Our Home

Exterior Painiting...Part Three

2007-10-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

Trim Painting...

Gary painting trim.

"OK, no more kidding, I am really tired of painting. Please tell me we are almost done."

Estlene painting trim.

The balancing act. "I am way too short for this."

Exterior Painting...Part Two

2007-10-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

Time To Spray...

Gary used the cherry picker to spray the exterior of the house.

"Like my gun? Watch out, I am dangerous with one of these.""OK I am tired of painting now."

Yah, we are finished spraying.

Gary gives out free rides, and Estlene gets her thrills in for the summer.

Exterior Painting

2007-10-04T18:19:00.001-07:00

Now we can begin the exterior painting...

Gary spent two weeks trimming out the exterior of the house. The steps entailed caulking, trimming and then spraying the siding. The color of the house is sage.

This is Gary trimming out the left side of the house.

Gary is smiling but he is really think I am tired of this painting.

The front porch...

The laundry room and kitchen...

Once the house was totally trimmed out, we got to rent one of these cool machines to finish the spraying of the house...

THE CHERRY PICKER!

Interior Painting

2007-10-04T16:31:00.000-07:00

After Three LONG Weeks of Painting Walls...

We have a kitchen...

A living room...

The in-law suite...

Bedrooms...

Gary and Ruby's room ...

As well as the rest of the rooms in the house are painted. Yeah! Hooray! and Yahoo!

Painting

2007-10-02T18:14:00.000-07:00

Paint...do you like color?

We came home from vacation to begin painting and painting and more painting. We spent most of our summer painting something. We started with the inside of the house.

This was a familar spot. We had so much painting and rinsing we had to set up a spot in the yard just for washing. Everyday, we were washing, rinsing and spinning.

This is Ruby painting the dinning room. You don't want to mess up with red.

Gary trimming walls before he sprays them.

Estlene is touching up walls after spraying. I don't know why we worry so much. They were only going to get messed up when the floor and cabinets came.

Ruby still trying to paint the dinning room.

I Am So Sorry.

2007-10-02T17:41:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since we have updated our blog... and a lot has happen.
I am so sorry that I have not worked on the blog. To be honest I had no idea anyone was looking at it and I did not make it a priority. At any rate, we are back and I am beginning with summer.

We took a much needed vacation before we began what would be a grueling summer. Here are some or our pictures from Florida. We had a great time just relaxing but we did make it to Epcot for one day.

This is all of us at the front of the park. By the way, Estlene, Gary's mom, spent the summer with us and was able to join us on vacation.

This is Gary and Estlene. What a beautiful background.

These are some really cool drummers. They make music out of trashcans. Cool.

Watch out Mario Andretti, Mom is on the move.

Gary and Ruby, we are smiling right now because we have not a clue of the enormity of the job awaiting us when we get home.

Completing the Siding

2007-07-08T18:51:00.000-07:00

The Siding is Complete...

Finishing the front of the house.

The rear of the house and back porch.

The left rear side of the house.

The right rear side of the house.

The left front side of the house.

More Siding

2007-07-08T18:05:00.000-07:00

More Siding and More Caulking...

This is Gary still caulking.

The right side of the house, this is the bay window in my mom's room.

Down the front porch on the right.

A front view of the house.

The left side of the house, this is the front porch and the bay window in the dinning room.

The Beginning of Siding

2007-06-29T19:18:00.000-07:00

Our House Gets Some Clothes...

We are using Hardiplank, very durable stuff. We had to use siding like real wood clap board to stay historically correct. The only exception to clap board was smooth hardiboard. It is cool looking.

They started on the back porch.

The porch ceilings are bead board.

No, this is NOT the color of the house. The color is primer on the siding.

Gary is caulking as they go.

Doesn't he look happy.

He only has about 4000 more cracks and crevices to go.

Drywall

2007-06-28T18:15:00.000-07:00

Walls That Are Ready To Paint...

Just as you come in the front door...this is the hallway downstairs.

The Kitchen

The Living Room

This is the hallway upstairs

Gary and Ruby's Bedroom

Looks different when the drywall is up.

Insulation - Hot, Hot, Hot

2007-05-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

Insulation...

Yellow, Yellow, and more Yellow.

Insulation in the floor joist between the first and second floor should keep down the noise from those wild people upstairs.

This is the living room. We put insulation down the entire right side. This will sound proof mom's area from the rest of the house.

