Shopping and loving it.

January 13 and 14th

Lisa and I found my comforter for my room. It's denim paisley. We are using white eyelet curtains. They are exactly what I was looking for . Most of you know how much Warren and I are both attached to our comforters and it matches. Now two out of 6 rooms so that is keeping us within our timeline.



Christopher and Victoria are doing theirs when they are here. So that leaves Ed and Anna to look around and see what bedding represents them. I'm thinking a red white and blue theme unless they find anything they like better. Their room is getting my grandmother's dresser so the room will follow that theme somewhat.



We also got the laundry baskets for each room so those will be in place for the bed and breakfast. It is so fun to be in the final month and looking forward to moving in. The next meeting we will have is the semi-final two hour tour of all the appliances and functions of the house. I'll never figure out the audio/visual box.


We also found dishes and kitchen items that I need to replace. I love outlet malls.

We are working on the bed and breakfast rules. Any suggestions?? Each one of you can personalize your rooms with some added comments. But I can override any rules that are over the top.


Help me think about what I need to add to the rooms. I've decided we are not putting TV's in any bedrooms so you have to socialize while you are visiting.

Orson is suggesting one rule but you will have to ask it what it is. I'm sure most of you will comply with his rule, but then Lisa and Orson don't have an assigned room so it may not be posted.

Thursday I went by the house and saw that two sides of the brick and stone are completed. The front and the south. It looks great!

1st walk through with Electrical

January 6th, 2010
What a difference a year makes. It is so nice to be here in Austin, retired, and not in the hospital as I was last year at this time because of our car accident. We had a great day running around in circles as usual but at least we did accomplish what we needed to do.



It is also Lisa's nephew, Tanner's, 1st birthday so from now on this date will have good memories.



We had our house walk through before dry wall today. It is the first time since we started the build that I didn't sink into the mud walking to and from the house and "Lake Karen" in the front of the house has been filled in.

Here is the Manabloc....it controls the water outlets individually. Really Neat!!!

This is mom's kitchen bar.

Our kitchen window has been corrected. The other one was beautiful 72 by 72 but the desk would not fit under it so they put in the 72 by 48 so now I can sit and stare at nature while I use the computer and look out over the nature walk. We extended the cupboards ( you can never have enough right??) and end with a desk on that side of the Kitchen Breakfast room.



They have all the bells and whistles installed. My tubs all hold water and so do my shower pans. exciting. No leaks.

Mom's Jacuzzi tub

Mom's shower stall, notice the 4 spickets and the showerhead.

Today they were blowing in the insulation and filling in every crack where the exterior was pierced for any wires. It's amazing to see how they do it.

We went over every outlet. I am sure I will never again have to worry where to find a wall switch or a computer or phone outlet. Orson did have concern about the control panel wiring for the controls for the media room but I'm sure they will have it all worked out with Brinks by the time it is complete. It is located in a closet with complete access so it should be great. It will be fun to have a media room. Or maybe it would be called a man cave if it wasn't in my home and going to be used by all.

The bricks have been delivered so they are ready to start on that also now that the electrical wires, gas hubs and water are in.


They also do a mean type of termite treatment of the world and there are wires for easy after build treatment. I have never seen such a set up. It's as complecated as the wires that run through the foundation to make it adjustable and secure. Even wind braces in place. Not that that means anything to me but I do read a mean blueprint with the best of them. I even surprise Orson sometimes when there is a question on them that I can understand them.

It's been fun for Orson and Lisa to oversee this build. I know what I want and they make sure I get it.

We will be taking reservations in starting in June. Victoria and Elizabeth should be my first house guests ans they drive back East. Then they will come back through hopefully with Chris and pick out their bedroom furniture. We just figured that out today. I had no ideas for their room so that will hopefully work out. I did think of doing it in Monsters or Dinosaurs but I don't think that will work. Maybe it still will we will see.

I think that is all of the updates for now. More pictures will follow I hope.

We have windows

January 1st, 2010
It has been an interesting week. We have windows, a construction door, heating and air conditioning. They have also put in my individual water controls that are very interesting. There is a tube for each water line in the house. It allows you to turn off one sink or tub and leave the water on in the rest of the house. I know I will love that.

The windows are beautiful. It makes such a difference already.






They were also putting on the shingles on the roof on Wednesday when we went over to check it out. It is so fun that it is progressing quickly. The one thing I can say is the water does stay longer in Buda than in Austin. I always seem to have water puddles and mud.

What can happen in Texas in 11 days! I have a roof!

