Further pics of the last stages of the House Nov/Dec 2007

These pictures show Eli and Jake working on laying the stones around the walkways and how the house looks when I moved in beginning early Dec. We were in the house for Christmas and had a good time with Erin and her family.

House Update 12/28/2007

These are the pictures showing the driveway and landscaping under construction. This was probably early Nov 2007. I had no idea the yard would be such an undertaking, but it was!!

House Update 10/14/2007

These are the latest pictures of the exterior of the house which is now about 96% complete. Hurray. But there is still the landscaping yet to go. The mason changed the configuration of the steps yesterday. They go all the way across the front porch now. Much better! I am really excited about finally seeing the end of a long year making the myriad of decisions that must be made. But truly I am more excited that the house is looking the way I have envisioned it. I can hardly wait to move in! I will try to post pics of teh interior sometime in the next week!

Latest Project

This is my latest project. I put the blue color on it yesterday. This picture is deceiving because the blue color is actually darker than this picture. I think I am going to fill in the drawer fronts and door front on the right side with some cool wallpaper I have and then put a glaze over all to tone down the color. What do you think, Anyone?!!!!

House Update 9/2/2007

Sorry I did not post anything in August but it was a BUSY month, Spent a week at the beach and then Robin and her gang came home with me and spent the week after the beach. And we were right in the midst of HEAT WAVE big time!! We swam mostly everyday; went horseback riding one morning and ATE a lot! I have no pictures to share of the beach or Robin's visit. The pictures of the house are how it looks currently. I am getting very impatient as you might guess. The floors ( red oak) are in and have had two coats of finish applied. The cabinets are currently being installed also. The installers probably will finish up tomorrow. And the countertop lady will measure for the countertops tomorrow also. I am just tired of feeling like I am camping out in this BIG old house with inadequate heating and cooling.

My Birthday

Thank you to my daughters and everyone who sent cards and called for making my birthday special. Erin and her gang came for a yummy dinner and ice cream cake. Robin sent a "Live, Laugh and Love" hanging sign with photos that will have a special place in my new house and to Carrie and John sent the beautiful roses that are pictured. The flowers came this morning since I went to Asheville for the weekend. My Dad sent a card welcoming me to the "seniors". Gee, great, Dad!
Love you all!

Saga of the Mouse Door

This is a pcture of the "mouse door". Erin and the builder convinced me that the door would be fine--that it really is a nice door and to be patient. Patience-what's that? Currently it has a speakeasy door which will be replaced with glass. And, of course it still needs to be stained (or painted--not a popular idea among the people who convinced me that it would be fine). I have been looking at light fixtures (I found a dining room fixture that I love just by accident last Friday while I was in Johnson City AND it was from the lighting store that the builder uses--can't beat that). I have also been trying to decide what furniture I have that will work in the house and where those pieces might fit. And then there is the question of wall colors-oh no, how will I ever decide, but IT IS only paint.

It's Coming Along

Setting the bricks on the house is a very time consuming progress. "Cricket", the brick mason, and his helper have been working for a about five days and have completed just what you see in the pictures so far. I really like the look of the brick and mortar--now that the mortar has had a chance to dry and cure some. Cricket said it would look great ( I thought the mortar might be too dark). All the guys who have worked on the house have been super-they all want me to be pleased. Another crew started doing the dry wall today. They hope to be finished by Tues evening so they can take the 4th off. It really feels like a house inside now, but there is still lots of work to be done.

House Update 6/08

Here are the latest pictures of the house. Front, back and two interior shots (one of the back door and windows and the other looking toward the dining room. The latest glitch is the size of the front door. It looks like a midget door with all the big windows and open space. I am hoping we can replace the door with at least a taller if not wider one. Hopefully, the current door can be returned for at least an adjustment on a new one. I talked to head carpenter but not to the builder yet. I need encouragment! This is way to stressfull. I have been very pleased with the builder and his crews which is something.

