Work on the stone on the French drain pipe continues. and some excavating was done to level a spot nice and close to the foundation for our lumber to be placed. And here it is – The first of many loads of lumber is delivered. It is a very exciting day. Some of the plywoodContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 52”
Category Archives: Home Building
Living the Dream Day 51
Storms rolling through and our last canopy is taking a beating. While it stormed we worked on another lumber order. After the storm damage we were able to repair the broken canopy. There is water around the foundation again. The French drains are in and the stone is being placed over the piping. Headed toContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 51”
Living the Dream Day 50
Stayed in Clarksburg, West Virginia last night at the Hilton Garden Inn. We got up early and headed to McDonalds drive thru for breakfast. They must certainly like their syrup and butter in this state. They provided four packages of syrup and four packages of butter for three small pancakes. Imagine how much product isContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 50”
Living the Dream Day 49
Today was all about the recital and taking pre recital pictures. Three generations of women. The oldest was never a dancer though. Then headed to the venue which was at a camp due to Covid-19. The Cicadas sounds were overwhelming in the parking lot. Jenna came out of dancing retirement and performed in the parentsContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 49”
Living the Dream Day 48
Today was all about family. Took the boys for ice cream while Julianna had recital practice. What a warm wonderful day to sit outside and enjoy our sweets. Then headed back to the house to hang out and play with the Cicadas. Well, at least the kids played with them. I think they are gross.Continue reading “Living the Dream Day 48”
Living the Dream Day 47
Not missing the work in Kentucky. Just loving visiting with family. We had a fun relaxing day spent with a few of our Grand children. The oldest sibling in her family found my phone very amusing. Love the faces. Tweens are so cute. Then the oldest grandson was intent on helping to cook something. LookContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 47”
Living the Dream Day 46
We spent last night at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clarksburg, West Virginia. We are headed to our daughter’s house in Pennsylvania for our granddaughter’s annual dance recital. There was no way we were missing this special event. We also could use a little time away from the compound. Due to Covid-19, we had toContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 46”
Living the Dream Day 45
Went to the casino today – lol the laundromat. The big difference is when you go to the casino you can leave with more money then you walked in with. When you go to the laundromat, you always leave with less money. French drain pipes are all in and look great. The water will drainContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 45”
Living the Dream Day 44
Today was another hot apply the sunscreen and wear a big hat work day. I got away from the sun and went to a really nice nail salon in Somerset, where I was pampered with a manicure and pedicure. French drains are in. Came home and cooked Beef Quesadillas on the grill. After dinner sat,Continue reading “Living the Dream Day 44”
Living the Dream Day 43
This morning we got up a little discouraged after the canopy fiasco yesterday. The canopies are all garbage now, except the original that we bought about ten years ago. That one we had over the picnic table and the spikes hammered in the ground. It is amazing how far the wind pulled them out ofContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 43”
Living the Dream Day 42
The birds are lined up on the wires enjoying the show. They are making jokes and laughing at the big birds playing in the mud. “Hey Carl, get everyone from the Jones house wire. This show is better and funnier than watching TV through their window. Wilma – bring some snacks, looks like we willContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 42”
Living the Dream Day 41
Day – 41 – Living the Dream. Hard to get a foundation done when it just pours everyday. The foundation just fills up with water. You can no longer just walk into the foundation area. So, Steve put up some boards to get into the foundation. So now it is walk the plank ye Matey’sContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 41”
Living the Dream Day 40
Day – 40 – Living the Dream. Woke up this morning to a very wet open trunk. Steve carries the car key fob in his pocket and bends over and opens the trunk. We have had this happen in hotels and the trunk has been filled with snow. We now make sure, when that ourContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 40”
Living the Dream Day 39
Day 39 – Living the Dream. Our mornings start with eggs on the electric griddle. So glad we brought the griddle with us. Sorry Jeff, bacon is once a week at Cracker Barrel. We hung up hooks for our towels to dry in the cabin. So not used to reusing towels for more than oneContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 39”
Living the Dream Day 38
Day 38 – Living the Dream. The heater arrived today from Amazon. Just in time for some really hot weather. It is 80 degrees in the shade. I love the heater. It was a recommendation from my friend Brenda. When it tips a little it turns off. Steve also bought me silicone gloves from Amazon.Continue reading “Living the Dream Day 38”
