side porch is very close to being finished and the back porch has come a long way since my post last Thursday.  The shingles have been ordered (hunter green) and we should be ordering windows any day now.  We're waiting for quotes on entry doors and siding and will be ordering that real soon too.  We've met with several Sheetrock guys (gals) and are getting bids on the job.  Mack has got most of the boxes in except for upstairs.  The retaining wall is in between the steps and the house, and has successfully held back the dirt through the 3 to 4 inches of rain we had this weekend.  It's been a productive few days, which I enjoy.  It makes the time go by faster...

Side Porch Rafters

I think I just heard a huge sigh of relief!  Today, the guys, with the help of Nathan Eure, got the rafters up for the side porch; not an easy task so say the least!  Now they just need to be covered up with the OSB, which as you can see, Josie was helping to mark off the nailing lines. 

(She really did do a good job, and I'd say helped with over half of stack we prepared!)

Wordless Wednesday (side porch prep)

Rain, rain, rain....

I should have known that it was going to rain today.  I could have predicted that as soon as they said they were coming to put paper on the roof.  Anyway - The shingles are ordered and hopefully will be in this week, so soon this house will be a little closer to being dry!  Even with all the rain, the guys were able to get a little work done.  I've now got closets in the bedrooms, a hole for the attic door, and the loft extension was installed.  I can hardly wait to get drywall on these studs!

Deck Steps and House Wrap

I didn't get a chance to go by during my lunch break, but I was able to go by tonight and check out the progress.  To my surprise we now have deck steps and housewrap (only along the back and one side).

Still a lot of screwing to do...

Lunchtime Progress:  A BACK PORCH!

They guys started putting the decking down first thing this morning, and by lunch - they had it all in place.... except - there is still a lot of screwing to do!  Jeffrey had them just put a few screws per board to hold it in place so that we can come back this weekend and finish it off!  He's so anxious to get the house dried in, he's looking for lots of little ways to speed things along like this.  I guess this is how it came that I got to nail the floors down, so it's only right I get to screw the back porch too :)

Actually, I'm looking forward to it.  I haven't really "worked" on the house in a while, and I think I'm having withdrawals, lol.  Anyhow, enough blabbering - here's the eight foot back porch with decking!

The little things

So it's been the little things this week that have kept the guys busy.  Including an impromptu trip to Lowes to pick up a few bolts and more quick-crete. 

It's the moments like this that I hope I will never forget....

The beginnings of a back porch

God's Beauty

The last few days have been busy days, mostly running around doing little things here and there.  The holes were dug for the back porch posts this weekend, so yesterday the inspector came out to give the A-O.K. The posts for the porch were then put in place and braced up.  The brackets for the side porch have now been delivered and we decided how we were going to place those.  The gable up top has been built and sheathed, the termite treatment has arrived and arrangements are being made on how to apply it.  Jeffrey went to Franklin to get the quickcrete for the posts, and now it's on site.  The electrician came and went through the middle story with us yesterday afternoon while we tried to hash out where all the light switches and receptacles were going to go.  There's still a few small pieces of OSB to go up here and there and little framework jobs on the inside including the second set of stairs.

In the middle of all the chaos, a strong storm came up yesterday afternoon and made us step back, slow down and just pause for a few minutes.  What followed was nothing but pure beauty, and it reminds me just how thankful I really am for all the beautiful wonderful people in my life and of all the MANY blessings God has bestowed upon me and my family.  I just want to share that with you now.