Two steps forward, one step back

The first floor decking is done. There are 4 walls amd you can see where the windows and doors will be. It is beginning to look like a house. We have a few good things like the walls are up and they look good. We will not be having a masonary chimney. Not enough footer for it. We have about 10 inches and needed at least 12. So, back to the original plan. The basment plumbing is done and inspected. Now the basement floor can be poured. This is to be completed today, I understand. The last of the supplies are being delivered tomorrow morning. Between 7 and 11 AM. It is my day off and the old guy is working. Guess who gets to be there... Yup, me. I will be fine. More time to knit or stitch or read. Down side, no bathroom. Then there were a couple of oopsies. The plumber got stuck in the septic system. He was looking in the wrong rear view mirror? and talking on his phone and backed right in. Ooopsie. At least we know that AAA can get up the hill. Then there was the person in the construction crew that backed the big piece of equipment into the garage wall. Poundage wins. The wall came down. Again, oopsie. AAA was not able to help here. The blocklayers will be coming back a little sooner than originally planned. Things are moving along pretty quickly. Much faster than I anticipated. I am beginning to wonder if Christmas in the new house might, maybe, be possible. We will see, now, won't we?

Finally, really this time.

It has been awhile. It seemed that all I was doing was whining. I will try to stop that. We have, really, finally begun. We have a hole, filled with block and waiting on the plumbing to be done wo the floors can be poured. We have a small pond, soon to be twice as big, as it is really pretty small. The old guy was talking about a dock. The boy laughed out loud. He intimated that a dock of any respectable size would span the pond. Most people agree, as do I. Apparently public opinion wins. It will be bigger. Then he can consider a dock. He really wants a dock. I, on the other hand, want a zip line, fish and wood duck nesting posts. We will see. We have lumber and logs. Yes, they came. On a big ole truck, up the still nasty but much better driveway. Dave, the builder, is busily setting the deck and microlam and waiting on further info regarding the chimney. The mason has indicated he can build and face a masonary chimney for about what we have budgeted for a nonmasonary one. Ths pleases all the men as it seems it is far superior when it comes to functionality and saftey. This change will require another approval from the county building commission royalty. We will need to get a drawing and then have an opportunity to hold court with them for possible approval. If not given, we are back to the original drawings and the nonmasonary chimney. Again, time will tell here. We went and looked at bricks and stone for the chimney. Apparently, I have expensive taste. I like the hand made bricks versus the machine made ones and managed to pick out one of the most expensive of the lovely stones they have on site. There was also a charming brick firepit type structure outside the building. Very nice. The old guy wants one. I think it would look fine outide the walkout lower level. Or by the pond. With a bench or two. Next to the dock. According to my niece, Julie, many more exciting shopping forays are in my future. She and my sister-in-law, Debbie, can hardly wait. Lighting, bathroom stuff, flooring, wall covering, carpeting, countertops, to say nothing about bath linens, leather furniture and heaven knows what else. The list seemss endless. They are incredibly excited about this. I wish they lived closer. In the meantime, if it gets to where nothing more can be done until approval is received, Dave will begin working on the garage. This is a stick built ediface and has no chimney. If it takes too long, the garage may be complete. Which might require a garage warming party, or something like that. It will probably involve the barrel of Jack Daniels that Paula is considering purchasing at Sam's Club. It is apprently a steal at a mere $8,000. I hope it is enough to get through the weekend.

Tomorrow, tomorrow

Digging will begin tomorrow. At least that is the plan at this time. The dozer is already there. He went out and checked. No surprise there. He has swept the barn, cleaned the barn windows and arranged the chairs. More chairs will be taken in the am. He is prepared to make coffee and take cinnamon rolls. This is after all, an official BIG DEAL. Friends are planning on being there to watch and kibits with him. I have no option but to be in attendance. I will, of course, bring my knitting. As I have no excavation skills, my kibitzing rights are nil. We will be up and out early, I am sure of that. I have no idea how long this part will take. I have to work tomorrow afternoon, so I will probably miss the finale. He will fill me in.