December 19th
Believe it or not another surprise today Orson was in Buda helping some friends so we always drive by the property just for fun. Walls, even a second story and a roof being put on as we walked through the house. So much fun.

My shoes will never be the same and I thought the quicksand would suck me in but all for all it was exciting. It was still very muddy and after all it is a construction as you will notice complete with my beautiful hard hat. We spent a long time checking the site and making sure all the bathrooms and bedrooms were correct.


This is the view from Ed and Anna's room looking North 2nd floor.

This is Christopher's and Victoria's room. As the pecking order goes they got last choice. Their room is right over the Living room. Looking South


This would be the bonus room I have just decided when no one is in town this will be my master bedroom I love the views. Notice the center is a window also they just haven't cut it out yet. They put up the siding then cut out the window as they work. Wow I live way out in the country right? no I know I have neighbors my window just don't let me see them.


This is my bedroom. The bay windows are going to be great. They match the kitchen bays. My rocking, reading recliner will fit perfectly to enjoy the view and my back yard.


This is my silly picture to show you where my powder room use to be that has now been turned into my cupboard area across from my laundry room. perfect place for my tools and needed supplies and my purse catcher/bag catcher as I walk into the house from the garage. They call it the vallet. top and bottom cabinets and work area. Behind me in the under the stairs closet.


This is the view from my entry way looking up at chandiler (or where it will be) two story view at this point.


This is what Lisa is waiting for, my door. living room on the right grand kids room/guest room on the left. We do have a picture of the door on one of the first blogs when she picked it out.


Living room window from the dining room Matches the window in the grand children's room.


Had to show you a post that I have trained Lisa to supervise this build since she was 3. Notice the hat and the overalls so she was prepared. Did I really let her handle a hammer at 3? What was I thinking? I'll have to take this same picture with Savannah after the build is finished the kids can't come on site until it is finished.

We do have a few problems. Sorry, but there is no door to the Media room so you will all have to enter the theater through the bedroom then the bathroom. I guess you are to be sure to wash your hands before watching the movie. They promised us they would have that corrected my tonight once the roof is on. We also have some questions about the Family room windows but again that will all be fixed. For my work friends I felt right at home with the music I felt I was back in Maywood since the radio was blaring Mexican music.

yea, we really have begun!

I arrived home from California and got the house back on track. We began the second week in November. It is so exciting!

We have had a very cold month so far. But add a sweater, a hat and gloves and we are cozy.

This is the frame of the foundation, Back North West corner Looking at the Kitchen bay window, taken Dec. 6th.

The next day at 4:52 pm the G.C. Kenny called to say hi and to tell us to be at the site at 9:00 am sharp for our preconstruction meeting



On Tuesday Dec. 8th! Lisa, Kenny and Karen at the site before the build can begin! Notice they have back filled the frame of the foundation.

Monday Dec. 14th, Lisa and I drove by on a Lark to look at the property since we were in Kyle. Surprise, surprise! Foundation poured.

Sorry, we missed the picture of the rebarb before they poured it but it is interesting we might post another foundation so you can see it. it's interesting


Dec 14th looking North the tree is at the front door garage to the right. Yea for the 6 foot extention.


As we where taking pictures of our new foundation, the lumber truck pulled up and begun to unload the wood for my walls. Wow! 6 days.

They have poured the foundation and the plumbing is in. The framing wood is delivered and that was as of last Monday. It is so exciting! Now if the weather will cooperate so we can get a roof on. They plan on having it ready before Lisa's new little one arrives in May. We will see.

We have foundation forms in place. Yea! Lisa and I went to Super Saturday at a friends across the street and noticed that they had placed the forms for them to start. Hopefully we will have walls soon.

I'm playing in California and visiting with old friends and my new grand daughter. Elisabeth Ruby makes number 5. 3 girls and 2 boys and counting.

Enjoying retirement and visiting with Aurora and Erik also. New item needed for next Halloween. A bubble fogger. It was the hit of trunk and treat. Way to go Warren. Hopefully we will have new pictures soon.

California house is sold!

It is exciting that the house in California is almost sold and history. They have asked for my bank info so I'm sure it will clear escrow within the next two weeks. It is exciting to start on the Texas house. We have finally had rain here and that is really good for a building start with our soil. I never heard of having to water my foundation as part of the house warranty. But it is part of mine.

We have all the approvals and just waiting until I get the paper that states my name is off the deed in California.

I bought my first bedroom quilt for Warren and Beth's room. It is red, black and cream Asian print. Fun to be started. WE have window shopped but this is our first purchase. It will be fun to continue to furnish the house.




WE will keep you posted as you join our search continues to proceed. Feel free to give us ideas.