Great room and kitchen take shape - 31 July 2009

On Thursday my digital camera got stuck - probably from going from the air-conditioned car to the really humid outside. So I came back on Friday to get my shots. The sheet rock guys have finished the great room and are working on the other rooms. They should be done this next week I think. The painter has come and primed the great room with a tinted primer using the Benjamin Moore color "harmony". Earlier this week Ellen and I had to knuckle-down and finalize our color scheme and flooring choices. Hopefully we didn't make too big a mistake. The chimney now has a proper cap.

Stucco finished, color scheme begins - 16 July 2009

As I walked up to the house I noticed some color. Only Joe and Ellen were there. Sheetrock finish process is still on-going. The stucco guys have a done a great job applying the extra layers on this time with the colored stucco. The hardi-board will be painted next. The bank was able to do an inspection and we have more funds to pay sub-contractors. We will need to do decide interior color scheme next. The kitchen cabinets have been made and are waiting to be installed.

We saw a rabbit being chased by a cat! Our cats Marmelade, Leo, and Ember will enjoy this natural environment.

Sunday night out-checking the inside. 12 July 2009

Ellen and I went to the house after to dinner to check it out. This time we went inside to see how the sheetrock finishing was progressing. The sky was threatening to rain so we didn't stay long. It was neat seeing how the dorm windows keep the house bathed in light for longer than expected.

More Sheetrock; More Stucco; More Rain! - 09 July 2009

Ellen did not attend the Thursday meeting at the site. Joe and I discussed the list of things the LEED inspector developed that we need to address. I hope we don't have to rip things up and re-do work! I will leave that up to Joe, our builder, and Vaughan, our consulting architect. The project is at a point again where the financing is tricky. The schedule for draws from Regions bank is not aligned with the sequence of construction and invoices. Elle and I will have to pay some of these expenses from savings (as we have planned) in hopes of having another bank inspection later on that will rate further funds. I will contact the bank and she if we can get some money advanced based on invoices.

Big thunderstorms make a mess; Sheetrock goes up

The heat from the 4th of July holiday Weekend finally broke with some big thunderstorms. Luckily our builder, joe had the some extra dirt/sand spread with a grader for better drainage by the foundation - still puddles and mud seem unavoidable. Inside the house the drywall/sheetrock is starting to go up. Outside the house the porch columns are being installed. However, Ellen and I notice that the placement of the columns should be more aligned with the piers. We also notice a loose window pane in the master bathroom toilet window. These are items we will call Joe about in the evening. We get word that our LEED inspector, Carsie hall and his partner at Contects Architects in San Antonio (Chip Henderson) will be coming on Wednesday, July 8th. Ellen will met them. Thunderstorms are preventing the stucco guys from getting much done.

Happy 4th of July - Insulation complete!

Coastal Insulation of Slidell guys worked hard on Friday and Saturday to finish the spray foam part of the insulation.

LEED inspector comes - 02 July 2009

Our consulting architect, Vaughan, arranged for the LEED inspector to come by. We are working with Chip Henderson of Contects on Houston, TX. Chip has partnered with Dr Carsie Hall in new Orleans who will be our LEED Rater. Carsie and his assistant came over on the hottest day to date to check insulation, etc. Unfortunately the exterior walls had not yet been sprayed. Cpastal Insulation of Slidell had a crew over to do the spraying but they needed some extra equipment. They promised to get it done by Friday, July 3rd. Carsie Hall will come inspect again on Monday, July 6th and by serendipity, Chip Henderson will come by as well.

In the meantime, Ellen and I have been testing more colors and we seemed to have reached a consensus with Vaughan and Joe. Vaughan's architect student intern, Nick, from Tulane University, came over as well. I also noticed the water well has been completed with a pump and storage tank.