And, we are off. In a manner of speaking.

Yesterday was a banner day. We went from no block layers to three of them. We have chosen one, and he has given us good advise. A call to the excavator and we are off... Digging will commence in one week. The footers will go in immediately after and the laying of block will start a few days after the footers are done. Yesterday we had the ground breaking with a smallish group of family and friends. At least it seemed smallish until we went for ice cream. It seemed much bigger inside. The old guy made the toast... "To the house. May she go up fast and easy, stand long and strong and serve this family well for generations to come. To the house." There was consumption of Crown Royal Maple and assorted other beverages, a little digging (the ground was very hard and dry) and we went and ate ice cream at The Olde Mill. Before we started all of this, a trip to our current barn found quite a surprise. There is a hornet's nest inside that is bigger than a bushel basket. Yes, bigger than a bushel basket. A little terrifying if you ask me. I don't even want to imagine how many of those little winged beasties there are living inside. There was a challenge issued regarding specific male body parts and the destruction of said nest that was accepted by our son, known in family circles as the boy. This separates him from his father and his son, all John's. That aside. the boy went out after we came back and looked it over and sprayed alot of bug stuff on the giant nest. He left the light on so he could go out later and see how well he had done and to get into the barn for continued assassination attempts. Good idea, but not so much. Hornets like light. They buzz and fly around in the day time. They go to bed when it gets dark. While it may have been night time outside, inside it was high noon. No sleeping hornets. Indeed, there were many kinda sorta confused and angry hornets. He sprayed. They counter attacked. They won. He got to the light and turned it off and ran for the house. There were no stings but not because they didn't try. It is hoped they will calm down in a day or two and we can try again, at night, in the dark. Maybe, by then, they will have forgotten what we look like. One can only hope. More on this later. Many thanks to those that braved the heat and threatened downpours to came out and celebrate with us yesterday. When the logs start to go up, there is promise of barn porch sitting, stitching and knitting, Crown sipping, lots of kibitzing and maybe a little cigar smoking while we watch the spectacle. We are all looking forward to this.

Still no blocks

Okay. This has officially passed into the ridiculous. No block layer. The second one we thought we had has become non communicative, once he found out we already have an excavator and only need concrete and block work done. He has not returned a call in about a week. I am ready to get someone on my own. The neighbor next door says he knows someone that lays block, but no, we can't call him because we might piss someone off, per the old guy. Well, do I count at all? On top of that, he wants to have the ground breaking. Now. Like immediately. Like, isn't this a bit premature? No, he wants to do it NOW!!! Okay. What ever. I am becoming very weary of this project an it is not yet even a hole in the ground. So, tomorrow around 3 PM, we will dig a few shovels of dirt, drink a toast and repair to The Olde Mill for ice cream. Joy! The builder is still out of town, I believe. Is it possible that when he gets back that he will be home long enough to get this thing rolling? Or will he, too, disappear again? I am concerned that he is not going to be able to give our project his full attention if and when it gets going. He seems to be a very busy man. Yes, I am negative today. Maybe we can get the first guy for blocks and the second guy for concrete work and skip the second go between all together, since he is the one not talking. I am tired and it is only 10 AM. On the other hand, apparently the logs will be part of the log folks Fall program. The have a seminar type thingy in the fall, 2 weeks from now, that they use for showcasing their products, etc. Out logs will be the ones they will be using in the hand hewing demo. The old guy is so excited. He wants to go and watch. Of course he does. The logs have, again, been scheduled for delivery, now in late September. At the rate we are going, a new date may be needed. Maybe 3 times will be the charm. lets hope we can get this thing moving in the near future. I do believe that Christmas there is now absolutely out of the question. I am not sure that it will even be closed in by then. And I am not sure the driveway is up to a fall and winter build. But, then, that is another story that we will not go into right now.

Still waiting...

