You need a little Bait!

 As a kid I would  find hammer and nails and head out to the wood scrap pile at my Dads  workshop  located next to our home, once there I would begin to construct  the most amazing (atleast I thought so) forts.

Many hours were spent by  my sisters Shelly &  Angie, me  and the neighbours, but eventually we had to tear them down.That was never a fun job... Like today! So the cement  hardend over night enough to allow us to remove the footing forms. Crowbar in hand we pryed the wood frame away from the cement, then we proceded to remove all the nails from the wood and scrape off the hardened cement. Guess all the years of fort building came in handy. What I learned today was... that bait isn't just something you put on the end of a fishing pole.  Watching me Struggle to pull the nails from the wood Dad  hollers over to me .. use some bait! Apperantly " Bait" is anything you can use to place under the hammer  and the wood to give you more leverage. Who comes up with this stuff!? Needing to top up the gravel in the basement  we had a visit from the stone slinger, He is like a gravel Terminator... He saved us many hrs of work and I am sure visits to the Chiropracter.Before the rain chased us away the cinder blocks to build the basement walls  arrived  and if it stops raining long enough we hope to have that done by monday.

Day #30

We are in a Slump!

Footings received the OK from the building inspector yesterday ,  so time for the cement. Talk about  being in a slump... no really we were in a slump, 2 inches actually. Slump for those who are not aware( that was me a few hours ago)is the degree of thickness or density of the cement. Filling our forms  in the corners we started with a 2 slump...this  is  very thick and heavy, it will harden fast and be stronger. Then  we moved to 4 inch slump, a little easier to spread but don't fool yourself this is a  very labour intensive  job, at least for some of us.( see pictures). I has really surprised how quickly cement can dry. Guess I was standing  talking to much in one spot and  found myself unable to move and had to be rescued... I realized what it was like to really be in a slump! But you know I loved every minute of it.

Day #29

Mud Pies Anyone!

 The last board was dropped into place  with a sigh of relief, no more tromping around in water and clay muck... funny as  kid  playing in the mud  that  would have been  part of  a fun day outside. (those were great memories). My brother-in -law (who is also part of this adventure ) joined us to finish up .Next step is pouring the cement into the frames. But before that can happen the building inspector (who I haven't meet yet) needs to do his inspection. He has 48 hrs to show up,weekend don't count ...so once again we wait . Windows and roof trusses are now ordered and it certainly pays to shop around.

Day #25

Play Nice Boys

The wait it is over ! As money changed hands today at the counter of the municipal office I took possession of the last of the 4 permits (entrance, sewage,lot development and building)required to move forward with the our house. I passed my camera to the attendant at the counter and asked her to take a picture, "of what, she says ". With a huge smile I replied" My permit"!... I don't think she was impressed.... Anyway..I thought it was exciting . Getting the footings (2x8x10 spruce  2 ft  apart around the perimeter) ready for the cement is our focus now, and I certainly  have learned allot today from my Dad and his friend that came to help. I'm, telling you that spending a day with  these 2 alpha males was better than an evening of comedy TV , I spent the day being the gofer girl, referrer and cheerleader all in one! What an outsider would have perceived as bitter rivals was really a friendship that exists on negative reinforcement... bizarre. What I learned today was, that I guess I didn't pay much attention in grade 9 math because I don't remember learning these measurements : a bit , a touch , a smidge. Guess that's old school math!
3/4 of the way through.

Not waiting anymore... definitely tired .
Day#23

Rain Rain Go Away

Guess what happens when you dig a hole in the earth and it rains and rains and rains?.. Well  I found out as I stepped down into the hole( soon to be basement). I sunk down into  about 1 1/2 feet of clay wet & thick. I would pay good money at a top spa  for an hours soak in  just that very substance but for someone getting ready to  pour footings  for the basement its a builders nightmare! But for  every problem there is a solution and age and wisdom prevailed... Dad, having worked in this clay before new just what to do, it wasn't long before 2 loads of sand were being dispersed over and around the lot, Hooray we can walk! On an positive note, Excited to arrive today and see our civic address sign firmly planted in the ground... we must be one step closer to that permit!?
Still waiting... but not liking it..
Day #22

