Site work done.

The site work is essentially done. Hugely over budget by $9000 as so much fill had to be brought in. In the end, all looks good and two massive stone walls were built. Getting to the water is going to require stairs for sure. I will be happy when the site guys are gone. We had a fully loaded dump truck tip over onto the foundation when the bank they were traversing gave way. They hit the corner of the garage, argueably the strongest part, and it held. The truck was at 45 degrees when it stopped. It took a big chunk out of the wall and probably did not do the truck much good either. The same outfit took a notch out of another part of the foundation wall with the bucket and put a hair line crack in what will become the wine cellar? or storage? or concrete vault for when I get out of hand?

Posts for the deck are in place which adds a real amount of realism that above those spots will be a 10 foot wide and 45 foot long deck with a hot tub overlooking the lake.

Met with Brocks lumber and I must say they have been excellant. They have caught several errors and have suggested less expensive alternatives to the proposed way of dealing with any particular issue. We have had animated discussions with our architect. For example, they proposed a curved exterior roof that required a membrane roof and glu-lam beams. Total saved when we went to straight salt box and metal roofing? >$40,000. AND we like the result better. To their credit, Jesse proposed a method for an interior that was really novel. We got the part we really wanted which is a curved and to me, 'sensuous' ceiling in the main part of the house. I will post a picture to show what that looks like in another house.
We ought to close on the bridge loan next week. When THAT domino falls, MUCH stress leaves my life - at least temporarily.

I had email conversations with a friend in Arizona who with his wife are looking for a house. Unable to find what they want, they are working to implement their plan B which is putting their 'stuff' into storage and moving back to Minnesota for the summer. It struck me how much effort we put into our space, the karma of our abode and the projection of our personality into our nest. Our thoughts go out to Terry and Muffi.

Work continues with Karen being a house readying fool carpeting, painting, stripping wall paper, towel racks, light fixtures...and on and on. I am reacquainted with the royal 'we'.

All for now. Love to all, Matt