Roof is up and shingles are coming!

The framers' last day was Thursday. I bought sandwiches for all of them as a small thank you. We got chatting and I mentioned that I'd like to invite them to our open house when it's done and they were a bit stunned. The lead mentioned that they rarely get to see the finished product. Guess I will have to change that.

We continue to struggle finding the paint color. I think I have convinced DH that the "hyper" blue should be for trim, only. We still don't have a paint color. Where is that fairy godmother when you need her????

We are leaving for Arizona for a few days so will have a bit of a gap in pics, unless I can convince DSD to do the honors. The shingles will be going on while we are gone as well as plumbing and possibly the garage floor--we can have a garage band......wait, I can't play anything!!!

Be sure and check out the 29th pics--some better sunset pics.

Heaven & Diamonds or Stairs & Night Sky

OK, OK, I am dating my self. The title of this post refers to "Stairway to Heaven" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"--oh so 70's!!! But the point is WE HAVE STAIRS!!!!! Got home around 9pm last night and had dessert up with DH, on the second floor, sans ladder. The city lights were exactly like diamonds. It truly is going to be a treat to gaze westward, at all times of the day.

Spoke with OB and we have chosen a front door. Check it out: http://www.thermatru.com/CatalogDetails.aspx?StyleNumber=S891&Category=SS-8-SARA
in brushed nickel (won't be black)
Best of all, we will be under budget for the exterior doors--whoohoo!

OB comes over tomorrow to go over the bills and scheduling. I figure we're about 3 weeks ahead of schedule.

No new pictures, but I will post STAIR pics ASAP.

Second floor and more or paint r us

As I write this the second floor walls are up and over half of the interior second floor walls are up as well. My DS1 (Dear Carpenter Sis) suggested some otherworldly powers that the framers must possess but I assured her that it is due to the copious amounts of soft drinks and coffee and junk foods that they consume. (and I am sticking to that!) They are currently hoisting the lumber up and using ladders to get up there. They lock them up at night so DH and I borrow DSD's ladder to make our way to the second floor. My DS2 (Dear Encourager Sis) is urging me on and "walking up those steps together"--hopefully there will be steps to go up on soon.

This weekend, the framers worked on Saturday so didn't do much photos--I hate to get in their way. I send DH--He can do it for me--ha! We put in for 2 pocket doors that were not in the plan and some "interior" windows--basically openings in the walls that are framed and trimmed like windows without glass--more below.

Our other Saturday project was to go and pick up some samples of paint. I picked one and DH picked the other. DH applied and I think we both agreed--neither one. We both actually like the honey bucket color. See the photo with this entry--Don't you agree? Not to worry, I will be headed back to the paint store to find just the right color. DH is convinced we don't need more testing but I refuse to pick the color from a 1x1 square.

Friday and today we did get "up on the roof", er...second floor. The views will be nice from there. Today, we got to see the result of our latest change. We had "interior" windows overlooking from both the office (which is now a bedroom) and the front bedroom (which is now the office) to the foyer below. DH is worried about privacy but I think it will be easily handled with window treatments.

Pictures a plenty!!!!

I finally have them all up! You can watch each day as a show or by clicking on the thumbnail see them all at once.

(Look to the right--->"Other places to get lost at:")

If you have a slower connection I would not viewing as a show. I will try and spiff them up a bit with titles but they are all there and I will be adding more so come back again!!!

I'd love to read your comments!

Now, where is that tape measure.....

First Friday of Framing or A Wall has Risen

These framers work FAST!!!! As of Friday PM, all the first floor joists were covered and one wall was up and another two were built.

DH and OLOB (Our Lady of Budgets--employed by OB) met Friday PM, after DH's golfing. The good news is that they got things squared away and we are on the same page, literally.

We are even 7K UNDER budget, but I am sure not for long. Windows and doors have been ordered or are in pricing. Windows will be almost exactly like our neighbors (why didn't I see that--grimace) but I can live with that. Door is still being priced--no ovals available with 8 foot doors but the glass styles are available. I think the Saratoga is coming out on top (see link http://www.thermatru.com/CatalogDetails.aspx?StyleNumber=S73&Category=SS-EP-SARA )

Timber!!!!!! or framing is upon us

Took the photo on the top this morning and the one on the bottom this evening--what a difference 10 hours makes!!!!

OB called me this afternoon and they are starting framing in earnest tomorrow. (I'm afraid it will be all framed by the time I get home at this rate--grin!) He has this crew for the next 2 weeks and he says they are they best bunch to work with. The lumber bill is due and I am still dealing with getting the money in the right bank. Who would think that in this electronic age that it would take 3 business days for ACH! Someone is making some $$ here but it isn't us--I just want it there already. Enough whinging!

(Whinging definition here: http://www.freesearch.co.uk/dictionary/whinging)

Thanks for the comments on the doors. I was asked what the style of house was. I'd call it NW style but see for your self: http://www.architectsnw.com/plansearch/individualplansr.cfm?planno=M2645B3FT-0

We have made some changes to this plan and the exterior finishing is still being decided but it gives you some idea. The biggest exterior changes we made are getting rid of the large fake dormer and the small window on the right end of the house. Neither served a purpose and all the weather comes from the South here so the small window was a potential leak site. Inside, we decided to not have a 17 foot ceiling in the living room and instead add a study above it to catch some fantastic views of the Olympics. We also made the windows bigger to capture more of that view--thanks to SD (Second Dad) who suggested it when we were mulling over the plans--pre OB.