Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Hurdle Cleared, More to Come

We've gotten through the re-finance of our place, and sign the Monday after Thanksgiving. Obstensibly the biggest deal, I'll hold judgement on that until we're done. What is means, though, is that with funding we can move forward. We're pretty happy that we didn't get swept up in the availability of a jumbo mortgage after a construction loan, which we were offered just before the industry went to shit. This way, using our unencumbered funds, resources and resourcefulness, we should be able to build the house we want on the schedule we want and without the major burden of a $450,000 loan (total construction plus existing note). While the math is not yet complete, we clearly have enough to get a dry shell erected in 2009. We'll see about the finishing phase, it may take ten years or it may take one.

So we're pretty happy here, going into the Thanksgiving weekend. We're pretty much loaded now, at 10:30pm Tuesday, for our jaunt to the Tahuya State Forest where we'll join friends in communion with nature, spirits and a beast-feast on Saturday

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving time!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Accumulation


OMG I scored some gear. Obstensibly demo gear for work but I'll demo it from here. Some Sunfire and Elan gear came available that used to be NPF repairs, evaluation and test machines for thier technical support department. For pennies on the dollar, I have a system controller and whole-house amp for the house audio system, and a Sunfire home theater. Do a search for the Theater Grand V and the Theater Grand 7400 and the Solitare 12 combined with Klipsch RF series speakers and you'll get a vague idea of what I'm building. I have a detailed description of the garage and its systems that I'll post sometime after I'm a bit closer to being what I've written.


Our appraiser was out yesterday to photograph and complete the appraisal. We're on a wait, then hopefully on to the project of preparing our permit application. We still don't have drawings, but that's pending also my finishing the Klipsch 7.1 Reference home theater for the architect.


Worked on framing in the attic tonight, pretty much done in the alcove and dropped in some insulation. I still have to finish some plumbing before I cover, but I can count on two hands the number of sheets of rock left to hang. Every task completed is a milestone.
The picture is October 2007 near Keechelus Lake at Snoqualmie Pass. We're getting ready to go camp at Tahuya over Thanksgiving with friends, and looking forward to getting away.

Does is feel warm to you?


Holy crap, it's been HOW long? I was afraid that'd happen, starting something new and letting it fade away. But we're BACK! And things have evolved! At glacial speeds, anyway.
This house is where I was first on this earth, in Evergreen Park, Illinois. I was in the area for a few days, and took a tour. I don't remember it.

I'm not going to get into it too much, as it's midnight and I'm tired. Our loan is approved, largely because time has passed and we've kept on it. Sandi has, anyway. Dilegence and communication, me thinks, a big part of this whole process.

So our plans are with a new architect and engineer, one I'd recommend especially if you have a commercial project to do. CDA/Pirscher Architects in Shoreline, WA is a sharp outfit. Those should be back to us by next week, at which time we'll submit to the county. Our foundation guy is on notice, and I have to work deals still for digging equipment and operator time.

We're going to build this damned house. You watch.