Tuesday, November 24, 2015

11/24/15

Update: 11/24/15

It's finally happening! The house construction is starting!

Signing the contract, 11/14/15
Breaking ground, 11/21/15
Framing for foundation, 11/21/15



Thursday, September 3, 2015

9/3/15

Update: 9/3/15

Wow! I can't believe a year has gone by since I've posted. There have been some things happening, but oh so slowly. At the end of last December, I retired from my full-time job. In February I went back in a part-time hourly status, which has given me lots more free time. I vowed that 2015 was going to be the year we started on the house, and believe me, we've been trying. We still have four months left - we'll see! I spent the first couple of months of the year trying to figure out how to start, and who to contact. I eventually found a builder in the area who has done some work with historic houses, and we started meeting with him in March. We decided the best route for us to take with this house is to have the builder complete a shell with new materials, and then take over from there with the interior finish-out using the materials from the old house. The goal is to have an almost exact replica of the original house. We contracted with the builder for plans and specs to be drawn up, a process which took five months. We now have plans and a bid, but unfortunately, not enough funds. We are trying to get a loan, and running into complications with the unconventional nature of the project; i.e., there won't be a finished house for collateral when the builder finishes his job. Still trying to figure something out...

Meanwhile, here's a pictorial review of the year at the land.

Fall 2014 - The fall colors were gorgeous!

Winter 2015 - We got a little side-tracked by clearing
 a site for a second barn, which has
been back-burnered for now.
Spring 2015 - Wildflowers bloomed at the house site.

Spring 2015 - View from back of house site.

Early Summer 2015 - Rain! Lots and lots of rain!
The pond completely filled to overflowing.
Early Summer 2015 - We were even able to
 take a dip in the pond!

Early Summer 2015 - The rain made everything
 green and lush, and we stayed busy mowing.

Late Summer 2015 - The pond went dry as a bone again.