Life
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First Floor Walls
A lot has happened since the last time I posted about the house. In just a week everything has changed. First, Emmett got the first floor finished. Once the floor was installed Emmett was ready to start driving nails. He’s definitely in his element here, you can see that not only is he doing something that he’s really good at, he enjoys it. That makes all the difference in the world. When I came by one day I was so excited to see the first wall up! It looked very lonely, but it was an awesome sight. My Dad has been helping Emmett with whatever he can. According to Emmett,…
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The woodwork has started!
I have to admit, this part feels a little scary. I don’t know how to explain it but until now I couldn’t visualize the finished product. It was a lot of work, a lot of thought, but it was hard to see what the house would really look like. It’s kind of like becoming a parent for the first time. You know that they will eventually grow up, get more independent, and one day start kindergarten. But it’s so far in the future you don’t really think about it in depth. Then one day you realize that then is now. You’re buying them their first backpack, their first lunchbox, and…
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Last of the Block
Since my last post, Emmett has continued to work hard every day he can. I’m so glad he’s finally done with the block. And the last of the outside concrete until next spring. He needs a break from the labor that is so physically taxing. He did get some help from my Dad and sometimes the kids on this part which definitely made things easier. After the block was complete, Emmett moved to the concrete pad in the backyard. It’s not entirely necessary, he has concrete pillars for deck support, but he thought it would be easier to have a pad underneath the deck. It will also serve as a…
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Laying Block
I’m thankful that the constant rain has stopped. Finally. But at the same time, we’re seeing some extremely high temperatures combined with humid weather. Occasionally a storm will roll through and cool things down, but in between it is not a good work environment to lay block. Still, when Emmett has a will he finds a way. He is one of the hardest working people I know. He doesn’t let something like heat stroke slow him down 😀 But as a fireman he also works what he calls a long shift, which is 24 hours every other day for several days. This has slowed him down somewhat. Before Emmett could…
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We have a floor!
As I predicted, since we had the walls poured visible construction progress has slowed down. That’s what happens when you work full time jobs and don’t have a crew to help you get everything done. Still, we’re making headway, and that’s the important thing. This house will take time, lots and lots of time, but in the end it will be completely worth it. Don’t ask Emmett if it’s worth it because his answer might not be the same as mine 😀 After the walls were poured, Emmett had to dig in the basement floor to install drain lines. This had to be done before the slab could be poured.…
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The Foundation
Finally, after so much waiting, we have the foundation of our new house! It’s taken a lot of work and planning just to get here, and I know this is only the beginning. Emmett is already overwhelmed and we have barely scratched the surface. There are very few things that we are contracting, and the basement is one of them. We started with a driveway, which seems like such a simple thing but I was pretty excited to see dirt being moved. It was interesting to see that the driveway was not where we had expected it to be, but we trusted the crew putting in it and they placed…
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Building a House, From the Beginning
If everything goes as planned, in less than 2 months I’ll be able to start blogging about our experience of building a house. From the ground up. On a strict budget! For years I’ve dreamed of building my own house. Or to be more accurate, having it built as I have zero construction experience. But for many years it just didn’t work out. When I married Emmett he asked me if I wanted to stay in his current home or look for land to build a new one. I didn’t even have to think about it. The dream to build a house had always been there, and if it were…
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Amish Country Getaway
Today is a good day. It’s Friday, dreary January is coming to an end, and our annual Amish Country Trip has arrived. This will be our fifth year in a row maintaining this tradition. Five years ago Emmett arranged a complete weekend getaway, including child care for the kids. When I got home from work he told me to pack my bags and we would be on our way. I was a bit leery of not having control over everything, worried that the kids would miss us, but also so very amazed that my husband had arranged this astounding surprise. When we got there it was getting late but we…
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A Second Wife
When I was a little girl I didn’t dream of being a second wife. It’s just not something that I ever wished for. I’m not sure it’s something anyone wishes for. But free will intervened and here I am, living my life in a second marriage. Playing a game without an instruction manual. And there are many, many days that I feel like I’ve failed at a game that I really don’t even know how to play. It’s hard, harder than I ever thought it would be. When Emmett and I met we didn’t know each other, we had never known each other. We weren’t friends that hung out that…
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The New Year
I really dislike the ‘New Year’. There are so many ads to help you change your life. Want to lose weight? Make a resolution! Eat healthier! Want to have a simpler life? Declutter! Start in the new year and collect less stuff. Or buy these tote boxes and label everything that you store. Want to be more organized? Buy these planners with stickers and colored pens and you can make all of your dreams come true. It sounds so easy. To get everything you ever wanted you just need a notebook, some tote boxes, and eat some trendy healthy certified organic produce. But those of us who have been through…
