HAPPENING NOW

The Engineer asked what I would like for Christmas and I said something pink. Well, I should have known better than to be so broad with my reply to my Left Brained Engineer. He brought me 4 truck loads of varying insulation for the ceilings, walls, and flooring. 

WOW that was a LOT of insulation. Installing it wasn't so tough because the Engineer and The Boy did so much of the shoulder work.

The Creek House passed the electrical and plumbing inspections so now we have to dot some i's and cross some t's with the framing - nothing huge. 

The Engineer can do it and he has his trusted council of the Marine, Mr. Fix It and The Comic when things get too stressful (Brian, Jimmy O., and Dino). Plus Lilly Pad is always there to help him - right there - never moving - under foot ... 

Who is that tiny little man .... could it be?

THE MASON! 

Yes! The slowest stages of building a house are also the most critical. From someone walking by ... the lot looks the same way it did in March - but SO much has happened! 

The 'Well-Guy' did a heck of a job with the GINORMOUS DIGGER MACHINE (it was a Kindergartner's dream of a truck). We will need to protect the pipe stem somehow with the tree swing right there and folk who stumble throughout the yard at night. No biggie ... a wise OLD neighbor suggested a light house with a light designed to shine when the pump was running - 'that's what he would do'.

Now, the Mason-Guy is here and WOW does he work! He's fixing the broken corner, seaming up the cracks, filin' in the gaps and extending the foundation 6'! WOW he is a bundle of muscle. Unfortunately he is a slave to the weather ... hope it holds out for him. Earlier on in the process, The Engineer was worried about snow ... now it's rain!

When the Mason-Guy is finished ... I have been told, by The Engineer, that the walls would go up quick. I really can't wait. 92 Woodrow is a good solid house but it isn't The Creek House (there is this worm snake that wants to come inside and it just freaks me the devil out!). We were loosely promised to be in by Christmas ... what happened to August? In a perfect world, where everything is peaceful, I would like to have it all done and have a calm Christmas at The Creek with the kids, family, and extended families. Maybe a miracle will happen for us.

NOTE: We have the best people who surround us at the Creek. We would not be able to do all this without the love and support from these folks. There is a bourbon and steak dinner at the end of this rainbow!

SUPER SIDE NOTE: The Boy got A's and B's and turns 20 on Monday. The Girl is finished with Senior exams and GRADUATES on Monday! It's going to be a hoppi' weekend! On Saturday, The Yiya comes up, and on Sunday it's Father's Day/The Boy's Birthday at Rick's On The River. Monday The Girl's GRAD! Then ... EMPTY NEST!!! Fly Little Bird!

Better than it was ... I think ...

The Engineer posted the Building Permit! I now understand a contractors fee for walking the paper work through the county. If you are not on top of the Building Inspection Department, hourly. That department would hold philosophical discussion than planning decisions. Now, the women who run the office - those are the ones to make friends with. Took 3-4 months.

The Super Silt Fence was installed and its inspection has been scheduled. I did not understand the reasoning for the Super Silt Fence and want to use my question/conversations with the Engineer wisely - so - TO THE GOOGLE! This is the definition for a Super Silt Fence:

Some government jurisdictions in the United States recommend or require the use of a reinforced fence, sometimes called a "super" silt fence or an enhanced silt fence, on some construction sites. This design uses filter fabric reinforced by a wire mesh or chain link fence. The metal backing gives the fence increased strength to resist the weight of soil and water which may be trapped by the fence in a large drainage area, and discourages construction site operators from driving vehicles over the fence.^[8]

Now, I do not have an engineering degree and I am not a construction site foreman by any means, but, I have to know ... what soil and water control in and large drainage area? Yes, we are on a hill and water on a hill will travel down stream (taught it in Kindergarten); and the water habitat should be protected (love CBF); but, we need a Super Silt Fence? The Super Silt Fences fences are used on construction sites to control EXTREME erosion conditions. The foundation was poured over 50 years ago and we are building 4 walls! Where is the EXTREME erosion condition? I don't understand so it's a good thing The Engineer does.

Here is MY philosophical question for discussion (that I am having with a blog that no one will read but me): Is the county making up for lost revenue? Seriously, this super-silt-decision is a waste of time and funds. It seems to me that the county just makes stuff up. For example, you send in plans and they come back with comments - you answer the comments. Then NEW comments come back on a different part of the plans - wait a minute - didn't the county JUST hold the plans hostage combing over them? Should ALL the comments been made the first time - revenue - that's all it is. 

Is the head of the building department a hired, appointed or elected position ... hummmm? TO THE GOOGLE!

There She Blows!

