Use both mirrors!

Another morning meeting with the contractor to sort out a few details... and pay some bills!

It was another not so busy day on site except for this guy dropping off some more sand.

Look how close his front tire is to my rhododendrons...and this was his second back up! On his first attempt he rolled over a few things he should not have... As I yelled for him to stop!

Once I finished expressing my displeasure with his ability to back up his truck he unloaded the sand and then left.

I emailed my contractor and took some photos..

Crime scene investigation shows the tire treads right over the first bush and then into the rhododendron.

He did tell me he would replace them if they did not pull through. 

When he left he hurried to call my contractor and fess up.

This last part I know because the contractor was back on site and told me I had scared the driver!  

..... I don't have money for landscaping, so I have to hold on to what is there!!

Anyhow the plumber arrived on site, then my contractor and then the inspector all gathered to stare at the plumbing in the basement floor. Finally the inspector signed off. There was much discussion about the angles of the pipe from the house to the city water line at the edge of the lot. This has not been put in place yet and the inspector said he would be back to inspect the line when it's in place.

Productive - non productive

Well it was the weekend which means the crew were not at work... 

But the plumber was quite busy!

Here is the water drain pipe in place below the foundation.

In goes the water line..

I am having the plumbing roughed-in in the basement, just in case I want waterworks in there.

The plumber has seen the plans, so I guess he knows what he is doing, but I am not sure where all those pipes and drains go. Ha!

Look the plum tree is blooming..

And then it was Monday... 

Today was not an active day on site. I met with my contractor and the drywall guy stopped by and later the plumber came back when we had left. The plumber filled all the pipes with water and tomorrow the building inspector will do what he does- he will inspect the pipes to see if they have leaked. 

Then it will be safe to pour the basement floor- Wednesday maybe.

My contractor ensures the pipes are in the right place!  I was not updated with the decision to move the water heater to better spot.

So this week will not be too busy. Next week it's windows, deck and electrical...

But it was a productive day nonetheless... My contractor and I picked out my front and back doors, decided on the tile for the whole house and in the bathroom shower and around the tub. I picked up the flashing pipes (not exact term) for the wood stove for through the roof and through the ceiling. The crew will put those in and then the stove crew will install the rest..... Much later.

Meanwhile.....

This from the back of the neighbours yard.....

Will have to confirm the view from their balcony deck next time they are in town. 

I have not decided on window coverings yet.

The ceiling is sealed.

It's Friday and look I have a shingled roof!

Next we need the front deck....

And it appears a load of sand was also spread down for fill

The yellow plum tree is starting to blossom and you can see my roof vents too.

Here are the vents from another angle.

It's raining right now as I upload this... But I suspect my house is mostly dry with my new roof. I suspect sealing the outside walls and putting the windows in will really help with that.

Here is the view from across the street..

Bench privacy.

The first exciting thing that happened today was that my contractor caught up and found me today with a few colour swatches for the stain of the cedar siding. A few days ago I checked the shingle courts and narrowed it to three. The three choices are very similar, so I left it to whatever is in stock or what the contractor thinks will go better with the colours I chose.

It was raining lightly most of the day, but the skies began clearing and the sun came out... No really!

And by the time I was able to attend the site the crew had left. Look the soffit fascia boards are up.

And most of the backfil has been done... I almost have a yard again..or in this case a driveway.

I hope the ground meets the back door a little bit higher than it is right now, but we'll see.

I might need a deck out here.... It might not happen for awhile...

Now about these rocks... I have to think about the right place for them. 

Now on the south side you can see the Italian plum trees. In the foreground I see a good place to plant some veggies.... Hmm... Potatoes? Squash?....hmm....

Now back out front you can see some more cement framing for the deck support beam.

I did not go inside today because the ramp had been tucked inside the back door so the backfil could happen.

Looking good from the back bench!

I will have to create a 'good neighbour' screen of fencing or vines or something, where the outhouse sits... I have been enjoying my privacy on my bench behind it.

Yup..... It's a nice view from the bench.

I knew there would be days like this

The rain started sometime midday... But the crew got the rest of roof sheathing on!

I will have to climb the mountain again and see if I can see the roof now!

Looking good...

This is the south east corner... Where the weather comes from they tell me.

But sadly the weather did make it inside. I knew there would be days like this. This would not be the first house to get wet during construction and it will not be the last. This is the reason people build in August! I really can't complain... The weather has be most cooperative so far.

The shingled roof will go on soon enough. Power will get hooked up and things will get a chance to dry out proper before anything gets sealed in!

And then I will just look out at the wet weather ....

Half and half....

The crew were busy today in the fog and half the roof was sheathed.

 I finally discovered what I did to my phone/ camera, however I discovered it now as I post not when I was taking my shots today. So bear with me for one more day of artsy photos. Probably explains the drain on the battery as well.

I was looking up and was pleased...then I looked down. Drainage rock arrived.

And the digger was moved. I can almost imagine the driveway.

I will have to cut back some of the juniper growing under the pine tree so it's a straight on driveway which will give me back a bit of front yard alongside of the walnut tree. Which sadly lost a big branch when the gravel truck was by.

There is still some redistributing to be done....

And inside.. I have half a house.

It is supposed to rain tomorrow. I guess half of my house will get wet.

I like this picture...

Not the best truck.

It's Monday morning and the fog was slow to burn off.  

I was informed the trusses were set to arrive early, but due to the heavy dew overnight that was changed to the afternnoon.

So I disappeared until later....

Back to site I see a few more pipes are in place... And before the day was done the building inspector was by to take a peek.

But the excitement was this truck.

Those are trusses under that sheathing.

And before you start wondering... My camera is taking 'different' pictures today for some unknown reason. I think they have a matted artsy look. But what do I know.. it's a phone not a 35mm SLR

So let's see if the crane arm on this truck can reach my house.

... It is not the best truck. The best truck has not delivered my trusses.

The arm looks like it will workout.... Maybe we should back the truck up a bit more.

Let's see if we can drop the sheathing up there... Check out the wheel off the ground. Apparently that is not a concern as the extra legs stick out at the front of the deck and stabilize the truck.

Ready set go...

Up up up....

It looks like it may work...

The crane can't quite get things over the wall...so back to ground.

Here is where my phone/ camera battery went from 39% down to 12% with no warning?!

So I repositioned and plugged into the car.

Now about those trusses...and that crane....

Going...

Going...

Almost...

And the verdict is....

Looking good!

And we are down.

Add some stabilizing boards..

Would not want to see them topple over.

And then one by one the crew moved the trusses back on the house frame and attached them.

You can see the plum tree is almost ready to bloom...

So if my house moves... At least I have a flag on the back of it so no one runs into the roof!

Looking good.

The crew stayed about 1/2 hr late to finish up the job today.

Maybe my phone just needs a rest... I know I do. Watching all that work was exhausting.