Ok, Campers, just an update I'm sure all of you are dying to receive.
First,
there's this fluid coming down out of the sky, and having lived in Central
and West Texas most of my life, I've never had a reason to spend the
effort to discern what it is and why it happens.
But,
having moved to College Station (Home of the Texas A&M Aggies.
Whoop! I never understood that, but learned that not doing that greeting
correctly can get you a non-smiling reaction).
Sorry,
I digressed. Having moved to College Station, we have found that the
fluid coming out of the sky could, IMHO, float Noah's Ark. I believe it’s called “Rain”!
Such
is the case as I write this posting. Mrs. J treated me to an "Out to
breakfast" date at a restaurant we had only been to once before. Most
Excellent! Just in case you're interested, it's name is "Another Broken Egg". Highly recommended.
Back on the story, juvat!
On Story, Aye, Fearless Leader!
So we're headed out to perform our tasks that the Emperors (aka the Horses ) require daily. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear?
No
Beans, Not Santa and his Reindeer. No, a Downpour that in the course
of a few seconds brought the visibility down to a matter of double digit
feet.
Holy
Moley. Suffice it to say, Mrs J, being the driver*, slowed down
significantly. Fortunately, so did the other drivers. But, as we
approached the decision point (head to the stables to muck in the muck or head to the hacienda and write this post).
Guess which option won out.
So,
I know that discussion of Rainfall in Texas will entertain all y'all to
no end. But, our lawn is green and ready for mowing and it's only the
11th of March. Some of you, and you know who you are, are still
shoveling that white stuff off your sidewalks.
Enough about the weather, juvat!
No Weather discussion, Aye, Tuna,
As
to progress on the current project we're facing. The blueprints have
been revised with several improvements that the various people, who know
houses and the plans to build them, recommended.
No, Beans, I'm not in that group. I just follow Mrs J around and say two things. "Yes, Dear" and "Build it the way she said."
That
last one is not quite accurate. Our builder knows what he's doing and
what he says to Mrs J she usually OK's, sometimes there's compromise,
but they get along. So, I tend to keep my mouth closed.
But,
the video below is what the house will look like. I thought this was a pretty
cool method for the architect to show his plans with an understandable method. Blue prints don't trigger my brain's interpretation of the
outcome very well.
So, here it is. Enjoy
Peace out, y'all
*Still not allowed to drive. However.....I have an appointment on Thursday with my Cardiologist. If he says my Heart is beating properly, well, watch out. I haven't driven in 5 months but, that's not going to stop me. Bwahh ha ha!
I see that you have a section of the back porch screened in.
ReplyDeleteAre the bugs really that bad up in the college station area?
Love the wraparound porch I hope it's about 12 ft wide
Beaner,
DeleteNot really, but there are some, and we live pretty much in a forest. (If this were Southeast Asia, it would be referred to as a "jungle").
Re: The porch, is 11' 10". We expanded the garage a bit, so the one on that side is 9'6".
juvat
I've lived in Texas my entire life, but Central Texas seems to have a special flavor of weather that including mind boggling thunderstorms. The worst weather I ever encountered was in Cameron, Texas, which is a stone throw from College Station.
ReplyDeleteAnon,
DeleteIt was pretty severe. Not Okinawa severe, but close. I think that being surrounded by the Pacific Ocean gave the honor to that island.
Been through Cameron, looked like a pretty nice place.
juvat
Another four letter word juvat....rain for you snow for us.....eight inches yesterday and it's seven above now. The new homestead looks grand, that porch surrounding the house is nice. Good luck Thursday.......if I hear squealing tires even up here then I know you've rejoined NASCAR ranks......:)
ReplyDeleteNylon,
DeleteThanks, yeah we're looking forward to moving in. For a lot of reasons, not the least of which is a couple of our neighbors. College Kids...Need I say more? Been a LONG time since I partied 'til 0200+
Thanks, Pretty sure I learned the lesson(s). I'll be driving my wife's Ford Transit Connect for a bit until we get finances settled out, so "Speed Racer" won't be my modus operandi won't be in use, for a while.
