Dodging Drops

The crew did well today, despite the rain. Tomorrow's forecast doesn't look good, but hopefully they'll be able to dodge the drops!

Crane Your Neck Skyward Boys!

The crane arrived this morning, much to a boy's delight. Here's hoping the weather will stay away for a few hours. Yesterday the wind, weather and lightning were violent. The wind blew a bucket of roof tar onto the future porch. I hope that it will be able to be cleaned and not affect the plans for stained concrete--at least it didn't fall on the interior surfaces!

Who Needs a Pickup?

My new Honda has proven itself in its first attempt at functioning as a utility vehicle (other than carrying golf clubs). With the seats in and folded up to the side, the new tub fit like a glove.

360 interior

This is a 360 view from inside the new addition. You can see O in the future sliding glass opening. The 2 existing windows on the house will become door openings to the addition.

lintels aren't just legumes

Observe: all lintels are set. One can easily see the window openings...I particularly am enjoying seeing the 4 windows on the left side of the picture. This will be the family room. Now, if I can just wake up in time to remind these guys NOT to park on the lawn!

Evening Rain.

Take a look at the clouds coming in from the east. I took these pictures 45 minutes ago and it still hasn't rained here yet. I hope it does!! Today the gents cooked along with the walls. They'll be finished by the end of the week. It is nice to see the progress being made in these pictures. Trusses get placed next week.

Here's the house from the front...

Another Brick in the Wall

While the prefabricated cinder block is something new, the art of masonry is as ancient as the pyramids. These guys know what they are doing and tehy do it fast.

Block Party

The block masons are on the scene. It has been 2 weeks since they broke ground. Lets hope they can keep the pace that has been set!

Level on the Level

The slab is poured. They hacked off the overhang where the addition will meet the existing house. The dirt piles surrounding the slab have been removed/ leveled. Every morning Owen runs into the room yelling that there is some large machine or heavy equipment outside his window--heady stuff for a three year old.

Pour Day

The early bird gets the worm. The crew was here at 6:30 and the truck was here before 7. When I told him "good morning", the driver of the second truck said, "more like good afternoon." He'd been driving since 1 am. I guess they keep busy at night when its so darn hot in the day. Because of teh extreme ambient heat and the heat produced by the normal curing of concrete, at the Hoover dam they built the world's largest refrigerator to cool the concrete before it was poured. I think these guys ar doing just fine without a gargantuan Frigidaire. Though, I gar-un-tee they'll be done by noon. Say hey to Jorge. He's the one in the picture above working and sweating while my teacher on summer vacation ass is taking pictures and going back inside to the air conditioning and another cup of coffee.

Site Plan

Concreto

Here is a shot from the rear facing south. On the right will be the bedrooms/bath, with the single car garage/ studio farthest away from viewer. Left is room for family ruckus and such. Near the existing screen porch is area that will be covered porch. A week ago this looked like this...

Now this...

Photostitch is a great program. It came with a Canon mini-DV camera, is fast and click-click, easy-peasy. The panoramic pictures above are 5 individual shots each and PS automatically stitched them together. It is really remarkable how well it works. When taking the pictures it is best to imagine that you are on a tripod, rather than rotating with the camera in front of you.

Domicile Mitosis

The Mowry compound is enlarging! The proposed addition includes living space, laundry, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and a single car garage. Also the laundry will be built as a "safe room" for protecting the precious cargo during Los huricans. Since Socrates and his parts take up the existing 2-car space, we had to add a space for the Missus' vehicle.