My Husband in Drag

As you may or may not know, David was involved in a clever and unique fund raiser this spring. He was competing against a fellow coach to see who could lose more weight percentage in an eight week period. The pledges and donation rolled in, and I've been told that the P.E. and athletics programs at his school have raised $3500. There were consequences, however, for losing (or not losing enough as the case may be). Those who pledged overwhelmingly voted to see the losing coach in a dress. We're all very proud of both men for losing a combined 70lbs and getting healthy. Hope you enjoy these.

Cabinets, Doors, and Paint

This week they've put up the texture on all the walls, installed the cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms, the interior doors are all up as well as the baseboards, stair railing and window trim. When we went today to take our weekly photos, we met the guys who were painting the interior. That's why all the cabinets, etc were all covered in plastic. Maybe we'll start seeing tile work next week.

Bert...the early days

Albert Chipper Einstein

We welcomed the newest member of the Tomasson Family on Friday....Meet Albert Chipper Einstein, more commonly known as 'BERT'. His mother is Black Mouth Cur (Old Yeller) and everyone pretty much assumes that daddy was a lab. He has been the best little puppy we could have hoped for. He's very loving and intelligent. Potty training is going well, but accidents do happen occassionally (not today, however, knock on wood). He really likes to play with Nessie, David's mom's dog, but Nessie is still not sure what to think of Bert. David and I are a little nervous about leaving him in his kennel this week during work, but since Pete is in town, he's gonna help and let him out every couple of hours.






Bert and Nessie playing tug of war with the bad referee.

Bert taking his first swim in a new baby pool.

He wasn't quite sure what to make of the pool. He enjoyed rolling in the dirt and grass more, I think.

When it's really hot outside, Bert hides under the deck to stay cool.









What a cute face!!!

Just like all 9 week old puppies, he may play hard, but he also sleeps hard...

He's so peaceful when he's asleep.

Lookin' Good

David and I took a walk through the house early this time. It looks great. They've just about finished the outside. The only thing lacking is a bit of brick around the doorway and a window sill on the bay window. The walls are all taped and floated, and it's really looking like a house.

The house is gorgeous!

Looking into the house from the entry

Beautiful bay window

Living room

Upstairs in the game room

Garage

Walls are going up

So during our occassional "drive-bys" this week, David and I noticed that nothing was happening. Oh well, maybe next week, we thought, but then yesterday a lot changed. We decided to stop by on our way to a graduation, and lo and behold...we had walls! The brick on the other side of the house is complete, and it looks like they're almost done with the stone on the front. Not too much longer, the outside will be complete. On the inside, these guys worked all day putting up our walls. Most of the downstairs had walls, but they had yet to begin the upstairs areas. It's really looking like a house now.


It's really starting to come together on the oustide. I can't wait to see it all complete.









Looking into the house from the front entry. Some of the windows and doors haven't been cut yet.



View from the back windows to the front door. The very front, around the garage and going upstairs hasn't been done yet.






Here's the kitchen. Their is sheetrock leaning against the walls, so it's kind of hard to see the little kitchen windows.





This is looking into the kitchen/breakfast knook from the utility room.









Our living room with a great gas fireplace.







David is checking out the master bathroom, which still didn't have any walls and noticed a huge styrofoam cup from Valero inside the future wall, and he made a point of removing it and some other trash before they were forever embedded in our house.



This is the front bay window. It looks like they need to fix a bit of the drywall around that window.

Mother's Day!

David and I were lucky enough to spend this day with our moms. We gave them their presents, and then we went to eat at a mexican food place nearby. After that, they came along with us to search for more furniture.

Furniture

A couple of weeks ago, David and I finally agreed on a new couch and breakfast knook table, along with a small, matching sideboard. What do you think?

Insulation

So last Wednesday we had our "pre-dryall" meeting with our builder. The contracter took us through the outside and inside of our house and showed us the materials that had been used and why. Basically, he just ran through what's on the inside of the walls, including A/C ducts, electrical wires, cable, security wires, gas lines, all of the plumbing, and insulation. He also told us about the brick and weep holes and outlets for moisture to escape, etc. They will begin drywalling the inside next week. We're pretty excited to see what our rooms will really look like. Anyway, the only things noticeably different this week were the insulation and more masonry. Stay tuned for more

One side of the house is completed with the brick, but they're still working on the other side. We should soon see massonry on the front of the house.

You can get an idea of the insulation that has been done here in the front room...

...and here in the front of the house.

Electric, Cable, and Shingles, Oh My!

David and I walked through the house this afternoon to check things out, and they're still getting stuff done, every week. The most noticeable when you drive up, is the brick work on the side of the house and the shingles covering the roof. They've also done all of the electric work and cable. I'm told the security wiring was supposed to be done this past week as well, but I'm not sure what that looks like to know for sure if it's been done. At any rate, someone has gone through the house on a pre-inspection walkthrough and made their remarks on the walls, studs, floor, etc. for things to be fixed before the official inspectors come around. They should be around next week, because a week from this Tuesday, they'll be starting drywalling the house. We have a "pre-drywall" meeting with the builders on May 12, so we can get another official update and ask some questions. All in all, it's looking good, and we're excited about the progress.

The shingles have almost been completed. There are a few spots left to go, however.

David and I were pleased with how the brick looked up on the wall. Like I said last week, we weren't sure that it was the right color, but now that we see it up, it's definitely looking good.

The stone for the front part of the house has also been delivered...

...Unfortunately it looks like the driveway took some damage from the delivery.

There are lots of wires and outlets everywhere now.

Be careful! Those are live wires!

David spotted a piece of artwork left in the rafters of the gameroom by one of the builders...it looks like a demonic turtle, doesn't it?