Getting Closer

Finished Floor and Erbie

Ok, so the first coat of poly is on the floor, went on real good and we should get second coat on today. Don't know if we'll need third coat until second coat dries, so either we're done, or close. It simply looks awesome and is definitely one of the best features of the house. It's getting to the point that no matter where you are looking there is a feature that stands out. We have had several visitors in the past few days, and the comments of these folks has confirmed what is becoming apparent. The whole house is basically eye candy and one of a kind. I love this, I hate following the crowd, and my whole goal was to throw convention out the window. We are getting so close to finishing that my mind is wandering to the next projects and buildings. The house is just the beginning of what's planned for the Gorge. Late last night I had a brain storm and I believe I have come up with the answer to what is next for me. I need to find the perfect place to make this idea come alive, but it fits perfectly with our karma and it would be totally unique. After the floors are done, our next project is the interior doors and jambs. This is a lot of labor, and I estimate that it will take a week or more of all of us getting after it. I still have the built-ins in the master bath, the island, the massive valance in the kitchen, and the entertainment center, to build from the walnut plywood that is going in today. The big outside project left is the front entry porch, about a week of hard labor there. I also have got to find a way to get the plumber, the rock masons, and the septic guy, to show up and do the remaining work. It's all coming together for a mid september move-in. Matt and I went down to Erbie yesterday to check things out. Man did we have a good time, you forget what's down there and we toured the old Parker-Hickman farm site. Matt was so curious about the old buildings, he really loves history. Then we went to the Erbie campground just around the corner and WOW, what a swimming hole!! Had the place all to ourselves, which is probably the case most of the time. The road to Erbie has just been repaired after years of neglect and is in fine shape now. This would really add to our adventures, theres hiking trails all over the place down there, and a swimming hole for summer! Hope everyone has an awesome weekend, and come see us anytime. Gone, gone, gone, The Hollohead

It's off to the Races

Thank you so much Community First Bank!!!!!!! We know how upside down and insane everything is right now, so we appreciate you having confidence in us. With everyones help and vote, we can put this train back on the right track and  get back to the new normal. It's time to get everything ordered and done, so let's get back to work. Thanks again Community first!!!!!!

Sweet Relief

The drought is not over, but we have been blessed with life saving rains the past couple of days.  Maybe a little over an inch altogether, but enough to give the trees a much needed drink in our area. The showers have been sporadic, so not everyone has got as much, or any at all. I am hoping it rains at least 10 days in July and give the forest a break. This whole week is supposed to be real nice, 80s during day, and in the 60s at night, yoohoo. Well, we completed all the hardwood flooring and it's time to sand and finish the whole house. This is a big deal and it means that we can begin work on the remaining carpentry; int. doors, cherry paneling, base boards,  and many other details. It is  also a big deal because it looks so awesome, I mean wow, I can't wait to see it with the clear coat. I also began work on the front porch today by digging down to the footings and installing the french drain. This is hard work, but at least it was a wonderful cool day to do it. This project will occupy me for awhile, I have to build some concrete retaining walls after completing the french drain, and then pour a concrete slab, which I will either stamp and stain, or lay a flagstone patio on top. After that I will be able to backfill  and grade to the foundation, and then I can finish the exterior rock work. The septic guy and the plumber need to get busy, I'm getting frustrated. I want to be as far along as possible when we go on vacation in early August, that way I  can finish by mid September. If I can finish this front porch quickly, it will really put me ahead of the game, so that's what I'm concentrating on. Keep on praying for rain! Later RJ

Bad Drought

This is scary, I have never seen things so dry, it's been 25 years since a drought of this severity. We are just praying no fires get loose, because fire conditions are as bad as it gets out west right now. At least I'm working in the AC, and we are getting close to finishing the walnut flooring! After that we will sand and finish all the hardwood in the house. When that's done, the interior door jambs and trim will be next. The flooring looks awesome and I can't wait to get the finish on it. Today the appraiser comes, it will be interesting to see what the place is worth to the bank. But whatever he comes up with, is not what the place is worth, appraisals are very low right now. But hopefully, it will be enough. I will post pictures later today. everyone have a great day! Later, RJ

Woodwork Details

These are a few of the things I have been woking on lately, all of them time consuming details.  Things are fixen to fire off again for a last big push to finish, the AC will certainly help the energy level, and getting Scott and Mike back over will help a lot. I am going to order the last of the cherry hardwood monday, and also start the last of the walnut flooring if Scott comes.The whole plan is coming together just right, and the mix of woods looks so awesome, I can't wait to see the finished product. The walnut wood I got from Mr. Warren has was an incredible find, really very beautiful grain and color, and I have used it all  over the house for so many awesome features. Mid September is when we will be here for good, you can put it in the bank. Just in time to enjoy fall, if there is one, we need RAIN!! Well, take care, RJ

The Hardest Part

Hot and slow and steady she goes, another day slides by and another three items crossed off the list. Sometimes the list grows more than the items finished, but I'm making progress every day. But on wednesday, the AC gets put in and things will change for the better. Just in time too, because the heat wave is upon us in a bad way.
Brother Scott came over on sunday with Dad  and they hooked up all the exterior plugs, now I don't have cords running everywhere which makes things easier. I wish I knew more about electricity, because the whole house is ready to be hooked up. It's also time to hook up all the commodes  and vanity sinks and mudroom sink. In fact, everything is ready to be completed, all that needs to be done is to finish. Yesterday I assembled our master bath vanities, finished the shelving in the master and Matt's closets, and then put another coat of clear poly on the exterior doors. Today I get to build the deck for the AC unit, and hopefully mark more items off the list. As soon as I get Scott and Mike over for a couple weeks, we will install the rest of the hardwood floors and then sand and finish all of the floors in the house. That will take about 7 work days, and then we will build all the interior door jambs and set all of the doors. Septic guy has not shown up yet, but we are next on his list. The bedrooms and bathrooms are all so close to complete, and within 3 weeks will be. That leaves the awesome room and kitchen as the last things to finish. The plan is to have everything done before we go on vacation the second week in August. It's gonna be close, and I'm sure there will be a major punch list for when I get back from vacation, but I plan on moving in sometime before September 24th. That is a promise, I wish we had been done before this summer so I could spend more time playing with Matt, But you just gotta stick with it cause it will all be a memory soon. And I will cherish the memory, and I will be proud that we have created something special, and not just a house. And then, I will be done with a dream that we get to enjoy everyday for a long time- God willing. But this is the hard times, the hot times, the time that takes a dedication to finishing a so far 16 month project.  Wish me luck, RJ