Rough Plumbing

I've often marveled at how people can build things from a sheet of paper into a completed structure. I never thought I would actually watch the process from start to finish on my own home.

I'm in awe of the skill and craftsmanship of builders and construction workers. Case in point - today the plumbing for my house was rough set. I've been learning my house for months now by studying my plans. But I cannot relate what I think I know with the physical state of my lot.

I know where the kitchen should be but the pipe in the middle of the house seems so wrong! I know it's all correct because Curtis tells me it is.

The laundry room and guest bathroom look tiny, tiny. I know they're not but I can no longer see my house as it looks like on the plans I know so well.

But I'm not worried. I'm intrigued and ready to see my house develop before my eyes.

Slab on Friday. Hooray.

Trees Be Gone

I closed on my lot yesterday and work started today. Thanks to my builder, Curtis Loftin, he had everything ready to start as soon as he could. Good job, Curtis.

I've written about the wonderful pecan tree on my lot that my plans allow to stay. Well, there were two other trees that had to go. I'm not having trees growing in the middle of my house.

I got home this evening to find the trees almost gone. The work has begun! Soon a house will be where the trees were. I'm excited and I'm ready!

Out With the Old; In With the New

Today I left my house for the last 13+ years for the last time. I was surprised about how unemotional I was about this "ending". I expected that after such a long time in this house I might be a bit nostalgic. But I wasn't.

I enjoyed my house but I don't know that I ever "loved" it. It was comfortable. It was a place I enjoyed being and inviting people to. But in all honesty it was a bit burdensome. It was big. It had a huge yard (and a wickedly steep ditch in the front yard that I used to be able to mow by myself).

But my knees aren't what they used to be and the house didn't "fit" anymore. I don't think I would have realized this if I didn't have this new house opportunity. I would have continued to enjoy the house and try to hire people to maintain the yard and flower beds.

But would I love to be there? No. I'm ready for a change. I'm ready to create a house that reflects me at this age. And it will be wonderful to downsize my outdoors/yard maintenance requirements.

So, today all my belongings are packed and moved into storage, the old house is awaiting its new owners (escrow closes Thursday) and I happily leave for the last time.

The "weight" of the old house is gone; the new house begins soon. Goodbye Amblewood Lane.