The exciting picture is towards the bottom, but there have been so many great things before that even. On the negative side, the supply chain has caused a lot of delays.
While it has been frustrating, Noel has always found plenty of things to keep him busy. He has been working through some cold, windy days. He framed out the deck because we were waiting for trusses. (This picture below however was taken after trusses were up but it shows the deck – and Noel bundled up on the lift.)
Building the deck early was actually a blessing in disguise because it made it easier to do the roof. We are still trying to figure out how the missing windows are a “blessing in disguise.” Not feeling it! We have a Genie lift that needs to get back. We need it for the siding, but we can’t do all the siding without the windows. The longer we hold on to that lift, the more it costs, obviously.
Watching the trusses going up was entertaining. Friends and family came for awhile to watch the crane. While the bottom picture shows the crane, we couldn’t get a picture of it in action because our roofers are a great Amish-Mennonite group of men, and they ask for their pictures to not be taken.
And then, we were enclosed! Just a few days too late as we had a snow/sleet storm that stopped progress for a few days. We had the trusses up but no steel when it hit. So close! The roof is done except for a couple things that need to be finished tomorrow. You can tell the ridge cap is missing in a couple places.
The garage doors come tomorrow – finally. The flooring for the deck was supposed to be here Thursday – haven’t seen that yet.
The front door and door into the garage are installed. Noel got the electric panel installed in the garage yesterday and has an outlet done so we can have some lights.
The siding starts tomorrow. I am SO excited about that. These are fun things lately that make it all very real. But we need windows. They have said we will get them February 25, but. . .
I decided to be “brave” (in my mind at least) today and venture a ways down the hill with the mini. We have this beautiful view, but there are trees in the way. As much as we want them down now so we can enjoy that view, Noel doesn’t have time. I love working with the mini – on flat ground. So today I put the bucket low in front of me to keep me from going too far forward and started down the hill, taking down some small trees. First, Mom, I’m really not going to tip forward – I just feel like I’m going to, so the bucket makes me feel a bit more secure. I think I got 7 down today. Noel explained now how I can get bigger ones down, so I will try it.
The dogs are still entertaining us. Zeke especially keeps life interesting. He recently got into our cupboard, got out the peanut butter jar without moving anything else, opened it, and was enjoying a yummy treat until caught. I have no idea how he did this. They love our log pile and can often all be found playing on it or any other pile – sand, mulch, they aren’t picky.
Electrical will be one of the next things done. I think Noel said we have 160 days to finish to meet our goal.
We have not started our neighborhood Bible study yet because of various reasons. We will start not next week but the week after. Last week, someone pulled up and said, “I hear you are going to have a Bible study. Can I come? Do you mind if I bring my neighbor?” No, no, please don’t come! =) She lives about a mile down the road, so we are spreading a bit before we even get started.