Tiaras: A History of Splendour -- Geoffrey C. Munn

What's In Your Pocket ? - Heather Montgomery ( the kangaroo's not the captain's !....ahem )

Here's the timetable we experienced: November 2021 we looked at lots. Saw one we really liked but first contacted a builder and interviewed him (we were looking for a CAPS certified builder, and found one that was also design-build.) The builder asked to see the lot but also another in the same community. He really liked our choice so we made an offer and the sale was finalized February 2022. Meanwhile we started meeting with the builder's designer in December 2021. We saw the initial house plans in February 2022, worked further with the designer, made changes, and signed off on the "scope of work" in April 2022. Some changes were made, electrical diagrams were firmed up, and we had the final plans in June 2022. The designer prepared the application for the HOA architectural review committee and submitted in July 2022. The committee said it was one of the best applications they'd ever seen, and it was approved by late July. This was one of the reasons we loved working with a design-build firm - we didn't have to lift a finger to make that application. Grading began September 2022. Our builder decided to enter the home into the Parade of Homes in October 2023, so the house was basically finished by then. That was good and bad - they really pushed to get it ready in time, but then slowed down a bit afterwards, even though there were still things to be done. But all that's left right now is installing a dehumidifier in the encapsulated crawl space (somehow that was left out originally) and going through our final checklist, and we should take possession in about March. A couple of issues slowed us down, just because of shortages and problems in the building industry. We couldn't get an electrical transformer box for the longest time. They just weren't available. Our builder just called the power company once a week and got to know someone on the other end of the line, meanwhile using generator power. Eventually the insulation subcontractor said he could not work on generator power, and magically our contact at the power company found a transformer. There are people in our community who have been waiting two years for a transformer. Digging the well was the other big delay. All the well-diggers in the western NC area are booked months, in some cases years, ahead. Somehow our builders managed to nab one. Overall we felt the process was really smooth with our builders. The main part of the build took just a year, and after that it was a matter of putting in the driveway and doing minor things. If you've read this far (sorry so long!), you might like to look at our Parade of Homes virtual tour. The house wasn't really quite finished at the time it was photographed. There was no driveway, and there were no shower doors. There was a faulty lighted mirror, and the electrician had reversed the dining room and breakfast nook light fixtures. It's all fixed now! 32- Gateway Mountain Getaway in the WNC Parade of Homes

I'm here. Just busy with grocery shopping this morning and taking the recycling to the recycling center. We also took a load of stuff to donation. Then, came home and put it all away. And started painting the walls in Ethans room. I had to do some repairs to one of the walls and had to do two coats. In between all of that I did animal care and cleaned up the kitchen which hadn't been done in a couple of days. I'm really tired. Still think I'm fighting a cold or something. But, I'm really excited to see that most of my pellets are sprouted. They're just so pretty I could look at them for hours. We saw our daughter last night for dinner. It was really nice. Her husband was at a Daddy/Daughter Dance with his niece because her daddy was out of town. It was nice to have her to ourselves for a couple of hours. Ethan continues to do well in Oregon. He bought a used dining table and chairs today. It's really cute. I'm glad he's finally in his own apartment. If everything goes as planned (it rarely does), this home remodel will be done at the end of the month. I'll spend a day or two deep cleaning. The dust from all the sanding and whatnot is everywhere. Then....THEN can finally focus on garden cleanup. The asparagus beds still aren't cleaned up. If the weather cooperates on spring break, I'll do a lot of outdoors clean up, chicken coop clean up, hoop house clean up. All the clean up stuff the yard and gardens need. As soon as Ethan's room is finished, I'll move the light shelf in that room and it can stay there for a couple of weeks until the carpet people come. His room should be complete by Thursday. Other than the new closet doors, but we'll install those once the carpet is in. The plan is to start tomatoes and peppers around March 1. I'll probably start some flowers, roselle, and herbs too. Kim, I'm excited about the cumin. If you have an extra plant, I would love one. I saved a lot of okra seed. BUT we had two varieties--Clemson and Beck's Big Buck. So....if these cross pollinated, it will be interesting to see what they produce.