A Recap of What We Have Accomplished So Far with Our House

It's a new year - 2005. We started working on our house in 2003. Without the money to hire professionals to make the plan, and work on everything from construction (including foundation up to roofing), to electricals and plumbing, as well as the minor construction work like insulation and walling with sheetrock, we try to make do with what skills we have. I myself have no prior knowledge with building, especially a house built in this kind of climate. With my hubby's explanations, I'm beginning to learn the why's (I used to wonder why in foreign movies, the walls were very easily destroyed by hurtling a man's body onto it. Now I know that it is not made of cement and that it is hollow. And now I also know that wood is a better insulation than cement and is less expensive.) I began to understand more about the dynamics of air (hot vs. cold) and water (good thing I have a very good understanding of the basics of fluid and air dynamics from physics lessons from high school to college; if not, I would be gaping at my hubby every time he explains something).

So, before we actually start doing something this year, here's a recap of what we have done so far:

2003

april - cleaning the site, water pipe
may to june - foundation done
june - laid the radiant heating system, cement floors and erected the first wall
july - proceeded with the skeleton of the house (walls and joists and rafters)
august - finished roofing, added doors and windows


From this point on, the plan for the interior is pretty much flexible. We try to arrive at a final plan inside as we get the feel of living in it. We also install electrical wires as we feel necessary. (Well, we usually make it a point to have an outlet every 2 ft along the wall, enough for working with the vacuum cleaner anywhere in the house without needing an extension cord. But we keep in mind not to overload the lines.)

september - My boys and I arrived; worked on temporary shower/bathroom/toilet and sink and countertop
installed major appliances (washer/dryer, oven, dishwasher, fridge); bought dining set
later purchased and installed fiberglass shower/jacuzzi and toilet; phone line activated again; computers set up
I worked on fiberglass insulation in preparation for the cold weather
Gary started working on the main furnace in a room within the garage.

october

november- jacuzzi installed

december - furnace and chimney in living room installed; chimney
stairways made

2004

january - insulation and plastic sheeting of living room finished
- enclosed the washer/dryer in the washroom adjacent to the mud room
- started working on the 2nd floor rooms (insulation/plastic sheeting/sheetrockin)
- I made temporary shelves in the kitchen

april - further work on 2nd floor (mudding/sanding)

may - painting the kids' bedrooms; beds made; wirings for power/telephones/computer network installed

june - worked on powerline (transferred main line)

july - Gary transferred his office location to second floor contiguous with Ben's room; worked on garage doors and trims; started on sidings

november - finished sidings; made stairs in the garage door to convert second floor into storage room

Some friends (both old and new) find it amazing that we are building our house almost without the help of people outside of our family, but believe me, if we had the money, we would hire someone else. Although we would probably not spend more for a larger, more lavish housing. We planned this house so that we have enough space to move and for everything to have its place, without being estranged from each other by mere distance and space. Also, as part of our foresight that in our empty nest stage, we will not have a big empty house to see us through until we reach our sunset. Our master bedroom was located at the first floor in preparation for weak arthritic knees...Hubby and I have long decided to live together forever, here and for eternity and beyond, if there is.

On the other hand, building it by ourselves is not so bad...we get satisfaction, we can't blame anyone else if something goes wrong, we learn from our mistakes, and yes...we can rightfully say that this lovenest (which may not be a dreamhouse to other people's standards) is truly one we built with our blood and sweat, and therefore, our hearts will always reside in this house.

Plans for this year:

work on the living room

work on the kitchen

I already have an idea of what I would like to do with my kitchen. One thing definite: I will not have granite on my countertop save probably for a small space where it can take the trauma of hot pots and also serve as my kneading area when baking. That is, if we will have the money for it. If not, laminated countertop will suffice.

I am practical and I abhor lavish and extravagant practices for the purposes of showing off and maintaining image. That's also probably one reason why I created my blogs. A lot of people show off what they have on the internet, and you can very well see the reasons why they are such show offs---they have the money obviously! My blogs reflect the life of a simple family, one that is probably the average (at least in this area), that despite a frugal lifestyle find happiness that is deep, mainly because of meaningful relationships that are not based on money or economic status, but one that is based on love and a sincere desire to help one another...These blogs are no Cinderella type of story. It's more of reality, but very unlike the so-called reality TV shows which really annoy me.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hello Lory,

I checked out your blogsite today and really like it. I too have always wanted to build my own house someday and it is great to see the progress of someone else doing the same. I think my Loree shares the same feelings so hopefully it will get done. I noticed you had it drawn 3-D using Punch software. Did you do the entire design yourself or did you just draw it off blueprints that you purchased somewhere else? I have Punch software too and have several models of houses but not one that I have absolutely fallen in love with yet.
Anonymous said…
Hi Ed,

Thanks for visiting our blogs.

It was Gary who designed it from scratch, but then, his idea of what he wanted with it was based on his previous house that got burnt. With his experiences living in that house, he got more insight as to how to make the most out of the breeze and the sunlight, and how not to have any problems with shoveling snow from the roof. (With the slope of out tin roof now, and possibly because of the material it is made of, the snow/melted ice just slides off.)