juvat
Love the wrap around porch! Also the screened in portion. Our cat just loves sitting out in ours, dreaming of terrorizing the birds. Would love to have a larger one but when we returned from the UK the wife said this was the house and the only correct resonse was "yes dear", but I got to build my man cave :)
ReplyDeleteWTL
DeleteMan do I understand "Yes Dear!" I think I'm up to 50 or so a day. Could be more. The Dogs will have a separate area from the Cat, but the Cat will be able to get out onto the porch to eye his empire. My Man Cave is right beside the garage, looking forward to that.
juvat
That porch all around looks grand for sure. Lots of places to put rocking chairs and tables for relaxing.
DeleteHeltau
Nice looking place! Especially the porch.
ReplyDeleteJoe,
DeleteYeah we're looking forward to the first glass of wine on it. Contractor is being conservative on the time line and is saying "Christmas". Well, that'll be a nice present from Mr. Claus.
juvat
Wrap around porch. Mucho Dinero Amigo!
ReplyDeleteAnon,
DeleteTrue Dat!
juvat
Juvat - Moving always creates adjustments. Moving to New Home 2.0 has reminded me that an actual thing called "Winter" exists where the temperatures may very well not exceed 50 F for months at time. Having experienced one or more of the sorts of downpours you described, they can be terrifying - especially if you are on a major thoroughfare and not everyone has the good sense to slow down.
ReplyDeleteHere is to hoping you drive again soon! My high school friend The Director had a similar issue when he had his stroke; I think the inability to drive was one of the most annoying parts of the recovery.
The house looks lovely. So cool they can visualize it now?
Question: You have been "out" of your home for about three months now. Do you miss it? I ask because we are in the final countdown on my parents' property and I am trying to prepare myself for some level of last minute regret at our decision.
THBB,
DeleteLast first. Yeah, it was a very nice home and piece of land. Nearest neighbor was about a mile away, but we all used the same roadway to get to and from the highway into town. Good people, we all got together when one of us needed something. But...Mrs J and I are getting older. Health isn't as good as it once was. Better health care here. But...the best reward is close proximity to MBD, the Rev and our two grand children. Makes it worth it.
I've got digitized floor plan that I'm gonna post soon. Mrs J and the architect are getting on the same sheet of music, so that's got to be progress. Builder is waiting on that and then will start pouring the concrete.
As to driving, Mrs J has been VERY patient with me and my wanting to get out and go somewhere (e.g. Lowes, love the place, she's in and out quickly girl. I certainly hope Thursday goes well.
juvat
Lovely porches!! And they look to be deep enough to help keep the sun out of the house.
ReplyDeleteI have been watching the weather maps and thinking of you folks...the rain certainly has been coming down around College City.
Glad that I have only had rain instead of more snow here in Upstate NY. Almost all the snow is gone, just a little in the north/shaded spots, but it has been warmer and windy all of which helps dry stuff out, so we are now under a wildfire watch with no outdoor burning until mid-April.
I had adventures in plumbing over the weekend, and was VERY glad my son lives only about 5 miles away. You would be proud of me...only took 1 trip to Lowe's on Friday to get parts, and then when the rest of the system failed, it only took 1 trip on Sunday. "While I'm here, maybe I should get this other part...just in case?" The very nice sales dude nodded and said "wouldn't hurt". So when my son said "Darn, I have to run to Lowes for another part", I was able to say "hang on, I got this also. Is that what you need?" And I was right!! Whoo-hoo!
Anyhow, I now have a brand spandy new sump pump system. Now to just finish drying out the basement...
But rain is still better than snow...it's much easier to shovel!!!
Good luck with your driving...just take it slow the first time ya get into the car...it will feel a bit like when you first started driving, or it did me after I had been grounded from driving for 6 months post-surgery. But the muscle memory comes back quickly!