It is Friday, finally. Still no block layer. How hard can this be? We do have a line on a new one. We are waiting for an estimate. He is apparently available immediately so I hope the estimate fits into the alloted fianacial slot. Could we be so lucky? The old guy is gone again. He is back in Montana, basically the same area, just a different fire. The one they went for is mostly contained and has been given to a Type 3 team for monitering. The were assigned to another, the Schoolhouse or the Lolo, I am not sure which or maybe it is both run together, but it got really big, really fast. It evidently went to crown with big wind. The have now assigned it to a Type 1 team and they will close out tomorrow. They are being staaged in Missoula for a day or two based on weather predictions for wind with dry lightening. So, nice beds, great food, laundry and, based on what he says, boredom. Nothing to do but wait. He is not a good waiter, nor the others, I bet. What they do is a bit of an adrenaline rush and they kinda like it, or they wouldn't be there. If they get do not get a new assignment by Monday, they will probably disband and go home for a day or two to reset their clock and then come back for a new stint. Right now it is at a level 5 nationally. This means that they can be kept indefinately, for 21 days at least. The old guy will probably just hole up out there rather than come home. Coming home would mean 2 days to travel and then 2 more days to rest, in addition to the cost of tickets on a right now basis both ways. Most of the rest of the team are more local and they drive to and from, approx 2-3 hours one way so the 4 days he would use is far greater than any of the rest of the team. It would be much cheaper time and money wise to stay. But, as it is with this business, time alone will tell what happens. Mother Nature is absolutely in the driver's seat and she doesn't give out details of the trip she has planned. I work all weekend so I will be busy at least. The gal next door has a birthday tomorrow and her husband is having a surprise party tomorrow night. I will probably go for a bit after work. We have really great neighbors. One downside to moving. The kids are good kids and keep my lawn mowed while the old guy is gone. They like the cash and I like that I don't have to wrestle the mower around. It is a win win situation. This is the first year all 3 of the boys are in school. Kristi will graduate from nursing school in December. This has bee a trying couple of years for them but they seem to be bearing up pretty well. She is a good student and will graduate with honors, unless something unforseen happens. Her husband is so proud of her, and rightly so. I look forward to watching her graduate almost as much as our daughter in law a few weeks ago. She, too, graduated with an associate in nursing. She missed graduating with honors by about a tenth of a point. I was as proud of her as I could be. She did well and it was not an easy task for her. Going back to school when you have been out for years is not the easiest thing to do. Both will make wonderful nurses and both will continue on for their bachelors degree. Well, I have certainly gotten off subject. But, like I said in the beginning, we are still waiting.

Tuesday, counting down til Wednesday

This is gonna be a long week.  You can tell when it seems like it should be the weekend and it is only Tuesday morning.  Geesh!

No movement in the house area.  Still looking for a block layer.  This is turning into a nightmare.  One of a minor type, but a nightmare anyway.  There is nothing we can do at this time but wait.  Yes, I know, I think I am a good waiter, but this is getting ridiculous.

On another subject, school has already started here.  It is 2 weeks until Labor Day.  What are they thinking?  Summer is short enough without kidnapping the last 2 weeks.  Yes, kids are getting bored by now, and it is not all that good for them to be away from school for 3 whole months, but...    If they want to go to school all year round and give kids a month or 6 weeks every quarter, that would be different.  That would be enough time for some good relaxing time and clearing your head time for both kids and teachers. Both of whom need it, by the way.  Would you want 30 kids penned up in one room for a whole day in your charge?  No thanks!  Teachers are saints and we do not value them enough.  Just sayin'.

But back to where I was.  The way they do it now seems like no one gets time to do anything in the scattered days off thru the year and then the summer stretches just a little too long. We might really do better with a year round school schedule.

Oh well, off to pharm.  Maybe it will not be a crazy day, although the moon was lookin' a little full last night.  But that is another couple of paragraphs that do not belong here today. 

Random Thoughts

Last night was a quiet night.  I worked until 9 PM.  When I came home, the old guy had a fire in the fire ring and we sat on the patio in the dark.  Then I cooked and ate the last 6 marshmallows.  Well, someone had to. 

