Moved in - Update

November 11 - Veteran's Day and an update from the BettsBerm. We have been very busy the last two weeks - moved into the berm (short video of trailer), and therefore lost our internet connectivity. But, as of Friday we are back online and in contact with the world.

What has happened since our last posting - this will be a long one.
Outside - the siding is all in place except for one gable end - a pretty light gray which blends very well with the metal roof and the back garage. I will get some good shots later this week after the forecast rain. Today, Dave finished off the driveway with gravel and stone. That should make it cleaner and as soon as the siding is out of the garage, I will be able to park inside.

The kitchen - cabinets are in place and beautiful. Mid-Maine Furniture did a fantastic job - they are variegated hickory and the wood patterns are intriguing. I have posted some pictures in the Gallery. I also have the hardware now and later next week it should be mounted. I had to order the drawer pulls since I chose the old fashioned cupped pulls. The dishwasher is unpacked and the farmers sink in place for the plumber Monday. Tomorrow Dave and I hope to mount the oven hood although it won't be functional yet. The range needs to be connected by the propane company (electric oven and gas burners). We need to make a template for the slate countertops and get those ordered. We picked out the slab of slate when we got the sink.

The bathrooms - we have been soaking in the soaker-tub every night and the sink is in place (also awaiting the plumber). Dave has tiled the vanity top and the floor of the shower bath. That one is dark green slate with winter gray grout. We are searching for a slate sealer that won't yellow or hurt the stone but give it a little shine. Know of anything?

It's warm! The radiant heat is very comfortable and slowly drying out the dampness leftover from so much plaster and tiling. We are not holding the daily solar gain though and the furnace is running often. Of course, that will be helped when we finally get the insulation in the ceiling. We are also thinking of making use of some quilted window coverings in the evenings to hold heat inside. I am doing some research on those.

Next decisions: door styles, floors in living room, study and bedrooms, and the wall between the back splash and cupboards in the kitchen.

Guess that is it for tonight - please check out the Gallery. I will try to be more prompt on future pictures and postings.
Last Gallery Uploads

sharon_betts passive_solar berm

From house to trailer

All went well and we are now homeless (as David says). The closing went smoothly and we picked up the 29 foot trailer. Things are a bit muddy and it is still pretty cold, but the trailer is now in place (after a lot of frost heaves from Auburn to Industry).

We hooked up the generator and moved the necessities into the drawers. The dogs are quite confused, but very interested in the smells and roaming area. As a matter of fact, that can be a problem until we get a fence up. They spent the first night in the garage -- Milos managed to find a jug of liquid plant food -- which ended up all over his nicely made bed. He must have just played with it as he had no side effects. So, Sunday we moved a kennel (which was already there) into the garage and they now have a safe secure place to stay -- or a jail. Hopefully, that will help Dave to stay sane.

The furniture was due to arrive today, but I had to come back to work. I plan on a visit tomorrow. I will try to remember the camera and snap a picture of it all stacked in the garage.
Keep your fingers crossed for an early Spring here in the northeast. I have started an album for summer / construction pics. There are only 2 shots there now, but it should grow over the next few months. You can see it here:
http://www.sharonbetts.org/photo/thumbnails.php?album=19

The countdown

Wow - it was a busy weekend as Dave and I packed up boxes and prepared for the Friday closing. Ryan and Robyn came by and stuffed her Subaru -- they plan on being back sometime this week to re-fill it. Micah was there to say hi. He got his stuff earlier-- he is presently sharing a house with an old friend and they took some of the excess furniture. It is too bad that we will be moving further away from them; I hope they make the trek up to see us (at least occassionally).

Today, both Dave and I were on the lot, but not together (that seems to be the status lately). Things are looking good there and drying out daily. Everyone keep your fingers crossed for the weather this Spring.

No pictures today -- but I will post a few of the "summer-house" after we park it on the lot. 4 days to closing............

Boxing and Planning

Closing is now set on our Wells house. David has been busy setting up appointments with the General Contractor, the electric company, etc. And then there is the challenge of a final floor plan. We can easily design the perfect plan, but unless we win Power Ball.... Well. Anyway, we have one that has been given to our contractor for an estimate. I will put a copy of it here as soon as I can sketch it out. It holds true to our berms on 3 sides, south windows and 2 bedrooms. I managed to get my dream Tulikivi stove included (at least in this draft). If you don't know about Tulikivi, (TWO-lee-KEE-vee) soapstone fireplaces and ovens, check out: http://www.mainemasonrystove.com/ This distributor is only a few miles from where I am working and I visited them a few weeks ago. The warmth of that soapstone and beauty of the unit completely won me over. And since you can bake a pizza in 4 minutes in the oven, made it even more desirable.

So, we are packing and shuffling -- look for the plan here soon. Sharon