Starting to Look Like a House

It is happening! The house is taking shape. Framing started on Monday. It was a good thing Jim was there. There were some issues that needed to be addressed that were particularly important. We ended up bumping out the basement on the back side of the house so now both sides will look the same. This resulted in a change in the window sizes. Fortunately we were in the process of ordering the windows so making the needed changes was not a problem. It was a bit hectic for a while until we figured out what needed to be done. The framers are doing a great job. They don't speak English very well so communication is difficult but they are hard workers.
Poncho is the lead framer and seems to be very conscientious about the work that is being done. Carl and Mike own the framing company and are good to be on site to make sure the work is being done correctly. Jim had to go to Charleston to make a call so I went with him. We were gone Wednesday and Thursday. When we went to the site on Friday all the framing in the pictures had been done. As we were checking out the basement we noticed a couple of places where the plumbing for the water line was not where it was supposed to be. I will have to admit I was thinking "Oh great. Here we go. How in the world are we going to solve this problem." Mike (who owns the framing co.) was there and he knew what needed to be done. We called the plumber who said no problem. This happens sometimes. When the rough in for the plumbing is done before the framing (which is what has to happen when the basement is going to be finished) it can be difficult to have everything exactly where it belongs. He will take care of moving what needs to be moved. So, problem solved. Sometimes it gets overwhelming having to make so many decisions in a short amount of time. Jim and I are doing a pretty good job of deferring to one another on things that are more important to one of us than the other. We get frustrated with one another but we get over it pretty quickly. Just to let you know, the person in the background of the picture of the basement before framing is Tara standing on the future front porch.

Progress

The rough in plumbing for the basement went well. It passed inspection (praise the Lord!). The footers for the garage and front porch were dug and poured. They also passed inspection. Here are the recent pics. The one of the guys lying down are the plumbers who were actually waiting for the inspector. I had just shown up and when I walked to the lower level there they were. I harassed them about being paid to lay around. The other pics show the footers and block walls going up. With the extra materials and equipment on site now there is less grass to be mowed. I had to add the picture of Emma. She likes to get in my closet and put on my shoes. She looks so cute. In this pic she reminds me of my sister, Patty when she was a little girl.

Taking Shape

The Superior Walls are finally up.
They came on Monday but two of the walls were not correct so they had to be recast. They were put up today. It is exciting to see the house take shape. The plumber is coming on Monday to "stub in" the basement (weather permitting). That has to be inspected (hopefully on Tuesday)
and then the gravel goes in for the basement floor.
Footings are next, another inspection, and then the
floor is poured. This should take about two weeks to be completed.
We cleared out some poison ivy that was growing up the
trunk of two trees. I am very allergic to it. Fortunately,
I ended up with just a mild rash on my right ankle and left arm. We sprayed to kill it so it won't be a problem now. We mowed again today. What a job that is. I asked Ben how long you have to mow down here. He said until December but it slows down around November. Not a lot of encouragement there!

Here are some pics of the walls going up. Deb and the girls
came over for the first official picnic on the grounds. Emma
was able to see the work going on. When we explain that
Grandma and Grandpa are building a house she always asks
if she can build one too.