Who's Next

Another work week is gone and no more progress on the lot. Finally on Friday we were able to submit the final paperwork and revised building plan required to the township.( crossing my finger and toes) I am certainly learning a lot about what not to do! Keeping busy getting  phone quotes for material  checked out more locations in person, one in particular was very interesting. Waited my turn at the counter.. surrounded by men ...Who's next the man behind the counter says...I confidently began to inquire about windows, low E argon J channell 9 9/16 jam with cross bars ,  before answering He looked at me then looked around me... Guess He was looking for my husband!
Still waiting...
Day# 18

We Have a Basement or a big hole in the dirt

Reflecting over the days events I cant help but smile . Today we dug the basement for the house... As I watched and listened to my Father it do verbal  old school math equation's trying to figure out distance depth and height  for the major endeavor before us, thinking I could be helpfully with my limited abilities I pulled out my calculator.... He could figure out the answer before I could even push the correct buttons!..Perhaps feeling frustrated that the numbers weren't coming as fast as before He commented on how terrible it is to get old and the brain not working like it did before... My brain being 30 years younger still is unable to process the number juggling even with a calculator.... My job was to hold the measuring pole so he could shoot the grades.( In layman's terms make sure we are digging deep enough) Wishing I could be doing more but as I am not able to drive a Backhoe I decided to be the best measuring pole holder ever... As I watch him leap into the backhoe like a 21 year old (really 71)He took his position in the drivers seat. An expression of joy and contentment seemed to glow upon his face all most as if he were a boy with a treasured toy in a sandbox he began to manipulate the  machine with  the same concern and precision as a surgeon. How great to see my Dad truly doing something that he loves it was his day to shine... but don't forget I held the pole!

This is as far as we can go with out the Building permit, still working that out, so we wait once again...
Day#13
P.S. House will not be on an angle

Do I need a permit for that permit??

No surprise that I received a phone call  on Friday from the local building inspector informing me that my paperwork for the building permit was incomplete , missing documents and a sewage permit before I can get this one. Called brother-in law who is on his 3rd build hoping he can give me some direction. Lucky for me that he kept photo copies of his permit application(good to know for next time). Heading back to the Township office in the morning with renewed hope!...Time to trade in my high heals for work boots, we are digging the hole for the basement tomorrow Yeah!
Praying for no rain....
Day # 12

I like things on a bit of an Angle...

So here I sit day 8, waiting , waiting, waiting that's the worst.... like to get moving forward on this great adventure. Well we have gone as far as we can with out the building permit, Dads cleared a substantial amount of the trees and brush off the site... (to bad he didn't leave some for privacy between the neighbour)grown man with big toy must destroy everything in sight!... Anyway... plotting out he building site brought our first disagreement. This lot is a pie shape, I think that house should sit on a bit of an angle to utilize the most of the space we have Dad does not agree...We will have to see how this one plays out... So I wait
Day #8

I'm a Land Owner!

Standing by my new parcel of land  all I can see is Trees Trees and more Trees. Envisioning a house in there somewhere.Had first lesson on things not going the way you expect. Strode to the counter at the municipal office and confidently layed the numerous  papers required  for application for a building permit... I was met with a frown... please return all the paperwork filled  out to apply! Trying to access  assistance was not met with a willingness to  help. (some people should not be in customer service)  Had a Hard time not reacting... God give me patience! The instruction's might as well been printed in a forgien language , retreated to safety  to fill out all the boxes I could, arrived 5 minutes before the office closed , not so confident  I lay the papers on the counter... crossed my fingers and walked away... Time to wait...
Day #3

Now Turning Back Now

Never thought signing my name to some papers would  be so exciting and scary all at once. As I left the bank today certified check  in hand, I realized that there was no turning back now. Tomorrow I will be the proud owner of a building lot. Cant sleep!
Day #2

The Calm before the Storm... you know its coming but you proceed anyway

Ok, this is kind of scary, I'm really going to do this. Tomorrow I go to the bank to sign my name to a HUGE line of credit to build a house! My Husband is nervous, but very supportive.He inquires  of me  if I will be able to handle my Dad... I smile... of His  6 daughters I think I am the only one that  could... Lets find out!
DAY 1

Kimberly L.