The House vs. The Land

Dear Family and Friends,

When I named Phase 4 "The Home Stretch", I had no idea. I always say that I am going up to the land, but this week I started to say that I am going up to the house. Things seem to be racing along. In one week, the cabinets were installed, the water got connected to the house, the downstairs was completely painted with two coats (it's finished and ready!), the porch was screened, and tons of small details, too.

The painters have started to stain the trim and doors upstairs, and counter tops come in 7-10 days. The railing goes up on the screened porch, and we just get closer. The end of October seems like a real possibility.

We can't wait to see you down here.

Love,

Emmett and Marsha

Floors and Doors

Dear Family and Friends,

The pace is really picking up. Hardwood floors are in upstairs. The master bath is tiled in slate and stone. The master bath wood walls are cypress (half-done). Fans are in. Gutters are on. Trim is painted downstairs. Second coats of wall paint are starting. Stone porches and patios are done. The decks are being stained. The rain chain is hung and the drain is built with our own stone from the land. I imagined the Mule would be good for moving the stone. It turned out that I was the "mule."

Cabinets were delivered yesterday and get installed next week. Countertops follow that. Screening goes on the porch next week, and hardwood stairs go in. Upstairs doors and trim get stained. After that, power and water get connected, and suddenly, we get closer to a punch-list. Instead of December 1, we might be looking at November 1st!!!

I doubt that we will be out of boxes by Thanksgiving, but a 12' tree at Christmas is a distinct possibility! We cannot wait to share this with you IN PERSON! Meanwhile, take care.

Love,

Emmett and Marsha