Zip line

Even when there is pressure to accomplish tasks in the house, "boy world" at the tree house needs a little TLC. We got two zip lines put up this weekend. Happy, happy boys.

S.l.o.w.l.y. moving in

We're still finishing off dusty and dirty tasks, but slowly beginning to move stuff in. The psychological boost of attempting to create a livable space is helpful. The man of the house wants to inhabit his castle, to see his family comfortably protected in the shelter that he has provided.


Getting closets ready to hold clothes.

Louvered doors

If you can avoid louvered doors, do so. They are great for air circulation, especially down here in Florida where humidity and mold is such a constant concern. However, staining them is tedious and time consuming.... But what's time to a hog?

Signed, sealed, and delivered

Blue skies, smiling at me, nothing but blue skies do I see....

We passed the final inspection today! We are homeowners. We will finish a short to-do list and gradually move into the house over the next couple weeks. Partying to commence soon.

Connecting radiant heat

Dad Kiker spent the day putting the finishing touches on operation of the radiant heat system. Winter may be over in Florida, but it will be ready for next year.

We have trained the boys to observe the adults at work. If someone is tackling a task that requires concentration, or is not going well, the child needs to watch quietly and to hold questions for later. This is excruciating for the child who is curious and verbal, but today, it worked ... in a manner of speaking. When child approached Granddad, child said, "Do you mind if I watch you? If it gets frustrating, you can ask me to leave." After a few minutes of observation, child asked, "Are you irritated that it's not working? Are you just about to say, 'GOSH DARN IT!'?"

Trimming

We prepared this weekend for our second try at a final inspection this Monday. We secured the roof on the west end with a gable rake trim.









The hot water heater "outhouse" is the small structure yet-to-be-stained on the west end of the house.





The front door is trimmed and painted.

Pouring footers on the addition

We passed inspection on the footers for the addition today and had the concrete truck out for the pour. We even had the block man out to take a look at building the wall to begin next week. Unfortunately, most of the tradespeople in the building industry are out of work, so fortunately they have plenty of time to help with our little structure.


We continued to make progress on our list of seven for the final inspection. Reinforcing the roof on the west end was a major undertaking and it still requires more attention, so we'll hold off on the final inspection till Monday.

Inspection - seven items flagged

We had our "final inspection" today. We have seven items that require further attention before we can occupy:

1) Hammer arrester for dishwasher
2) Insulated copper pipes and enclosed outlet for radiant heat
3) Reinforcement of roof eaves on west end
4) Smoke alarm moved to 12" below highest ceiling point in cupola
5) Label on electrical panel, "Notice to owner: AC located in attic!"
6) Caulk all intrusions to slab (conduit for electrical and plumbing) to protect against termites
7) Install exterior trim on doors to meet energy code.

We will get moving on these seven, and hopefully have another inspection by Friday.

If all else fails, we've drawn five stones from the stream, and the slingshot is ready.

Breaking ground on the addition

Mr Jones and his men were out today to survey the site for the addition. They began digging the footer for the 20'x 30' structure. Here we go again....

Pendant lights in the kitchen

The kitchen is all lit up. Pendant lights are in; under-counter lights are glowing. No shadowy corners are detected. Looks like a great kitchen to work in. Can you tell that much time will be spent here?



We've tidied up the place in preparation for our final inspection tomorrow. Hope the inspector finds everything in order.

Shelving and trimming

This weekend we've been finishing off the last few details needed to call for the final inspection and our certificate of occupancy.

Here is a wood shelf going up in the kitchen. The 2" thick shelf is made of a board that we chainsaw-milled on the land. We routed out a space to inset under-counter lighting.








And some baseboards nailed into place on the green wall.


Dad Kiker mounts the wall chimney above the range. The onyx is beautifully arresting, and goes oh so well with the wood. They must have the same Maker.