Check out our progress!

Okay, so it has been a LONG time since I have posted ANYTHING....but things haven't really been moving very quickly. Or at least progress that you can really see.

The front door has been installed, you'll notice that I bought the darker oak door with the square window. It looks nice but when Jim first installed it I asked "do you think it is too dark?" He promptly stated..... now don't start questioning ALL of your purchases, this what you selected we are NOT changing it NOW!! So I guess it's the right one afterall! (sigh)

The siding, called Hardyboard, is nearly complete - less one ceiling piece over the deck. The siding Jim purchased is compressed concrete which is supposed to withstand all weather better than aluminum or steel, including large hailstones and high winds yet still looks like traditional lap siding. I hope to start painting this week. The color I selected for the house is Shady Willow a buff color trim called Deer Run.

Speaking of paint color, the photo of the shed (aka bus barn) that sits at the end of the driveway so the kids have a warm dry spot to wait for the bus in the morning is also pictured. This shed was our test building for paint choices, you'll be happy to know that that WAS NOT the color I choose for the house! It was TOO GREEN, yuck gross!!! The Shady Willow is a much softer color similar to a sage! I'm glad we did a test run on the shed rather than paint the whole house a color that just wasn't right, then I would have to live with another poor choice!

The deck is also now finished, Thanks Rye Con! It even has a built in beer table! It is a lot bigger than I expected, actually larger than the deck on the old house. With the shelter of the roof (for shade and protection from the rain) it will be a nice place to sit and enjoy the view!

Jim's projects this weekend include finishing the electrical wiring and installing the garage doors. Hopefully the concrete will be finished next week so that the brick can applied to the front of the house next. After the electrical is finished the insulation will be installed and then DRYWALL - which of course means that we are getting closer to the finishing touches! I can hardly wait to order flooring, kitchen cupboards, select more paint colors and get this mansion finished.

My dream to be living in the new house by Christmas has faded as things are just not moving as quickly as I hoped.......but maybe by EASTER!

Progress has stalled to nearly a standstill

Progress has really slowed this last month, waiting on one contractor to finish his project so that others (electrician and plumber) can complete their jobs.

We've been shopping for the "perfect" front door, however nothing has been purchased as of yet. Jim wanted to get a solid wood door, but the price tag didn't fit the budget. So I think that we have decided on one of two fiberglass doors pictured here. I prefer the darker oak finish with the square window, Jim likes the light oak with the oval window. We'll see what we end up with.

The whirlpool tub and special order window are now installed.

The kids' shower is also in place,

that's the shower tub combination pictured.

The siding and brick estimates are supposed to be ready this week. Jim wants to put on concrete siding, which is more durable than vinyl but will need to be painted! (arghhh) The brick that I have selected is called Crimson Mountain, it is not traditional square brick but has an appearance more like a ledgestone.

We recently learned that the second story windows do not meet building code. This was a mistake by the salesman who ordered the windows and was discovered when one of his co workers came to the building site to measure for brick and siding. Luckily the replacement will be at their cost, not ours.


In the lull of progress we have been working the calves and cattle, preparing for the County Fair in early August.

Blessings to all.


Colossians 3:11-13 (Contemporary English Version)
11It doesn't matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, [a] and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.
12God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient.
13Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you.

We've been PLUMBED!

The windows are installed, including the bay window in the dining room. We are still waiting on the special order window for over the whirlpool tub in the master bathroom.

The roof is finished and NOW the plumbers are here installing all the PVC pipe throughout the house. I shopped on Monday afternoon for the perfect whirlpool tub, shower stall and the handicap shower for the guest room. There are just TOO many choices out there, I would do much better with just two to choose from.

I've been searching the many catalogs for the perfect style, finish and design for each of the bathrooms. There are 5, yes FIVE bathrooms in this house - almost one for each of the 6 Nickels who will live there.

The electrician will be the next contractor to being called and I'm sure there will be plenty of decisions to be made for those fixtures as well. All these critical color coordinated choices can be a little overwhelming, Jim keeps telling me to "get what you want" so I guess then he can't COMPLAIN about the cost!

Have a blessed week!

Exodus 15:2 (New Living Translation)
2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him!

Roofers are making progress.....

Saturday's hot sun didn't stop these guys from working on our roof. Thanks to Ken, Leroy and the Nickel boys - they were able to get the north west roof all on Saturday before noon. However, the sun grew so hot by the time they moved to the south side, it was impossible to continue. The shingles were so soft from the heat, the staples went clear through. So shortly after two, these dedicated hot roofers called it a day and soon found the adult cold beverages!

The picture on the right, shows the guys were back out EARLY today hoping to beat the heat and the sun. They are working on the south side of the house today, going amazingly fast (helps to have builder here to help out - Thanks Rye!)

Oh by the way - I think my final decision on the shingle color was the right one! They look GREAT and I'm excited to see everything coming together!

Job 26:13-14 (New Living Translation)
13 His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent. 14 These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?”

We have WINDOWS!!

Check it out - windows are being installed today! Yeah, once enclosed - I actually think we could have a sleep over! Roofing to begin tomorrow!

God is AMAZING!

Even with the windy conditions.....

Rye construction is high on the hill up on the roof! It's been a windy week to be working on the roof of our two story house, however, neither wind, nor rain or dark of night will stop these guys! :)

Tuesday afternoon, I went to the contractor supply location and checked out the asphalt shingles, after changing my mind SEVERAL times I finally decided on Weathered Slate (mostly black) then by the time I got home I had changed my mind again, so I had to call the guy first thing this morning to tell him my FINAL ANSWER is Mountain Slate (brown and kind of green).

It's a tough job making all these color coordinating decisions! (I imagine I will be a basket case when it's time to make decisions about the interior!)

The windows are scheduled to be delivered on Friday 5/22 and hopefully installed the same.

Weather permitting, we are hoping to put the asphalt roof on over the three day weekend.

So we're moving right along......

Stop by and check it out in person sometime soon!

God is GOOD - All the time!

A Mansion in the making....

I keep telling you this HOUSE is huge! Seriously, I think I'll have to quit my PO job and stay at home just to keep this mansion clean or maybe I'll just have to hire a maid.

But what a beautiful home it will be for our family, I guess maybe we deserve it. We plan to do a lot of the interior finish work which hopefully will help to control costs and then I know we will deserve to enjoy this new home. (I just hope we can afford the TAXES!) :)

Another beautiful day and more pics to share. ENJOY!

Amazing Grace.....that saved a wrench like me.

Mark 10:27 (New Living Translation)
27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”