When we arrived back in New Hill, the grass was about a foot tall and it has been raining so much, finding a way to get outside to mow has been a challenge.  Tuesday, I finally found a window of time to mow.  Some parts were so wet, the grass just folded down and the next day was standing back up so I had to do another swipe and touch up many spots on Wednesday.

All day long, Jack was hammering and tapping in the basement.  I knew what he was doing.  He was building a structure around the RV-10 wings that he has already built.  He wants them protected once in storage. I was busy packing books; his Hardy Boy series, his American Heritage resource books and all of his Lord of the RIngs, Harry Potter, and Flashman novels.  Still I hear him hammering and tapping.  By the time American Idol was nearly over (9:30 or so), he came upstairs proudly announcing he was through with one of the 5 crates he needs to build.  The thing is gi-normous!

The tail cone in the background is next.  Can you imagine?  Five of these must be moved out of the basement and into storage.  Hopefully there will still be room for the lamps, beds, couches and books!

They’ve been at it now for 5 hours today and 10 of the 12 poles are level for the patio/storage shed.  The concrete trucks comes on Monday at 8 am, so there is still work to get done to dig the forms!  Thanks to Steve and Bob for helping Jack!  They have Saturday and Sunday to work as well!

You load sixteen tons, what do you get…another day older and deeper in debt!  Well 34,000 pounds of gravel was delivered today dropping another $320.  This will be used to prepare for the concrete for the patio off the hangar.  I am posting 2 photos.  One shows the gravel pile.  Who would have estimated that weight?  And the second one is the sign that daughter, Whitney hand painted for us with our logo!  It needed to be displayed, I thought!

Yesterday was the Due Diligence date and it came and went without event so we feel we can really start to pack and prepare now.  The buyer for our NC home is coming to town to learn about the ins and outs of the house and barn the end of May so that’s a great sign!

On my list of things to do is decide on a bank for the construction loan.  A self-build (without using a contractor) is a bit different apparently so we are looking at local banks instead of large chains.  Don’t you think someone who is building their own home would make it the best and safest possible, more so than a contractor?

Jack is out of town on a rescue challenge in Richmond so our neighbor Steve will start to set poles and spread gravel later today.  My task is to pick up 12 bags of sak-crete.  Friday and Saturday should be busy days once Jack gets back and can start working.  Until then, sing the song!  16 tons and whadya’ get…

 

Gravel to prepare for concrete pour on the patio.