Final Countdown

To be exact, the final count down, to the final appraisalbefore closing. Yes, that's right, the closing. That in itself is quite the momentous occasion. We were trying hard to get everything finished by this Friday, but the rain started falling last night and came with a several-hour tornado warning. We have rain in the forecast for every day this week. It wouldn't be a huge problem, except that I have a very large back hoe/rock digger machine about 10 feet from my front door that is only half through digging two holes.

The first hole was for the septic tank, They expected it to take 6 hours, but it took three days. The silver lining is that I hold the award for the hardest rock they have come a cross...woohoo.

They were going to dig the propane tank hole today, but got rained out. Unfortunately, if they had been able to work Saturday, they might have actually been done with the whole project. Oh well...

Speaking of the rain, we had a bit of rain come through the house down the columns and chimney, despite the flashing added. Mike did not add the sealant yet though and will do so this week. We sure can't have rain coming through the walls.

So, our new time line is getting all the MUST DO FOR FINAL APPRAISAL things done by Monday. On Tuesday we hope to have Casey back for a final appraisal, which will put us on a fairly firm schedule to close on May 11. I am praying that is will work out for that day, which will keep us inside the due date for the bank loan to be transferred without penalties and losk in a great loan rate.

Mike, Drexal and teams have been working furiously to get the final list completed. Mike almost finished the stairs, we have just one middle railing to go. Same for the deck. The lights are starting to go up. Tracy had to get a rush order for a 24 inch down rod extension for the master bedroom fan, so it wouldn't hit the beams. Heaven is in the details.

The glass shower walls are up in the master bath. I heart them very much. Tracy and I cleaned and then sealed the rock floors there and in the guest bath, and today I applied a second coat, plus did the tile back splash. It is cool seeing the colors in the rock come out. The rain forest tile back splash reminds me of all the colors of tropical fish- and how much whimsy Gos has put into His creation.

Linda and Karen came out on Sunday and put in several hours of work. They put Danish oil on nine mesquite doors. They decided they'll have to have some in their own house, since they are so beautiful!

It was a bit weird not having the rock guys out this week- they left on Wednesday after completing the hot tub steps and decking. the results are quite nice. I will have them back to rock the front entry way as soon as funds allow.

All in all a productive week. And we are truly in a rush to the finish line. In the final countdown of the pre-closing phase. Can you believe it???!!!

Looking to the Future...

...is really the only way to get through this part of the project. We are so close!

Drexel and his guys have really stepped up to help in David's absence. They just about have the back deck completed. But like so many things on my six page To-Do list, I can't put the green highlighter though "complete deck" because it isn't TOTALLY done. Same with the front entry, the lights, the floors, the plumbing, the rock work, etc., etc., etc. Almost everything is almost done. Almost.

Today is the official day that the loan should have closed. Needless to say it will not happen. I have been in touch with Casey, the appraiser, and she hoped to complete the tentative appraisal last night. No word yet today. I have to get this all wrapped up before I take Mom and Dad to Florida on May 14 for two weeks. So many spinning plates!

Speaking of Mom and Dad, they made a momentous trip all by themselves to my house this weekend. We had such fun playing the tourist role in Glen Rose. Tracy and Ashley came down Thursday night, and we toured the Big Hill construction before dinner. On Friday, Mom, Dad and I went to the miniature horse show at the expo center and marvelled at the tiny equines, especially their little high pitched neighs. Then we went to Fossil Rim, where I learned I am a bit afraid of ostriches. At least when they try to get in the car with you. They are excessively large and aggressive. We pretty much had the park to ourselves, as it was a weekday and the rain had just stopped. Linda, Karen and Melanie joined us for another tour of Big Hill, where Mom and Dad climbed up to the sky deck for the second time! We went to their land as well, to see the newly acquired acreage with the magnificent oak tree.