This is the upstairs hall area. We insulated the hall bathroom. Lets' keep that shower singing to ourselves, shall we.

This is Gary and Ruby's room upstairs. As you can tell we are Ready to drywall!!! Yeah!!!

Did We Say We Like Porches

2007-04-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

The Back Porch Construction

Beginning construction

The top level

The right side steps

The easier way to climb the stairs.

Can you tell GARY is EXCITED about his back porch?

Plumbing, Electrical, and Gas

2007-04-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

We Got Our Next Inspection...

The Rough-In Phase Is Finished.

Wires and pipe in the walls are finished and we can proceed to insulation.

The Kitchen

The Laudry Room

The Downstairs Hall and Bath

The Upstairs Hall

The Porches

Exterior Painting Part One

2007-03-08T14:26:00.000-08:00

Painting and Trimming Windows...

We have spent several weekends and weeknights painting, scraping and trimming windows.

Gary is taking windows out to be painted in an upstair bedroom.

Ruby is painting windows in what will be the kitchen. What a stupid grin.

This is Gary's "break room". One day it will be the dining room.

Gary painted the outside of the widows around the house. This is the downstair bay on the front porch.

These are windows in an upstair bedroom. Gary has painted most of the window frames. The front and side windows to the porch are completely painted. The windows on the rear of the house still need to be done.

Rough Plumbing

2007-03-08T14:02:00.000-08:00

Bathrooms...

The rough plumbing is mostly completed in the bathrooms. We must wait for the flooring and tile before we can see the finished product. That is a little time away, but soon when rough plumbing, electrical and gas is done we will be able to insulate and sheet rock the walls.

This is plumbing for the sinks in the guest bathroom.

Gary built the frames for our tubs. The plumber set and plumbed them. This is Rachel's tub. It is a whirlpool tub.

This is our sorker tub. Gary decided to do a rounded tub frame. It was a challenge for him but he did well, I think.

Sink plumbing on each side of the tub.

These are shower and toilet drains which are not complete in this picture but have been completed. I will be getting more up to date picture this weekend. In addition to these pictures the hall bath downstairs is complete.

2007-03-08T13:46:00.000-08:00

Some of Our First Visitors...

As some of you know, this year I began working at another school. Now my work is closer to home. I have a great teacher that I work with, and today she decided to stop by and visit our new home.

Mrs. Allen and her daughter and me.

Our youngest helper. "Look dad, I'm ready for HGTV".

God Has Been Good

2007-03-08T13:17:00.000-08:00

Just Going To Take A Break To Celebrate... Gary Turns 41.

For a special treat we took him to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Atlanta. It is near the Centennial Park.

Gary and his birthday dessert. It was not big enough for the 41 candles so they just put 1 on it.

The food was wonderful.

This was our great server. So impressed by the service, Gary wanted a picture with her. We would recomend it to our friends.

Chimney and Veneer Finished

2007-03-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

Day Three...

Veneer is finished.

Today they finished veneering the left side of the house from the porch forward.

The front side of the house was completed, as well.

The Chimney was finished today also.

Below masons are finishing the top of the chimney. That is kind of high.

I just thought this was a cool close up picture. Gary it took from the ground.

The chimney finished.

Veneering Day Two

2007-03-02T13:49:00.000-08:00

Day Two... Part Two...

Veneering the House and Laying Block for the Cellar Retaining Wall.

The crawl space is built with concrete block. To cover the block and also to be in line with historical guidelines, we could brick the block or paint it. Since bricking is one time and painting is not we voted for bricking.

They completed the right side of the house up to the front of the porch.

In the rear they had to build the retaining wall first and then brick.

They complete block and brick up the the beginning of the porch on the right side.

Above, the rear block and veneer are finished. Veneer on the one half of the left side and down the front are still to be finished. In the rear, all that is left is the chimney.

Chimney Part Two

2007-03-02T13:31:00.000-08:00

Day Two of Bricking...

The Fireplace and Chimney inside.

Above you can see the building of the arches. There are five forms on each side to hold of the brick till it dries. Then the forms will be removed.

Time for a break. You can see the facing of the fireplace is finished and they are half way up the chimney.

The fireplace finished on the inside. Next will be to finish the chimney on the outside of the house.

Brick Begins

2007-02-11T16:41:00.000-08:00

We have begun brick veneering...

Day One

The masons began the veneer of the concrete block across the rear of the house and began to build the chimney and wood boxes.

