Two Down, One to Go!

Loan paper signing sessions, that is. Wow, this is real progress. March 6th should be the last signing date.

I had Will, the surveyor, go out to mark the corners of the house this week, and it is a bit too turned away from the view. Mike (that's him pictured) and I had done some crude measurements and come to the same conclusion. So, don't tell Glenn, but I am turning the house it a few small degrees and giving up little energy efficiency for a lifetime of beautiful views. I am willing to be a bit hotter or colder for that.

I also left my house plans with Tonya, a local interior designer, today. She had a grand opening of her shop today. It's just at the end of the street. Rita showed up and let everyone know I am going to Hawaii. Seems she has told half the town. I get asked about it everywhere I go.

Anyway, Tonya will look over the plans while I am gone to see if there is anything that needs to be addressed before the slab is poured. The SLAB IS POURED. Yes, I did say that, didn't I?

As my dad would say, 'Goodness, gravy to gracious'. Looks like I'm building a house.

Loan papers ...might...be...ready

Rumor has it that Glen Rose Title has everything ready. I called today, but I think they must be off for President's Day. Due to work travels I have only Wednesday to make it happen this week. I think it will seem very real when I start to see foundation work out there.

Got my home hot water heater replaced today. Oh yes, there will be a hot shower tonight!!! Power Star (by Bosch) has remoduled the elements from 3 small to 2 larger ones, and Steven, the plumber, says the new design has a better track record. He is the only guy from here to Fort Worth that works on tankless heaters, and he happened to have my exact model on hand, due to a customer ordering one and not getting back with him. Wow.

Sunday was rainy and c-c-c-cold, but Saturday was splendid. I worked on the land for several hours. My hands are still cramping from sawing and clipping underbrush. I cut my left thumb through the glove right along the knuckle. Yes, it hurts as bad as it sounds and is swollen. Still have a the rash from last weekend's poison sumac. I can't stay away, even when it hurts.

The neighborhood is quiet. Rita came over tonight while I was outside organizing boxes for storage. She is the one on our street that keeps us all informed of local updates.

Hopefully will have BIG NEWS of loan closing on next week's blog.

Passing Time

Not much to report this week. I spoke with West on Tuesday, which was two weeks from the day my loan was approved. He didn't have a closing date for me, but said he would know more early this week. I am guessing it will be three weeks, since everything is taking longer than planned. I can tell Mike is getting antsy to build, as I noticed rebar and wooden stakes piled close to the house site.

My transformer box is locked up. I guess I have power, but not sure how to get to it! I will let Mike work that out.

On the current home front, my tankless water heater is not working. This is my second one; the first one lasted about a year, and so has this one. I think the particulates, especially the calcium, in the water are messing with it. Not boding well for the new homestead. I am out of town every day this week, so will make calls from the road, trying to get a local guy brave enough to look at it. Last time my plumber wouldn't look at it- said it was really an electrician's job. Tim, my air conditioner man put the new one in. He is one of those people that will try anything.

I was out on the hill yesterday and today, cutting brush and those *&%#! thorny vines under the trees along the driveway. My arms are covered in scratches. At least the weather was beautiful! I love the way the shadows from the setting sun splay out through the oaks.

I am ready to build!!!

Power!

I have elctricity!

OK, so the transformer is in the wrong place. But, I have electricity. I showed the field officer where I wanted the transformer by standing on the spot. My builder was there. I went out tonight, as an absolutely beautiful sunset was fading into gray and saw the transfomer, about 40 feet from where I wanted it, in the middle of a future path from the house to the "man-house", where I plan to keep all my tools, riding lawn mower, etc. I should have paid more attention to the red flags. Ha! Story of my life.

What to do? Ignore it, plan a walk-around path, and look to the next thing.

I expected to sign loan papers in about two weeks. Mike, my builder, says the bank is telling him at least three weeks. So, I will call tomorrow morning, and every few days to get an updated (and fresh in the mind) estimate.

I went home to Louisiana this weekend for Aunt Quincy's services. It was a good celebration of her life. Today would have been her 95th birthday! It does give me pause to think that someone who lived for almost 95 years is now only memories in the hearts of those that loved her. She had a very full life.

Maybe it's the changes at work (I lost Texas and Louisiana). Maybe it is Aunt Quincy's passing. Maybe it is winter. Or the burn ban. Or relationships. But I feel so small and ineffectual tonight, in the scope of everything facing me.

Still, a small voice is there, beckoning. Though but a wisp of time this earthly life matters. And while we are here we are tasked to do our best, to strive, and not to get caught up in the little things.

So, I will wait for the loan papers to be ready for signature. I will deal with a transformer in the middle of what was to be a walking path. These are tiny things. I will take on a new sales territory. I will love my whole family, all my friends, and myself. A tiny bit harder. But, if I can't add a single hour to my life by worrying (a "very small thing" says Jesus) then why worry about even smaller things like loans and love, transformers and territories?

It is Sunday night . That means tomorrow is Monday. On Mondays I go to work. And so I will.

Tempus fugit!