On Saturday Tracy came down and we headed to Austin for Travis' wedding, my sister Terri's son. The wedding was beautiful, the bride and groom both ridiculously good looking. And if Kristen is half as kind as Travis, they will also be the nicest couple on the block.

Now I am off to tackle my personal list o' Things to Do! Git 'er Done!!!

Progress and Waiting

Progress:

Drexel and his guys worked on the deck this week. I have benches!! I have been waiting for them for a good while, and I can finally sit down and enjoy the view. But wait! There's more!! I also have steps going from the main deck to the landing, which means I can get to the sky deck without going inside, climbing a ladder, going out the library door and climbing up. Mike and I both are relieved to see such progress.

Another BIG item- I have running water! Only cold right now, but that is enough to wash with.

Johnny and his guys have almost all the foundation veneer in place and are starting on the hot tub deck steps. They poured the footing Saturday and will start on the steps Monday.

Mike has the interior steps template at his shop and is working on the real thing, to be made out of C-channel iron streamers with pine treads. I am promised steps by the time my parents are here on Thursday.

The front door has been fully sealed and awaits the hardware. Drexel and his guys did an artisan job cutting the boards to align with the rock, assuring an air and water tight seal. Mike and Drexel were up on the roof Saturday adding flashing to the rock walls, and I didn't notice a drop getting through this morning after a big rain.

So- lots of progress.

Waiting:

I am still waiting to hear from Casey, who is working on the appraisal. She expected to have it done by Friday, but no word. More reason for prayers, as though I needed another reason to pray. I can pray in gratitude for so many things.

Today I went out to the land after church. I saw a brood of turkeys, along with a deer, peacefully grazing in a field on 203. One of the toms had his feathers all puffed out, no doubt trying to impress a hen. Out on the hill, this Easter Sunday, the rain clouds were breaking up and the sky became a mix of gray, blue and white, leaving shadows floating across the horizon.

On the way back to Glen Rose I saw a local herd of longhorn cattle lazing in a field. Most of them were lying down, with their truly long horns catching the sun. It was a true Texas sighting.

God is constantly painting pictures for us, constantly sharing His creation, reminding us we are loved and looked after, and that He has is all under His control. Down to the last detail.

Happy Easter to everyone. He lives!

Through a Glass, Darkly

That's how I feel this week, like I am looking through a dark glass to try and visualize my dream- rather like the photo here, showing a small piece of beautiful scenery. I want to rip the plastic away!! I see progress, but it never seems enough, and the time is always too little. I know that ten years from now, should I be around and in the Big Hill home, this will all be a blip. That keeps me going.

This weekend Tracy, Linda, Karen and I participated in a Brazos River clean up. There was about 175 people involved. It was a perfect day, sunny and mild. We filled our canoes with tires and trash and enjoyed the scenery along the way.

Sunday Tracy and I cleared more trees from around the driveway area. The more I clear the more I see that needs to be cleared...

On the home front, I finally have glass in the front door. When the last pane was in place there was a palpable warm up in the entry way. And just in time, since it dipped to 28 degrees this morning- a very late freeze for us.

Glenn completed the tile work. My favorite is the rain forest tile in the master bath. I think it is everyone's favorite.

Drexel and his guys have put in most of the base board and completed the template for the stairs in the living area. Mike went to get the C Channel iron for the stairs runner and it wasn't there as he was told- so it will be delivered today. Drexel will start on the deck railing today. I really look forward to seeing it completed.

James and his guy started putting in the plumbing hardware. So far it looks great. I understand Danny (David's son) will start on the electrical finishing this weekend.

Also, this week someone is coming to grade the front yard and move the stones out of the way. Then Mike can pour the form for the front entry walk and coordinate the trench digging for the outside electrical line, gas line, and propane/septic tanks.

I met with the appraiser that Texas Lending sent out. She loves the house. She also says there are no comps for it. She will use her 50 county data base to see what she can come up with. And write explanatory notes. My prayer is that the lending team will READ her notes.

We are so close.