We were already engaged and processing our visa papers when he started working on the plan (around February to March 2003). He sent me a copy of the program itself so I could "tour" the house (as he planned it) on the virtual 3-D image. I had several changes/suggestions; we discussed those before we arrived at a final decision. However, the main difference with the professionally made plans was that we only really came so far as to the basic skeleton of the house and the "wheres" of the rooms. As for the interior, we left it hanging, and just make progress as we go along living in it. We take the time see how we would want the wirings before we put up the sheetrock. For the kids' rooms and bathrooms, these are not so complicated, but not for the living room, kitchen and our master bedroom, where we want to install some dimming lights and track (?) lights...

Having spent quite a lot of time now in my kitchen, I am planning on having an island with the stove there. Now Gary has to create a trench inthe middle of our kitchen floor for the outlet for the stove.

Slowly building....
Anonymous said…
Slow building.....but a labor of love. Keep up the web site and I'll check back later to see how things are going. Thanks.
Anonymous said…
St0ck For Your Review - FCPG

Current Profile
Faceprint Global Solutions (FCPG)
Current Price $0.15


A U.S. based-company dedicated to the goal of
bringing effective security solutions to the marketplace.

With violent and white-collar terrorism on the rise,
companies are starving for innovative security solutions.

FCPG is set to bring hot new security solutions to
the industry, with currently over 40 governmental and
non-governmental contracts, being negotiated.

Please Review Exactly What this Company Does.

Why consider Faceprint Global Solutions (FCPG)?

Faceprint Global Solutions (FCPG) holds the exclusive
marketing rights from Keyvelop, to sell the world�s
leading encryption technology to be distributed directly
to the Healthcare industry in North America.

Faceprint Global Solutions has completed its biometric
software that recognizes facial features of individuals
entering and leaving through airports, ship yards, banks,
large buildings, etc.

FCPG acquired Montreal-based Apometrix Technologies,
which enhances the companies mission of being a
full-service provider to the multi-application smart
card industry. The North American market appears ready
for significant expansion of price-competitive, proven,
multi-application solutions on smart cards. Apometrix's
forecast of over 300 customers and sales of more than $50
million in North America over the next five years, appears
very realistic, according to company management.

Faceprint Global Solutions is currently in contract negotiations
with over 40 governmental agencies and businesses seeking to use
their encryption, biometric, and smart-card technologies.

Breaking News for Faceprint Global Solutions (FCPG)

Faceprint Global Solutions (FCPG) is pleased to announce that
IBM will now offer the world�s leading encryption software to
its major Healthcare clients in North America.

With FCPG owning the exclusive North American rights to distribute
the worlds leading encryption and transmission software developed by
Keyvelop, FCPG is poised to capture large volumes of sales generated
by customers currently using IBM�s software in the healthcare and other industries.
�This is a very positive move for FCPG and for Keyvelop,� said FCPG
CEO Pierre Cote. �We are very happy about the decision to go with IBM.
This is a continuation of the progress made by everyone associated
with FCPG and its partners.�

Buell Duncan, IBM's general manager of ISV & Developer Relations commented,
�Collaborating with Keyvelop will ensure that we develop open solutions
that are easy to maintain and cost effective for our customers in the
healthcare and life sciences industry.�

Among other things, this new software technology which is currently
being used by a number of European healthcare companies, is used to
send any file, regardless of format or size. Encryption keys, evidence
of transmission integrity with fingerprint calculation, time-stamping
of all actions and status record updating, pre-checking sender and
receiver identities, validating file opening dates are part of Keyvelop features.
About FacePrint Global Solutions, Inc.

FCPG operates a business, which develops and delivers a variety of
technology solutions, including biometric software applications on
smart cards and other support mediums (apometric solutions). FCPG�s
products provide biometric solutions for identity authentication and a
host of smart card- and biometrics-related hardware peripherals and
software applications. Apometrix, FCPG�s wholly-owned subsidiary, combines
on-card or in-chip multi-application management solutions with best-of-breed
�in-card matching� biometrics. Keyvelop�s secure digital envelope solution
and Apometrix�s on-card biometrics work together to produce the winning
combination in the fields of security, traceability and identity management.
Conclusion:

The examples above show the Awesome, Earning Potential of little known
Companies That Explode onto Investor�s Radar Screens. This sto,ck will
not be a Secret for long. Then You May Feel the Desire to Act Right Now!
And Please Watch This One Trade!

GO FCPG!