It sounded like fall outside.  Locust, crickets, those buzzy seasonal night sounds that let you know that the season will change soon, even before the calendar gives you the same message.  Autumn is my favorite season.  As we sat in the darkness, it occurred to me that this is probably the last year we will be in this house.  I had better enjoy the sounds of our backyard because next year they will probably, God willing, be different.  Not greatly so, but different. 

I want to put a bird feeder up now, so that the birds are ready for us when we are ready to move.  I have always enjoyed watching birds.  My mother loved her redbirds, as she always called the cardinals, and all the other birds of the skies.  She even tolerated the owls that she swore ate an entire batch of kitties, one by one, when they were just wee little and just starting to get around.  No one ever saw this occur, they just disappeared and that is to what she attributed their disappearance.  Interestingly, she never really saw the owls at all but there was a barn in the back so there must have been owls.

My mother in law was a great bird watcher.  She was the one that really got me back to it after we moved into the woods in Vinton County in the late 1960's.  I have not been without a bird feeder since. All the children and most of the cats we have had have enjoyed them almost as much as we have.  We have had unusual birds, regular birds, squirrels, chipmunks, hawks, flying squirrels, opossums, raccoons, skunks and deer at the feeders over the years. I wonder just what wonderment awaits us at the farm? 

Still no news reguarding a mason to lay block for the basement.  Until we have one, no digging will commence. It is going to be a little harder to arrange for a bit.  The old guy is gone again.  The assignment was made last night around 11 PM or so.  We had covered the fire and come in and he was actually already in bed when the team announced the assignment on their Facebook page.  Gotta love Facebook.  It is out to the public before the phone even droids the message tone.  He was gone by 9 AM, winging his way to Missouls via Chicago?   Yep, that is how they sent him. 

It was not an easy beginning.  No boarding pass.  Seems that, while they got the flights scheduled in almost record time, they forgot one teeny tiny part.  No one paid for them.  Surprise, no payment, no boarding pass.  They got it all worked out, after a fashion.  Believe it or not, they held the flight at the gate until they could load his luggage and he could get there.  They said it was an emergency.  He was, after all, going to a fire.  He had plenty of time for connections and had no problems later.  He did sit on the tarmack in Missoula for a bit because all the gates were full, but he made it without a problem.  So did 2 of his 3 bags.  Bummer.  The missing bag has his boots and the Starbucks French Roast. He assures me that they will get there.  They were inadvertenetly sent to Denver rather than Chicago and when they are recovered, they will "run them out" to him.  Hope so, the boots are very expensive as they are custom made for him.  And the camp runs on coffee.

Oh well, back to the beginning.  I was very glad we had a quiet evening before all the controlled bedlam of later. Those kinds of evenings are hard to come by this time of year, what with bugs, heat, rain and work.

And it is after midnight.  Happy Anniversary, dear heart. It has been a good long run, so far.  I hope we have many more years together.  And they said it wouldn't last.  They were wrong.   

Waiting...

I am usually a very patient waiter.  Most people who know me well will agree.  I don't shake Christmas packages. I open gifts in an organized manner.  I can sit in a waiting room for quite a while before I get too antsy.  However, this is getting old. 

It is hurry up and wait. We had the appointment with the County for the building permit last Friday.  It went well.  Permit in hand in less than an hour.  Very good.  The excavator can begin immediately.  But...   The block fellow can't begin for, oh, a couple months.  The contractor is trying to get someone else.  He has been promising a new estimate since last weekend. Still nothing.  Is every single competent dependable block laying group busy?  Apparently so.  At this rate, it will be Winter before we get the building process underway.  The driveway will not be happy.  Neither will I.  I say this has gone on long enough.  I realize the block fellow could not just sit and wait for us to be ready, but 2 months?  Really? 

Enough whining.  Maybe. 

The old guy has flagged out a pond.  It is supposed to be big and deep enough for fish. The grands will be happy, especially when they get to fish. For now, there are some trees that will have to go so the digging there is able to progress, when we get a block layer.

