Grade work! Getting ready for utilities...

We have Dustin from DRW Excavating (he's awesome) digging the grade work.   Below he has the water line, the sewer line, and electrical ditch (behind) dug and ready for inspection.    We got a lot of stuff done today.   KUB came by and actually put the gas line in ... but, we are still awaiting an inspection before we can get it turned on.

Randy and Jeffrey are working on the brick stairs ... should be done with them completely in 1 day.  He's the man.

Our plumber, Jason Strickland, is great too.  We called him and he came over to help because we needed the sewer line installed.  We have to get everything inspected so that we can allow Dustin to cover everything up before we lose him again to another job.  We are sweating it ...

The water line loops back in front of the house ...

We are really optimistic that we can get the gas/electric turned on by Friday.  If that happens, we can heat the house and start wood floors etc. on Monday.   It's stressful because we are fighting for everything we can get.

My friend Erin came by the house today - he really liked it.   It was really good seeing him again.

Oh NO we DIDn'T!

Yes.  We did.  Check out the brick.  We chose to go with the 'weeping joints' on the masonry bricks.  So, looking down the side of the house, it looks kinda weird.  But, looking directly and angled at it - it honestly looks amazing.  Me and Shae are in love with it.  haha.  I can't wait to get more progress on it.  The masons are doing a great job and they're having a lot of fun too.

just tell me if you don't like it, i know, it's kinda strange

Also, we are making a lot of progress on what is being called "The Turret".  Wow.  The jury is still out on this one, but Shae feels good about it.   Hipolito is the man.

Richard Knight is finishing up the security system today.  Electrician, after his accident hurting his leg, is scheduled to start tomorrow.   We also got some cool news about using "aluminum soffit and fascia" that should save us a ton of money.   Still looking into that.  -G

Weeping joints on brick?

So, our brick  mason came by and put us a few sample boards together with our brick.  We have a house that inspired us that used (what is referred to as) 'weeping joints'.  The concept is that (see the board on the right) the mortar is pressed into and outside of the bricks creating a 'old world' look to the brick.   This kinda fits into the French Quarter look that we are looking to get with both the bricks, the bronze clad wood windows, and the Bevolo gas lamps that will be hanging in the front.  It's about 60/40% right now that we're going with the 'weeping joint' style.  

I know, it's a risk, but we need to have something that is a little signature and something that is unique.  

Standard on the left, 'weeping joint' on the right