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?

It runs in the family

Nick treated us with a delicious dinner - he had me with the brown butter potatoes.

 

Will two halves make a whole?

 

Here comes part one, the side that will face South.  That's the laundry room door,  master (can we say that?) bedroom on the right, kitchen on the left.  It's 12 noon and there is a house in the street.

And Wall-E, that remote-controlled tractor to do the work. 

How will he clear that post?  

He did it!  

Unhook the truck

Hook up the magic machine

Excited?

Right up on the slab, with a bit of fancy maneuvering.

Ten tires to haul half of a heavyhouse.

Looks kind of lonely, doesn't it?

Don't worry - here comes the North half. 

Back to work

How will they every get together?  

Kind of like waiting for a guy to ask you to dance.

This caused a lot of consternation among the viewing audience. 

 We were all sure it would tip right over. 

Getting closer - - - 

Closer but what about those tires climbing up onto that concrete pad?

With a little help from three boards.

                                        

Almost there.

Yay!

Like being in a fun house of black plastic mirrors.

Success, at least for today.  That's a bathroom window.

                       

It's 1:30 and my work here is done.  

Getting the idea?

More to come soon when it gets put together. 

 Porch included is a nice touch.

It's been a very exciting day.   The lawn might not agree.