Housing Update #4

 

 

 Ok Campers, time for the weekly housing progress.  The first project, my brother's home, is coming along quite well.

 

The weather seal has been applied and windows installed.  I believe I heard the crew chief (I know...an Air Force term) told us that the next step was electricity and water. Nope today, they are starting plumbing and HVAC. Probably which skillset persons are available.  But, regardless in the installation series, progress is continuing.  After that and a couple of other exterior to interior connections,  they should start working on the internal walls and stuff.  In fact, an update yesterday whte this story posted, they were.  So, making progress.

Which is good!

         

 The next project now in progress is the horse barn.  We'd like to get the horses out of the boarding stable and here where it's a bit shadier, a larger area to roam around in and...a heckuva lot cheaper to maintain. So...

 

 

 

 The stall hardware has been delivered and should be assembled and welded to the building by this time next week.

That will be the "Tack" room.  AKA where we store stuff we don't want the horses to be too aware of and not able to get to at all.  Love them dearly, but they're big and curious.  Storage is important.

 

Again, they'll have to be boarded until the property is properly fenced and plumbed and electrically supplied for all the projects. would be kinda nice to be able to turn on lights and see what's going on in the barn.

 

So these two projects are coming along nicely. 

 

But finally, for the one all y'all (but especially Mrs J and I) are waiting for.

 

Ta Da!  Progress on the house! 

 

Yep, the first sight of progress on the main house is in place.  Lumber (or at least SOME lumber) has been delivered.  So framing should begin sometime soon.  At least that's the assumption.  

We shall see what will be!

Peace out, y'all! 

House Update #3?

 Well, Campers,  a bit of an update on projects and events down here in the Lone Star State.

This was where my Brother's house was left off on our last update.  The "Guys" have been working pretty hard.

The roof is being sealed, siding support is being added.  Quite a bit of progress, there.  Although it may not look like it.

As I said. Quite a bit of progress.

On the other "in progress" project, the Horse Barn.   

As you can see the walls and roof are in.  The stall frames have been delivered, and are next for installation.  Doors and gates should be installed shortly thereafter.  Three remaining important projects still needed are Water, Electricity and Fencing.  Then we can free our horses from their current abode.  (Dusty dirt in their pen, they get to run free in a larger pasture, with grass, a couple of nights a week.  They're looking forward to wandering and grazing at their discretion.)

But....

No progress so far on our house.  The framers are still on my brother's house and will start on ours when finished.  Hopefully, soon.

The builder is still optimistic about a December completion.  We hope so.

Peace out y'all! 

New Home update

 

Well...Happy Labor Day to all you hard working folks out there.  I know that's something to look forward to, as it should be.  However, there comes a time when every day is Labor Day especially if you're married.  

 

Just sayin, honey!

 

Ok, gang, time to update all y'all on the project(s) that are keeping me busy.  I mean besides the posting on various Medal of Honor recipients.  

 

When last we talked about the new home project(s) not much was going up.  As most of you are aware, concrete takes a while to dry and the larger the project the more time is needed.

 

Since my brother's home will be relatively small (he will be living alone), the foundation was also relatively small and dried quite quickly.  It is late summer here in Texas so the heat assisted the curing.  Our house's foundation is still needing a bit more time.

 

This is our slab,  as you can see there are still moist spots

 

That picture was taken last week.  We checked on it Saturday, it still had wet spots.

 

But, as I mentioned, my brother's slab was good to go.  We went out there to see if anything was being done.  When we got there, we had some good news. The builders had started had started framing his house.  The picture below was taken mid-day Friday

As was this one.

A fairly excellent level of progress for one (partial) days work.  We were happy.

We went out to the site, Saturday afternoon to check on the status of the main house's slab.  Alas, even with my non-housing construction knowledge, I could see that it still needed a day or two.  So it shall be.

However there was a bit of good news on the project.   As you can see there has been quite a bit of progress on my brother's house.

 So, I think the proverbial quote "Patience is a virtue" is appropriate here, we shall endeavor to endure.

Peace out y'all. 

Housing Update

Our house to be

Ok, Campers, looks like some progress is being made on our "forever" home.  The base for the flooring is pretty much laid out.  Still need electricity, sewage and water roughed in.  Contractor says he expects to lay concrete next Monday.  Hurrah.  And he says given how "warm" it is it should cure in about a week.  "Warm" being a Texan word for "Hot as Hades".  

 

Just so you know. 

Horse Barn

The Horse Barn is coming along nicely.  Just ordered the stall fences and gates and as soon as that's delivered (about a week to 10 days), that'll go in and the walls and roof will be installed.  Then we'll get the fencing installed for their paddock, hook up water and rescue them from their current accommodations.  I think they'll be happy.

Brother's cabin

This would be the base for my Brother's house.  As you can see, the base has already been poured.  It's a bit smaller, so a bit easier to do.  Also, being August in Texas, a bit more shade is always appreciated.

