Week 9: Aug24 - 28

The plumbers have nearly completed their rough in work and the HVAC guys have started. Initially, we had planned on placing a ground source heat pump system in as a way of gaining effeciency with our heating and cooling. As it turns out the bid we were provided wasn't quite accurate, in fact, it was $8,000 dollars off of accurate. So we decided not to go with the ground source heat pump system. We are now putting in an electric air source heat pump in combination with a natural gas furnace. The heat pump will improve the heating efficiency of the furnace as well as function as an A/C unit in the summer. After spending two summers in an 85 degree house we are looking forward to some A/C next summer.



We have also made some progress with the electrical system. I would say that 80% - 90% of all the electrical receptacles have now been placed. Kevin Layton, a member of our ward and a journeyman electrician, is helping me wire the home. I am very grateful for his help as, to be honest, I have no business trying to wire this house. I got a wild hair last winter after taking a 4 night course in basic housewiring and thought I could figure things out. Well, I might be able to over the next six months, but I have to be done in the next 2-3 weeks. It is a good learning experience for me and even though it makes life a little more hectic it feels good to be involved in the whole building process.

This week was also very special as our little Miles Ivan was born. Viki delivered him at 8:38 p.m. Thursday, August 27, 2009. He weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19.5 inches long. We are glad that he is here. The pregnancy was a bit trying as we were always on edge regarding the potential for him to have birth defects. We are grateful that is all past and that he is healthy.

A great week at the house and a great week at home.

Week 8: Aug 17 - 21

I feel like things are moving forward again as this week the plumbers arrived. I was a little shocked initially to see how many holes they cut and drilled in my nicely framed home, but I guess the pipes have to go somewhere.

The man putting the shingles on continues to make progress. I am still amazed that he chooses to do this type of work without any help. As I watch him work I become appreciative of the detail he puts into his job. Each piece of metal sheeting and each shingle is placed deliberately, rather than thrown into place in a hurried way. I am confident we will have a nicely sealed roof.






We have also chosen out our window and door styles. We are going with a Roman arch look on the doors and the windows will have perimeter gridding as highlights. These should be installed in the next week or two.

Some arches were placed in our entry way. A little splash of excitement in an otherwise "boxy" house. The Roman arch highlights in our doors should fit in well.

Week 7: Aug 10 - 14

Framing is complete! The basic form of the house is now well defined. All that is left to do is decorate. Yeah! We are excited about the look of the home. It is not gaudy or plain, just a happy combination of shapes. The nice look of the home probably has something to do with the feng shui angle of the home as it's South-West facing front coordinates well with my birth year.

Week 6: Aug 3 - 7

Much of the framing on the roof was completed this week. Having the roof up has really changed the look of the home. If nothing else, the home has a lot of character and looks nothing like anything in the neighborhood. Pictures this week highlight the placement of the trusses forming the roof, use of heat reflective sheeting on the roof-this is suppose to increase the R-value of our attic by 20%, creation of the bonus room on top of the garage, and the creation of our front porch.

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