Building with Polka Dot Boots

Monday, April 20 2015

I started the day going to the glass supplier to have the glass shelf we want installed in the shower,cut down to the measurements requested of our tile installer.  I purchased it from The Tile Shop.  It was 14".  I found it, AFTER the shower niche was framed out.  The glass was "tempered".  I didn't realize that it can't be cut.

Tip:If your glass is tempered it can't be cut.  So have your tempered glass on hand BEFORE the framing is done, or you will have to use a glass that can be cut(but not tempered).  This might be a safety issue for you. So plan ahead.

New rain boots to ward off the rain

The best I could do

Breaking in my new boots!

Next stop was suppose to be a visit to Berry Marble to pick up the shower seat for the tile installer.  Unfortunately, I was giving them a heads up that I was on my way in 7 minutes. They needed 2 hours to get the piece out from under other orders.  That was certainly understandable since the install should have taken place weeks ago, but I had to cancel 2 appointments because the driveway was not in and the soil was too wet. So nothing left to do but head to the job site.  My wonderful husband purchased me some rain boots.  The thought was that after months of rain, the minute we purchase these boots the driveway will finally be able to come in because the rain will stop.  They were the only size left, and on sale. Thank you Stein Mart! I began the work of removing the plastic over the back of the driveway. It felt like a good idea when it was laid down, but now that it has to come off, it is filled with dirt and silt,  far too heavy for me to remove by myself.  I have to text my builder and ask him to send someone over if we will ever have a chance to dry out before the next rain storm.  Later that day 2 men come by to remove these bundles of plastic and earth.  Even they struggle with the weight of these parcels.  I met my match. See there is something I cannot do. lol  Now there is a chance that we can dry out before the next storm forecast for later this week! Our builder said that his masons would start on the front steps today.  When I arrived they were quite far along.

10 AM

Last Brick 7 PM

Big and beautiful!

During their construction, I noticed that they were needing to fill the voids with brick to make sure the brick treads were solid under foot.  These Old Chicago bricks cost about 68 cents each, so using them as filler was painful to watch. I interrupted the process and asked them to use the broken, cut, and unusable pieces leftover in the backyard from the work he did months earlier on the back wall and pergola porch floor.  The site is hard to navigate now with the retaining walls under construction, the mud and dirt, and various trenches to redirect the rain run off.  Not surprised to receive a less than enthusiastic reception to the idea. So I volunteered to walk 5 at a time through the house, delivering the "junk" brick as he needed it. We probably used 75-100 previously unusable brick this way.  This gives me 75-100 68 cent usable brick for other areas.

Tip:  Know the cost of your materials.  I never would have suggested this had I not known how much those bricks cost me.  While building the fireplace, I picked up foundation block for the masons and came to find out just how much foundation block costs.  It's cheap!  Consider using less expensive materials in areas that are not going to be seen, but have structural integrity.
Tuesday, April 21 2015

Tub Room
Walls: Walker Zanger
Floor: Datile

Wet Bar
Walls: Old Chicago Brick
Metro Brick of Dallas

Scullery
Walls: Ann Sacks
Floor: Daltile

The tiles were going in Friday, Saturday and today.  Just thrilled that what one sees in the showroom, in who knows what kind of lighting, and it all just looks awesome! Already getting nods of approval and the grout isn't in yet. But yes, this is a dream home and it truly is a dream. Stay tuned.  For finished photos.

The masons we hired to build the retaining walls have been here Monday and today.  They hope to work on the walls everyday this week, so long as the rain stays away.  By the end of today they finish building all the walls with the foundation block.  Tomorrow the brick will start going up to face the block.
At 5 PM the contractor that installed the sidewalk surprises me with an unscheduled visit.  He wants to check out the soil on the driveway.  In what feels like an instant, he says he is going to try to get at least the back of the driveway in tomorrow.  He'll be there at 8 AM and we'll see what can be done. There is rain in the forecast for tonight, so I pray I don't hear thunder during the night.

Wednesday, April 22 2015
What a day! Let's just see it through the camera...

8 AM digging out the wet clay

 A lot of digging

So much mud, and so much water

Replacing with dry dirt

Adding rebar and expansion joints

The first truck arrives, 

The men adjust 
the plywood on the lower part of the 
driveway.

First attempt, stuck, pull forward
try again.

Second attempt, at a high rate of speed,
so fast, it was scary!

Made it!  

I whooped, and hollered!

Absolutely wonderful feeling! I wanted to dance!

Then the tears came so unexpectedly, just at the moment the concrete driver shook his head at me and put up two fingers. What he was telling me was that there were two more trucks coming.  That this truck was only carrying 10 yards, and that the whole order was for 30 yards.  By the looks of the driveway he had just plowed through it looked like this was the first and last truck to come in today.  My heart sank.

The remains

After the first truck

close up

We have concrete!

First one leaving. Second one behind the trees, and he
doesn't want to come in.

The driver (photo, right) was on the job when we poured the pad last July.  He was also the one that poured the sidewalk.  He knew first hand how hard this was to pour this driveway.  He knew the drivers and told me even before they arrived that these men would probably not want to back into this driveway, but that he would make sure he talked them through it and get it done.
In the meantime while this is going on, the air conditioners have arrived, and they are struggling to figure out how to get to the back with the two units.  The plumbing suppler is on the street calling me on my cell and telling me to get the broken sink they delivered and bring it out to them to switch it out with the one they are delivering right now(no advance call). I feel overwhelmed at this point.  My builder has had to go out of state for a gravely ill family member. The owner of the driveway crew has had to leave, temporarily. For this one moment of the day, I just don't know how I am going to do this. I send a text and then a quick call to the lumber yard (thank you Blake) to see when we could possibly get more plywood(the driver is asking me to get more), but the second truck was sitting on the street. I'm not Samantha from Bewitched. I call one of my other suppliers, who is now more than that...a very very important friend.  I don't have time to chat, but I do need prayers to get me through this one.  We pray, and she reminds me GOD is in control.  It just helps so much.  Thank you, Glenda! When I get through with all the things I do have control of, I look up and see that the concrete contractor is back on site, and he is calm. Looks at me inquiringly and asks me what I'm concerned about.  Not disrespectfully asked, and in that instance, I don't worry again for the rest of the day. Everything works out and I just have to grab a chair and relax!  Week #46 and the significance of getting just part of the driveway in today, is HUGE!

details

30 yards delivered

Details

Not much left to do, but there is no way this can be regraded and completed today.  The rain missed us in the early afternoon.  The next storm was suppose to be here by 5 or 6 PM. That has come and past without rainfall. But there is rain in the forecast for tomorrow, Friday and Saturday. Perhaps next week we will have another chance to finish the driveway.  That would be awesome since so many trades need this in for their work to progress.



The retaining wall is progressing too. Today there were masons, audio, HVAC installers, (the AC was on by 4). This will get the home ready for the wood that needs to be delivered and acclimated, before being installed.  There were phone calls back and forth with the landscaper, walk throughs with contractors for additional bids for exterior work.  The day was beautiful, getting warm.  It was a very good day. Thank you to everyone who is working so hard to make this possible.

It's 9 PM and still no rain, contrary to the forecast.  It could be that those polka dot rain boots had something to do with it. As for me, I'd like to think GOD had a lot more to do with it.  Thank you LORD!