Osker ripped a toenail off his back paw.  He's been hopping around on 3 legs  for a week.  It's going to take a while for the nail to grow back.

We installed the laundry sink on a temporary plywood  countertop.  The inspector wanted to see the plumbing hookups otherwise we'd  have to get another permit when we put it in on the real countertop (yea, right).

More of the laundry room cabinets should be coming soon.  Mom had to chip up a few tiles and replace them because the cabinet guy gave her the wrong measurements for cabinet placement. 

The returns on the stairway handrail are done, except for touch-up varnish.

So our list is complete and we called for the final inspection, but the inspector didn't want to come out because of the road conditions.  Now he wants to make sure the original elevation certificates have been submitted.  They were submitted this week...

We have certainly slowed the pace now that the pressure of moving is off!!  We had a wonderful, party-filled Thanksgiving.  Now we're back to working on the short list for the final inspection. 

We had our first snow and have had several days of single digit temps.  The water line from the spring is frozen, so the geothermal heat pump powered by spring water is not working--bummer!  Keeping the wood stove stoked!

Dad likes to tease me by putting me in the princess tub.  I don't like it one bit.  I don't think it's funny.

 Ahhh....!!  Life is good!!
We called for final inspections!!  The inspector left us with a short list of things to take care of like:  strap the water heater to the wall; put the bathroom fans on timers; caulk around the bottom of the toilets; return the top and bottom of the stair handrail to the wall; install a dishwasher; and install the laundry room sink.  He also said it was OK for us to "unofficially" move in!!!   Yeah!!!

This was another joyous moment!!!


We're going to work on moving until Thanksgiving, then get back to the list!

 The rock guy delivered a truck and trailer load of 1 1/2 minus for the base of the garage area.  He did a pretty good job of spreading it for us!

 The soaker tub is installed and working! 

Uncle Jim came for a visit and helped us out with the final drain plumbing.  We also cut a 16' pole, skinned it, sanded it, and varnished it for the handrail to the upstairs.  

We had a good time with Jada.  She's learning how to play with me.  When I gallop towards her she hides behind her dad.  We had her running in the rain without her raincoat!!!  She got muddy and full of burrs too!!

 You got it!!  Here's my chair in the new house!  I had been spending a lot of time in my chair in the old house to emphasize how much I enjoy it.  Well, we suddenly started spending the night in the new house and I simply was not comfortable, and became noticeably crabby.  The folks got the message and here I am!!  Doing the happy dance!!!

Grandma and Grandpa are cruising back east in their land-ship!  Before they left Grandpa helped Mom cut all the window sills!! One window is trimmed!! 

Rather than continue to heat two houses we decided to move the stove (in the bucket of the tractor) and start "camping" in the new house.  As far as the County goes, we don't live there yet, but have started moving things into cupboards!!!  Very exciting!

The shower panels in the master bath shower were installed.  Need to work on finding glass doors now.  The tub is in place--working on plumbing it.  The tub and heat pump are the last things to finish before we call for the plumbing inspection.

One of the french door windows shattered when it was hit by a rock while weed wacking.....

It had to go back to the manufacturer for replacement, and came back with half the finish sanded off.  We spent some time staining and varnishing again!!!

 Then we discovered that the fricken chickens have been pecking the exposed styrofoam on the garage footer, so we had to take time out to bring in more rock to cover it.

 Grandpa helped us create this banister for the basement!!  We made this one out of wood we had around too!  Hope it passes inspection!

 Dad has been covering the ICF styrofoam in the mechanical room with plywood.  Then he'll be able to mount things like the water filter system.

Grandpa and Mom built a 2x6 16" OC, 3/4" plywood deck for the exterior cellar entrance.  It's covered with plastic to keep the weather out.  It's all screwed together so that it can be taken apart and the wood reused when we get ready to put the actual cellar entrance on.

 We have a doe, buck, and young buck stopping by every evening to eat the fallen pears.  They're doing such a great job that we don't have to bend over to pick up pears.  Me and Osker don't think it's fair that the chickens can hang with the deer and we're not allowed.

 Grandma and Grandpa are visiting!  Grandpa helped Mom put up a banister on the stairs.  One more thing to check off on the list!! 

We didn't quite pass the electrical inspection but the things that need to be fixed are easy, like adding a few more GFCIs.

Dad has the hot water hooked up; faucets are going in including this funky one for the kitchen sink.  It extends to each end of the sink, but fully extended straight out it would pour water on the floor, hmmm......

Osker will "hop in the tub"!!  He sold out for treats.  I'm holding out.