The cabin, although not complete, is very livable. The details will come in time, such as flooring in the main living space, tile in the bathroom and a few doors on the cabinets. Throughout my married life and even growing up, unfinished houses were the norm. It used to bother me a lot more than it does now. Sure, I am impatient to see the finished product and I think once I reach 70, living in flux, not to mention dust, will hold little appeal. On the other hand, is 70 that much different from 65?
Over the winter we have been tweaking the plans, consulting with the architect and now it is almost time to break ground. Just a note about our architect: we needed to find someone willing to work with our ideas and guide us when necessary but not dominate the project. We found just the right team. They visited our site and could see how we envisioned nestling the house into the natural surroundings, preserving the rock ledges and distinctive features of this particular building site and have supported us all along the way.
Once the foundation plans are finalized it will be time to get bids on the concrete work. Frits has been in the building business for many years and he wouldn't be able to stand not having a hand in it. He will be the general contractor and each stage will be subtracted out.
The weather has been very favorably this spring allowing for an earlier start than usual to most projects. The ground is dry which has given Frits a head start on moving firewood and beginning the preparation of the site. The cabin and the barn are just a stone's throw away and so most of our systems are already in place. The well, septic system and driveway will serve all but there is still one rather large stumbling block, so to speak. Massive rocks were blasted out and even more were dug out to make room for the barn and now they are all lying right where the foundation will be.
They all will need to be relocated temporarily to allow for footings and basement walls to be poured and then many will be moved yet again to serve as retaining walls, patio stones and foundation facing stones. A daunting task indeed. In an earlier post I described them as the size of Volkswagens but now they look more like Hummers. For me this all looks impossible but fortunately Frits takes it all is stride. I must say I will be relieved when this particular phase is over and the foundation is in. Seeing the footprint of our new home will make it all real and not just a dream. I can hardly wait.
