This is what we've been waiting for!

No problems on Final Inspection day.  Hooray! 

He only wanted us to put address numbers on the house.  We did that. 

And then we started moving the 150 numbered boxes and the 50 or so non-numbered into the house.  Do have to stop every so often to actually unpack and find a place to put the stuff.  Kids are coming over in a week and will help us move the big stuff.  Then the picnic bench and plastic chairs can go out on the door.

Though, a few "turds in the punchbowl" (an idiom of Deans) have popped up since then.  We are trying to keep our humor while swatting the "bugs".  This should all be handled if a little bit of logic is used.  We will see.

The house?  It's perfect.  We are enjoying all this space after 6 months in the RV in the garage. 

Thanks for STAYING TUNED!

Come visit.

EXCESSIVE HEAT ... SEATTLE STYLE

We are such wusses.  I'm sure we will get no sympathy from our Arizona friends.

Aren't We Done Yet?

So what has been going on?  We thought most was 98% done when we wrote on June 25th.  Well, we know nothing. 
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We had 17" insulation added to the attic.  We had a whole house blower test to make sure that we weren't leaking too much air from inside the house.  Then we need a whole house fan to bring in air.  Some energy requirement which we could never understand.  Why make the house air-tight then add outside air to keep the inside air healthy?  Doesn't make sense to us.
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We fought with the heating contractor to get a strip heater lockout.  Not totally happy but think it works.  Can you think of something more Mickey Mouse than taking off part of the heat pump case (outside) and leaning over to read the thermometer upside down?  Grrr!

Sullivan Heating: Mickey Mouse HVAC 

We had visits from the county assessor (think taxes!), a vice-president from the mortgage company, more lighting was installed, our cedar decks got decked and deck columns built and painted.  

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I'd send pictures except once something is finished, it is immediately covered to protect it.

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We found out the installers of the microwave "knew it all" – no need to read instructions!  So they managed to screw it up ("oh? the vent door is 4x12 not 3x10" - duh) that's all fixed now. 
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We interviewed 3 concrete companies and found the perfect crew.  Had 3 entries/sidewalks built plus a textured patio in concrete.  Here's a few pictures of the job in progress.

This will be our main entry (aka mud room) from the garage - a ramp and one shallow step

Dean's walkway and stairs to his workroom (also Miss Lily's sunning spot)

Pacific Coast Concrete stamping the main entry and patio

In between, Dean made another dump trip and picked up some top soil.  Laurie spread some of the dirt and planted some pretty annuals. 

Dean installed laundry cabinets.  He learned a lot – and did a wonderful job!  More to be done, for sure.  But it's looking good! 

Carpet coming in this week.  Kitchen backsplash being built.  Sheetrock perfection experts on site as I write.  Painters tomorrow to clean up all.  State electrical inspector due today or tomorrow and then! THEN! THEN!  Final Inspection will be called for!  Yahoo!
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Stay tuned

Hello? Still there?!

We have had so much going on and all looks wonderful. 
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Our days have been extended from 5:50 AM to 11:50 PM with worry wake-ups from 3:30 to 5 AM. 
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Up earlier so we can get breakfast before the first crew arrives.  Then clean-up after the last crew leaves.  Dinner around 9 pm, if we have the energy.  Then our regular household jobs.

In between: Decisions – decisions – decisions.  Thought we had those all done...before.
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Needless to say we are EXHAUSTED. 

 At this point, all we want is for all these contractors to GO HOME! 

Our mantra is "TWEEKS" – Two Weeks – and we should be able to move in.  
Actually, we kind of gave the builder his marching orders.  That we are moving in on the 26th. 
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Stay tuned!