Victory

What generally happens when you put a large crew on a framing project, and they tend to know what to do, well, things move quickly. At the end of the week, most of the 'raw' framing was complete, and the house is now ready for the plumbers and electricians to descend. This also happens to be the most "visible' part of the build that always goes the fastest. Things will slow down now until we get to the sheetrock stage. This will be the front entrance into a courtyard that extends back about 25 feet. The visual is somewhat deceiving in that there will be a fountain and room for lounge chairs (assuming we're into sitting in front of a fountain). Here is a better view of the front entrance and arches making up the courtyard. The bell tower will have a chapel bell imported from Italy to call the faithful to service (just kidding!). Another perspective.  Ditto. Side view along the length of the house. This view is of the backyard dining room and patio. Somehow this phot

Well, up they go! Had a huge surprise on Monday as we drove by the house and saw the progress the crew has made in two days! They have almost completed the outer walls layout, which should take a couple of additional days. Sorry about our car, it got in the way! Since they are almost a week behind the proposed schedule, I was told they brought in 20 guys to start the exterior walls layout. With the exterior walls part you don't have framers getting in each other's way. Once they get that done, the crew will skinny down to about half, start the internal framing detail, and start hoisting the roof joists. A s imple perspective from the garage and front door courtyard; again, fairly simple, nothing exotic. Different angle looking at the front guest en suites. We are going to have to get used to walls being much less angular than the ranch house in Texas, among other things 😂. Let me know if these are starting to get boring. Another shot from the garage side of the house. Going to

  Hi Everyone, This last week was somewhat of a bust in terms of forward progress, so there isn't much new to report today. For the most part, the foundation slab just sat and 'cured' a bit more.  As per the building supervisor's recent update, apparently their framing crew was late on completing their last project, so that has pushed us back a week. Yesterday, wood appeared! At least enough to begin layout and framing the walls. This is just like a JIT house (just-in-time supplies), so we suspect trusses and joists will begin to appear later in the week or next. This appears to be it for this update since there isn't much more to share. See y'all next week!

Hi Everyone, This week brings us more of the same as it appears the foundation slab is not going anywhere soon. As seems to be a recurring theme each week, nothing moves to the next phase until multiple inspections take place by the builder and city inspectors.  I was told that we should start to see lumber for the framing being delivered by the end of this week if the stars and planets align perfectly. Went by this afternoon - no lumber. This week we also did the 'final, final' on the front and rear landscape, hardscape, and pool design. We also did a final upgrade to the audio and video setup, and the security systems in the house. We decided to add some interesting gadgets that will automate a number of functions in the house. Jan and I took the opportunity to have a Slab Party this last week with a favorite bottle of wine. Our past slab parties included friends, but with Covid still alive and well, this was a solo affair. This is a shot of the front entry walkway (from the