Here we go, almost beginning, slow but sure

Here we go, almost beginning, slow but sure.

Here we go, almost beginning, slow but sure

A status update is in order since I haven’t been blogging lately.  The house is ever on my mind.  And I can almost see the wee light at the end of the tunnel.

Met with the contractor and the project manager on Thursday.  Have an appointment with the banker on Monday.  Submitted my application for a building permit to finish what was started almost 20 years ago.

With Lynn’s illness and my full-time job, there isn’t a lot of time to devote to the house.  It has been an adventure to say the least.  There have been many ups and downs and I wouldn’t have given up the experience for anything.

This past year has humbled Lynn and I,  and taught us that sometimes we “can’t” do it all and we need to recognize that.  When we selected the plans for this house it was the one I loved.  We were 20 years younger.  Lynn had a “can-do” attitude and thought he would be able to tackle it with no problem.  I on the other hand was mortified by the complexity of the plans.  It was Victorian, and it was big, and it was my dream home.  But I was not sure that we could do something of that magnitude, but Lynn assured me that he could do it.  He said we could save on labor costs if we did most of the work ourselves.  And I would have to say that we have saved a lot but it has been a long slow road.  If you asked if I had to do it over again, knowing what I know now, would I do it?  I would probably say no.  I still love the home, and it is my dream home.  But the strain it has put on Lynn’s health just knowing that it is out there unfinished, has helped in making the decision to move forward and just get it done.

Now we are hopeful and excited all at the same time.  There are still things that I will be doing in the painting department and Lynn will be the overseer and adding his 2 cents worth when called upon.  Hopefully, he can find time to do some of the things he enjoys.

Yesterday and today I have been sanding priming and painting some of the cedar shingles to finish the second gable.  The first plan of action is to get it weather tight.  So I believe the exterior will be the first thing on the agenda.  I will take pictures of the inside and outside as things progress along.  I believe I will be amazed at the speed that things will get done.  Lynn has been cutting the shingles on a jig saw and sanding the edges, then I take over.  A team effort.

Love the palm sander. It fits in a lady’s hand just right. Belt sanders, now they are another story.

Sitting in the shade on the back porch helps these weary old bones.

I am priming the shingles with, you guessed it, Kilz Premium Primer.  They have convinced me that nothing else works better.  I’m only painting on the area that will be exposed.  Then I put 2 coats of red trim around the edges, and finish it off with two coats of sage green paint.  It is a slow process, but when it’s done, it’s done.  I am sure that this will be the only time that these shakes will have this detail.  Upon repainting in the future, I believe the red trim will not be done.  But, whoever knows?

  A little red trim

I will let you know the count when it is all done.  I just don’t want the craftsmen waiting on me.  So I gotta get a good start.

I am really getting excited about this, so I hope you will all stay tune and see us to the end of this journey.

Second bunch primed

1st Gable. Second one if “under construction”

The biggest thing that has helped us get this far, is the desire to build with our own hands and achieve our dream.  Everything takes work, sometimes a lot of hard work, but it is worth it.  Not just in building your dream home, but in anything and everything you do.  Make sure that whatever you do, you are proud to put your name on it.  That is my philosophy.  What ever I do, work or home, I try to do the best I can.  I would rather have someone show me how to do something and teach me how, than to do it for me.  There are times when you need to have it done, but my mother taught me that women can do much more than just sewing and cooking.  I learn from her example.  Um, she wasn’t much with a needle, but she sure could cook.

As we progress, I will name the contractors and follow along with their progress.  This will only be done with their permission.  We can all learn from these craftsmen.  I will keep you updated on some of the features that we pick out and some unique things that we will be doing.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Annie, the reluctant carpenter 🙂