Progress on the lot

It takes time to make a hillside a house site, I am learning. My husband adds, AND MONEY. We think it will be beautiful though. We can't wait for our children, family and friends to experience it too. Here is a picture of the view from our kitchen/great room windows.

I want to introduce our builder to everyone. His name is Joe Hammonds. Here he is with one of his 'right hand men'. He comes with great references, building much more elaborate structures that ours. Hey kids, Phil knew him from Hopewell Church. Every good time in Phil's life before me comes from Hopewell or Pepsi or Wayne Supply. (Only our children will appreciate this.)Anyway he is a competent as well as likable individual.

The "MAN CAVE"

When we bought these lots, there was a very primitive tin structure on the property. I as well as the builders, excavators, and engineers assumed it would be razed. Unknown to anybody, Phil initiated the painting of the structure camo green. He then made a set of steps, and is in the process of getting electric into it. The builders were told to build the road and house AROUND THE BUILDING. Wow, needless to say I began to see how important this was to him. Thus, I have named it the MAN CAVE. I assume this is somewhere men like to spend time doing whatever it is that men do.

I have adjusted to this and have even participated in his plans and dreams to hang animals on the walls and decorate with things that's beauty is ONLY in the eyes of its male beholders. THEN THE BOMB SHELL.....

Did I forget to mention? This primitive Man Cave also has a working outhouse which my man has painted and plans to sit on a dock, lakeside, behind our house so that all who pass by boat will be able to admire his creative storage building. Here is a couple pictures of the MAN CAVE and Adjacent Structure. AH, How do I love thee...let me count the ways...

Invitation to Lunch

I was invited to have lunch yesterday with a very special young man. We had fresh avocado which was tenderly cut into finger food bites by his Mommy. I really enjoyed our lunch and will cherish it for some time to come.

Lucy is recovering nicely from her surgery. She is following Phil around this morning. Don't tell Phil, but I think he is falling for her. For those that don't know, Lucy was a stray dog that someone 'dropped' in front of our new lots. The workers began giving her their scraps at lunch time. One evening we got caught over there in a storm. We hurriedly got in the pontoon boat and started the 5 minute trip by 'water' to our current home. Lucy jumped into the lake and began following the boat. Phil stopped and rescued her and the rest is history.

Operation

Lucy had an operation this morning. Now she can't have little puppies. She seemed to be good with that.HAHA

Red Hot Pup

Phil was harvesting the Habanero and Serrano peppers that we grew. Lucy decided to help.

She actually picked them from the bush with her mouth. After several she quit and started pawing the ground. She would snort and then go right back to carrying them around again. She was hilarious and had a great time with Phil. Needless to say, I gave her many treats to chew on as well as ice cubes.

Big Bass

Seth and Lauren caught this bass just off our dock. It was 18" long and it took both of them to land the monster. This was the week before school started in mid August.

Catching Up

Hopefully, I am catching the blog up to date. I really appreciate Jordan and Tiffany for finding the time in their hectic schedules to make it possible for us to be a part of their lives, across the miles. Here is a picture of the lot in early August. You can see what a change the landscape has taken.

Blessed with Grandchildren

We have had some very happy times here at the little cabin. Phil and I are already talking about how we will miss this place. All of our grandchildren have been here and truly enjoyed it. This was May 2009 (Memorial Day)

Purchase of Lot # 9

Then, about July, after the purchase of Lot #9, this is what the lots looked like.

Work Continues

We worked every free minute, or should I say, Phil worked every free minute on the lot, clearing,burning and cutting brush. I was in a cast with a broken leg from Feb 09 till June 09. The lot was so beautiful we got a 'hankering' for the lot that joined us. We contacted the Pindells from Indiana, and with 1 month, we had talked them into selling lot #9. This is just coincidental, but each time we got the calls that the property owners would sell, we were on our pontoon boat, floating out in the lake in front of the property, wishing, hoping, and making plans. We felt like school kids. We were so excited. After a straight month of clearing, this was what the lots looked like in late June, 2009.

1175 Court Road

This is the house at 1175 Court Road. Many wonderful memories were made here. I will never forget the home.

Saying goodbye

On May 20,2009, we closed on the sale of 1175 Court Road. I have had many different emotions about selling the home that all my children were raised in. Phil and I ask each child, personally, what they thought about us selling the homeplace. We were not suprised at the answers we got. Each and every one, Jordan, Ashley, John and Annie, each in their special ways let us know, without any doubts, that it was ok to sell. In a way, I think they might have encouraged us. It was courage for me. I don't like change and am not a risktaker. Thank goodness, no one took after me. Phil however, has lived in many houses in his life. In fact it used to be a joke he told, "I have lived in every house on Court Road but one, and I am moving in that one in May 1994". I one the other hand, had lived there nearly 30 years. Here is a picture of Court Road.

Purchase of Lot # 8

In March 2009, we found a lot we loved. It was flatter than most lots on the lake and I saw my first grouse there. I asked Phil what that 'funny looking chicken was'.
The lot wasn't for sale and was very very grown up with briars, trees and vines. We asked around and located the property owner and the rest is history. Here is a picture of the lot when we acquired it in March, 2009.

Moving to the Lake

We have had a cabin on Wood Creek Lake for about 2 1/2 years. I guess we liked it so much we decided we would like to live on the lake full time.This is a picture of our little cabin at 114 Boulder Drive.