Friday, March 10, 2006
Final Post - House Closes - New Blog
I've been home since Saturday- the 4th. Sorry for not keeping the blog up to date - but it's been nice to NOT do anything for a few days.
The house closed on thursday - so the 'gwbuilds' blog now has come full circle. In summary, The house started in early October and closed 5 months later - just 1 week after I left Cal City to head home. All-in- all, I can't complain about that :)
I'm taking some time off now and I'll keep a blog of the fun stuff I'm doing in general. Anyone interested in checking it out can go to:
www.gwmeadows.blogspot.com
Thanks for watching
The house closed on thursday - so the 'gwbuilds' blog now has come full circle. In summary, The house started in early October and closed 5 months later - just 1 week after I left Cal City to head home. All-in- all, I can't complain about that :)
I'm taking some time off now and I'll keep a blog of the fun stuff I'm doing in general. Anyone interested in checking it out can go to:
www.gwmeadows.blogspot.com
Thanks for watching
Friday, March 03, 2006
Near San Antonio
had to stop short of San Antonio last night or I'd fall asleep. I slept well last night and I hope to get into Florida tonight and then home tomorrow before noon.
Photos along the way in Arizona and NM.
I
Photos along the way in Arizona and NM.
I
Thursday, March 02, 2006
In Gila Bend Arizona Wednesday Night
I'm in a Best Western - in Gila Bend. I hope to make it to San Antonio TX tomorrow.
Here's some photos of the windmill farms in Banning Pass near Palm Springs.
Here's some photos of the windmill farms in Banning Pass near Palm Springs.
On the Way Home
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Starting Home Today
I'll begin my trip home sometime today (Wednesday). I'll update the blog along the way.
Buyers
Here's a photo of the family that will occupy the house at closing. Felisha and Gregg Wallace
Final Photos of House
Monday, February 27, 2006
Certificate of Occupancy and the end of the tunnel
Over the last 4 days, I have worked every waking hour and slept very little. On Friday night, I wondered if I could keep working any longer while being so tired - then Sat. morning I woke up sick. It made 'tired' look pretty good. I pushed hard through the weekend - planning to get final inspection on Monday. At 5 am this morning, I called the inspector's office and left my information for a final inspection. I wasn't finished, but they usually come in the afternoon - so I'd have the morning to finish up.
I started at 5:30 this morning (after finishing last night after 11 pm). I plumbed the kitchen sink, the 'washout sink' in the island, the double vanity in the master bath, went to ACE 4 times, replaced a bad disposal and was putting the seismic straps on the water heater when the inspector drove up at 11 am.
Even though he passed me, he gave me a list of things to get done in the next 24 hours - including 'anti-siphon' thingys that go on the hose bibs outside the house and 'spring' hinges so the door to the garage is "self closing'. Those things and some caulk around the bathroom floor and I'm 'legally' finished.
I have about another day's worth of work to do before I'm done. I've hired a lady to come clean the place up on wednesday. I hope to leave then.
I'll take photos tomorrow.
I started at 5:30 this morning (after finishing last night after 11 pm). I plumbed the kitchen sink, the 'washout sink' in the island, the double vanity in the master bath, went to ACE 4 times, replaced a bad disposal and was putting the seismic straps on the water heater when the inspector drove up at 11 am.
Even though he passed me, he gave me a list of things to get done in the next 24 hours - including 'anti-siphon' thingys that go on the hose bibs outside the house and 'spring' hinges so the door to the garage is "self closing'. Those things and some caulk around the bathroom floor and I'm 'legally' finished.
I have about another day's worth of work to do before I'm done. I've hired a lady to come clean the place up on wednesday. I hope to leave then.
I'll take photos tomorrow.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Yard Graded
Here's a photo of the house with the yard graded. This is what the house will look like on the outside - except for a little painted trim. The buyers determine their landscaping. Out here in the desert - some people try to maintain a small grass yard, some people do a more 'desert' style landscape and then oddly enough - some never change it from the way it looks right now.
Sunset Friday Night
I worked from 3:30 am this morning to just now - 11 pm. A lot is done though. I think I can be finished on monday.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Big News
The house that I plan to finish on Monday is now under contract. I put an ad in the local newspaper and the 2nd couple to look at it - made a full price offer the same day that they looked at it. The buyer had been pre approved and as of now, we're supposed to close on the 28th!!!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Progress
I've been working pretty hard and haven't taken the time to update the blog. Here's some photos of the house as it looks as of tuesday the 21st. Hope to get final inspection next monday.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Still Working
I keep forgetting to take a photo of the front of the house until it's dark. With the driveway in and the garage door installed, it's looking pretty good except the yard needs some work. It'll be finish graded on monday or tuesday. House is 2/3 painted on the inside. I installed the vanity in the hall bath today and set much of the tile in there as well tonight. I'll finish the tile in there on friday and start the master bath as well. I'm very tired though.
