Monday, December 27, 2004
Yesterday I went out and tramped around in the back lots with Mom and Bruce, where the excavator has dug the outline of the houses in preparation for pouring the footings. We were able to stand in the downstairs "rooms" and even the tango bindery. Everything looks so small now, as Mom noted; later, I guess, everything starts to look big and, without fixtures, practically cavernous.
The day before, the builder came by to scoop up his first check, and we had a great meeting out back. And the architect, on seeing the day-glo orange builder truck from his office window, came over too. So we all three had one of our more productive meetings ever, the difference being that we're now stomping around on the site instead of sheltered in a mannered conference room. It's so fun. There was a lot of talk about the grade, and making the houses stand at the same elevation, so that means backfilling some of the Galusha lot. There's a small mountain of dirt out there, so we've got plenty to go around.
Speaking of excavation, my somewhat chilly neighbor came bouncing out of her house the other day exclaiming that the project has provided "hours and hours" of entertainment for their son. So maybe that's how I finally buy their love! Or support, or acceptance.
This week's project is figuring out the exterior lights so the concrete can be formed with holes in the proper places. We may be pouring within a couple weeks, which, according to the city appraiser, saves me lots of $ as a poured foundation signifies a big step up in taxes. Either way, something tells me they won't be $40/year anymore.
Now I'm going on vacation, which is kind of a crazy thing to be doing, given all the interesting stuff happening with the construction. I'm also worried about the security of the site; the excavator has already had a diesel can go missing, but it's not like my presence there stopped the thieves. I'm putting a lot of faith in nefarious activity slowing once the neighbors across the street are evicted Jan. 14. Let's hope they forget where they moved from, too.
Here comes the new year. I can't wait.
The day before, the builder came by to scoop up his first check, and we had a great meeting out back. And the architect, on seeing the day-glo orange builder truck from his office window, came over too. So we all three had one of our more productive meetings ever, the difference being that we're now stomping around on the site instead of sheltered in a mannered conference room. It's so fun. There was a lot of talk about the grade, and making the houses stand at the same elevation, so that means backfilling some of the Galusha lot. There's a small mountain of dirt out there, so we've got plenty to go around.
Speaking of excavation, my somewhat chilly neighbor came bouncing out of her house the other day exclaiming that the project has provided "hours and hours" of entertainment for their son. So maybe that's how I finally buy their love! Or support, or acceptance.
This week's project is figuring out the exterior lights so the concrete can be formed with holes in the proper places. We may be pouring within a couple weeks, which, according to the city appraiser, saves me lots of $ as a poured foundation signifies a big step up in taxes. Either way, something tells me they won't be $40/year anymore.
Now I'm going on vacation, which is kind of a crazy thing to be doing, given all the interesting stuff happening with the construction. I'm also worried about the security of the site; the excavator has already had a diesel can go missing, but it's not like my presence there stopped the thieves. I'm putting a lot of faith in nefarious activity slowing once the neighbors across the street are evicted Jan. 14. Let's hope they forget where they moved from, too.
Here comes the new year. I can't wait.
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