Busy Busy Busy

 So this is Sunday November 27th, as I am typing this entry I am watching the sunset over  the Gulf Of Mexico in Punta Gorda Florida.Current temp. is 81', no snow , no cold  and no freezing rain... feeling bad that my partners are no so lucky. I have not been able to update my blog until now , its been a crazy few weeks! Lets recap...the last entry was made on day   72 we are now day 86 . Finishing all the framing for the walls upstairs has allowed us to start the electrical wiring. For this we have a licenced electrician come to assist us, definitely a good idea, there are just some things you can't do. Paul and I assisted were we could and was very proud that we ran the  wiring for the  plugs and ceiling lights in the basement. After that was done we required an electrical inspection from Hydro before they would come and bring power from the road to the house, and after the second inspection it finally passed.(see everyone can make a mistake).During the waiting time for the inspections we were able to get started with the installation of the propane furnace. Lucky for us my nephew Brandon works in that field and my son-inlaw Steve also had a back ground in heating and air so they got the job. Getting cold in the house so  we were huddled around the small kerosene heater  trying  to warm up when we could. While all this is going on we decided to have the water well drilled, and once again lucky for me I have a relative (my Brother Troy) who is in that business. My Brother has been drilling wells since he was a young boy with my Dad , when he retired Troy took over the business. Surprisingly enough I never actually  saw a well being drilled up that close so I was quite intrigued by the whole process. At 168 feet down water  was found. Yeah!! Getting the pump to the bottom of the well is an interesting process. Dad measured off 168 ft of tubing and electrical wire  attached the pump and we began the slow process of feeding the tube into the well casing, ran the pipe from the well to the house and viola water!(wasn't that easy, but you get the gist) Moving on ... time to get that insulation in. Spent the day stuffing insulation into every space available and within hours the temp. in the house already seems warmer.I knew enough about insulation to dress properly but that didn't stop the constant itching and burning of the exposed skin . Now we Wait for another house inspection before the drywall can go on. Left for Florida last Wednesday inspection done so we can now move forward with drywall. Back on Thursday... looking forward to getting back at it but not getting back to the snow... Oh well , soaking up all the sun I can for the next few days.

 Day # 86

For Sale

  So we decided to plop a for sale sign at the end of the property, because you know you just never know. Dad was able to get the septic system in place and ready for the final  inspection  and we are almost to the end of the backfilling required .By the end of  the week we able to finish up the wall framing for  the upstairs and part of the basement. Needed to make a quick trip to Rona for more wood  so we could continue. When I arrived back I noticed a car pulled over to the side of the road in front of the house and two woman standing at the front door talking to Paul. Thinking they were friend or relatives stopping by to say Hi, I commented, " Are these ladies here to buy the house?", maybe he replies. They were driving by saw the property and came to check it out. After a tour of the house and many questions they inquired about the price of the  house. Unfortunately we had not talked about what   we were going to be asking ...so we followed up a few days later to discuss price . Will follow up  with them next week. What we learned this week is... expect the unexpected!

Day # 72

Missing Sunny South

Finishing up  last week we were were able to completely frame in for all the rooms upstairs. Really starting to look like a home now. The tub is in and ready for plumbing. Paul worked on the front deck, will be great to get rid of those planks we have been using to get into the house. I had the best job.... putting on the last coat of parging on the exposed basement.This needed to be finished before we can  finish the back filling. Touch enough job, but doing it in the rain  and snow made it 1000 times worse. Thought I had come prepared but by the time I had finished I looked like a drowned rat... And felt like one too. Both of us were drenched to the bone, I remarked to Paul that I don't think I have ever been so cold. Will  be glad when the outside work is done,praying that the snow  will hold off  for awhile yet.

Day #66

STRAP IT DOWN!!!

So the last thing I said to the 2 young men loading our new  tub enclosure for the house was...".don't you think you should strap that down?"... They looked at each other (as too say, dumb blonde) then back at me, Oh no mam, that wont be going anywhere.. Driving westward  to the house on the main 4 lane hwy way  (417), I herd a thump... Looked in the rear view mirror and to my horror our new $900 tub encloser was airborne!!!
Quickly I pulled over.I have learned that your mind automatically goes to the negative thought not the positive, so immediately I assessed the situation. Thank-you God that there was no one  behind me when it bounced once  on the road before landing in the ditch.  As the traffic whizzed by I slowly drove in reverse on the side of the road till I made my way back to the box, then hopped out to acess the situation. I am sure you know that  an all in one tub enclosers are made of fiberglass... do you know what happens to fiberglass when it hits the ground  after it flyes off the back of the truck when your going 100km/hr??... I'm sure your picturing it right now... OK the tub is ruined... but its was there fault.Now what, I am  far away from the original store of purchase... probably a good thing for those 2 guys... and  Being only 2 exits from another store ( better not say) I called to see if they had the same tub encloser, which they did. Ok one problem solved, number two.. how was I going to get this huge box on to the truck?! Stood there for about 5 min. watching traffic zoom by, no one stopped . Ok God send me someone to help me ! Wasn't long before I vechile pulled up, he was shaking his head as he made his way too me, must have saw the look in my face and decided not to comment. Need some help? Wasn't long before the mangled box was back on the truck and I was on my way. As I entered the  lumber yard I was meet by staff who inquired about my situation... this tub is cracked, I said.. here to get replacement.The tub was cracked! Just didn't divulge why. They never batted an eye, removed the box off the truck and replaced with a new one. Now that's customer service! For the second time that day I said to the men putting on the tub.."shouldn't you be strapping that down?" ... it won't be going anywhere mam.... my reply this time was " STRAP IT DOWN!!"
Never a dull minute!

Day #63

Marshmellows Anyone

I'm Back! It was great to be  on the job site today  and ready to move forward with build.  I'm sure my body will be feeling it tomorrow, two week of lying in the sun  certainly  didn't do  my muscles  any favors.Spent my time today cleaning up the yard because today is the day we have been waiting for... we can finally put that burn permit to good use. What I learned today was ... tires are not just for driving on, they can be used to start a big fire.  So I must admit I have be concerned about this day, wondering how we were going to burn this huge pile  of Green  trees and brush  that's so close to the house without burning down the house.Well found another use for that backhoe!
Finished threading the rope through the pipe for the hydro line and bell wire ,  now  its ready to back fill.

Day # 61