While we wait....

We are actually starting construction on Wednesday! The surveyor has marked all of the exterior walls - it's pretty strange to stand where our dining room table will be and look at the actual view. While we've waited to get going, we've had our large White Oak turned into some beautiful boards. We also had a visit from a few "neighbors" tonight. Several wild turkeys live right around our lot....this guy was on our septic mound.

Water!

Our well was drilled yesterday- 111 feet down. (Slightly shallower than estimated) From what our neighbors tell us, it's supposed to be wonderful water. Sam was particularly excited that the well company is called "Sam's Well Drilling, Inc." Nanny is in this pic with the boys - she's really been getting our old house ready to sell! (check out www.fsbomadison.com if you're interested!)

Let's get going!

Yesterday was a big day...not at the site, but as far as getting this project going. We picked up our building permit and closed on our construction loan. Tim got the downpayment for the SIP panels, and we're on our way! Well, not quite. Tim is on vacation the next two weeks, so while he's gone, we'll get the final survey for exact placement of the foundation, the well placed, electric hookup, and the surcharge removed. Also during that time the SIPs company will finalize the plans and get ready to fabricate the panels. The heavy timbers have already been ordered. We should be ready for foundation work to start on July 30.

Buried septic

Just a couple pictures from today's events. The tank is buried and the drain field is covered. We'll seed the topsoil with native wildflowers as advised by the UW Arboretum.

Wow!

Well, this week didn't quite go as planned! Matt's grandma, Helen, died on Monday and so we found ourselves in New Mexico from Wednesday until late last night. It turned out to be a great celebration, and we were so glad to be there. Our closing has been rescheduled to this Tuesday. Progress has been made, however. When we showed up at our land this morning to do some clearing for the septic system, this is what we found! Due to the wet forecast for this upcoming week, our septic contractors wanted to get our tank and drain field placed. Matt is meeting with our well guy tomorrow in hopes of getting that done this week. I think things are really going to speed up from here on out!

Toilet talk

We're set to close on our financing this Friday, July 6. It's hard to believe it's been almost a full year since we purchased a tennis court and the dream of building our own home "someday" became more eminent. The timber for the heavy beams has been ordered and once we close on the construction loan, we will order the SIP panels. Last week we had a great time looking at plumbing fixtures....skeptical about what we would find, we were pleasantly surprised with our options. We are almost certainly going to install the Toto Aquia toilet - a dual flush, low flow toilet. This should be helpful with our septic system, but I've read the low water level is a little disconcerning at first use.

On a separate note, we are having to re-evaluate our fireplace. Our builder just discovered that our home won't qualify as "Energy Star" with a non-sealed wood burning unit. So, we need to decide what is more important to us, the "Energy Star" label (which is simply that, a label, but something we really believe in) or having a real log burning on those cold, long winter nights in Wisconsin. It's looking like we may be giving up the crackle of a "real" fire for a natural gas insert....we've just got to find one that fits. (Sound familiar, Jason?!)

If you find our blog interesting in any way, you might want to check out the blog of our "virtual friends," Jason and Stacy Hammond. It is just unbelievable how much we have in common - they are hoping to break ground on their home in Minneapolis this month, and are documenting their process for the Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/blogs/newhouse/