This is a closer view of the back of the house.

These are wood boxes for the fireplace. They are a solid arch from outside to inside. The goal is to not have to carry wood through the house, but to load the boxes from the outside of the house. Gary spent the day making the forms for the arches.

This is an inside view after day one. The walls and part of the bricking for the face of the fireplace is finished.

The masons built the outside first and formed the first arches. Then they came inside and began the walls. Next time, they will finish the arches all the way to the interior and go up the chimney frame.

Cellar Steps and Floor

2007-02-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

More Cement...

Also during our MLK break Gary poured steps going to our cellar, the cellar floor, and footers for the back porch.

This is the steps ready for concrete.

The cellar ready for concrete.

Finished steps and cellar floor.

The rain was coming in that day and the rest of the weekend. We covered the steps because of the rain. Sorry I don't have a picture of the cellar floor finished.

Shingles

2007-02-08T16:54:00.000-08:00

Shingles...

During our MLK break in January we had shingles installed. The color of the shingles will match the color of brick we selected.

This is the crew working on the shingles.

This picture shows the color of the shingles.

Roofing complete... from the front view.

Front and side views.

The rear of the house.

The Seventh Week

2007-02-08T16:10:00.000-08:00

From Beginning to End...

The Seventh Week just consisted of finishing up with "drying in" the house. The sheathing and house wrap was completed. The framing crew will have to come back later to put the back porch on. We must get brick on the chimney and on the foundation of the house as a veneer. Then the porch on the back can be completed. After that we can begin on siding. In the meantime, construction will move inside with installation of the HVAC system, rough plumbing and rough electrical instillation.

At the beginning of Week Seven...

And at the end of Week Seven.

Week Six Complete

2007-01-30T14:51:00.000-08:00

The Front Porch Roof Complete...
Can you taste the lemonade?

Sheathing On The Porch Roof

2007-01-19T13:30:00.000-08:00

Middle of Week Six... The Roof Has Rafters and Sheathing.

Most of the rafters are in.

On the front and left sides of the house, all the sheathing has been set.

On the left porch side, they even have felt up.

Porch Joists and Rafters

2007-01-19T13:02:00.000-08:00

Week Six... The Porch Roof.

Sorry it has been a little while. We have progress but I have been slow to update.

On week six they had finished the front porch floor and started on the roof. This week they are finishing up the roof.

They have set all the joists for the porch roof and are starting on the rafters. View from the front right side.

This is a view from the front left side of the house.

Next is a view from the rear left side of the house. There will be steps beside the kitchen coming off the rear of the porch to the ground.

This is a right rear view of the porch. There will also be steps coming off this side of the porch. They will be positioned on the side of the porch.

Week Five of Framing

2007-01-06T17:20:00.000-08:00

Five Weeks of Framing Are Completed
...this was a short week.

They have the porch floor completely finished.

This is a view from the kitchen doorway, on the left side of the house.

Next, this is a view of the porch floor from the upstairs hallway window.

The porch floor in the front of the house.

They have begun the roof of the porch.

Right now you can just the porch beams. The rafter and joists will tie into the beam. That will be next week.

A Front Porch Floor

2007-01-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

Front Porch Flooring.

Week Five of Framing was short, but they have started on the front porch.

They have laid joists for the porch floor and begun laying the porch floor.

In the rear of the house, Gary is digging out footers for the rear porch, steps to the cellar, and the chimney.

Friends

2007-01-04T14:56:00.000-08:00

While In Indiana We Reunioned With Friends.

We could not leave out the Friends that we enjoyed seeing while away.

This is Rachel, Gary and Ruby's friend Lucille. She always gives Rachel a beautiful and comfy place to stay when she goes.

These are Gary and Ruby's Friends in Indiana:

Clockwise: Gary, Jamie, Jacob, and Mike.

Clockwise: Terry,Angie, Jacob, and Janelle

Indiana?

2007-01-04T14:18:00.000-08:00

Part of Week Five We Spent In Indiana.
While the house was celebrating it's own Christmas by taking a break from the work, we were spending some time in Indiana with some family. Here are some pictures.

On the left, this is Estlene, Gary Jr. and Gary. Gary Jr. is 18 now, as of Jan 2. On the right, clockwise, is Gary, Gary Jr., Josh (Ashley's new boyfriend), Ashley and Ruby.

