Here are a few of my favorite things....Oprah's done it...Can't I?

After making lists of fixtures, lighting, fasteners, etc. for the house spreadsheet I thought I'd share some of the cool things I've come across.

1) I have been purchasing a few things here and there for the house when I find good deals. Some things I just need to wait on, because we don't have the space. Anyways, this black chandelier I saw in a bathroom on a tour home this summer. For the few amazing seconds I was in this bathroom, I considered buying the house. The entire house was Amazing, mostly furnished in a black and white theme with things found from the Z Gallerie (in Portland).

2) What is there not to love about Anthropologie (the store)? Well they have these cool doorknobs that really aren't that much more than a standard doorknob...yet they have so much more character.

3) Push Button Light Switches are the coolest thing! I have always loved to push buttons (haha), no really, there is something about pushing something in, hearing a click, and waiting for the after effects. I know...you'd just have to know me, or just nod. It's the little things in life. It's hard to find a good picture but here is one from Rejuvenation, where they sell really hardware lighting, antiques, and other things. They have this mother of pearl finish on the buttons and different switch plate options.

This last week

Getting a little further....Zach finaled the house plans last weekend and he printed off 6 copies to hand out for preliminary bids. I wrote up a cover sheet with our contact information, our goals, and attached our construction specifications spreadsheet to the plans. Friday, I dropped off plans on to three different builders we have been in contact with. I also gave a set to a friend to review who works in plan review at our local building department. Next step...we should have some NUMBERS!!!! and feedback.

I'll work on posting the spreadsheet and other info soon. Many things are unfortunately still on my laptop which is on its deathbed. It is still hanging in there for me; however, there is no way that I can get it to connect to the internet. I pulled out the wireless card with too much vigor last time and broke the inside of the laptop (that is as technical as I can get folks...). I tried a new wireless card but that didn't work. There are moving parts inside. Tried an ethernet cord, nada. I need to spend some time and transfer files....

November...tick.. tock

Plans are getting closer to being done. Last weekend with the extra day off was awesome (thank you Veterans). We ate, breathed, and smelled house plans. I am a visual kinda person. Things need to be drawn out and in as much of a 3-D picture for me to understand how things will look. Here on the left is a layout of the 1st level with a deck (dashed lines) off the back...soon to come...Labels!
We are coming up on December and we would love to start construction this March (or earlier because of the interest rates) so we are tying to get it all lined up.

Scary issue #1. We don't know how much it will cost to build our house. About 1 in 5 people like to scare me by telling me it could cost $500,000 to build it. If that is the case, we won't be building. I think my approach from now on will be to ask 4 more people and then not talk to anyone anymore.
I have read a lot about estimates based on square footage, simple layouts, interior finishes, etc., but there are too many factors involved that I just don't know. We would rather have a good structure with a good layout and then do most of the finish work ourselves even if that means putting in cheaper, non-conventional finishes.
As soon as we can print out the plans and talk to builders we should know an estimate. We may have to go back to the drawing board, or cutting board in that case.

The Second Level is a partial second story Master Suite, again...labels and room sizings coming up next post.

Finally, this is a crazy view (not sure how it will look on this format) of all of the AutoCad layers (framing, plumbing, roof eaves, windows, etc) on in 3D, including the basement/garage. I like to use the orbit feature...pretty fun.

Oh yeah... Partition approved.

Next steps will be approaching soon!! Zach and I are making a timeline to get our building plans approved by the county around March of 2008.
We are trying to get the last bit of detail (decking, porches, electrical outlets, etc.) on our AutoCad plans.
Finalize the specifications sheets.
Print out plans for estimates.
Meet with builders.
Choose a builder.
Turn in finalized plans to the county.
Meet with lendor.
Move into RV (yikes!)
Get rid of trailer house.
Build house.

On another note, I need to rant about Measure 37. Some of you may know about it already. Basically it was a property rights measure that passed in 2004 that gave longtime land owners a way around current land use regulations. The idea was that people should be able to use their land and that government should not be able to regulate what a landowner wants to do with it. We are just now starting to see the effects of the measure. All over, large housing development tracts are sprouting up all over the state on rural farmland that has existed as farmland for decades.

We recently found out our neighbors are planning a 20 lot subdivision right next to our property. On the other side, is a 5-10 lot subdivision, and across the road is a 200 acre who knows what is yet to come. These properties have measure 37 waivers (only other option was a payout) from the state and county to do what they want. Our only option to limit (not stop) the effects is to vote on a new measure, Measure 49.

All I am going to say is that we will be voting for YES on 49, a measure set to modify the original measure and to add clarity, limit large scale developments, etc.

I realize that we are developing our property as well and that this can sound hypocritical, but we are simply replacing a trailer home with a "stick built" home in the exact same place. Our intentions are to keep the property as farmland and limit our impact here.
Ranting is done... for now. Thanks.

Signing of the Partition

Ok, So today was the big day. We signed the actual partition on the Special paper....mylar.
The end is near. When mylar is being used, it's a big deal. They can't ask anything more of you once you've signed on mylar. (crossing my fingers) I can see the light. All downhill from here. Trust me, I have to talk like this. It is a wierd world out there. This is me being hopeful, positive, and confident (with one eyebrow slightly raised). Surveyors, planners, title officers, oh my. The next signatures will go to the planning director, county surveyor, and county assessor. Should be completely signed and recorded by Friday / Monday.

Hot damn.

Woodstove

One of our first purchases for the house... I was in our local home improvement store a couple weeks ago and stumbled upon this hot deal. It was too good to pass up. As you know, I was comtemplating getting one of those cool cast iron stoves available in many colors, but after looking at the prices for one of them...I think I'd rather put the money elsewhere.
This one was on clearance because someone ordered it last year and never picked it up. This model / size usually costs about $1,200 - $1,500. The cast iron ones are about $2,200 - $2,600. So when this one said $599. I had to get it. It has a glass door, a pull out drawer for the ashes, and the manufacturer has a great website where you can order parts (different colored handles - no gold please). It is the larger model - can heat around 2600 ? square feet. I called Zach, and yes he did not answer his cell phone, and left a message asking if I should get it. Since I figured his answer would be yes, (and since I'm trying to teach him the importance of turning his cell phone on, keeping it with him, and answering it when it rings!)...I got it.

He loves it by the way. Now if we could just get it out of the truck.... I know, there is no hurry. There is no house yet.

Update on the Burmuda Triangle: I wrote up a quitclaim deed for that piece, had the previous owner sign it (thank god - I sent her some gift cards and a thank you note). It has been recorded and our surveyor is finalizing up the partition. We will have to finalize some things with the county (get another updated title report, sign the recorded partition, get it notarized, have the county surveyor sign it, and the taxation director...). I'll let you know when that is done.

We will most likely wait until spring to begin construction. In the mean time, we'll keep getting ready, making sure we get as many details lined up for the building plans.

My Santa Fe Find...

Here is my great find in Santa Fe. I love it. It was an adventure getting it to fit under the airplane seat in each of my three connections, but it was worth it. It has turquoise on the face of the skull. I'm thinking in the future entry way, or living room.