In the meantime, we went up last weekend with the excavator and staked out where the house will actually set on the hill.  It is too close to the driveway for my taste.  Fifteen feet is not far enough.  If you consider the gardens that will certainly be put around the house, when winter comes and they plow the snow, driveway stones and stuff will be in the gardens.  And maybe on the steps.  I want it pushed back at least 10 more feet.  I will see if he listens or if we simply progress the way it is laid out.

There are trees around the perimeter of the house that will need to come down, too.  Ash is dying pretty well across the state right now and there is no fix for the pest causing the die off in sight.  Anything that is close enough that, should it fall, would land on the house, will be taken out before the building begins.  This is smart, and gives the old guy something to do while he is home and waiting.  It will also make  firewood for the syrup making in the Spring.  For how long we will continue that no one knows, apparently there is a bug in the sugar maple trees, too. He also plans on clearing out around several dogwoods that will be close and maybe he can find a new sumac to replace the one that we lost earlier this summer.  It was a very nice sumac, with lots of berries, or whatever you call them.  Anyway, they were pretty. 

For now, we will wait.  I am sure that later in this process, there will be times I wish we had a little time to sit and wait. Just not right now.

The logs are coming, the logs are coming.

We almost have the paper work done.  The old guy meets with the County on Friday afternoon for the building permit.  Then the work work may begin. 

Dave, the contractor, is supposed to be contacting the excavator and the block layer. These are the next steps, apparently.  The old guy will probably finally be able to line out the house on the hill so he can see if it is where he wants it to be.  He is so excited. This will make him very happy.  Once lined out and digging is scheduled, we can have the "ground breaking".  And then the adventure will begin.
The logs are due for delivery the last week of August.  This may be too soon and we may need a few more weeks to be ready for them.  They have indicated they will hold them for awhile for us if we are not quite ready.

The old guy is home for a week or so for now. The team goes up again on Monday, I think, but  they do not anticipate being called until late next week at the earliest.  Then, again, this is purely dependent on the weather. He may end up going much sooner or not at all.  'Tis the way that stuff works.

The next week will be very busy here, as has the last.  Funeral Friday, grad party Saturday.  Today is grandaughter Emily's birthday.  Next week is mine, our wedding annivesary, a good friends birthday,  one of my favorite nieces birthday and a great nephew's also. Our next door neighbor has a birthday this month and they share our wedding anniversary.  Other family memebers also have birthdays and anniversaris this month.  I believe it is now our second busiest month, after February.  I remember when I was little, the only birthday in August was mine.  How things change. 

Oh, well.  Off to do the pack laundry so he can get it all loaded up for the next run and then off to work for the evening for me. Maybe we will have news regarding digging and block before the evening is over.  That would be nice.

Trees, beware!

The old guy went yesterday and ordered the logs.  Trees, beware, they are coming for you.

Per the log home folks, it will be at  least 30 days before the logs are ready to be delivered.  I can see it now,  a couple guys are out in the log yard on a scavenger hunt, looking for just the right sticks to make our house work.  Kinda like the little wrens that continue to build in our bird house.  Is this one little stick just right?  Nope.  Throw it away, or just drop it where you made that determination.  I suspect they are far more organized, but that was the first thing that came to mind. 

This means that we have aboout 30 days or so to get the foundation dug and built and to get any other readiness tasks that are required completed. It is my understanding that one of our great grand sons may not be able to participate in the ground breaking ceremony.  He has a prior obligation.  He has promised to dig Gramma Kym a pond with his digging spoon.  I think he better get digging, he is going to have a busy summer.  I hope he gets to take a break and come and dig at the Farm for an afternoon.  Maybe it could be considered training camp? 

In the mean time, we continue to wait for permits. And the rain continues.

Mother May I. The government version.

The old guy has been trying for days to get builidng permits.  Yes, he should probably let the builder do this, as it is one of the things we are paying him to do, but...  You all know the old guy.  You need to go one place to get a number or a form to take to another place so they can look at it and direct you to another place that sends you back to the first place.  Then you need to have things notarized, attach diagrams or photos or such nonsense and return to one of the places.  They then take your stuff, review it, and indicate they will be forwarding it to another place where a number of people will review it, think about it, review it again and then decide if it is okay and, hopefully, email a permit or two.

