Radiant Floor Heat and A Little Drama

The floor heat was completed and it looks really nice. Everyone is intrigued and stopping in to see what it looks like. We are all anxious to get it up and running and see how it works even though it will be some time before we need heat. It is a lot of intricate work that will not ever be seen because it all gets covered up by flooring, but it will be much appreciated on cold days.

They still have to install all this equipment in the mechanical room.

So, now that we have that done, we can put in the hardwood. But the hardwood has only partially arrived on the jobsite. Some of it is still on order. Apparently there is a lumber shortage. Building has picked up and supplies are not yet keeping up with the demand.

Hopefully, we have enough to get the kitchen done so we can get our cabinets installed. The cabinets were supposed to be delivered Tuesday. They were not. They started installing the floor Wednesday but barely got started when they hit one of the lines for the floor heat and had to stop. Yes, there is water in those lines. We called the HVAC guys who came back and repaired the damage today. Now we have to wait for the subfloor to dry out to continue laying the flooring. Hopefully this is the one and only time they have to do that.

Now we'll see if we can actually get the cabinets delivered. There is a war going on between two companies involved in these cabinets and we seem to be the collateral damage at this point. They need to get the issue resolved. It isn't our fault they are at odds with each other. I just want my cabinets.

I think there is way too much drama going on around here. Our daughter is currently rehearsing for next week's production of Disney's Sleeping Beauty and I have been working with the props. Believe me, there is as much drama going on with our house as there is in the theater. But in spite of that, I do believe that both companies have the integrity to resolve the issue and get my cabinets to me.

Also this week, Bryan put some backer board in the bathrooms and laundry room
so they can install cabinets in those rooms.

And I planted a few flowers out by the 'gatehouse.' 

DAY 278 -- Planting Grass

Bryan worked with a guy on Friday and Saturday to plant grass seed all around the house site. While there has been plenty of storms the last couple of days, we haven't really had any rain on the site so we could use a nice gentle rain. No tornadoes or 80mph winds, please. The county requires that you have grass growing before they give you an occupancy permit.

Building A House -- a few thoughts

I think I have been asked "would you do this again?" about one hundred times now. And about 80 of those have been this week. I don't know why it is that some weeks are way more stressful than others. Some of it because you can't put anything on hold to deal with building a house. All the other aspects of life just keep on moving ahead.

You have all the everyday things and some things just get ignored  --  in my case I haven't cleaned house in awhile. Keeping the laundry done and meals cooked is about all the "normal" I can get to.

Spring has arrived, and between mowing at our current house and mowing at the new house, we always have mowing to do. And something always has a flat tire. And don't forget that school isn't out. We have term papers to deal with and final exams and don't forget to order those graduation announcements. Well, needless to say I've forgotten a few things.

That is just the normal everyday stuff we all deal with every year, right? Now for those of us crazy enough to add to this stress by building a house . . . .

It seems there aren't enough hours in a day for all the phone calls. Contractors are calling or we need to call them. Someone we need to talk to won't return calls and someone you don't have answers for calls several times. Orders don't come in or they have pieces missing. Someone misunderstood you. You misunderstood someone else. Something you never even knew existed comes in 14 colors, 3 shapes and 6 sizes. This guy is mad at this other guy and these people want those people to do something different. And whose to blame isn't my problem, but I don't want any of them mad at me! Somebody didn't show up for work and somebody else left without finishing. And no one remembers to clean up after themselves.

There is the constant searching: in stores, on the web, wherever. Lighting, plumbing, tile, appliances, countertop ... of course Pinterest and Houzz surfing for possible ideas. I have to get stuff ordered now or we'll be waiting on it. Then when I have a huge stack of "this is what I want" pictures, I can go somewhere and actually explain what I want. Most people have a tendency to think they know what you want and what you need. It helps to be really prepared with pictures and to be well-versed in using the word "no." But it also helps to have someone who will give you suggestions when you hit that one decision you didn't give a thought to. (What color on this flange?)

So now that I've rambled considerably about building a house, I still haven't answered the question, "would you do it again?" I guess I really can't say that I wouldn't. We're building this house to be our forever house so I don't want to build OUR house again. But I feel like we've learned so much that if we did build another house, we would be better at it. At least make different mistakes. I can definitely see why builders build the same house or similar houses over and over again.

"Has it been worth it?" Well, yes, I think so. The house will be great when it is done. And overall the experience has been a great education. I'm all for learning something new. And I think someday we'll look back and say it was not only good, it was fun.Yea, fun. It really has had it's fun moments. And so far my blood pressure has always come back down and Bryan hasn't landed a punch on a single person yet!

Final word on the subject: If you want to build your own house, call me. I can give you an earful.

DAY 272 -- Floor Heat, Recycled Sinks and Dirt Moving!

The past week has been slow again. Many days Bryan was the only one who worked out there! But we did have a few things happen.

I salvaged some old sinks from my grandfather's stuff. These sinks had been sitting out in the dirt for over 30 years! But they are such cool sinks I decided to see what it would take to save them and reuse them. I had them resurfaced and they look so good. Here are before and after photos:

The other thing that is coming along is the installation of the floor heat.

And Bryan has been busy moving dirt with the bobcat.

There was huge dirt pile here and it is completely gone!

We are having beautiful spring weather. It is so nice to spend time out here.

We had a beautiful sunset over the pond last night.

I love watching the geese and listening to the coyotes!

Tediously Slow

The last two weeks have been pretty slow. I say that a lot, don't I? Anyway I am becoming impatient and I know a few other people are as well. The cabinet guys are ready to deliver and I have to keep pushing them back. But there is always some delay somewhere.

We got the mechanical room drywalled and painted and lights put up so that it is ready for the installation of all the equipment for our heating and cooling system. It looks empty now but not for long.

The painters also painted all the ceilings.

Bryan has been moving a lot of dirt with the tractor and the bobcat. The next thing is to get the floor heat system put down. The materials are here and they have started on it.

Hopefully this next week brings a few more changes.

I am busy making sure I have things picked out and ordered and

ready to go and there is always a hiccup somewhere.

But we have no deadlines except our own so I guess we're on schedule :)