We’ll Stop Here For Now And Continue With The Progress And The Good Stuff

Onward we go.

Another Milestone!

As of July 7, at about 1:00 pm, we completed the “second floor!” This is huge. We have the walls to do for this level and then the smaller section for the loft. This is the level where we will be installing our LARGE picture windows that are encased in steel beams. Just wait till you see this. We are nervous as hell about it. This aside, Deb and I sat up here last night and just looked out toward the ocean. We will have some additional tree limbing to do, but what we really noticed is how absolutely beautiful our foreground/property is! Early morning or later evening, the whole area is like sitting inside a bird aviary. Magical! Thus, our excitement continues to build as we get closer to a roof and installed windows - which means being “dried- in.”

From The Inside

Water everywhere and much cleanup of wet plywood, tools, etc.

Meltdown

View From The East Side

Look like fun?

Need We Say More?

First Collapse?

Not sure what collapse this is but this is what we saw at 6 am one morning after a torrential night of rain.

Doorway Deb

Standing in the master bedroom doorway, deb has a look out at the beginnings of a new sunset. There will be a small balcony off the bedroom, accessed by this door. Should be a great spot to step out on in the morning to help start the new day, or in the evening before sleep.

Waste Pile

This is the scene in front of our house! It is all AAC block trims/waste. But, fear not, you can recycle AAC - but in our case we are going to use it as road base for our driveway spur to the house. It is totally inert.

Love That Smile!

Northwest Corner Of The House

This is the latest view as of June 30. It seems that once the windows get framed in, everything looks better and more interesting. Basically the three main windows here are our bedroom windows, garage below on right and office and hallway windows above garage. We hope to install the floor within a week. This includes more steel and some detailed work to bring the interior walls up from the garage that will support our wood stove. And, best of all, our weather has been fantastic. 75 degrees, clear and no rain!

Peeking Out The Bedroom Window

Deb pokes her head out our west-facing bedroom window. This is one of two narrow bedroom windows that allow us to look out while laying on the bed. They will also swing open to provide ventilation.

What It Looks Like On The Inside

In case you were wondering what the interior of the house currently looks like, here ya go. Lots of block, saws, mortar pans, and of course, dust! You are looking to the norheast. The opening on the right is the front door and the two windows in the far corner are for the master bath.

South Side Again

Just another look at the south side of the house.

South Side

South side of the house.... lower window is shop window (in basement). The opening above is the doorway to the guest bedroom balcony....

East Side

This is where the front door will be. Fear not, we will be filling in up to the top of the dark grey line.... can’t do till things dry out a bit more.

Northwest Corner

The somewhat large opening on the second floor is the opening for our french doors that will open out to a small balcony off the bedroom. The line of bolts are where the balcony will jut out.

Recent Weather Brings Hope

Hello everyone. The weather has finally seemed to have changed for the better... and, with this change, we are beginning to move along at an improved rate. No time to elaborate but here are a few recent pics.... First floor is in, and now we are moving on up with the second floor walls. If all goes well we may have the second floor in place by early next week..... that would be fantastic. All for now. LY D2

North Side View

Even though our tarp is not a work of art... then again, someone could argue it looks quite futuristic, the house is moving up. Of course now that the tarp has been redone, it won’t rain - which is fine with us!

Sub-floor #1 Installed!

Done. We are ready for the second floor. It sure is fun to stand on this and see the view from the bedroom level.

Sophie

Taylor’s dog Sophie - what a beautiful dog! She loves Debbie!

Mark The Demo Man!

Mark drills into the concrete to install some bolts for our balcony

Andy (Johnny!)

Andy puts on the finishing touch to the wall just prior to a pour.

Don The Cutter

Cutting the big beams - measure twice, cut once! - especially when these beams are so so expensive!

Our Neighbor Tod

Tod came over to help weld rebar to our first steel beam.

Kevin

Kevin, our neighbor, and “Mr. Everything”, does it all and does it perfectly. Dick is inspecting the work while Deb is setting nails into the wall.... ho ho!

Floor Joists

Floor joists were set - ready to have the sub-floor installed on top!

Taylor

Taylor leads the crew for the main concrete pour around the first floor perimeter.

“South Block Wall”

South wall ready for rebar and concrete!

Dick The Grinder!

Our good friend Dick grinds off some bolts to make our plates level!