Fireworks

The fixes were quickly done and the inspector called again. Approved!

Did we hug the inspector and all fall in the floor in tears of gratefulness? 

No. We just went about our normal day.

I went and made dinner in the new kitchen. We got on the phone and bought an insurance policy. Insurance went into effect at midnight, they said.

About suppertime a thunderstorm rolled in, lightning struck out back of us and smoke started to blow in the gusty wind. 

We packed backpacks just in case, as the wind was blowing it our way. Thankfully firefighters had the fire out by 10 PM.  It sure made a memorable day more memorable.

Cleaning up the site! 

And so what did we do after that? Did we go down the list and methodically finish the house in the next few weeks? Did we go buy furniture?

No. We did what every sensible person in our situation would do. We went on Vacation.

Fix it and Call Again.

Many a night I had lulled myself to sleep in the RV dreaming of that moment of the Occupancy Declaration from the county Building Inspector. We would cry, we would dance, we would clap, I would wring the Inspector's hand and tell him how much it meant to us. All the kids would hug each other. So I had a nervous but exciting flutter in my heart when we called for the "last" inspection. 

The minimums were done, and somewhat beyond, and the moment was here. 

The first floor, all inspection ready!

No need for backsplash, cupboard doors, extra trims, shelves or drawers for occupancy inspections. 

Baseboard not required. Stair backs not required. 

 

 Bay window seats/drawers, closet doors not needed. 

Everything structural, plumbing, and electric was finished. 

Well, not much we could do about this. We didn't build a garage. Renting a storage unit was out of the question for frugality's sake.  Just scoot boxes away from the walls so the Inspector can see the outlets. Upstairs? just stack the totes in the middle. Boy, the attic is going to be a bit difficult to navigate... 

And after going through all the house, what did the inspector say?

Something like: "You've got the wrong outlet here" and "Get that hydrant outta there." Fix it all and call again.

The Electrician/Tile Guy helps the Plumber/Carpenter Guy with the hydrant removal.

Changing the View

 It was time to wrap this project up! Here the Tile Guy is installing some lights, for he was also the Electrician at this point. This and that were "wrapped up" to get ready for another inspection.

 

This was one of the preparations! Railings on the porch are not in the blueprints, but it sure is CUTE! This project was another "temporary" install, in case Code called for it. Boy, was I glad about this one:) I prefer it with railings;)

 

 

It changed the view. It framed the view. I'm sure it is better looking from the street as well.
 

 

Taking a break to see the Sunset over the Ochocos

 

mutiny?

A note I found on a construction task list. Every family has a comedian.
 

Getting the kitchen to code finish.

 

Seen on a drive: Do you see that old house out in a field? Old hotel maybe? It looks like someone set a dollhouse out there! Will our house be that old by the time we finish it??

 

In time the kitchen was "finished" as far as code was concerned, and even a bit farther, but it needn't be finished finished for the occupancy certificate. 

 

Lifting the fridge and freezer on a platform was not necessary for occupancy, but it made the Tall People of the family happy. Bonus: when the cabinetry is done, I will have some drawers under there for sheet pans. 

This photo is good for scale! The upper cabinets are really tall, and I keep the little construction step-ladder in the kitchen at all times.

We painted the face frames and outside of cabinets, too, though that was not necessary. Say it with me: Oh that I had used Benjamin Moore paint!

I found some  gingham print shelf liner in just the right color. I snatched up as many as I could get, so that i can replace it when the time comes.

Extra countertops were used between the kitchen half-wall and the dining room. There is room for a bar-stool or two.

After some discussion about metal brackets, searches for ready made and fabricators, etc. it occurred to the builders that wood would look just fine! And it does!
 

 

Extra counter pieces installed, sink and stove lights installed, oven leveled, we were on our way.

Looks like we started to use the kitchen immediately, eh?

Ta-Da! No, there are no doors or drawers. Not necessary for the occupancy certificate (just the sink, stove and counter were needed). No center island yet, Open shelving is fine, "temporarily." And thus it stands, still "under construction."

A glimpse of the Strawberry Mountains, during an evening drive.

Local Scenery

 

 

I really like where we live now. It may not look "beautiful" at first glance, but it is full of interest. 

Here are some pics from a spring walk to the neighborhood reservoir. On our way we pass the rocks you see above.

Spring comes to our area a lot later than it does in the Willamette Valley. While they are luxuriating in enough green to fill Ireland, dotted with early flowering trees and violets blooming in profusion, we have to look a little harder for our early signs of spring. Usually there are small white flowers throughout the winter (1/8" or less blooms), but these early purply ones you can't miss!

The year this walk was taken, the reservoir had water in it. It's been a bit more like a mud puddle since then.

