Building Project- Day 8

Yesterday was a day without the big machinery, but it was okay because the workers were cutting rebar. That meant there were pretty sparks flying; the kids loved it.

At the end of the day, we had a big hole with rebar set up in it. Note to all homeschoolers: use this image to teach parallel lines.

Head's up about today's work: The Inspector is coming. It all sounds so menacing--The Inspector. The Inspector. No joke, I'm a little scared of The Inspector. He holds a lot of power in his hands. Just like taxes, the building permit stuff is scary because all the authority in the world could come down upon you just because you make a little mistake. Hey, I'm not even the one doing the building, and The Inspector coming makes me nervous. 

Disclaimer: None of the guys in charge of planning or building the addition seem nervous about The Inspector. It's solely my issue.

Building Project- Day 7

'Twas another day of digging, measuring, and dumping. This "during" photo is courtesy of my teenager. (Do I have a teenager already?!) He likes experimenting with the camera's settings.

Artsy-looking backhoe and dump truck

Then we were gone until supper and had a big rainstorm. When I finally got out to take a picture, this is what was there. Mud and a deeper hole. 

Deeper mud puddle

In other news, we visited another one of our library system's branches yesterday. Our goal is to visit each one this summer. We also used up some summer reading club prizes-- free ice cream cones at DQ. And my second son saved us some money at Sam's Club when he noticed (by watching the register) that the cashier had scanned two items twice. Wasn't I thankful!

Also, yesterday was a big Etsy day for me; I sold two items-- guinea feathers and acorns. That makes it 3 sales in one week-- a big deal for my little shop. The ladies who bought things have lovely shops of their own--handmade glass beads and herbal products/gorgeous wedding bouquets made of feathers. I love looking at things people make on Etsy.

Building Project- Day 5 & 6

Day 5 was Sunday. No work.

Day 6 was another big day. First the remaining bricks that had been behind the cut-up pieces of patio were removed. Then there was a lot of digging and dump-trucking. Kids were once again glued to the window or outside at a safe distance watching.

I was otherwise occupied, so my 9-year-old snapped the end-of-the-day photos for me to share with you. He took so many pictures, and while it might seem like I'm sharing a lot with you, let me assure you that I'm sharing only a minute fraction of the pictures he took.

End of the day shot

End of the day shot of the back of the house with backhoe

Backhoe

Different angle

Backhoe

Pile of gravel from under the patio

Backhoe

Dirt with rocks

Backhoe

Backhoe

So, in case you're wondering, 9-year-old boys like backhoes. And that's the end of Day 6. I'm typing this before breakfast of Day 7, and my son is already outside watching the backhoe at work.

Building Project- Day 4

Today was a big day. If the kids weren't outside watching, they were glued to the window.

We watched a big backhoe take a big bite out of our backyard. Before he started, Jimmy said, "I'm going to tear the world up today!" And he certainly did.

Then there was the machine that can cut through a concrete patio. I don't  know the name of it, but it was impressive.

Then Jimmy used his backhoe to move the cut patio pieces. I've got to tell you that after more than 50 years of practice, that man uses his machine like a third arm. He's got some skills.

Then there was a dump truck. Dump trucks are always cool. Unless you're riding behind one that's spewing rocks onto your car. But this one was cool.

Next it was time to haul away the pieces of patio.

And the end of Day 4 looked like this. After a good rain on top of a lot of bare dirt, we are now officially at the "great big mess" stage, I would say. 

But this mess is a fun, beautiful mess. 

I'm pretty sure the end of today (Day 5) will look just the same since it's Sunday. We'll see what Monday has in store for us.

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Building Project- Day 3

Day 3 got off to another wet start, but sometime around when I was frying pancakes, the workers came. They were finished with the bricks before lunch.

While taking a picture of the bricks, I noticed something else. The plans are taped to the well cover because they have to be on-site all the time just in case the inspector comes. Another thing about construction I didn't know! 

Now. I've been wondering how to number these building project days. Do I number days when they are weekend days? Rain days? I've decided to number them all because I figure somebody will work on the weekend sometime. Also, I want to see how many days, from start to finish, it takes to complete the project.

Next step, I think, is excavating.

Building Project- Day 2

Nada. Zero. Zilch.

That's what happened yesterday because it rained all day long. It was great for the garden, but not good for the addition.

It's looking like today might be more of the same if the clouds don't clear.

However, they say that when it rains, it pours. And that's how it is with us with regards to company right now. Two of my brothers-in-law and their families are visiting right now, and it is so nice to visit with family that we rarely see. Especially my cute nephew :)

I wish I would have taken a picture of the blackberries my son picked last evening. It was close to 2 quarts. I guess our blackberries are finally producing! We decided to make a quick, last-minute dessert with them. I searched online and found this recipe for blackberry pudding, and it turned out nicely. It baked up while we ate supper, and cooled while we cleaned up and walked around in some raindrops outside.

Until next time. . .

Building Project- Day 1

I mentioned earlier that our parsonage will be growing this year. The addition will feature another large bedroom and extra living space. Last week some preliminary work was done; the air conditioning unit was moved from the back of the house to the front of the house.

There was one casualty: a dwarf blueberry bush. It looks dead, but we're hoping the move just caused it to go dormant way early. I guess we'll see.

So yesterday the building permit was finally obtained (after a few hoops to jump through and a change in plans). That meant that at 6:30 a. m. yesterday, the work began. This was a surprise to us, and many awoke to the sounds of large power tools against bricks. The noise reverberated through the entire house, and by the end of  Day 1, our home was changed!

End of Day 1 progress--bricks removed

Day 1 by-product-- huge pile of bricks for building forts (according to the kids)