Framing has Begun

The weather didn't cooperate for the framers to get started on Friday last week, it was in the low 40s and raining all day. Today the rain finally let up and they were able to get started. The I-Joists (for the flooring) are all done. Unfortunately, for picture taking purposes, Steven had to work the day shift today, so it was too dark to take pictures. He'll be out there right away tomorrow though to take pictures and supervise (you know, as the Engstrom boys like to do...right, Rick?). The framing foreman said they should be done in 1.5 - 2 weeks, just in time for Christmas!
Oh, and besides the rain, the weather has been unseasonably warm since Saturday! It was 72 degrees on Sunday. We're expecting to break another record tomorrow with 73 degrees. The normal temps for this time of year are in the 50s. WE LOVE IT!!!

Lumber Update

Our lumber finally arrived today!!! Seems like we've been waiting forever. The framers are supposed to be there tomorrow morning at 7 am to get started. We're praying that the rain/sleet stops tonight so there's no more delays!

Our temps are supposed to keep increasing through the weekend, hopefully reaching the 70s by Sunday! Gotta love our TN weather!

Hopefully more pictures to come soon!

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We certainly did, we are home in MN enjoying time with our family. It's a wonderful time to remember how much we are truly blessed.
We haven't posted an update in a while, because once again, nothing has changed! We didn't get the lumber when we thought we would. Lee decided to switch lumber companies, which saved us money, but is causing us time. We're hoping to see lumber when we get back on Monday. Sad thing is the framers have been out at our house every morning waiting for the lumber to arrive...poor guys! Hopefully they'll be able to get to work next week. We'll update as soon as anything changes!

Foundation is Complete!

All of the block was finished on Thursday last week (Nov. 8) as well as the waterproofing. The black tar-like stuff on the block is the waterproofing sealer.

The tall cement stack is our storm shelter/storage room. It is made of 9" concrete block walls as well as a concrete floor and ceiling. We aren't exactly sure when the ceiling and floor will be poured. The room will be closed off with a steel door.

The gravel was delivered and spread throughout the house and garage on Saturday (Nov. 10). The garage floor was just poured this morning. We're glad to have it done since it's supposed to rain all day tomorrow!

The lumber is supposed to be delivered late tomorrow afternoon or early Wednesday morning. Weather permitting, the framers will get started on Wednesday. Hopefully we'll have some good pictures to post at the end of the week!

Building Blocks

Things didn't go as planned at the end of last week, the block was delivered on Friday, Nov. 2, instead of Wednesday. They also sprayed the footings on Friday with a termite repellant. Hope that works! That is the white stuff on the cement.



Today, they started laying the block. It's just about finished, they have a little bit to finish in the morning. It's fun seeing it actually become real, not just on paper!

Once the block is finished, they're going to lay a vapor barrier in the crawl space and have gravel brought in to spread over that and the garage floor. The garage floor is also supposed to be poured this week, before any of the framing gets started so that the sun can help cure the cement. If all goes as scheduled, the framers will start on Saturday. Otherwise, they'll start on Monday...