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.