On the left, is Gary's Aunt Shelia, Estlene, his mom, and Aunt Vivian. On the right, Gary is reading Luke's account of the birth of Christ with Jacob, Gary's nephew.

This is Granny and Grandpa Murt with their youngest great grandson.

Where Did All This Come From?

2006-12-29T17:04:00.000-08:00

The Thoughts Behind The House.

I decided to take just a moment to explain the blessings of our home.

Rachel was wanting to move close to Gary and Ruby. As she began her search, she found most senior communities in their area to be $190,00 and up. Most were running $225-$250,00. Now Rachel's home was paid for and she would receive all monies from the sale of her home. Still she was only looking to receive about half of what these other homes/condos cost because the real estate in her area was signifcantly less.

In the meantime, Gary and Ruby decided it might be the right direction to sell their homes and buy a home large enough for them and Rachel. Thus the idea, sell both home and buy one together.

As Gary, Ruby and Rachel prayed, they looked at many homes. None seem to fit their needs. Many were large enough but finding an in-law suite to suit was the problem. Finally, they spotted this plot of land. It was not for sale but they found the owner. He was willing to sell.

It seemed appropriate to buy the land and build the house to suit the specific needs of Rachel and Ruby and Gary.

During the sale, they realized the land was in the historic distric (with all it's guidelines) of this quaint little city. Thus their home would need to fit in with the historic perservation. Consequently, we have the wonderfully, new, historic home fashioned with in-law quarters, that you see on this blog.

The in-law suite is the entire left side of the bottom floor. The house will be 3300 square feet and the plan was one we drew ourselves. Thank you for sharing in our prayers and progress.

Week Four of Framing

2006-12-28T07:54:00.000-08:00

At The End Of Week Four...

The roof is completely framed and has sheathing and felt.

As you can tell they have begun sheathing the walls of the house, as well.

The roof, which we held off on till approval from the Historical Society, is being and was completely finished by the end of week four.

Yah...We Have Our Roof Approved

2006-12-27T11:47:00.000-08:00

We Have A Roof...

God has answer our prayer for favor with the Historical Society, and they have approved the rear roof line. Here are some pictures of it under construction.

This is the rear left side of the house. You can see the attic space above the laundry room.

This is the rear view of the house and the roof.

This is the rear right view of the house. The sheathed part in the rear is Rachel's bath and above that will be more attic space.

This is the right side view of the roof. They are really coming along with the rear roof.

Gary At Work

2006-12-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

On the Site...

This week has given Gary a great opportunity to work on the site.

This is the wood boards that go on the roof. He was showing off by carrying two sheet at a time.

While others are calling down measurements, Gary is cutting sheathing for the roof.

Just for fun, Gary incites a picture of him standing on the roof. I would be feeling sick about then.

Sheathing

2006-12-21T00:39:00.000-08:00

This is the Beginning of Week Four of Framing...

The roof is completely framed except for the very rear section over the living room and they have begun sheathing the roof.

Above are front views from the left and right, respectively.
Below are side views of the house from the right (bedrooms side) and left (dining/kitchen side) respectively.

We will be meeting with the Historical Society about our roof soon.

Week Three of Framing.

2006-12-20T23:30:00.000-08:00

Day Five...The Roof.

Much of the roof is in place by the end of week three. When it is done, sheathing and felt will be next. That won't be till next week.

Pray for favor with the Historical Society. We still need part of our rear roof line to be approved.

Front right side and front view of the roof.

View of roof over the bays.

Living room ceiling and from the rear view, the top of the hip roof.

Ceiling joists and Rafters.

2006-12-20T23:06:00.000-08:00

Joists and Rafters... the beginning of the roof.

The front of the house.

The rear left side of the house. All the ceiling joists are in.

These are views from the rear of the house. Notice the vaulted ceiling from first floor to second.

Two Stories

2006-12-20T12:07:00.000-08:00

Day Two...Part Two.
An Exterior View of the House.

The second floor walls are finished.

Staircase and Interior Walls

2006-12-17T19:44:00.000-08:00

Framing Week Three...
Day Two...

We have a Staircase... Yahoo!!

This is the interior walls for the hall bath and hall closet.

These are the two guest room's walls.

This is Gary and Ruby's room, bath, and closet walls.

Second Floor Walls

2006-12-17T19:11:00.000-08:00

Just In Case You Were Still Wondering...I Am Still Updating.

The Christmas Season has set me behind, but I have some great pictures to share. No, this is not a question mark, It's a candy cane.