Mother's Day 2007

Thanks to my 3 wonderful girls for a great Mother's Day. Robin sent flowers on Friday for me to enjoy and I visited with her by phone a lot the past couple of days. Erin and Luna came to Greeneville today and we looked at the house and went to lunch- Intalian grinder and Greek salad--yum! Carrie called while we were at lunch and she and John were going through the drive-thru in R/C for a Dr. Pepper! I love you all. Thanks for being so good to me!

House Update as of 5/13

The house finally has a roof to keep the rain out! The shingles wil go on this next week and hopefully the windows will be delivered and installed soon. The electrical and plumbing are the next big hurdles. I already have a bathtub in one of the bathrooms! I had to decide what type of fireplace to put in--it will be gas (propane) but the decision was direct vent or ventless. I went with direct vent--suppose to be better for overall interior air quality, huh?? I am excited now, of course. Some of the more fun stuff like picking out cabinets and floors etc will be coming soon. Stay tuned!! PS What do you think about adding a cupola and weathervane (rooster maybe) on the garage?!

House Update as of 4/29

The framers have been working steadily setting the trusses this past week (well except for Thursday when it rained a lot!) The guys doing the work are like monkeys (their word) climbing around and holding on to the 2x4's with their legs and feet at quite a height. They do not wear hard hats either-a surprise to me.

The house is beginning to take shape and you can actually feel what it will be like to walk from room to room. There are LOTS of decisions to be made still, but I did decide on the brick color (Sedgwick (a varigated choclate brown) and the shingle color (Weatheredwood), Hopefully, I will like this combination!

I have been trying to decide on bathroom fixtures. I had no idea they could be so expensive especially with tastes like mine! I am trying to stay patient but that's not my strong suit as anyone who knows me at all can confirm! The next steps will be to finish with the trusses, put on the plywood for the roof and then the shingles. I think that is the order!

Words to Go Along with the House Pictures!

The house is coming along very well. I am very pleased with the progress. The lead framer is named Eli. He is very nice--doesn't mind if I visit the site and has listened to my concerns and is more than happy to make the few (?) changes I have requested! So far so good!! It's pretty exciting. The house seems larger now that it has some semblance of walls and Eli says it will seem evern bigger when the roof goes on. The trusses for the roof are due to be delivered next week ( Apr 19 maybe). The weather turned really frosty last weekend, but has warmed up some this week. I am off to Boston tomorrow to visit Robin , Britt and the "boys". It is even colder in Boston, but he seafood is great!

Pictures of "The House"

Blogging is Easy-Who Sez'!

I have been trying for the last several days (more like a couple of weeks!)) to add a new post to my blog, BUT. . . first I forgot how to sign in and by the time I figured that out, I was too tired (or frustrated) to continue. Then I wanted to download new pictures to include--mostly pictures of the progress on my house. Guess what? No can do. Guess I need a new USB cable. So after a few more days, I checked at Wally World and couldn't find one there. So finally today I ordered a new cable online hoping that a new cable will fix the problem. Can't imagine what else it could be.

Spring has come to East TN--the weather has warmed and everything is in bloom, Redbud, Dogwoods, Flowering Cherry, forsythia (almost gone now), tulips, (the daffodils are long gone) and all the trees are leafing out, what green! Of course, that means the lawns are coming to life and need to be mowed! I love the Spring here (and the Summer and Fall) can't say too much for winter though. It was SO cold this past winter. I am so hoping to be in my new house this Fall!

Speaking of the new house, the foundation is done and the framing can start anytime-hopefully this week. I had to make the final decision about the windows today--Scareeeee! I opted for upgraded wndows which should be VERY nice considering how far over budget I had to go to get what I wanted. I have been agonizing over brick and roof color too! I am good at interior colors but the outside is another story and SO permanent. Will add pictures of the progress when I can!

Happy Easter to all. Maybe I'll dye some eggs for Harry and Missy.