Suz
Suz,
DeleteEven with the deluge recently, we too are under a fire warning. High winds I believe are the reason. It interferes with my barbecuing. But...better to cook the meat over the stove than have the guy upstairs burn it for me.
Yeah, you don't need a sump pump until you need one badly. Then Lowe's is sold out.
Thanks, I've had a lot of time to think about things I should have done differently. Caution is VERY high on my list.
juvat
After 5 months, you're gonna need an Open and Closed book Dash-1 test, a warm up, 2 back-in-the saddles, and a Stan/Eval checkride. I think your wife can sign off on your paperwork.
ReplyDeleteTuna,
DeleteNot sure Stan-Eval is in this process. I think the Doc just signs off on my record. But, I've got that appointment on Thursday and I'll be certain to ask that question.
juvat
I was guessing on the Dash-1 part- thinking that might be the USAF equivalent of the NATOPS test.
DeleteThings are moving along, fingers crossed that the schedule is met!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarge! I think the foundation is going in as soon as everyone is signed off on the blueprints. Late this week or early next is the last I've heard.
Deletejuvat
Is there room on the property for an expansion off the garage, like a granny flat for a future caregiver? Although you're also putting up something for your brother right? With my M.I.L. being cared for, that subject is front of mind.
ReplyDeleteNot at this time. My brothers cabin could be used, if needed. There’s also plenty of room to put another cabin on the property. I’ll talk it over with Mrs J. Thanks.
Deletejuvat
Thanks, let me know when I can move her in! hahahahah
DeleteMe too!
DeleteFuzz
Well, here in Portage, WI, I am looking out the window at the blizzard we are having. The first one since the one in 2022.
ReplyDeleteThere are even snow plows in the ditch.
But I am sitting in the kitchen, there is a pizza in the oven and I plan on going back to bed after eating.
There is something to be said for being under multiple fleece blankets, a quilt, and three tomcats. Including 20+ pound Mugwump.
Cat’s are great bed warmers…as long as they don’t feel the need to sharpen their claws on you while you are sleeping. BT, DT!
Deletejuvat
Mugwump and Tommy leave me bleeding when they forget that you don't need to use claws while making biscuits.
DeleteThey DO have sharp claws, don't they?
Deletejuvat
Like the rendering. Is that a metal roof? 1980's the mini construction conglomerate I worked at had me run their skylight operation for a couple of years. I installed some small skylights in our house and was pleased with the results. An aunt visited us and remarked she spent several minutes looking for the bathroom light switch. They work well for halls and kitchens.
ReplyDeleteYes it is. Whie we don’t usually have blizzards, we do have hail. When we had our last house built, the builder recommended metal roof for precisely that reason. A lot of roofs got replaced while we lived there. Ours wasn’t one of them. So Metal roof.
Deletejuvat
Always say yes to the spouse. She knows.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. We have been busy with driving up to JAX for doctors and surgeries and stuff. But we are back here for a couple of weeks at least. Like others, I love the porch planning. Be sure to have enough wine coolers and keg taps around the perimeter so you don't have that bothersome walking to get wine.
I went through the drive through at Chick-fil-A the other day and the young fellow taking the order recognized both the Deuce and Phantom pins on my hat! I think he knew more about the aircraft than I ever did. He gave me a free cookie!
Ranting - getting old.
Fuzz D4
Fuzz,
ReplyDeleteGood advice and it's only been 44 years since I first learned about that. I try, I really do, but just can't remember in time. ;-)
That. was pretty cool about the Chick-fil-A server. I can't believe that the Eagle that had my name on it is still flying and is 48 years old. Yes, she's a NASA bird now.
Is it Ranting is getting old or that you're getting old and so you're ranting.
Either way could be true.
Peace out,
juvat
Rain is good, and yes, interesting way to 'present' a house. Hopefully, they do give you a 3D walkthrough too!
ReplyDeleteThey do. Future post.
Deletejuvat
It seems the Broken Egg is part of a chain that we first encountered on Siesta Key in Florida. Good food and friendly staff from what I remember. Enjoy.
ReplyDelete