So...Things seem to be going well.  Keep your fingers crossed.  Still looking at a  December project completion date probably, but one can be hopeful.

Peace Out, Y'all!

juvat 

Progress Update "Home on the Range"

 

Ok,  I've gone through a lot of the Medal of Honor stories (still got a few left, but I'm keeping them in my pocket in case of loss of story creativity) and I've added a couple of stories about flying which I think interest a lot of you.  But, I'm dredging the bottom of my story index,  so, I thought I'd show y'all the progress on the house.  No Beans, we're not that close to moving in. Yet! But, in spite of some uncontrollable setbacks (AKA Weather) we're getting closer.  Here's the visual  story of construction progress.

Demolition of the old house (very old and decrepit)

Cleaning up the site

Electricity installed on property

Framing the foundation

Framing took 2 or 3 days

 Okay, we’ve survived the financial and weather hoops that needed to be jumped. Evidently 6 inches of rain in a couple of hours upsets the construction crews. What did I know. 

But back in action again 

 

Adding soil in preparation for pouring the slab

 

:Lots of fill AKA dirt! Lots and Lots

 

Weather cooperating this week, the next step is to level the dirt and then the plumbers and electricians will come in and set the pipes and pull wires and plumbing into those pipes.   After that will be pouring and curing the cement foundation of the main house.  Builder says this could take 3 to 6 weeks for the cement to cure depending on the weather and there's only one entity that controls that.  While that's curing, they'll pour the foundation for my Brother's cabin and get it started curing also.  Lots of balls in the air.  

 

Concrete has been poured in the horse barn.

 

They've even started on my brother's house

 

 

The weather has improved greatly and heavy rain is not forecast for a while. But, as can be expected in June, July and August in Texas, it's hot as H377. (You know what that's code for.) But progress is being made. 

 

We shall see what we shall see when we see it. Hopefully something like this!

Please Lord! 

 

 

 

 

Peace out, y'all!

And so it has begun!

February 27, 2026

Ok, Campers, the “fun” has begun! The construction was supposed to start on May 27th but "Things came up". Now it's this week, but...the weather forecast is for rain every day this week. The horse barn construction will begin “as soon as the weather cooperates”. A couple of reasons for the horses first plan. First, the horse area is located on the farthest end of the property from the gate and road. Better to keep them from getting out of the pasture and going partying on the road. Second, they’ve been boarded until now. You’d have thought they’d been staying in the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris based on the boarding fee. But, it wasn't quite that good.

Ok, not even close. 

Yes, Beans, boarding horses is expensive. But they will be free to roam in a much larger area than where they've been cooped up in since we moved here in December.  So...we (and they) have that going for us.

Now that our builder got back from his vacation, the pouring of the slab ceremony will soon be celebrated and construction of our home begun .(Well, when the rain stops. The forecast is for rain the next 6 days. Bummer, Dude!)  Completion date is still "maybe December", but completion is easier to estimate once building has begun. As they get organized with the building teams and their schedules, my Brother's cottage will also be started.  It'll be about 900 sq ft which is bigger than the cottage he was living in on our property in Fredericksburg, so...onward and upward.

At some point, they'll put in my wood shop and Mrs J's sewing cabin and that will be that.  Until we think of something else we "Need!".  

Just to give y'all a feel for the property.  Enjoy!  

 

 

So that's life around here these days. Speaking thereof, tomorrow I'll begin traveling my 72nd turn around the sun.  I have no plans to call it quits. That's up to the guy upstairs.

Thank You, Lord!

Peace out, y'all! 

Home Layout

 

I’v signed Sarge’s leave paperwork, so he’ll be absent for a few. Headed to California, I heard, but I think that gold rush is over. I’ve got a few stories in the hopper, so all y’all will have something to read.

I have been requested to update on the new house project, so, below is the layout and dimensions of the House.

Orientation for the North(ish) is the right side, West is the top.  Lots of trees fairly close on the West side, should keep things a bit cooler. Driveway comes in from the East about 3-400 yds from the road.  Porch and garage both push the home back a bit from direct sunshine.

 

 The photo below basically has the same aspect as the blueprints, if a little further back.  The trees in the middle of the picture will remain.  The driveway will go to the right of them.  We're pondering putting a patio in that nest of trees. 

 

 

The architect is working the foundation plans and expecting completion on the 25th.  At that point, construction should start with the pouring of the slab.  

Hopefully, there won't be any major setbacks.  We'd really like to move in to a home where we'll have a bit of privacy, peace and quiet.  Which is in the plan because...  

The Great Pyrenees don't seem to like City Life.  We've had noise complaints from neighbors when we had them outside at night.  So, we brought them in.  That solved the neighbor problem, but...Mrs J and I haven't had an uninterrupted night's sleep in quite a while.  Ahh well.

We're looking forward to the new property and pray that the Great Pyrenees won't bark several times a night out there. 

Get's old....Fast!

Peace out, Y'all! 

