In a short 5 minutes, all the anticipation of the last year came to fruition. Joe the inspector seemed just plain tired of us on Monday morning. The short list of minor changes he left on Friday took just a quick view to make sure they were done and without even a pause for effect, his pen whipped out his signature and the date, December 15th, 2008. Utilities will take a week or so which gives Kristen time to move stuff in and gives us a minute to take a breath and take in all that has happened in these last few months. Last year my goal for 2008 was to do something every month that I have never done before. When we said let's build a house, I don't think I really believed it would happen. Isn't that wierd. We have watched concrete being poured and pounded nails and scheduled the electrical, plumbing, heating and roofing. We have hung gutters, installed flooring, hung doors, installed hardware, assembled cabinets and picked out fixtures, cut and nailed trim, filled holes, installed closet organizers, and hung blinds. I know about hardy panels, cricket roofs, set screws, pipe insulation, plumbing vents, the difference between rafters and joists; recessed lighting, flourescent lighting and wall washing lighting. I have used a power sprayer, skill saw, chop saw, table saw and jig saw, drill, phillips head, flat head and my own dumb head. We have shed blood, sweat and now tears, but it is still unbelievable to me. We have raised our voices in praise, and bent our needs needing strength & stamina. We have worked to the best worship CD's in the world or something the guys like called "Led Zepplin", drywalled to country music and listened to the electrician & plumbing sing for themselves. We have had help from two neighbors, two sons, plus Owen & Evan, practically sons, two long time friends and lots of encouragement from a new neighbor. We have been foremanned by, entertained by and reminded "why" in our grandson, Micah. We have made new friends at Home Depot, HD and Lowes. If you have stock in these companies, sell now, our auto pilot will be reset and their profits should see a drop. It will take time to reflect on all that the year has taught us, and all the family time we spent planning, working, calculating, encouraging and running for the Advil has paid off big. It will also take lots of concentration when leaving Harper Drive. My car just naturally finds its way to the grooves we have worn in the road between our house and Alameda Ave. How many times will I find myself pulling up in front of that property and wondering where I was really headed. Old habits...good memories...new beginnings! Stay tuned for the details of an open house, we'd love to have you over to warm the new place up!
