AC guys work to find a leak; Inverter for solar panels installed - 08 October 2009

The weather still is giving us problems - the driveway is once again a muddy mess. We are still waiting for the kitchen and laundry appliances hopefully they will come soon. Even the appliance store's distributor is having cash flow problems! But other work continues. The weather was able to hold off long enough so that the AC guys can build a platform and install the compressor. I would have liked it have it in the originally planned mechanical space outside the main bathroom but then the AC lines would have been too long. Unfortunately the AC guys have to find out why the vacuum is not holding. They suspect a nail may have pinched a line in the wall. Troubleshooting is ongoing.

At the same time the South Coast solar guys were able to install the panel racks on the roof and now they are installing the inverter. The plumber was able to to install the propane gas hot water heater.

Plumber's son helps his sick dad - 01 October 2009

The plumber's son, John Meeker, got to work installing the sinks and faucets while his father recovers from a heart attack. Meanwhile, we are waiting on the delivery of the kitchen and laundry appliances. The bank's inspection showed a completion percentage of 90% so only ~$17000 was advanced - this is still makes for a tough cash situation. Until the appliances are delivered and the electrician and plumber install the remaining lighting and plumbing fixtures the paying of bills has to be carefully sequenced.

We are still hoping for an end of October move in deadline!

Evening visit to bring checks, locks, and knobs. 30 September 2009

Another late evening shuttling back and forth between Lowes and the house as we bring checks for South Coast Solar, locks and door handles for the trim carpenter, and knobs/pulls for the kitchen cabinets. Northlake glass has installed the kitchen cabinet glass (seeded and plain) as well as the shower door.

We get word that the plumber had a heart attack and so his son and brother are working on the plumbing. Even the electrician was out a couple of days with the swine flu! Hopefully the bank inspector will see enough progress to advance more money.

Work begins on screen porch; electrician is back in action. 28 September 2009

We are hoping for lots of progress so that the bank can advance more money. Charges to credit cards are helping bridge the time lag between ordering materials and services and reimbursement from the bank. The credit crunch is starting to pinch.

The trim carpenter, Ken Hamilton, and others are starting to work on the screen porch. The electrician is starting to install lighting, fans, and wall outlets, etc. The lighting supply store though did not send long enough down rods for the fans for the main bedroom or the great room. Hopefully the exterior lighting will arrive soon.

Cardell cabinets repaints; all entryway tile has been laid. 23 September 2009

As promised the Cardell Cabinet company made good on their promise to repaint all the cabinets to ensure a common color. The result is very good indeed. Also Floorworks of Slidell finished the tile laying for the entryway. All that's left is for the grout. Continuous rainy weather in September has made the driveway and the front porch area looking quite soggy.

Back from Japan - Pine Floors are in! 19 September 2009

I got back from one week in Japan Friday Night. Saturday morning Ellen and I went out to the house to sweep floors of all the lovebugs, dust, etc. This took about two hours. While we were there Joe's framing/carpentry crew arrived to finish the deck of the Screen Porch area. The existing Trex did not look long enough so the the crew supervisor tried to contact our builder but couldn't make contact. With nothing else to do the deck crew left.

While I was gone, the antique pine flooring was installed. Almost all of the tile flooring has now been installed with one of the master bathroom closets and the entryway yet to be finished. The shower tile work is all done as is the the guest bathroom tub surround.

Also the exterior doors have been installed (except for the master bedroom doors to the screen porch) and painted. The side railing and the main stairways are now being put in place. Next week should see the electrician installing lighting fixtures, etc.

Shower almost done; evening at the house - 04 September 2009

Another busy week with little time to keep up-to-date on the house. Ellen and I chose to visit on Friday before Labor Day to see the incremental progress. Floorworks installers have almost finished the master bathroom shower. Ellen was displeased with the second bathroom's pattern and Floorworks will correct. The kitchen sink has been installed, the last cabinet arrived and was installed, and the counter-top folks were able to make their template measurements. The counter-top is scheduled to be installed next Wednesday if the faucets are installed beforehand. Hopefully the plumbing store has our order for plumbing fixtures in stock! Ellen has been working with the lighting fixture store, ABC Lighting of Slidell. So lighting and electrical will soon be coming. John is getting a bonus from work and that money combined with a couple of days of extra Navy Reserve pay, will help finance the main bathroom bath tub and fixtures.