Choices

After a complaint from our neighbors of toilet paper blowing across their property, we had a Port-O-Can delivered to the construction site for the workers convenience.  So for the first time ever, we have "choices" of comfort stations.  I've made my choice...How do you choose?



                                                          Natural setting with comfort

 



Comfort with nasty setting

100% Natural setting

 

Peg continued to work on the mesquite...

 

 





I wanted to check out the work the neighbors had done clearing the brush from our communal fence line in anticipation of the new fence.  We are loosing so much privacy!  We are trying to figure out how to replace what we've lost and return to the natural feel with the privacy we enjoyed.

Took some pictures of the house

 

 

Living/Family Room

 

 



Looking from Living/Family toward Kitchen

 

Dining Room

 

Peg's Bedroom

 

Bon's Bedroom

 

After a successful nail picking up session the previous week, the picker-uppers were back to earn more money.  After disposing of the nails, it was G2 break time.

 

 



TJ, Emily, Evie, Cinco, Sam, Heather, Josie, and brother, Tim came by for a tour.  We love showing off our wonderful farm!  We put lots of "seeds" in their brains that we want them to visit when the house is finished. 

As we headed home, we encountered a cow with an age-old problem.  In this case, the grass truly is greener on the other side.

 

Pretty Day, Blustery Wind

The wind has very little to slow it down or block it in the country.  It was really blowing yesterday in anticipation of a very significant cold front.  We went about our chores, but were chilly when we rested as sweaty clothing quickly became cold.

Once again as we headed to the tank, Peg screamed, "Take a picture of the ducks!"  This time I did "capture" a duck for prosperity.

We continued to the Oak Grove to cut out some of the old barb wire.  Peg found several strands she believes are historic so we put them aside for future research.

Also went by the deer feeder and changed all of the game cam photo cards.  We have not had any luck with pictures lately so we are hoping to get lucky.

Of course the main reason we were at the farm was to check on the progress of the house.  See photos:

Then Ryan arrived with his "construction crew."  While the professionals checked the work to date, the "interns" gathered wayward nails for a price (1 cent per nail).  After finding an estimated 600 nails and trashing them, the group headed to the watering hole for a G-2 break. 

As we were getting ready to head home...  Was she thinking about future visits to the farm?

New Years Day 2014

Arrived at the farm and found the electrician working.  He had a few questions and we did our best to answer, though we referred him to Ryan as often as we could.  He was disappointed that the plumber and HTAC guys had not been working as promised.  He says it is easier on him if they are done when he starts.

Here is a picture of the house.  Notice that many of the windows have been installed, some siding, and the beginnings of the roof.
.

An interesting side note: both dogs spent the time we were talking to the electrician, running in and out of the house.  They both ran up and down the stairs and generally had a very fun time entertaining themselves.  "They own the joint!"

Also spoke with our neighbors, the Smiths.  They were working on the east fence line clearing out brush and dead trees.  They want to replace all the fencing on the east side with new cross fencing.  We reiterated to them that we thought the existing fence was fine as it kept the cows in our pasture, in our pasture.  In any event, we said we would pay for half of the materials.  We did not offer anything else to them.  We are hoping they will come up with a plan with costs, etc. so we will know precisely what they are doing, the time table, etc.

As we approached the tank, Peg once again yelled, "Take a picture of the ducks!"  Well we know from a previous blog that taking a picture of the ducks as they "wing" off is not productive.  But thankfully this snowy egret stayed put so I could snap a quick picture.

The wind was manageable during the first part of the day, but later became very strong which affected the wind-chill temperature downward.  So we left early as it was hard to stay warm even when we were walking around.

Here is a picture of the house looking up from the pasture toward the northeast.

Christmas Day 2013

Our sister, Barbara, and her husband, Jim, were visiting from Virginia over the holidays and wanted to see the farm.  They seemed to like the visit.  We think it is hard to over-sell the "place."
Here is the status of the house on Christmas.  You will note that we have windows and doors (in the garage).

Security...

Trouble at the farm reported regarding our first line of security, so I made a quick trip to harden that defense.  We are in a tough situation.  On the one hand, we need to secure the job site and all of the materials and tools.  On the other, those who are doing the work need access.  As we progress, the balancing of these two factors will only become more challenging.

Took a quick picture just because I could...

A Fantastic Day At The Farm!

Today reminded us why we live in Texas.  The weather was perfect!  The secret is we have to endure 3 months of nonstop summer to get to the 9 months of varying degrees of perfection!

We fell into our routines and the dogs spent their day, sniffing and routing around discovering how the farm's wild creatures were dealing with the season including those who had been a meal for others.

 I was pulling bones, etc. out of the various mouths all day.

We went by the farm and ranch store early, and with some assistance, bought the right kind of wire cutters so we could work on removing some of the random barbwire we have on the farm.

 

We headed toward the tank and the ducks took wing.  Peg yelled, "Get a picture of the ducks!"

 

I have about five more pictures of the flying ducks, but thought three of my best pictures was plenty!

 

LOOK AT OUR HOUSE!!!!!  WOWIE!

  

The framers are still working, but are almost done.  We were able to walk through the rooms and go upstairs. We had a real sense of what's what. It hit us hard today that we're building a home and will be putting down our roots here. 

 

 

This is our view from the back porch.  I can visualize sitting here with my coffee and soaking up this scene (without all the construction materials). 



Moving Down The Long Road

 

As we drove toward the front gate, past the front pasture, this was the scene that greeted us.  It was foggy, winds at 15 mph, and 36 degrees, but the framers were working and we could see the skeleton of our new home!





We drove up the drive and snapped a few more pictures.  It was very cold so we didn't linger long.

Wow, how cool is this!

CORRECTION (from 11-30-13):  My rant about the very young
inexperienced truck driver was unfounded.  From pictures taken by
one of the Game Cams, apparently a very old, slow to react driver
made the wood delivery.