It doesn't look impressive, but there is a character to the area, something I have been seeking in Oregon for thirty years. I won't repeat my rant here about Oregon's lack of character in general (although I think I'm due to write another one), but out here, I found it. Call it cowboy culture (there are real ones here), or rural salt-of-the-earth stuff, or tough, stick-to-itiveness because of the landscape, but there sure is something out here that the rest of the state needs.

 

I was impressed that the canal system and dam built were built by the locals over a hundred years ago. I am impressed with the hard-working ranches big and small. I am impressed that the nearby City of Prineville (with a population of less than 12k) has its own railroad, warehouses and airport, which seems to me to be a sign that the can-do spirit of the settlers lives on in the area. 

 

I am impressed with how friendly and welcoming the locals are, despite the fact that they are getting invaded every year by more and more outsiders who want to change this place. They should have shut the doors after letting us in ;-)

It doesn't rain a lot, but when it does, we take note!

The Countertop Saga

If one could only pull materials out of fancy pictures and paste them into the house! When it came to countertops, it turned out that we had expensive tastes. We crossed off the most expensive and explored products that were cheaper per square foot. 

More affordable choices had some undesirable quality or other. Tile was not an option anymore so we didn't have to go find any! Epoxy showed up and then faded away as way too much DIY. We liked the warm wood look, but would it be a lot of trouble to waterproof and maintain?

One day my husband had been to a local hardwood place and just happened to be told about some interesting remnants that would be perfect for a countertop. It just so happened that these remnants were just the right amount that we would need, and at a good price! And thus our countertop decision was suddenly made. 

I read somewhere recently that "teamwork is dreamwork," and I can say that even if this wasn't a dream (maybe it was a nightmare), it sure is nice to have someone on each corner when you have a task like this...  add thick countertop slabs to the list of backbreaking items that have been carried up to the house! 

Introducing: BauBuche. It means "building beech" and is a laminated veneer lumber from Germany. Yes, it looks like a lot of plywood ends glued together. We have made a lot this house out of plywood, so it goes with the theme I guess! It certainly had a modern look to it.

 

We did some design work and came up with something we all liked, that integrated that sink surround idea we had had when we were exploring tile. We had decided that the sink part was best left to professionals. After many visits to view many beautiful pieces of stone, we chose another remnant and had the pros cut and polish it. Of course it had to be carried up the hill, too. Add quartz to the list (at least it had a hole in it!).

The BauBuche had to be glued together in a few places, dry fit, and carried about, as you will see.

 

MONTH ONE. Guess who got to put the expert finish on the countertops? Moi, that's who. I wish we had taken them to a pro shop to have a hand-dipped, blow-dried, mirror-like finish applied (or whatever they do), because I never did get the hang of it.

 In the meantime, no one waits for me and construction must go on. Our Carpenter was putting in "uppers!"

 

Using "natural" stain and varnish, I did the best I could to put coat after coat on. I quickly found out that brush strokes were the bain of my life. And the more coats I put on, the oranger it got. Fail!

In the meantime, construction must go on. Looks like it was back to ladders on scaffolding outside.

I quickly learned that a hand-sander will make very smooth dips all over the surface. We actually went to rent the Fun Machine (see floor posts) and sanded 'em down to bare materials again, and started over with a clear finish. 

Construction must go on. Sink is installed and plumbed...

...Uppers finished and installed.

MONTH TWO. It rained. I had been putting coats of finish on all sides evenly. The boys had to do the flipping between coats and now they had to carry the project inside out of the weather. I don't know how many times we rented the Fun Machine so we could strip it and start over.  I finally learned to sand with an even hand with the handheld power sander, it saved me the embarrassment of going back to the rental shop.

 

As you know, construction must go on. We had after what seemed like weeks of research, found a light for the bays. They were ugly and inexpensive, but were "temporary" so we could get occupancy.

They turned out to be so perfect, so exactly the functionality we wanted, that I don't think we'll ever replace them. They turn every which way and hold whatever position. We can point them down for a reading light, up for ambiance. They look great in the bays. One of our best purchases for the house!

The Carpenter finished the uppers with shelves. Painting would start soon. Hey, you got those countertops done yet?

MONTH THREE. Enough is enough. I give up. Take them away! I'd sanded, coated, sanded off, started over. I'd bought different brushes and applicators, and watched videos on marine finishes for boats. Just take them away, brush marks, drips, dips and all.

Seven coats per side on the last go-round. Did it make them waterproof? Not really. The "natural" stuff was a fail and after a short time started to peel and flake. They'll have to be redone someday with toxic chemicals. Maybe I'll send them off to the pros to refinish...

They look good in the kitchen, though, and with the sink surround! It is sort of a reverse of an old-fashioned set-in enameled sink. With the BauBuche being so thick, my already-high counters got higher (can't rebuild the cupboard boxes to accommodate), but I really like them slightly higher. Though I am not a tall person, I find it more comfortable for working.

Thanks for hanging in there this long, next time I'll take you on a spring walk!