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!