Disclaimer:
Information within this email contains "forwardlooking statements" within
the meaning of Section 27Aof the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21B of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any statements that express or involve
discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs,
plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions or future events or
performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward
looking statements". "Forward |ooking statements" are based on
expectations, estimates and projections at the time the statements are made
that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual
results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated.
We were paid a sum of three thousand USD to disseminate this information from
ir marketing. Forward loking statements in this action may be identified through
the use of words such as "projects", "foresee", "expects", "will", "anticipates",
"estimates", "believes", "understands" or that by statements indicating
certain actions "may", "could", or "might" occur. Risk factors include
general economic and business conditions, the ability to acquire and develop
specific projects, the ability to fund operations and changes in consumer
and business consumption habits and other factors overwhich the company has
little or no control. The publisher of this newsletter does not represent
that the information contained herein are true and correct.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang, your blog is creative. Wow! As I was out blog surfing for detailed info on wood working bench plan I found you rpage. Obviously I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I did. If you would not mind, I would like to post your link to my "favorites" page to come back and read again sometime. Should you ever need
it, there's lots of information on this site about wood working bench plan.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang, you have a fantastic blog. Keep it up. I was just out blog surfing for detailed info on old wood working tools when I found your page. Your A Recap of What We Have Accomplished So Far with Our House is a little off base, but I am certainly glad I stopped by. If you wouldn't mind, I'd would like to post your link on my "favorites" page for future reading and reference. Should you ever need information on old wood working tools then drop by and check it out.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang, I liked your blog. Just out blog surfing looking for info on mlcs wood working when I ended up on your page. Obviously I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I found it. I would like to post your link on my "favorites" page for future reference and reading. Should you ever need it, you can get specific information about mlcs wood working at the site above.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang, your blog is informative. While out blog surfing today for specific info on wood working bench plan, I ended up on your page. Your A Recap of What We Have Accomplished So Far with Our House shows that I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I stopped by. I will bookmark your site for a future read, and should you ever need it, there is plenty of information on this
site about wood working bench plan.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang, you have a fantastic blog. Keep it up. I was just out blog surfing for detailed info on old wood working tools when I found your page. Your A Recap of What We Have Accomplished So Far with Our House is a little off base, but I am certainly glad I stopped by. If you wouldn't mind, I'd would like to post your link on my "favorites" page for future reading and reference. Should you ever need information on old wood working tools then drop by and check it out.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang, your blog is informative. While out blog surfing today for specific info on beginner wood working projects, I ended up on your page. Your A Recap of What We Have Accomplished So Far with Our House shows that I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I stopped by. I will bookmark your site for a future read, and should you ever need it, there is plenty of information on this
site about beginner wood working projects.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang, your blog is creative. Wow! As I was out blog surfing for detailed info on beginner wood working projects I found you rpage. Obviously I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I did. If you would not mind, I would like to post your link to my "favorites" page to come back and read again sometime. Should you ever need
it, there's lots of information on this site about beginner wood working projects.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang...Wow! While I was searching for info on wood working kit I somehow found your page. Obviously I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I stopped by for a read. While I am here, I just wanted to drop a quick note to comment your blog...now to move on and continue my search for wood working kit. Should you ever need it, there's lots of information on this site about wood working kit.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang...Wow! While I was searching for info on wood working liquidation I somehow found your page. Obviously I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I stopped by for a read. While I am here, I just wanted to drop a quick note to comment your blog...now to move on and continue my search for wood working liquidation. Should you ever need it, there's lots of information on this site about wood working liquidation.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang...Wow! While I was searching for info on wood working shop plan I somehow found your page. Obviously I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I stopped by for a read. While I am here, I just wanted to drop a quick note to comment your blog...now to move on and continue my search for wood working shop plan. Should you ever need it, there's lots of information on this site about wood working shop plan.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang, your blog is excellent. As I was surfing around today looking for detailed info on wood working vise I somehow ended up on your page. As your A Recap of What We Have Accomplished So Far with Our House is not exactly related to my search, I am certainly glad I stopped by. Oh well, back to surfing and I am sure I will find what I am looking for, and should you ever need information about wood working vise, then stop by for a look. Thanks for the post.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang, your blog is excellent. As I was surfing around today looking for detailed info on wood working store I somehow ended up on your page. As your A Recap of What We Have Accomplished So Far with Our House is not exactly related to my search, I am certainly glad I stopped by. Oh well, back to surfing and I am sure I will find what I am looking for, and should you ever need information about wood working store, then stop by for a look. Thanks for the post.
Anonymous said…
Hi there Manang, a real useful blog. Can you believe it? When blog surfing for detailed info on wood working project plan I ended up on your page. Obviously your site is not exactly what I was searching for, but your site caught my interest. Just wanted to drop a quick note to comment your blog...now to move on and continue my search for wood working project plan. Should the need ever arise where you need information on wood working project plan then drop by for a look.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang...Wow! While I was searching for info on free wood working furniture plan I somehow found your page. Obviously I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I stopped by for a read. While I am here, I just wanted to drop a quick note to comment your blog...now to move on and continue my search for free wood working furniture plan. Should you ever need it, there's lots of information on this site about free wood working furniture plan.
Anonymous said…
Hi Manang, I found your blog informative. While out blog surfing today for specific info on wood working machinery auction, I ended up on your page. Your site shows that I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I stopped by. I will bookmark your site for a future visit, and should you ever need it, there is plenty of information on this site about wood working machinery auction.
Anonymous said…
Get any Desired College Degree, In less then 2 weeks.

Call this number now 24 hours a day 7 days a week (413) 208-3069

Get these Degrees NOW!!!

"BA", "BSc", "MA", "MSc", "MBA", "PHD",

Get everything within 2 weeks.
100% verifiable, this is a real deal

Act now you owe it to your future.

(413) 208-3069 call now 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.