What an interesting way to remove a chimney. Not really sure how else you would do it! Now all the floor joists are removed and we met with the Foundation Guy. He seems knowledgeable and laid back - so that's good. 

We just need the county to follow through and we are set to go. Who knew there would be so many fingers in the pie to get the permits done? The women who run the county office are the ones to talk to - they know everything! 

It's Easter Sunday so time to remember who is REALLY in charge and then hide some eggs for The Girl (even though - she played along). Then dinner and desert with the Creek Folk.

Fish Market & Sweeping The Living Room

(heavy sigh)

Yesterday, The Engineer took me to DC super early to see the Cherry Blossoms. The blossoms weren't out so we stopped by the Fish Market under the bridge. We were the only people there, other than hard working fishermen/pirates.

The Engineer has been before but I haven't - what a fun and crazy place! Mimi talked about her market days; she would take the Little Engineer to the Watergate for a haircut, catch up with Mr. Beck, then hit the market on the way home. The way she talked about it made me think it was one of her happiest memories.

We walked away with a half bushel of Chincoteague oysters for $40 - man they were good.

Back at the cree and before we could get to the oysters, we had to clean up; that was hard. The kids down the road asked if they could have our blue porch .... had to say OK ... where's that one is going? At the end of a hard working day, it was beer and oysters for whoever was on the creek.

NOTE: Looks like Dead Man's Tavern is up and running too. JZ has many surprises in store for migrant boaters this year .... 

Crossed The Finish Line

This week:

We start the process of organizing the circus that is about to take over our lives for the next few months. The break in the madness will be The Girl's High School Graduation! Then The Boy's 20th birthday - when did all that happen? They were just climbing over sailboats.

The Building Plans: 

Have been accepted and now lay hostage to the permits and the wads of cash needed to release them. 

92 Woodrow: 

So, Jim came home and announced, "I bought a house." Huh? We are building one so why on earth would he buy another? Turns out, my Engineer is ALWAYS thinking. He knew that we would be in a bind between selling Eagle Tavern and the Creek House being completed. So, when 92 Woodrow went up for auction ... we were the only bidders. 

We close next week and I will be the proud owner of a paneled wall with inlayed rose tinted mirrored walls. Seriously, some action needs to happen in that house with those mirrors. I need to WASH the walls and doors - who lived in that filth? And don't even think about walking barefoot in the house unless you have an unlimited supply of penicillin on hand. 

92 Woodrow needs me the start pickin' a few things: paint, carpet, a washer/dryer (who knows where that goes - the kitchen - seriously).

Where did those years go?

92 'Master' Shower plumbing

So Damn Close to the Finish Line!

Today we found out all the plans are approved and we are just waiting on the 'comb over' (the Engineer called it a final review). 

With me, one thing always lead to another and I can envision some worn out county-engineer with a comb over checking our plans, with diligence, and a sweeping 'comb over'. I know ... strange thinking right?

I just want them to get it over with.

The Final days of The Little Creek House

I am always amazed when I see 'a little less' of the old Creek House making way for the new one. Today, The Engineer and The Boy really did some damage - two birds those two. The Girl went to the creek with an old creek friend for the first time - she probably needed a shoulder. She comes up with the coolest ideas  - she wants to make a bird house that looks like the little yellow house - Perfect! Next week should be the tide turning for us ... then it's GAME ON!

Boat Show Never Disappoints

The best thing about the Boat Show is that it kicks off Spring and Summer with so many friends! We even saw Todd there with a new boater/chopper 'friend' named Terry.

We ended the night at the Don Churro Cafe in Chantilly, VA - what a blast! We ordered appetizers - all of them. 

Now it's Sunday and back to the grind stone. The Engineer and The Boy are at the creek now developing a plan of action for the week. We are on dumpster number 3 and things are going smoothly. Disassembling and house and Demolishing a house are so different. We have been able to salvage 50 year old pine to re-purpose for the staircase. It has been something else - I tell ya. (UPDATE: The roof was repurposed years later for a chicken coop - finest coop there ever was).

We are also in a holding pattern; the final comments are being addressed this week by the county. Once they are finished, things should take off in the next week or so! Then, I get to start pickin' ... more knobs ... more doors ... more windows ... and we haven't even started on the hinges! 

Aquia Creek goes to Chantilly, VA

We Break For Boat Shows

Every year we welcome spring and the idea of uncovering the boat after the annual Chantilly Boat Show (and having it start at the first turn of the key) 

The show is this weekend and I can't wait to see all our boater friends - with real clothes on! They look so respectable! All spring and summer I see them in bikinis and shorts.

Here is the information I found on Google (because the Internet NEVER lies, qui?)