This will not happen in a day, or while he waits. Maybe 12-14 or so.  He is pissed.  Like I said, you all know him, so what else would we expect?  No jumping and asking how high on the way down.  No genuflection. Absolutely no conformation to his requirements and/or personal timeframe or schedule. Like I said,  he is pissed.  For my sake, I hope they look and decide quickly.

On another, lighter note, the driveway foundation guy was there last night to look things over and, he thought, stake out the foundation.  No stakes.  Later, just before they dig.  Someone might move a stake or one may fall over or be stolen by gypsies. But, he gave him an interesting premise.  The driveway needs some clean fill dirt to make it wider.  Really?  He asked if we had considered a pond in the lower part of the property, near the bottom of the driveway in the wet soggy part?  It might relieve some of the sog and provide dirt for the widening process. No, not really, but maybe. So, now he has something else to think about.

In ther interim, I am continuing the intervention. My niece suggested a little wine might help?  Or another adult beverage?  Maybe.  Just maybe this might be of some assistance or maybe I just won't remember part of the experience.  Either way, I may try it.  I will let you know if it helps.


    

I am having an intervention with myself.

I am, and I am losing. 

Remember when I said I was going to try to get my "stuff" in order before prying eyes returned?  Well.  He came home last night.  And I am not even really getting started.  And I am shocked and horrified.  I need an intervention and I am not even done with the stitching stuff.  I have not even touched the knitting, sewing and quilting "stuff".  I am so embarrased.  If I don't buy another thing ever, I will not get it all done.  Ever. 

You know how you come in and you put your treasure in the place where you put your treasures.  But, because you aren't ready to use said treasure, it stays in the bag it came in.  And it becomes invisible!  I mean it.  Out of sight out of mind is real. There is no need to try to hide things, they are invisible as soon as they come into the house.  At least to us.  Not, however, to the rest of the world.  Oh, no, they can see them.  In all their glory.  And they give you knowing looks and make those tsk tsk noises and raise their eyebrows at you.  But why, you say?  Because there is nothing there, really, there isn't .   

Not only is it invisible but we have also conveniently forgotten what we brought in.  Sometimes we even bring the same thing in more than once.  Now this, thank goodness, is something I rarely do. If I did, this intervention would need to be much longer and far more severe in nature. Although I cannot see anything or really remember it either, if I look at a duplicatiion something in the back of my mind says, "Step away.  You might already have that."  I usually can listen to that still, small voice, but other times, I ignore it and bring home an extra whatever. But it is weeks, sometimes years before you discover the "extra" and there is no turning back then.  It is too late.

So, now you know at least part of how I got where I am tonight.  Hopefully, this experience will allow me to say no to whatever the next temptation is that I find.  I am trying to tell myself that I really need nothing more at this time.  Unless it is something to finish one of those invisible treasures that has come out of hiding. Wish me luck.  I think I need it.  And more boxes...

It is raining. Again.

It is Ohio.  And, again, it is raining. This summer it has rained almost everyday, so far. It is a very good thing that there is no pool, oops, I mean basement, on the property yet.  If there was, well, we would have a pool.  With frogs.  Maybe fish.  No cabana boys.

Really, we have another torrential rain going on right now.  Very tropical like downpour with fog this time.  Or maybe it is mist.  It looks very scary movie outside right now.  Like the swamp monster is going to just appear in the window kind of scary.  It also has thunder and lightening, but no ominous music.  That would be kind of weird.

The old guy is supposed to be home tonight, weather permitting his air travel to be completed. I can imagine that we will be into it at full speed tomorrow and Monday to get things rolling. Then the next time he has to leave, maybe things can go along without his presence.  The builder and the boy, Johnny, will keep things moving along.  I have the new account set up and the direct deposit has been changed so that when the time comes, the mortgage payment will be deducted without any further need for us to do anything.  This is comforting. 

