Framing Shot

The framing crew is moving! Here is a picture looking east. The master bedroom is on the far right with the family room and game room on the left. They expect to have all walls up by Friday and framing complete within 3 weeks.

We met with the GC this past Monday regarding the pool location. They've agreed to move the dirt to accommodate a larger patio. We also addressed the landscaping and location of the pool equipment.

I met with the cabinet guy today to finalize our layout and design. We selected knotty alder pine with a medium to dark glaze and mitered corners. There is so much to choose from it can be a bit overwhelming. The cost of some upgrades are killer - for example - it's $250 for a wood medicine cabinet compared to $50 for the glass style from Home Depot. Decisions - Decisions!

The framing has begun!!

I must be quick, but we’ve officially go sticks! Here is a snapshot that Joe took with his camera phone. More photos to come when I return from the Wisconsin Boonies.

Pool Dig

Oh the ups and downs of building a home. We went from a super high on Friday with the slab to a "what the @#$%*" yesterday. The pool was dug before we signed off on it and is in the wrong location! UGH! The position gives us very little decking and 10 feet of area to landscape on the other side...wouldn't it make sense to have 3 feet of landscaping and 7 more feet of decking?? We're meeting the pool guy and GC at the lot when I return from Chicago next week, but I'm sure they won't like what we have to say...."Move the Pool".

As far as I know, the rest of the construction will continue as the framers were to start today.

The slab is in!

The contractors were out this morning to pour the slab. Framing starts on Monday!

Preparing for the slab

Can you feel the excitement in my typing??? Our slab will be poured on Friday - tomorrow - July 17th - TOMORROW! The only bummer is that I am out of town in Chicago for 10 days so will miss the chance to put my hand print in the cement. Oh well, I'll get over it knowing we are on our way to having a home.

We met with the GC last night and he believes the framing will start on Monday. I've asked him to send pics so I can keep the blog updated as this is when the fun begins. The retaining walls were a pain - a 3 month pain. Now, we are able to see things come to life and begin picking out stuff - like garage doors, tile, paint, cabinets, roof tile, ceiling fans - even toilets. I wonder if its normal to analize every toilet I use in our friend's homes or in posh hotels??? For my pals, please don't ask questions if I show up at your house and request to use the bathroom.

Here is a shot of the pad - nice and pretty and just waiting to be covered in cement. Did I mention that the slab gets poured TOMORROW????

Underground Plumbing

We are cruising. It's been a busy week at the lot. They dug a bunch of tunnels, laid the PVC pipes for the plumping and hope to pass inspection today.

We also decided to change our floor plan a little bit - yes, the perfectionist in me doesn't know when to quit. In a nutshell, we moved the wet bar to the game room and enlarged the guest casita. Although it would have been cool looking, we decided to eliminate the wine cellar/room. I'm so excited about the new design. The casita will now have a kitchenette and area to put a cafe table. The wet bar can be accessed from the game room as well as the rotunda (round area of the hallway) which is right off the kitchen and family room. This change may have set us back a day or two with construction - but so worth it. We're hoping to see the slab next Friday.

Stem wall, Pool and Cabinet Update

We're moving along - the stem walls were poured on Thursday and the molds are now removed. Next up - the electrician and plumber to do their underground work.

In other news, we met with the cabinet guy and have picked out our color and style. We are also progressing with the pool design - here is the latest rendering.