Day One...of Week Three.

We have walls going up on the second floor.

Framing Week Two

2006-12-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

At the End of week two...

We have a second floor. The decking is on all the second floor.

The window and door framing has been completed on the first floor.

In the rear of the house, on the back wall, the fireplace framing has been finished and the window framing has been altered for larger windows.

This is a side view of the living room from the laundry room. Notice the large opening for the fireplace.

This is a rear view of the hall, with hall bath in the middle. To the very right of the picture is the entrance to Rachel's room. This view is from the living room.

Still can't beat the view of that out-door plumbing. Haven't heard what you think. Should we have indoor plumbing?

Decking

2006-12-06T17:55:00.000-08:00

The Second Floor Continued...

We have decking on the second floor.

On the right side of the house, this is Rachel's parlor and hall to her bedroom. On the second floor will be Gary and Ruby's bedroom. Below is the same rooms on the side of the house.

Below, is the rear of the house . On the right is Rachel's bathroom adjacent to her bedroom. There is only attic space above her bath, since there is a sloping roofline from the frist floor to the second floor. In the middle is the living room. One the left is the laundry/utility room with attic above it, as well.

Below, most of the decking is completed on the second floor. In the center with be a fireplace in the living room. The first floor ceiling will loft to the second floor. Straight ahead on the second floor is the hallway. There will be a banister overlooking the living room.

Joists and Beams

2006-12-05T17:08:00.000-08:00

Framing...Day 2 of week 2.

The floor joists for the second floor are almost done.

This is the dining room and above it will be a guest room and hall bath.

This is the Kitchen and above it will be another guest room.

In the rear of the house, this is the laundry room and to the right is the part of the living room. The back wall of the living room is 12ft tall and will vault to the second floor.

This will be a 10 ft. hallway with staircase. You can we the opening and the joists for the second floor hallway.

Week One of Framing

2006-12-04T13:53:00.000-08:00

Day 5 ... one week complete.
We have all the exterior walls of the first floor complete, interior walls complete and they are beginning to lay floor joist for the second floor.

At the top, this is our foyer, hallway on the first floor and below, this is the dinning room. (Great view of the port-a-pottey, don't you think).

This is the parlor to Rachel's in-law suite, it will be located on the front left of the house.

Take a Break...

2006-12-01T20:05:00.000-08:00

Peacefulness...

Just take a break and enjoy the beautiful view.

The acre of back yard we will enjoy behind our house.

The First Floor

2006-12-01T19:25:00.000-08:00

We Have Interior Walls ...

Day 4 ... Interior walls are being framed and most of the first floor is done... Wahoo!

This is a view of the front and left side of the house. From this view, on the house left with the bay window is our dining room. Across the hall is Rachel's "Parlor or Sitting room". Behind the dinning room is the kitchen.

These are views of the rear and right sides of the house. On this side is the view of Rachel's bedroom with the bay window and her bath. And in the rear is the living room. Can you feel the fireplace yet?

Wood and Nails

2006-11-30T15:19:00.000-08:00

Framing....
Day 2 ... the rear of the house.

Wood and Nails

2006-11-30T14:50:00.000-08:00

Something to Stand On!

Day 1 ... of framing ... the subfloor is going down.

Cement And Morter!

2006-11-25T20:12:00.000-08:00

We have a Foundation...

This view from the street showes
the woods behind the house.

These are views from the left side.

Aren't the sun rays cool. God does make things beautiful.

The Excavation

2006-11-17T12:52:00.000-08:00

The Excavation Is Done....Yah!

The Footers are Dug...

...And the Cellar, Also.
Next, will be the pouring of concrete for the footers and the cellar and laying block.

Excavation and Time of Dedication

2006-11-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

Our Friends and us at the Dedication Time

October 21, 2006

Nancy, Gary, Mom, Me, Mikie, Debbie, Dylan, Naomi, Yellar and pups.

Progress

What do You think?
Should we have indoor plumbing?

Some of our First Guests.
Naomi and Princess

Dylan and Princess

Gary and Happy

Ground Breaking and Permits

2006-10-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

We are ready! Bring on the Bobcat.

We Are Beginning to Build

2006-10-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

I am so excited. As some of you may know we have bought a lot and we have been planning to build. We have cleared the land and we have our permits. Now the contractors are working on setting the foundation. Soon, we hope to see cement and framing. We will have picture to share soon, as well.