National Capital Boat Show | Chantilly, Virginia

2013 National Capital Boat Show Information

Show Dates: Friday, March 08, 2013 through Sunday, March 10, 2013
Show Location: Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly, Virginia

Aquia Creek; a really long time ago

I knew there would be changes ...

The Engineer and I have been side by side the entire process; sometimes with our hands 'holding' each other's neck, but side by side all the same. 

Obviously, I knew the little house would go away to make room for the big house ; nonetheless, my heart was NOT prepared for what I saw! The whole thing is see-through! The Engineer and The Marine took my walls off! The scream I let out could be heard up and down the Potomac on a Saturday afternoon.

Once I recovered, I had to laugh. How did we have two kids in a room the size of a small closet? We were so happy in that little house! I love how the creek is just a "real" place to raise the kids - wooden spoons, water, and a clump of dirt provided HOURS of fun for my children ... heavy sigh.

When the kids saw it, they really had to take a private moment. I think their hearts weren't prepared either.


One really funny 'man thing': The approach to the deconstruction could not have been more polar. The Engineer used a lever and a wedge; The Marine used a primal grunt and a sledge hammer ... heavier sigh - men.

50 years later ... coming down.

50 years ago going up ....

   

Windows and Doors and Jams ... OH MY!

Today we went to ANOTHER building supply place to look at windows and doors. Maybe he takes me because I hear the 'bones' of what the supplier is saying while the representative speaks DIRECTLY to the husband. Call me crazy.

Anyways, I have come to this conclusion. EVERY company is a smigin' away from being the same. Marvin and Pella do some little tweaks here and there to make their products special ... for people living in Maine! There are 4 levels: Lowest to low; mid-low that you could live with if you had to, middle to high which are nice solid windows, and 'ultimate whatever'.

JELD-WEN AND MARVIN WINDOWS

When I was listening to "that-man-who-doesn't-talk-to-wives" the middle to high product for Jeld-Wen and Marvin were not exact products (obviously) but I summarized his words to conclude - the end is the same - good solid windows that are back by great customer service companies that will service any repairs needed for years.

I chose something along these lines. I wanted as much view as I could possible get without nudging the structure of the house - turned out Jim needed some quiet time  to work on some serious math to redesign the corners of the house so it wouldn't blow over. Man! I love that he is such a great engineer! 

Windows and Doors

Man there is a lot of windows and doors out there to look at! It always thought Pella and Anderson were the front runners. Now, with the development of new technology, everyone seems to be a front runner. The most important rule is this: What do you need? 

I don't speak carpenter lingo, but I know what I need. Two pane, Low-E, vinyl windows. The house is on the water - lots of moisture so clad-anything is asking for trouble. Now, we are looking for price and style ... this needs to not take forever. Lowes has Pella and HomeDepot has Anderson. We are going to a 'yard' in Manassas, VA that carries 2 other brands (so I can talk about them later).

Pella and Anderson seem the same to me; both windows are good windows. A little difference here and there but they offer the same styles. What peeves me more than anything is the "custom" issue. Getting a removable regular looking grid is standard; but with some companies, change the look of that grid and you have entered the "custom zone". Seriously? Gimme a break. It's right then that the companies start to look greedy. Here is my line of thinking:

The window to the LEFT is considered "standard"; the window to the RIGHT is considered "custom" - the customization seems to be in the grids alone. The grids are removable so I can't think there is an engineering overhaul in design of the window casing. If the grids are removed, both window panes are wide open and blank. Would the window companies sell a window that was structurally unsound when the removable grids are removed? Ahhh Duhhhh

I think in "Man World" the biggest loudest rooster is taken at his word without question - well, this hen is making a list. Not to be uncooperative - to educate myself in this foreign Man-World I find myself navigating - that's all.

Building: As a Couple

My husband and I work well together; even during the rough patches. We have communicated pretty well ... so far. 

If I were asked advice as to how to build a house with your husband, and not choke him while he sleeps, I would say: laugh a lot, hold your tounge, and memorize this phrase, "well, that's one idea."

Building: The Artists Point of View

Thank heaven the Engineer knows all about math and how the details of electricity work! If it was left to me, the walls would fall over and catch fire the second you flipped a switch!

Instead, I'm the picker. colors, textures, electrical plates, tile - you name it and I pick it. I'm even thinking I can tile the bathroom showers and floors. I saw it on YouTube - got it.

Building a House: An Engineer & An Artist

The name of this blog house4lilypad.blogspot.com was created because the kids have grown up, are moving away, and we have the dog; a lab named Lily Pad. Her name is suitable, she's a girl with a really big back end - Lily Pad.