A Window Into the Future

Our house evolves slowly, day by day.  But when you step back for a minute and realize how much has gone on in a week, or two weeks, or a month, it's almost overwhelming.  Each day, there's something new.  Sometimes the change is difficult to even notice, like plumbing tubes hidden in all of the walls, while others are more dramatic.

  

Today was one of those more dramatic days.  In addition to installing all of the windows, Chris and his crew (which now include Vashon local legend Kevin Suddeth!), framed the majority of the deck.  These improvements highlight one of the last phases of the exterior development.

The past few weeks have been rather exhausting.  Anytime that Albert is in the neighborhood, it means we're spending 3-4 more hours per day on site, and usually with a shovel in your hands.  Add onto that two amazing wedding weekends (thanks to our friends Tyler and Joanne, and Alisha and Justin!), and sleep becomes a little more sparse.

Since we last wrote, we've said hello to a number of new subcontractors, including plumbers, electricians, roofers, and HVACs.  On one day last week, there were six trucks and vans on site at 7am, all jostling for the one driveway spot.

In addition to the house work, Albert has spent a significant portion of his last few weeks on-site building retaining walls with a small crew (that sometimes includes John).  We've been very lucky so far.  The soil conditions are so nice that the Geotech Engineer eliminated one whole retaining wall from our plans, saving tons of time and money (and backs).

Albert also hauled over two beautiful pieces of stone - one sentimental, and one a gift.  First, he brought the large piece of granite that we were married on a little over a year ago.  This rock now serves as a step down from our patio to the yard.  

Second, he brought a beautiful basalt column, about 18" in diameter, and 6' long, which will serve as a bench on the patio.  We've been told that we need a centerpiece to the patio, so this column, plus the arbor that Julie's Uncle Chris made for our wedding, will dramatically play that role.  We're not ready for the arbor just yet.  

So, to recap where we've been over the past 3-4 weeks:

- Completed Framing (including a sign-off from the City)

- Built two retaining walls (including one that frames the patio)

- Further cleared the driveway area

- Finished all roofing

- Installed all "rough-in" plumbing (tubing running through the walls)

- Mostly installed heating system

- Installed all windows

- Began deck framing

And where are we going from here?

We're still on track for a February completion, and we're now monitoring this with heightened interest.  In the coming weeks, we'll be completing "rough-in" electrical, siding, and most importantly, finalizing the landscaping.  The site must be completely finished by the end of October, or we risk trouble with the City (never mind that it was their negligence that got us started late in the first place).  This will include finishing retaining walls, and bringing in new topsoil.  Also, we're in the process of picking out rocks for part of the landscaping up front.  Julie had a great time shopping.

This will all be a lot of work, and we're not fully sure how we'll get it all done.  Could there be a work party in store?  Why don't you just show up on Saturday, October 29, and find out!