Basement Framing

The walls are going up in the basement. Partial exterior walls are up, but the windows and doors have not been cut out yet. Also, on the right side of the house, there was an overpour of concrete! I knew that just didn't look right when I saw it. So, the cement cutters will be up there tomorrow to remove the "extra" cement walls. Then, the exterior framing will commence.

Basement Floor is Done

6/21/09 Father's Day

Today was one of those very lazy, nothing to do days. For those of you who know me well, that means I was beside myself. I was bored and antsy. I really like having things to do. Rich spent the day golfing with friends at the very beautiful Leavenworth Golf Course. This evening I took him out for dinner. Rich likes to go to Cafe Christa, a local German restaurant. He savored the jaegar schnitzle (I have no idea how to spell it) and I had the spaetzle (also need to check the spelling.) The food was delicious as usual and we had a fantastic server. I will have plenty to do tomorrow and Tuesday as it is back to the dental job. I will be anxious to check out the mountain on the way home as the basement floor gets poured tomorrow and the power line gets pulled. I am also thinking they might start the framing. Last Friday, Rich and I met with the cabinet person to go over the plan with him.

Backfill and Dirt Moving is complete

It sure looks a lot different now. All the natural brush is gone, but the dirt is smooth and ready to have the basement floor poured on Monday. I guess we will be doing a lot of landscaping next spring, but I hope the natural stuff comes back on it's own.

Sunday Rhino Ride

Today, Rich and I decided to take the Rhino out to break it in. We spent about an hour and a half driving around an area close to my mom's called Mountain Home. It was a beautiful day (aren't they all?!) and we enjoyed the ride and even the dust. Yes, we need to get a back window/protector on this machine. cough, cough! The picture shows me driving, of course, and the small town of Leavenworth is behind me down in the valley.

Post party!

Rich and I stayed on the mountain a little longer than everyone else as I wanted to see the east end of the valley light up after the sun sets. It is so beautiful! Hope you enjoy the pictures.

First Mountain Party

Saturday June 13th, Rich and I hosted our first "tailgate party" on the mountain. Thunderstorms were threatening, so Connie and Robert put up the tent. Rich happily grilled on his coleman tailgate grill which worked perfectly for the event. We ate hot dogs, burgers, potato salad and delicious chocolate frosted brownies from Connie's kitchen. The Coors was cold and the box wine was ideal for the forest environment. We endured some pretty windy weather and some rumbles, but no rain or lightening. About an hour earlier there were some strong lightening storms across the valley and one strike started a small forest fire. We were able to watch the action of the helicopter dumping water, we think! It was a lot of fun and we look forward to another gathering soon. It might be when the floor is on the foundation - then, we will be level.

Backfilling the Foundation walls

It is a huge job and is taking several days. The inside of the foundation was filled and tamped with dirt and the floor will be poured on this area (once the plumber is done with his part.) The excavators will also be reducing the gigantic pile of dirt down to the floor level and our view will return.

MY NEW RHINO

Yes, it is true! I bought my own rhino. This will be our winter transportation down the mountain during the muddy/snowy winters. We will be putting "tracks" on it for the winter season. The tracks are like mini tank tracks like my main page photo. It is so fun to drive around. We had to license it, but it can't be driven on county roads like they do in Montana, Wyoming and Oregon. People drive these to the grocery store in those states. And I can't wait for you to visit so you can take a ride in it. The weather has been beautiful the past few days: sunny and in the 70's with a couple of small rain showers at night. The rain keeps the dust down at the building site which is good. Take care everyone.

New Dental Hygiene Job

I'm into my second week at my new job in Wenatchee, Wa. It is a great office and I'm really enjoying myself. I work Mondays and some Tuesdays, BUT right now it is every Monday and Tuesday since they are playing catch up. The income of course, is a boost, but it also keeps me out of the contractors sights, which I'm sure he appreciates! I just send Rich up to ask all my questions. HAHA

Better View of Foundation Walls

There is more to see once the foundation framing comes off. Just a note: I love the comments from GMB. It is fun to hear from you since you have seen everything before and after.

Double click on the posted pictures

They become full screen!

Foundation Walls

OK, back to Construction

Today, the foundation walls were poured. A big cement boom was used. It was very interesting to see them "tubing" the concrete into the forms. The frames will come down in the next day or two. The drain around the house will go in and then, the backfilling. Once the backfill of dirt is complete and the plumber has completed the pipes for the basement bathroom, the floor will be poured. I didn't realize what a complicated process it is just to do the foundation. But of course, Rich says the foundation has to be perfect or nothing else will go right. He is right, but I am a little impatient. But most of you probably already knew that.

AHHHHHH

Limbed Pines

Pruned Shrubs/Back of mom's house

Mom's Patio

We've been busy!

This past week, Rich and I have been very busy at my mom's house. We pruned overgrown shrubs and limbed up some pine trees. We also drained the pool, power washed it and refilled it. The water is now very clear and blue and ready for us to jump in. And it is time to jump in as it is 95 degrees here right now. But NO HUMIDITY. I know some of you are laughing, but it is true. With the trees limbed and pruned, mom's house looks great, although it is no longer hidden. We also arranged our patio furniture on her patio and that is where the three of us spend our evenings with our glasses of wine.