Bomb Cyclone

It was so cold during the night that a puddle on the deck table turned to ice but it warmed so nicely  that the concrete crew took off their jackets.  This load is going to the ramp at the front door and stairs at the back door.  Hard to believe all of this mess is going to be something acceptable. 

The house next door is getting a new roof - active neighborhood today.

This is what old people do when the power goes out and takes the heat with it.

Candles and flashlights to the rescue.

Notice the glass of Jameson is empty.

The highest wind gust was recorded at 51 mph but now (Wednesday morning at 9:30) it's calm and sunshine.  It might not last but we'll enjoy it for now.

Hurry up and wait

 

Who know it would all take so long?  The rain didn't help.  But here we are - - 

More deck in progress - that sucker is so strong!

Stairs at the back door.

A long but legal ramp at the front door. 

Patch in process.  Painted and a new floor.  

Amazing what old men can do! 

Another slow week

 

This is the beginning of the hot tub deck, so it has to be really sturdy.

This is an amazing crew but they had to go pour concrete for somebody else so will be back another day to continue the job.

Hard to believe this is ever going to be the Patch.

Paint is a good beginning. 

Not much visible progress

 Didn't we all think that  a manufactured home  would just be plunked down, ready to go, bring your bed and dishes and move in?  I had no idea how much is involved to make it livable.  This week Al and his pal Don (it's kind of unclear which one of them is the boss and which is the sidekick) put on the skirt.  I really want to paint some ruffles on it. 

The interior guy did the plaster and paint and whatnot to close the seam where the two sides join.  Electricians and plumbers were doing work I don't even want to know about.  Al and Don spent hours in the shed to make Al's workshop and add electricity.  I tried to pack stuff but kept distracting myself with deciding what to keep and what to haul to the thrift shop.  Help!

Concrete supports for the hot tub deck because that thing 

weighs a lot even before I get in it. 

One day closer.

          Doesn't look like it's going to be much, does it?  I might be scared.

                                       That's a big bonfire in the future.

This is the back of Gert's house, which was a small window but quickly became a big hole.

Then a double door.  Makes me want to swoop through it with a swirling skirt, but I'd probably miss the step, gash my face open on the leftover metal siding and get an expensive ambulance ride to the hospital.  

Doesn't matter how old boys get, they are still playful.  The tires and axels were hauled away to be used on another house coming down the road to somebody else.

Siding replaced at the splice so it's beginning to look like a real house.

More supports to hold the whole thing together for attaching the skirt.

                                This is what remains of the book collection 

                                  - after a huge trip to Friends of the Library.  

Grape-like  hardy kiwi ready for the pickin.  Yes, they are as tasty as regular kiwi.

Always digging

Why didn't I mark where the water line comes to the house?  Why?

Our local water witcher was only partially successful. 

 But very succesful in making me laugh. 

What a talented guy with a backhoe can do to a tree stump and all the roots.

 Stand back! 

What a mess. 

Yay, Charlotte!  The morning mist perfectly highlighted another masterpiece.

One day at a time

Which is a stupid phrase.  Who could possible do more than one day at a time?  Well, maybe if you're traveling across the International Date line.

 But for now, that's all we can do while we wait for the electrician, the plumber, and the inspector and maybe some others I don't bother my pretty little head with.

Yes, Tom, those blocks are sturdy, at least according to all codes and inspectors.  There will be a matching skirt to cover all that and make a nice crawl space.  I just hope it's not a swirling square dance skirt with a lot of crinolines.

The builder told us that they once did a house eight blocks tall, with rebar and concrete reinforcement.  Why not just build a second story?

I really hope there will be a ramp or stairs because I can't possible leap that high.

Nicole, for your perspective - left to right, taken from the street - the tiny building is the new greenhouse, the big one is the New House, the white one behind it is Gert's house/Patch/storage/workshop.  The little one behind that is the neighbor's greenhouse so ignore it.  Then our current garage (Patch is the little section on the right) and on the far right is our current house.  Now does it make more sense? 

There was a final domino tournament before Nicky went home.  We miss him!

                                           Can you read Al's shirt?  

Attachment

 Watch how the new house came together.  It's basically the same as Gert's old house, but on a bigger scale.  Here we go.

                                               Won't need these again.  

The hitch will be removed but here's a great shot of the slider thing.

I learned that this is called a come along, "a hand-operated winch that uses a wire and rope to pull, lift or move heavy objects.  Also known as hand winch or cable puller."  I thought a come along was a wink and a smile.

                                                   Getting closer - - -

Ta-da!

Looks like a huge version of a little kid playing with building blocks. More to come today when they put the siding on and then finish all the inside so you'll never know it arrived in two parts. Are you as fascinated as I am?