Destruction-Check, Construction-Soon

 Ok, Campers, we had a bit of progress on the house building thing.

No, Beans, construction hasn't started yet.  But...we have had the guy in charge of construction out to the property a few times.  We've discussed what is going where on the property and figured out that we're going to need a bit more space in a couple of the places we're going to build.

 

First would be where my brother's house will be.  They took down some trees and cleaned out the underbrush.  Which is a job in and of itself.  Who knew Texas had jungles?  We just need about 4' deeper for the 40' length.

  

We also brought out a guy from Morton Buildings to look at the property where we wanted the horse barn. 

That gap between the two sets of trees is reserved for the horses and their abode.

 

He had all the nice stuff and could get it done fairly quickly.  However...

Yes, Beans, the price.  Holy Molely. $150K for a 20x30 barn.  Our builder said he could do it for considerably less.  So...

 In any case, as soon as the architect finishes the blueprints, our builder will get started on the home. We expect them any day now. The builder hasn't changed the stated completion date (AKA December) but "started" would be nice.

Well...I guess we have started.  Got electricity on the property.

If we need a new construction engineer looks like our grandson could handle the job. 

 Just kidding.  We're making progress and things should start taking shape shortly.

Peace out, y'all! 

 

 

Things and Stuff

 

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 

 

 

 

 

Akashi Designs

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!

 

Work in Progress.

Ok, Campers,  just an update as I'm sure all of you are dying to receive.

 

First, there's this fluid coming down out of the sky, 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!, 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.

 

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.  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!

 

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, this is what the house will look like.  I thought this was a pretty cool method for the architect to demonstrate what the house will look like.  Blue prints don't trigger my brain's interpretation of the outcome very well.

 

So, here it is.  Enjoy 

 

 

 

 

Akashi Designs

Peace out, y'all
 

Regular Monday

 Well, Campers, it's Monday again.  Not a lot of exciting things have happened down here.  Fortunately, the Super Storm petered out before it got anywhere close.  I think the lowest the temp got was in the low 40's.

Now, that is definitely NOT a complaint.  Hopefully, all y'all are doing ok.

Some progress has been made on the house construction.  Last update was the clearing of where the house will be located.

This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago when the old, dilapidated structure was demolished.

 

 That was followed by clearing the debris and leveling the area where the house will be built.

However, notice the line where the leveled dirt is and the tree line is.  That side is really impassable and unusable.  

So we got with our construction foreman and talked through the issue.

He hired a guy with a shredder with a tank tread-like base.    He went to work and pretty soon...

 That area used to be unaccessable. Now the whole area where the house, horse barn and paddock will be are accessible but still shaded. 

He also cleared out the areas where my workshop and Mrs J's "She Shed" will be placed.

 

 Wasn't quite finished yet. But we have confidence.

So.  Progress is occurring.  We shall see what the next steps are.  Electricity and Water to the specific sites I would think.  They are on the property.

 

Peace out, y'all

 

And so it begins!

 Sorry, Got word that construction has begun on our new home.  Well, the demolition part anyhow.  So, I've got two Monday Posts today!

Just got a text from our construction supervisor.  Apparently, demolition has begun. 

 

Yes, it has begun!  Taking down the abandoned house was the first in several clearing requirements. The above video is looking to the North West at the start.  That's the road to get onto the property

The area directly to the right of the picture below will be the spot for the Horse Barn and their grazing pasture.  They'll be taking down the scrub crap and leaving most of the trees.  The dead ones will obviously be taken down also.

  

Looking to the south east in this pic  

This next picture the camera is to the left of the frame.

 Lots of junk to be put in the bin.

 

Lot's of stuff to get rid of, but...It's a start!

 

Regular Monday

 OK, Campers, the camp is getting much more civilized.  When last we discussed this subject, this was what things were like.

Which was a lot better than it had been the week before.

 

 

 

The house that had been on the property was torn down, and the lot was evened out. A lot of work went into it to get to a starting point

 

 But, it still wasn't ready for prime time.  Notice the jungle right at the tree line.  No Bueno!

 

So our building contractor hired a brush cutter to clear things up.

 

 He got started first thing in the morning and by 4PM, things looked a lot better.

As you can see, he cleared out a lot of underbrush.  The land is much more useable/liveable.

 

One small problem.  See the pink ribbon on the tree in front?  That's our boundry line.  He had gotten a bit enthused and trimmed out about 10 yards of our neighbor's tree coverage.  He hasn't begun construction on his house or even selected a construction site, so maybe he'll be grateful.  We shall see.

 

l

This picture was taken looking at where the Horse Barn and Paddock will be.  Enough trees for a bit of shade and enough sunshine to grow grass to graze.

 

He also cleared out the place where my Brother's cottage will be as well as an area where my shop and Mrs J's "She Shed" will be placed. 

 

So...A considerable progress has been made.

 

But...A lot of work left to be done also.

 

Peace out y'all