COUNT DOWN TO C.O.

Count Down to C.O.

We have been working like gang busters and we haven't had a chance to post all that has been happening.

After the drywallers left it was our task to start priming the walls. The primer is from Build It Naturally www.builditnaturally.com

They are located in down town Asheville. The primer is low VOC (volatile organic compounds), made from natural raw ingredients and they have a pleasant smell. It was great to work with.

We picked up this bio degradable drop cloth from Lowe's.

As we painted, Jim B. and his crew began installing the ceiling. We had planned to do this ourselves but after seeing them work, our time constraints with getting the C.O. (certificate of occupancy), and with me hurting my back; we were really glad we had Jim and his crew do it.

 The center of the house is in the kitchen and the highest point. The T&G came pre cut from Deltec and finished with a clear coat of sealer. There were different choices and this is what we picked out. Jim and his crew had to do some custom cutting for partial walls and we had to decide how to finish the peek above the kitchen to cover up the roof truss ring/collar. It was Jim B's. idea to finish it with the T&G ceiling wood and Jim put it together. We are really happy with how it looks - like a sun shining down on us.

This is the partition wall between the living space and Jim's office. Jim is using rough wood siding and we are going to stain it.

Jim taught me how to use the power tools so I could help out.

Power tools are fun!

Feeling very proud of my work - oops - Our Work!

Both walls are looking great.

Next Jim started on the kitchen cabinets. These are the base frames and will be trimmed out after the counter tops are installed.

I started staining the doors. All the bathroom doors and exterior doors have to be installed to get the C.O. You can't install a pocket door that isn't finished unless you are planning on removing it. Doors that are hung can be painted or stained in place. We have mentioned that the stains are from Build It Naturally as well. They are water based, they don't stink, they go on really nice, and dry really fast (about an hour). 

We decided to paint the bathrooms before the plumbing fixtures were installed (toilets and sinks). We didn't want to have to paint behind the toilets. This is the basement guest bath - PURPLE! Actually it is called Wild Orchid and it is from Build It Naturally as well.

This is the Master Bath. The pocket door looks good and the vanity area is coming together as well. The color is Cinnamon. It matches one of the colors from the Mexican hand painted sink vessel.

The vanity is two end tables from our house in Florida and Jim added the wood top. Below the sink will be baskets for storage.

Jessie from Hayes Electric is back to put in all the electrical outlets and install lights, fans and most things electrical. I said in an earlier blog that the company was Haynes but Jessie corrected me - it is Hayes. I may still have it wrong! Jessie - let me know, ok!

Dane was also back as well and installed fixtures.

While all that was going on Jim B. and his crew were also working on the steps and hand rails to the front entry deck.

They also put in the deck at the utility room. It looks so good it looks like the front door entry.

GETTING CLOSE!

Getting Close!

We hope to get moved in before snow falls - right now only the leaves are falling.

The drywall "mud" crew arrived: Justin and Bud.

The basement ceiling looks like a big spider web.

BEFORE

                     The dumpster is delivered so we spend some time cleaning up the property.

AFTER

Most of this stuff fit as well so the dumpster was picked up the next day. We didn't like the idea of so much stuff going to the dump so we have been trying to use or reuse as much as possible. We also found a company in the phone book that will pick up anything they can recycle in order to keep things out of the local dump. Next time things pile up we will give them a call.

 

Jim ordered a copper cap for the roof from B&H Metal Fabricators. They made it from 2 pieces of copper in the shape of a cone with a little cap (sort of like the Tin Man's hat). 

Josh Hilton came by to install the cap - Jim helped. 

The cap looks good. I wonder if Deltec will start suggesting it as an option. 

The leaves are changing on the main trail behind our house.

Haynes Electrical is back, this time it is Ryan and Scott. They dug a trench from
 the house to the power pole in no time - only one big rock to add to our collection. 

Oops, caught them relaxing on the job.

 

Just so many pretty colors we had to share.

Jim, Bud, Justin and Dustin arrive to sand and clean up.

Now that the drywall is done we can paint - oh boy, really looking forward to that. Jim bought me a really tiny brush so my messes would be really small. 

