September 2010 - more pictures of the build

Okay – I am so excited to get some of the current pictures on the blog – but realize that I actually want to share pictures from the beginning – so I am going to share September pictures with you now!  Hope you enjoy watching the progression!!

Some more pictures as the build progressed through August...

I realize that there are a few (okay many) pictures that I have that tells the story of the build. 

Within this slideshow you will see first of all the pictures from our last day at Anola.  This was a huge move after being there for 27 years.  Everything there was built through the love, swet and manual labor of my husband Alvin.   Now we were closing this chapter in our lives to move in with our kids – in their loft – and to continue to build our combined house/retreat house.  God gave us the strength we needed to pack up and leave.  It was an emotional part of our journey – and when Alvin and I left for the last time at midnight on July 31st – there were tears.  We are so thankful for our kids, our family and our dear dear friends, who rolled up their sleeves – helped pack – helped move – helped clean – helped keep us fed and watered!!  We could not have done this without them all!!

August was a full month and the guys took advantage of each blue-sky day!  The siding went up – the big door for the garage was picked up (so thankful my little brother Tim helped me!!) and there were times when they did stop for coffee breaks and “Everett” breaks as you will notice one picture of Poppa with Everett.

God continued to go ahead of us – and so here are some of the pictures from August!  Enjoy

Yes... We are still building!

The last time I posted was the middle of July.  I apologize for neglecting the site – what can I say.

Life got full to overflowing!  Not a good excuse – but it is true.  During the summer we took many pictures along the way of the build.  I will try to include some (as well  you can also go to my personal blog and scroll through pictures of the build www.thoughtsfromacountrymouse.blogspot.com )

At the time of this posting – while it is snowing like crazy here – Alvin is at the site with two guys.  One is painting the upstairs main room of the loft/barn.  The other is backfilling around the house basement walls.  Things ARE happening there.  Perhaps things are a little slower than Alvin wanted … but we have no doubt that God’s Timing is always perfect.  And we (Alvin and I) in the meantime – we are learning alot along this journey.

So – to catch up – allow me to share the story through pictures.  I have only loaded pictures up to the end of July.  More to come – but I have to go clean up some dishes!  Enjoy the pictures!

Second floor walls are going up!

With packing, moving (some stuff into storage, some stuff into our temporary place of abodement) I have not been able to keep up with all the postings on the blogs!

Just to let you know that the second story floor is done, and the walls of the loft are up too.  They boys are working hard, and yesterday the weather was beautiful!

We still do not have a road number (it is being done) but we are at the lot directly NORTH of 5819 which is Corpus Christi Catholic church.  It is not a church with a big dome or steeple – but more modern day look.  We are the lot directly north, on the EAST side of Henderson Hwy.  There is a gate across our drive, but feel free to crawl under it, (if it is closed) and take a look!  And hey – you are invited to continue to walk and pray as you come there.

The boys are working daily (when not on their shift at the firehall) and if you want to stop by with a nice cold bottled water, or even a slurpee – they will never turn that down.  Usually there are at least three of them (Alvin, Joshua and Michael) but there was 5 yesterday so we never know!  The more hands, the quicker the work gets done.

I have put pics up on my personal blog – feel free to check there…

www.thoughtsfromacountrymouse.blogspot.com

The walls go up!

A week ago the concrete pad was done. And a very good-looking pad at that!!  We paid George today, and I think he thought it was looking pretty good too! (George was the guy in charge of the pour!)

I came today, with George’s money, and with lunch for the guys:  Alvin, Josh, Michael and Ryan.  (Ryan used to work with Blue Jay Family Works on a regular basis until his little girl was born last fall).  The guys were so glad to have Ryan working with them today because they had some BIG walls to build and stand up!

When I got there, it was at that point… the “Standing up the Walls” point.  I stood there with my camera, capturing the shots.  Hard Work… they were very big walls!

After getting up two walls, they stopped for lunch.  It was after that, that I loaded the cooler back in the car and left.  However, I have spoken with Michael who said ALL the walls are up!  It is finally happening.

I can hardly believe it!  But… seeing IS believing.

Go for a drive out to Lockport, and take a look for yourself!