So, now we wait.  For the basement to be dug and the masonry to be finished so that the logs may come and be set.  And for the rain to stop.  A pool isn't really in the plan at this time.

Idaho called. We are having a short Intermission...

Summer fire season has interupted the process, hopefully for only a short time, this time. 

This intermission should not be too long, at least as it is right now.  Grass fires in the West do not last long, unless they marry up with timber or residences or something with more fuel.  When he gets back we will move quickly to get things in motion so that when he goes the next time, no intermission will be required.

In the meantime, I have decided to begin the weeding out process.  We have been here since 1979.  It is possible that there may be at least a box or two of stuff that has ceased to be important.  Or necessary. Or useful in any way.  What do you think? 

First up, and to be done while inquiring minds and eyes are busy far far away, is my "stuff".  Crafters across the world know of what I speak. If we move within a year, I feel I may not need my entire stash of knitting or stitching supplies and patterns and books, etc.  If I am selective I think I can keep out what I need and possibly pack the remainder.  As long as I know where they are and can access them if I need to do so,  I am comfortable with this.  I have decided that I will try and finish as many of the UFO's that I can before moving. Based on what I found Sunday, this might be doable. Maybe.  No new projects, unless I have a specific purpose and goal for them, Monday night knitting projects excluded.  There are limits, after all. 

Right now, my living room looks like a bomb hit.  I need to find some storage boxes and start putting
things in order so that I might be able to find something should I need to do so. I wonder if the Dollar Store or Odd Lots has cheap, dependable plastic?  I guess I will have to go see for myself.  Or Staples?  Or Walmart?  Looks like I need to get off my chair and go see what I can find.

Now What?

In thinking about this, I find it difficult to get my mind around all the stuff that needs to be done.  By done, I mean planned.  Never having gone down this road before, it is hard for me to imagine all that this will entail.

We have a contractor.  We have someone to do the electric and, I think, the plumbing. We need to order the logs and windows and porches and roof and all that stuff.  I think it all comes in a couple of packages from the log company.  We will need to arrange for the solar power, the geothermal, the excavater, well digger, sewer folks, it goes on and on.  And that seems to be only the beginning.

Personnally, I am looking forward to the part where something other than planning starts.  This planning has been going on for months now. Months.  I grow weary of just talking about it and talking and talking. I know, this is a very necessary thing.  If it was yarn or floss we were dealing with here, I would really be into the talking, too.  But it isn't and I'm not.  Maybe I should be, but I'm not. And, I suspect this is like an iceberg.  What you see is not what you get, only a teeny tiny part of it. 

Then there is the deciding.  Scarier than planning.  What kind of wood floors, what kind of windows, what color to stain it all.  Straight stairs or curvy ones. I voted for curvy but I think we are getting straight ones.  I wanted that slide thingy that is all over Pinterest.  Guess what.  Nope, not happening. 

So now we wait.  Gotta get permits and the contracter has to get back from Kentucky and his emergency house build.  Then we get to plan and decide.  More later....  
  

Day One

The dye is cast.  The papers are signed. We order Lincoln logs next week.  Thus begins a journey that for me is really starting now, but for my husband began 50 years ago.

We are building a log home. It sounds so simple, doesn't it?  Not. He has been planning this move for years.  He knows what it looks like and how it will be placed on the property. It will be made in the Appalachian style.  This means in the style that was built here, in this area, when the nation was young and cheeky. Dovetail corners, handhewn big logs, white chinking.

For me, it means wide, wraparound porches and a dining room.  That pretty much covers it for me, as the walk in refrigerator was nixed. 

I fear this will not be a simple journey. Nothing of value is, I guess.  Please bear with me.  I may be using this platform to do a bit of venting from time to time. Otherwise, this will be my attempt to document the journey.  The good and bad, the funny and even more ridiculous.  Basically, the crazyness of the situation, from the beginning to the big old blow out party at the end.  I hope you will understand and stick with me.  Please, advise and condolences are encouraged and some days be genuinely badly needed. 

And, yes, Kayleigh, my punctuation will get better.  I promise.