Monday, February 06, 2006
The Home Stretch
It's Monday night - Feb 6th and I've just returned from a quick weekend trip home. I hope to be done here within 2 weeks. I have a tough list of things to get done, but I'm pretty determined to get a lot done by the end of next week.
The walls are finished and textured. Paint starts on Tuesday afternoon and I hope the inside painting will be done by week's end. I've ordered carpet today. The final "blow-in" insulation is scheduled for friday. I'll start setting tile tomorrow. The garage door gets installed wednesday morning. The Driveway/sidewalk and patio was done before I left at the end of last week. There should be a lot to report ijn the next few days, so stay tuned.
The walls are finished and textured. Paint starts on Tuesday afternoon and I hope the inside painting will be done by week's end. I've ordered carpet today. The final "blow-in" insulation is scheduled for friday. I'll start setting tile tomorrow. The garage door gets installed wednesday morning. The Driveway/sidewalk and patio was done before I left at the end of last week. There should be a lot to report ijn the next few days, so stay tuned.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Dale gets bold for Carolyn
Dale's wife Carolyn is currently going through chemotherapy for breast cancer and her hair is coming out. Before Dale left on Wednesday morning to go home to be with her as she takes 'chemo' again, we were very happy to shave his head for him. This will be a surprise for Carolyn. Dale didn't even blink at the idea of doing this. He's really supportive of Carolyn's situation.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Temp Power - Finally!!
Probably the slowest and most unresponsive monopoly I've ever dealt with is Southern California Edison - the local Power Company. I applied for temp power in late August and finally got it yesterday - and I've been doing follow-up phone calls along the way.
Anyway, now I'm self sufficient for power. I've been buying power from the neighbor up to now. They've been very nice and helpful.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Another Photo of Kent for his mom
Friday, January 27, 2006
Sheetrock being taped
The sheetrock is being finished now and should be ready for texture around wednesday.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Current View
Here's a photo of my house (on the left with the light stucco) and Charlie's house next to it with the lathe on and ready for stucco. Note Charlie's great roofing job - which he did himself.
Sunrise
Jan Visits for weekend
Jan came to visit for a long weekend. It was great to see her - since I had not seen her in 3 weeks.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Stucco Done
The Last Coat of Stucco was done today. It's the one with the color. The color is Pacific Sand.
It's not pink - like this photo looks. It's just a 'sand' color. The pink in the photo is from the setting sun.
Also, here's another photo of Kent for his mom.
It's not pink - like this photo looks. It's just a 'sand' color. The pink in the photo is from the setting sun.
Also, here's another photo of Kent for his mom.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Been Busy
I've been so tired at the end of the day, that I didn't want to take the time to add to the blog. Sheetrock is hung. I should get inspection on it today and we can start taping and finishing it on monday when Dale returns. I'll put up photos of it soon.
Jan comes to visit for 4 days starting today. I haven't seen her in 3 weeks. We'll probably work while she's here, but take off on Sunday and find something to do.
I haven't mentioned that Kent - Dale's son has come to help Dale on his house for a few months. Kent is a great guy and he told me yesterday that his mom wants me to put some photos of him on the blog, so from time to time - I'll put up a photo of Kent.
Jan comes to visit for 4 days starting today. I haven't seen her in 3 weeks. We'll probably work while she's here, but take off on Sunday and find something to do.
I haven't mentioned that Kent - Dale's son has come to help Dale on his house for a few months. Kent is a great guy and he told me yesterday that his mom wants me to put some photos of him on the blog, so from time to time - I'll put up a photo of Kent.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Friday Work
We started off working on sheetrock in my house, but after checking the forecast and realizing it was going to possibly rain on Saturday, we moved over to Charlie's house to work on his roofing.
Photos:
Dale's house from the roof of Charlie's.
Sunset friday.
Photos:
Dale's house from the roof of Charlie's.
Sunset friday.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Sheetrock begins
We've been sheetrocking for the last few days. I'm writing this on thursday and I THINK we will be done friday night. Here's some photos of the interior before sheetrocking. I'll take more after we're done hanging.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Off Road Riding
Today, I decided to take most of the day off. I worked a couple of hours this morning, but then took Dale up on his offer for me to take his on/off road motorcycle for a ride. I decided to head to the mountains that are about 10 miles NW of Cal City. I found 'jawbone' road on the map and set out to find it on the 1:1 scale map as well. Some of the riding was challenging, but the view was incredible. I got almost to the peak of a local range which was located between 5000 and 6000 feet.
ME AND DALE'S BIKE
HONDA TEST TRACK IN THE VALLEY
ABANDONED MINE NEAR TOP OF THE RANGE
END OF THE ROAD
ME AND DALE'S BIKE
HONDA TEST TRACK IN THE VALLEY
ABANDONED MINE NEAR TOP OF THE RANGE
END OF THE ROAD