Living the Dream Day 37
Day 37 – Living the Dream. Woke up this morning to pouring rain. Thank goodness for the canopies. It is hot, humid, rainy jungle weather. We ate breakfast at the picnic table listening to the Morning Doves just like we used to do in Pennsylvania. Really missing the Northeast today – family, friends, and theContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 37”
Living the Dream Day 36
Day 36 – Living the Dream. Debating about these laundromat trips. Spending lots of money and time on going. My friend Ann asked why we didn’t put a washer and dryer in the old house. The old house is gross, but we are now contemplating buying the set we will put in the new house.Continue reading “Living the Dream Day 36”
Living the Dream Day 35
Day 35 – Living the Dream. It is starting to look like a foundation and a tent city. Borrowed two canopies and bought another one. It is hot laying the block when the sun is out and if you look at the coming days weather it looks like a good chance of rain everyday. HopingContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 35”
Living the Dream Day 34
Day 34 – Living the Dream. There are 105 cement blocks in each of the cubes. Each cube weighs about 4,000 pounds for a total of 32,000 pounds plus whatever the pallet with the caps weighs. All that weight will be in the foundation walls. Each block weighs about 38 pounds and Steve will beContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 34”
Living the Dream Day 33
Day 33 – Living the Dream. Woke up this morning to heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. So tired of trucking up to the old mouse infested house for morning coffee. We have to keep everything in plastic storage containers to protect it from bugs and mice. And tired of these itchy bug bites that justContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 33”
Living the Dream Day 32
Day 32 – Living the Dream. We woke up to a wet, cold, dreary day. First thing we did was measure and set the four corner pins for the house. The footings are spot on and everything is square. These pins are used to start laying the block. The block is bring delivered Thursday aroundContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 32”
Living the Dream Day 31
Day 31 – Living the Dream. It was an exciting morning. I was up and out of bed singing “The Concrete is coming. Oh Yeah, The Concrete is coming. Woohoo, we are going to have some footings today. Oh Yeah! We are so happy to see something changing after the long holiday weekend. Although, RelaxingContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 31”
Living the Dream Day 30
Day 30 – Living the Dream. After a cold night of temperatures in the 40’s, it warmed up to 76 this afternoon. What a beautiful, sunny, clear day. Not a cloud in the sky. We bought a weed Wacker/eater/trimmer or whatever you call it from Tractor Supply. It is a Husqvarna upper mid level pricedContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 30”
Living the Dream Day 29
Day 29 – Living the Dream. Showering in the outdoor shower last night in 50 degrees was crazy. It was warm under the water, but walking to and from the shower was really cold. Our heat source in the cabin is my blow dryer. I woke up this morning freezing. Went up to the houseContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 29”
Living the Dream Day 28
Day 28 – Living the Dream. We have developed a morning routine now. I get up at 6am, throw some clothes on, and walk to the house looking for snakes and other animals. I loudly knock on the back door to scare away any critters that may be scurrying around. Cracking the door I shoutContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 28”
Living the Dream Day 27
Day 27 – Living the Dream. By the end of each day after doing the dishes we are ready to pass out. Hopefully, today will be better since it was an off day. This morning while eating breakfast we could hear the rain approaching. It came in fast and strong then stopped and a beautifulContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 27”
Living the Dream Day 26
Day 26 – Living the Dream. Long hot day today. Steve is still on the Jumping Jack, aka the mini excavator. Him and Justin have been working non stop in the heat since early this morning. It is going to rain tomorrow and he is working until the digging is complete, ground leveled and rebarContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 26”
Living the Dream Day 25
Day 25 – Living the Dream. We are both truly exhausted this morning, well actually all mornings. It takes awhile to get motivated. We go through periods where each of us say “I WANT TO GO HOME” – Haha, but where is home? After we sit awhile and listen to the happy birds or itContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 25”
Living the Dream Day 24
Day 24 – Living the Dream. Reflecting on retirement and what is retirement. To me, it is doing something different that you could not do while working a full time job. Work is the essence of life and good for your soul. We are certainly over flowing with work. The round hay bales in theContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 24”
Living the Dream Day 23
Day 23 – Living the Dream. Today was dig the foundation day. We will probably spend another two or three days on excavating the foundation. Before starting this morning, we decided we better make sure we could obtain the rafters needed. Lumber supply is limited and so very expensive. We were looking for 2x8x22″s butContinue reading “Living the Dream Day 23”