Finally... An update on what is happening at 5839 Henderson Hwy!

Well today is July 7th, and it has been a long time since I posted anything.  In fact, the last thing I posted was about the working drawings!  Much has happened.  My brother-in-law Rick (man, we owe him BIG time!) took the working drawings and made many final additions so that we could get the plans stamped by an engineer!  In the meantime, the municipality stated that they wanted the plans for the shop/barn AND the house before they would give us a permit to begin the shop.  (sigh)

Anyhow we did get the permit.  We have put in many sweat equity house on the foundation of the shop, or should I say the beginnings of the foundation.  You see, we are putting in “in-floor” heating with water lines that will lead to a boiler system (exactly like Alvin has in his shop and in our house in Anola right now).  So there was first of all, alot of rebar prepare, and then styrofoam had to go under it, and then the rebar was put down and tied with rebar wire ties.  Then we had to uncoil and put lines through the rebar, and then more lines on top, and these lines had to be also tied with plastic ties, so that when the concrete comes, they are secure!

Last Saturday and Sunday, Alvin and Michael, Ashley and I worked on that.  Talk about back-breaking!  Alvin and I had also worked on it a week ago Monday, and then the boys worked Tuesday and Wednesday.  With Alvin’s fire hall shifts – it means that he is now always there.  Between Alvin, and Joshua, and Michael – there are many things they are each involved in and need to get done OVER AND ABOVE this build of ours!

Now the boys are ready to pour.  The inspector was called and will come to pre-check the rebar.  It is so interesting to hear how everything has to be so that it is all built to the standards!  The barn will have a huge loft in it – and there are four pillars that will hold it – and so there is alot of extra rebar in those areas.  I often marvel at the knowledge Alvin has, and he patiently (most times!) explains it to me! 

It is starting to take shape… finally…. slowly…. in God’s time.  In the meantime, we have also bought and brought a semi trailer on site for storage, as we have to be out of our house by August 1st.  The boys began taking trailer loads from Anola to Narol.  One trip at a time, our possessions are leaving 35066 Springfield Road for their new home. (or should I say for storage at their new home destination!) 

Sometimes I am overwhelmed.  Sometimes I know Alvin feels some tinges of that too.  Our kids are very very supportive – the boys are working hard.  Alvin and I have talked about how we will not but a deadline date on the house to be completed as we do not want to put added stress on our kids, or ourselves.  We will move into our kids (Josh and Leah’s) place for the first while and Lord willing, once able to move into the house (even if it is not done yet) we will.  It is always easier to be “on site” although we are thankful that Josh and Leah are only a 5 minute scoot away from our build site.

We are thankful for our kids who are encouraging us through this.  Honestly, a few years ago, Alvin and I did not ever think we would build again!  We did this 27 years ago when we were that much younger!  But here we go.

We want to be careful so as not to overload our kids, who have lives of their own independent from us!  We want to be careful to take care of ourselves so that we are able to enjoy this new place when it is done.  We want to be able to work but also to be able to play, and enjoy time with our kids, and with our grandson Everett.

If you are reading this, and you are a prayer warrior – we covet your prayers for the following:

• that the pouring of the barn/shop floor will happen tomorrow, Lord Willing.
• that the boys will be kept healthy and strong during the build
• that we would be able to transition out of Anola and our home here – into our temporary home with ease

The other day I asked Alvin if he ever wonders about what we are doing?  He said “never” and then he added “many people talk about what they want to do in life, and never do it.”  Sometimes I do get overwhelmed. (ask my kids and husband about that!) But often the overwhelming feelings are only very short-lived!  I know that our time frame is already way different than we thought this time last year! Remember the quote I have used before “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!”  I figure He got a chuckle out of our preliminary time lines!

However, even if there are moments of feeling overwhelmed ~ I will say that I do believe that we are still doing what it is that God called us to, and what He laid on my heart 10 (yes 10!) years ago.  It is exciting to know that we are merely the clay vessels that He has decided to use!!  May it be for His honor and glory!  This is HIS vision for women in this province…. all His!  Father God, you are amazing!

Thanks for reading, and please continue to pray!