Progess Photos

So we have a house on a hill with very much the doors and windows and roof in place, but it needs its guts- wiring, plumbing, everything.

The house from its best angle: the South

So since we left off the story, the roof has gone on:

Beautiful work by local company. Stainless steel from sheets (M's idea and affordable!)

And  M put in North (pictured here) and South porches...from locally found materials...

Shale and dirt will fill in around here (South side), hopefully more of a patio will be formed eventually

Sweet girl fell asleep riding with Papa in the big Loll

Today, the driveway excavation and house back-fill began with a bang...a shallow power cord was struck! So jobs which don't require electricity will continue until the driveway work and then electric repair can be done. We are also coming down to the wire (pardon the pun) on our state DOT driveway entrance permit, so we are hoping for no more obstacles!

Stay tuned for photos of the spiral staircase underway...

Give Thanks

Well, dear readers, tis time for another grateful list. 

This seems to be our best method of maintaining traction. Otherwise, the project may seem to be moving at a snail's pace, 

or as my Dad liked to say 'As fast as molasses going uphill in January'

We give thanks (sometimes out of pure grit) for:

• A majorly stressful housing transition...it makes having any place to live a blessing
• A rental that needs repair (to put it politely)...it makes constructing a building with thoughtful quality seem like a good contribution to the world
• Undesired critters and bugs...(UUGgh!) they give us commonality with many people and inconveniences
• Work spaces without natural light or view of  the outdoors...they make me loooooong for light, and coax me outdoors, and make me notice sunrises and sunsets. Its makes me look forward (to put it lightly) to a south-facing home with windows.
• Juxtaposed joys and pains in life...they make us ache and live with courage and in Hope, like watchmen waiting for morning
• Unpleasant situations outside of our choice...they help us focus on lasting things, not our present circumstances. The best is yet to come!
• Unsettledness...it helps my heart be ready for a settled home of our own, now longing for rest instead of restlessness
• Obstacles and being waylaid...they might facilitate a better path in the end
• Help...it's humbling and gives pride no status
• Growth...it means we're alive!
• Beauty...in precious people young and grown, in the woods, the mountains, the sky, November roses, all inexpressible gifts!

It helps if we can hold hands and walk on! 

 

Or make music in a gas station off the highway at night because that's the chance I have to play my piano.