Some Ups and Some Downs

Close up of the stone used on the house, from quarry in Fond du Lac

Jason and David working on the dryvit

David on stilts, plastering the sunroom

Arches between the kitchen and living room

The ceiling above the dining room

First floor tiled shower

View out of the master bedroom

The whirlpool bath

Stairs with false ends, carpet will be going up the middle

The boarded up front entry, waiting for its door!

The Good News: I am so excited about my house!!! It is absolutely beautiful and exceeding all of my expectations! It is like having Christmas every time I go over there! I just saw my newly installed, reclaimed maple flooring with a walnut border and its gorgeous--and it doesn't even have its final finish on it!. Such character of the wood--I love it. I am praying that they have enough to go into my small office too. They weren't sure if they would the last time I spoke with them. The tile looks wonderful too. I had purchased the tile way back in February, based on a 4" sample. I was kind of shocked when it got shipped to me in the 12 x12" size and I could see all of these large crevices and pits in it. I wasn't sure if I would like the finished product, but I do. They fill in most of the cracks and pits with the grout and it has a wonderful depth and texture to it. A matching mosaic tile creates a border in the front foyer. The wood trim has a rich and wonderful color to it, and the stone and the siding and the dryvit look fantastic together. Plus the ceilings--they're fantastic too! Lots of beautiful angles and arches in the architecture--I am so blessed. I have had so many wonderful people to help in this process to make it such a beautiful house. I cannot thank them enough. I was especially touched by Bev at Lowe's in Oshkosh this weekend. I had a deadline to pick out the tile for the bathroom. She works in the flooring department there, and has a degree in interior design. She took all the samples I had brought in of the travertine stone, the color of the woodwork and the color of the paint, and helped me come up with wonderful tiling for my shower in a short amount of time. What a godsend she was!


The Bad News: The front door and the transom window above it were due to come in this week. When Jamey, the builder, called on it, he was informed it was on back order. Hmmm, it would have been nice of them to have told us sooner. So...the parade of homes is October 20-23, and the door to the house will not be here until the 28th. I asked if something temporary could be done, and the answer is no. The framing for the door, the transom, and the door itself , plus the stone going around it, all work together and can't be done in a temporary way. My beautiful home has been taken out of the parade of homes for the fall. I was so sad. I was almost getting a house for my birthday on the 23rd. I was looking forward to being able to say that. However, my house will be in the Spring parade of homes, guarenteed. And, I will be able to move in when my house is completed.


I also still have moments of aching and sadness that I am doing this process alone, without a husband  to share in my trials and joys. Although my friends and family have accompanied me to the house on occasion, mostly its been my journey alone. Like tonight, when I saw the installed maple flooring for the first time. It was just me in the house, saying ooh, and aah.  I wish I could look forward to when "we" will move in, instead of when "I" will move in. I have never had to be this independent before and I am not quite sure what to make of it.