August 27, 2007

All of the windows are now in. They look great except for the big one in the living room facing the front yard. It has a dent/scrape on it that is noticeable. Stan is sending someone fromt he company out to look at it and decide if it needs to be replaced or can be repaired. Apparently they can do a lot with a heat gun on the vinyl.

I worked at staining the siding this evening. It's a really slow job. Donnie is picking up the cedar trim boards tomorrow and we can start staining them too. Kenny will probably not have much to do until we get a good part of the staining done.

We're going to buy the wood stove tomorrow too.

August 23, 2007

I finally have a real window installed - in my kitchen! It looks good too! The rest will probably be done over the next few days but it was exciting to see one in when I got home from work today.

Ivan worked all day bringing the top soil up from the field (we still don't know why it was moved there in the first place). The septic guys were then able to cover up the septic field and should finish up tomorrow.

The roof is finished and the sky lights are in. I'm disappointed that they cut the metal instead of just making a hole for the skylight. They did the first one when Donnie was there but the second one was done when he wasn't around and isn't as nice.

It's really looking good and coming together. Donnie is doing such a good job!

August 20, 2007

The sides of the dormer are done and look really nice. I'm happy with the colors I picked and I can't wait to see the whole house done! I do need to find a source for more cedar. We didn't arrange for exterior window trim and I think it will look much nicer than untrimmed windows like in our current house.

We didn't do much work this weekend because of more rain but it was nice to have the break. The power pole holes filled up with water though. I hope that doesn't cause any trouble.

NSP missed the deadline they gave us and haven't been able to give me any info when I inquire. At this point I'm just hoping they show up and get it done so we don't have to deal with them anymore. I want power so we can shut off that generator. It makes working there horrible with all the noise.

August 16, 2007

A lot got done this week.

The soffits are mostly completed and look good. I've stained a bunch more siding and I've stained the fascia boards - Copperwash. They look good.

The metal arrived and is being installed. The plan is to do the dormer first including the siding on the sides so no one will have to step on the matel once it has been installed. Kenny and Perry are doing most of that work.

Donnie is installing the exterior board insulation. He says the coated insulation is really nice to work with. Unfortunately Stan didn't order enough and now we have to use the regular styrofoam board to complete it. We've become used to running out of materials before we are done with this project :/

The windows have also arrived and look great. I'm really glad we decided on the beige instead of white.

August 12, 2007

The house is almost completely sheathed in now. We have a good idea of what the eaves will look like. We're expecting the metal to come Monday or Wednesday and the exterior insulation on Monday. I've been working at staining the cedar whenever I get a day off. It's really slow going because it sucks up so much stain and the wood is so rough. The cedar for the soffit and trim is much easier to work with.

August 10, 2007

I've never really been up at the house early in the morning before. The view is really nice. I'm going to love waking up to look at this.

August 9, 2007

I just had to post this. It's super windy and the old house moved and made terrible noises all night but today Donnie went to the new house and it's not making a sound! He says it's not moving at all!

We knew since we started planning to build that some things about the old house probably led to the flexibility and noises. The lack of exterior sheathing, the wide spaced floor and roof beams and the unsupported wall in the cathedral living room mainly. Still, Donnie was always worried this house would be the same and he'd be cursed with not being able to sleep each time the wind blew.

Now we know! This one is silent and we're very happy.

August 7, 2007

Donnie and the guys worked at the roof today and it's really looking good. We'll be getting the metal soon and then windows and doors!

I worked a bit at the cedar. The stain is a bit darker than I expected but nice and shold prevent it from getting that orange-y colour I dislike.

August 6, 2007

I worked away at my window well yesterday until Donnie and Isaac got home from the camp. Then we went out to a late lunch together. After supper I got Donnie to carry a bunch of big rocks over for me to use Monday when he was at work.

Today I just about finished! I need to level off the grade and see if I need an extra stone in some places or not. I'll finish the whole thing with flat flagstones once the top soil is brought in.

August 4, 2007

Today we did much better working at the house. I got a lot done on the wondow well while Donnie worked on boarding in more of the house and attaching the hurricane strapping. I held the ladder when he needed help and he lifted some heavy rocks when I needed help.

We even still liked each other at the end of the day!

August 3, 2007

We started the window well today and learned a good lesson. Donnie and I should work on seperate projects and just help each other when we're asked. We may both be too controlling to cooperate.

August 1, 2007

The guys worked on installing the roof trusses today and just as Donnie was about to come home Stan called to say he was bringing the cedar clapboard out. A bit earlier than we had hoped but at least we're not waiting for it.

July 31, 2007

The gable ends were installed with almost no difficulty. They still weren't square despite no errors in making them this time. I don't think we'd recommend the premade panels to anyone considering building. It just didn't save us any time with all the adjusting we had to do to make the pieces square to fit.

The carrying beam for the centre of the roof arrived today too. I was at work and Donnie forgot to take pictures - it was really busy.

The septic guys and Trent were working at the same time so the site was bustling all day. I missed all that and just got to see their progress when they were done.

It looks like a house now!

July 30, 2007

I got home from work early to see the backfilling. So far it looks good. The front is high enough that I hope to be able to have a stone step or two out onto the lawn. The back looks really good and the driveway side can't be completed because of the sonotubes that have to be filled with concrete and the window well that has to be built.

July 28, 2007

It was too hot to work. We took a day off and went to the beach. I think Isaac and the dogs enjoyed it!