Anticipating Warm Toes

We're putting radiant heat in our house so off we went on Tuesday afternoon to install Pex tubing in the master bedroom area. The Pex tubing is what the hot water will flow through which will warm up the floor and whole house. The pex has to be attached to the rebar with zip ties, so we had to be there in between the rebar being installed and the concrete being placed. Having never done this before we had some trepidation about it, but it all went just fine (not counting my sore thighs from bending and sqatting a couple hundred times). It took the two of us about 4 1/2 hours. The rest of the house will be done later after the framing is complete.
I'm sure looking forward to the day that my slippers will only be a fashion statement!

Underground Work and the Storm

Last weekend we went back to the property (I wish we had stock in Chevron!) to do underground piping for water and gas lines. When we arrived we surveyed what our contractor had accomplished since our last visit. I never imagined that I'd be excited by retaining walls being formed up and sidewalks being laid out, or even a huge pile of gravel in the garage area!

Cliff and a friend worked on putting in gas and plumbing pipe in preparation for the slabs being placed later this week.

We also had three men digging trenches for our drainage system around the house.

I supplied the food and moral support, but spent most of my time in our trailer sewing. The view is pretty good, wouldn't you agree?

On Friday a summer storm came through. The day was warm, about 80 degrees, but in the late afternoon clouds started to build up and then came rain with lightning and thunder. It was beautiful to watch but unfortunately the lightning started several fires in the area.

That's all for now. Check back soon to see slabs, retaining walls, sidewalks and radiant heat tubing. Oh the thrill of it all!

Our Grandaughter Aubrey Rachel

Here's a picture of our newest addition, of the human type, not the construction type! She's just adorable and so tiny. Jake and Warren are so cute with her and I think a bit in awe at this little sister.

Work Day

We went up to the property for a day so Cliff and Alex (our friend from church) could rough in the underground electrical. The weather was perfect for working, overcast but no wind. The forms for the concrete have been removed and the concrete contractor did a great job. There aren't any rock pockets and all the bolts are straight.

The lines on this stem wall are options for the sidewalk level which will determine how steep the sidewalk is and how many steps we have leading up to the front door.

We Have A Foundation

As of yesterday, June 11th, we have a foundation! Woohoo! Cliff drove up to the property with his friend and concrete expert Curt to watch the pour. It was another exciting day for us. For those of you (including me) who don't know much about the process the concrete was placed in the forms which are then taken off once the concrete has cured. The slabs for the garage and master bedroom will be placed soon.

It was windy!

More pic's from week ending 6/8/08