November 28th, 2009

The neighbor cleans his driveway after our plumber left a little mud on or near his concrete. I decided to take a minute to let him know that we are nearly finished with the mess and noise and we really appreciate his patience and understanding. The patience and understanding thing could have been a guess on my part, but I think we might want to acknowledge their inconvenience in a more tangible way. Note to self...something to show our appreciation to our tolerant neighbors.

November 28th, 2008

So while Dann and John work on the floor, I tried to make myself useful by installing the kitchen knobs and the exterior door handles and deadbolts. Some times you just have to try something to find out if you can do it. Who knew tools, directions and an artificial blonde could combine for security? In the meantime, the plumber had to move the toilet drain in the master bathroom, 3 inches to the left. I guess there is a rule in the building code that says walls must be at least 15 inches on each side of the toilet drain. I guess that provides anyone with shoulders up to 30", across equal "squatting rights"! Good idea, but I wish we had known that a bit earlier preventing the jackhammer at this late stage. But, bottom line is at Micah's house...all things bottom are in line!

November 28th, 2008

Well its been two weeks since I last posted updates. Not that our hands have been idle, but we started the flooring. You know the "easy kind" of wood flooring tha just snaps together? Well, snapping maybe easy, but down on the concrete on your knees for hours, relieved only by the repeated visits to the table saw to cut pieces so that the pattern looks random...that's the hard part and the slow part. Our wonderful friend John Harrell is helping and he bring the experience and instruction. Dann has a new respect for his dad and the years of carpet laying he did. I think we are about 70% done, only parts of the bedrooms and closets are left. I think the most tricky cuts are done and we are sure hoping to finish it early this week.

November 13th, 2008

I hate to complain, really everything has gone so well. But we had a little inspector issue on Wednesday. Not that anything is wrong with the house, but something was very wrong in the way the discussion went. I admit to being ignorant about building and needing help knowing all the details of what yet needs to be completed. Some things are obvious: plumbing, heating vents, outlets, light fixtures, flooring. And I am even happy to say I realize we need to grade the yard for proper drainage and install gutters. Everything is in the process or on the schedule. But Mr. Inspector really threw me for a loop! Completely uncooperative. He was just having a downright rude morning. Wouldn't look at anything beyond the first question he had for the plumber. Started questioning what piping was in the ground, (which has been covered for months at his ok). Talking like he was suspicious that we were trying to hide something or not build to code. In discussing the electrical with Ventura's best electrician, there was no discussion allowed. Hmmm... we were his first stop and nothing was in his way when he got there. So what's a Plum to do? Its one thing to be rude to me, I take it quite differently when he is rude to people that are working hard for us. Looking back I wish I had just ended the meeting right away and stood up for respect and decency on our own property. So...off to the county to ask for help. #1 How should I best deal with this inspector who holds our house in his hands? #2 How can I find out all the things that are less obvious, but need to be done to get our final approval? Can I just say that Joe Martinez at Ventura County Building and Safety was so VERY helpful and is going to work with us to resolve everything. Boy we can get caught up in criticizing our government offices, so let me just balance the scale a bit and say everyone was wonderfully helpful. So we are back on track, discouragement overpowered by help and hope! And as "Bob the Builder" would say..."can we build it? YES WE CAN!"

November 12th, 2008

"Oh my goodness!" As we speak my grandson is repeating this over and over just because is sounds so cute and he gets such a great reaction. But is also describes the day. More details to follow, but just know that there is lots going on at Micah's house. Light fixtures are in, thanks to Bill owner of Liberty Electric. He really is the best electrician in town and all the little lighting extras like above the cabinets and below the cabinets and above the floating wall.....delicious! More pics to follow, but here is a quick electrical update.

November 8th, 2009

Faithful electrician calls and shows up early on Saturday morning (before 7am which is technically yesterday on my body's clock). He really is a consciencious guy and attended another customer that had an emergency short and small fire. Though we got an little anxious, if I was the customer with the short and fire, I'd sure be glad he was available in the emergency. Plus he is working all day Saturday and Sunday to catch up. Got to love that kind of dedication and follow through. We have had the BEST contractors all the way through. People warned us that is the most frustrating part of the process. God is good and has to understand construction, after all his son was a carpenter!

November 7th, 2009

Check, Check, Check...It seems like we are quickly checking off the last projects before the final inspection. Paulino and his crew (brother & uncle) install the beautiful granite counter tops. Jeff drops off the perfect sink, Dann installed all the blinds today, did some painting & shopped for the gutters. Kristen's bedroom is wallpapered, transforming it into a beautiful backdrop for the furniture and bedding. The exterior doors were painted inside and out. We are feeling a little nervous about the electrician though. He was supposed to come Wed, then Thursday, then today (friday) to install the fire bell, outlets, and light fixtures. He didn't show up or call. Dann talked to him this morning and he was gathering everything he needed and was headed over to get started...but didn't and didn't call. He has been great all along and very quick to respond and has done a great job, so I really want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he lost his cell phone with all his numbers in it and spent the day looking for it? Family emergency, car accident? We are praying he turns up both for our own peace of mind that he is ok and the financial effects of having to pay someone else to do what he has left. It's our first contractor problem, so we have been very fortunate. Paulino on the other hand...what a really nice guy and what a great job they did!