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.