Scott and a helper arrive to put in the gutters. We will have 3 down spouts and hopefully a few rain barrels when they are done. Since the gutters in the back are more than 20' off the ground we added gutter guards. They are guaranteed to keep the gutters debris free - or the owner of the company will come clean them out himself. Sounded like a good deal to us. 

Jim is working on a design for the area around the fireplace. We are using rocks from our yard instead of manufactured stone. We have plenty to spare on the property and it's natural and free.

Jim is laying it out ahead of time so he knows where each stone will go. It's like putting together a puzzle. 

You "autumn" hear from us again soon!

That is so corny!

Happy Fall!

Happy Fall!

Hi all! As we get closer to finishing our house and moving in, I was wondering if anyone will find us in the woods for Halloween. I kinda doubt it.

Wow!, what great costumes

Anyway it is time for an animal update: to date we have seen a bear, deer, raccoon, hawks, rabbit, chipmunk, squirrel, mice, bat and snakes including a recent encounter with a baby rattlesnake (which I almost flipped onto my head as I was shooing it away).  Disclaimer: Absolutely no animals have been injured while writing this blog.

Not seen but heard have been owls and a large group of coyotes that seem to be set off by the high pitched sounds of airplanes flying over. It sets them to howling and their eerie yelps echo thru the valley.

PS, don't tell Edrianna's mom about the snakes!

HANG'IN AROUND THE HOUSE

HANG'IN AROUND THE HOUSE

Finishing off a very busy week...Jim (one more Jim) and his drywall crew arrived on Friday to begin hanging drywall that arrived on Thursday. Both Jim's did a walk-thru in the house to review what would receive drywall and what wouldn't. Drywall, also known as Sheetrock or gypsum board can be made with up to 99% recycled materials. The soft gypsum (mineral) core is covered on both sides with a paper facing.

The utility room.

The Healing Room bathroom looks purple because the paper on either side of the gypsum is purple. The color signifies that it is used in more humid environments, like bathrooms, because it is more resistant to moisture.

Tom and Kathy visit the same day and brought Tad, Cindy and Gallagher. 

Gallagher

Tad and Cindy again.

Kathy jumped in to help Jim add 6" of mulch over the water line I mentioned in the last blog. It was great to have her help.

Tad with Tom

It started getting chilly that afternoon. Lots of clouds rolled in as the temperature dropped. 

Since Tom and Kathy were camping near by that night we decided to go over and see them for dinner. 

We are a bit concerned that Tad may have eaten something odd while on our property that day - maybe something toxic. What do you think? 

It looks like Cindy may have gotten into a small bit of the same thing. 

I love this picture. Kathy calls it Tad Vader.

A cold front did move in that night. We got up the next day after sleeping under 3 layers of sleeping bags and a blanket. It was only 41 degrees (about 6 C). Jim went out to work on moving more mulch, rocks and doing some fencing. It was really windy and he was getting pelted in the face with what he thought was gravel. It was sleet. Holy Cow! We weren't expecting that on October 1st.

The guys hanging drywall were a little slow at getting started this morning - maybe because of the cold.  Four guys arrived today instead of two.

Jim working on the fence. I always knew he was smart and now I know why - he has two brains. 

You can't gauge the cold by what I wear because I could very easily look like this in June. 

But it is cold. I'm wearing 4 shirts and a coat, plus my snow boots, fleece lined leggings and pants. 

Burrrrrrrr!

Jim talks to Edwardo about what he needs next to the fireplace. We have to add cement board because we are adding decorative stone. 

This is Jim's concept sketch of the wood stove. He built the ship model several years ago along with the anchor brackets.

The spaces are really taking shape.

The main floor is almost finished and the basement is about 30% done. They will be back on Monday to finish the basement and then tape and mud. 

Me in my healing room earlier in the day. 

Things are going so fast. It is hard to believe we broke ground only 3 months ago. 

 Jim built a rock edge next to the water line that is prone to freezing. This is where the mulch was going that Kathy helped with.

I promised I'd tell you how many people have been involved in the construction of our home.

Grand total..... 99 as of October 1st.