Overwhelmed!

After being in Texas for 5 days and coming home to ALOT going on in ministry I arrived at Shannon & JoLynn's for our Friday night house meeting with red rimmed, puffy eyes. I'm exhausted! I just keep reminding myself to take a deep breath and not allow the "stuff" to steal my joy. Though I must admit that I'm not finding too much joy in shopping for ceiling fans. They're all dumb. I mean, lighting fixtures in general aren't easy to pick - shape, glass, color, to dim or not to dim, does that match that....the list goes on. I know, I know - don't let it steal my joy! Sorry for the rant!

Shannon had a good meeting with the log guy. He got lots of our questions answered, and in general it seems like he's more comfortable. We found out that Kuhn's Brothers will be having a log raising in Macomb, Il in March. We'll actually get a chance to participate in a log home going up. That's awesome! I'm really excited about that.

I think the tree saga is coming to an end! Remember the first guy who stood me up? Well, his brother (who actually owns the company) called me while I was in Dallas. He was asking if I would give him a chance to make it right... so we scheduled a meeting at the land for late this afternoon. I told him he better not stand me up! He showed up, and was awesome! He is interested in "selective harvesting" some trees, including harvesting the ones I need taken down for my view. Only 9 trees total - woo hoo! He's thinking he'll do it in 2 weeks - and he'll be able to do them all on 1 day. He'll actually take them down and winch them to the top of the hill. Crazy! I can't wait to get pictures of that happening! So they're forgiven! :)

So I think Shannon's list is bigger than mine this week... honestly, at the end I was having such a hard time staying focused I have to follow-up and make sure I didn't miss anything! I think my job this week is to follow-up with a friend (Doug) who I'm hoping can help us with some plumbing questions, and continue pricing out the rest of my flooring and light fixtures. My list is way more fun than Shannon's... although he does seem to light up when he's talking about big tractor thingees that we will rent to haul the heavy stuff around....

Mud & Frost Walls?

So Shannon and I met the excavator and concrete guys at the land on Thursday. We got there a few minutes early and took a little walk down the ridge. Guess what? My new work boots look like they're about 20 years old!! It was super muddy!! I have to admit it made me feel pretty cool to have mucked up boots... :-)

So the guys got here - talked about all kinds of things I know nothing about, including 13' basement walls. 9' floor to ceiling and 4' underground for frost. What?! I just nod my head like I totally know what they're talking about and wonder how much that's going to cost! They were both really nice and I enjoyed the experience. I can't wait for the day they start to dig!!

By the way - I got my quote back from Pella, and at this point I'm pretty sure I'll go with them. I loved all of the windows I picked out, and its a better deal than the log home company can give me.

I'm off to Dallas for work the next 5 days. Shannon's going to meet with Dominic (the log home guy) this week to talk through some questions....

I can't wait! I can't wait!

Windows and what's outside of them!

On Monday morning I met Ryan & Amy Palm out at my propery. Ryan is the owner of the company Designer Concepts, Landscape Architecture, Inc. Amy and Ryan are good friends of mine and Amy I served together in ministry for many years. It was awesome for me to stand on my land with Amy and Ryan and dream out loud about my plans for the property. Ryan is super supportive and encouraging and I'm very excited to see my master plan! One of the things I have said from the very beginning of this journey is that I don't ever want to have to mow the grass! Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy - but it's part of the reason why I wanted to live in the woods. I have a very busy life with family and friends, and in ministry that I didn't want to to spend time mowing if I didn't want to. Thankfully, Ryan assured me that I made the right decision. Because of all of the trees it would be very hard for me to grow grass. YAY! So for all of you thinking "then what the heck is your yard going to look like?" - it will be landscaped around the house with small pebbles and stone. Oh, and lots of YELLOW flowers! (That's my favorite, ya know!) Anyway, Ryan had me bring lots of pictures of the things that I love - and he'll put together a master plan for me. I can't wait! Check out their website at www.designerconcepts.biz

I left Amy and Ryan and went to the Pella store for an appointment with the window guy. That's been a huge unknown piece for me, and I've been really worried about it. Shane (the window guy) was great! Super helpful, and full of really great suggestions. He talked me through all of my options and had good solid advise for me concerning the bathroom windows. I have windows around the corner tub and wanted to make sure I had an easy way to close them up! ;) We also had the chance to really talk through the wall of windows in the great room. It's all about the view from the great room and I want to make sure I get it right! That's been challenging the whole way - knowing with a log home you can't go in later and make changes! What I do now, is how it will always be!

Shannon and I are meeting with excavator and concrete guys tomorrow afernoon. How exciting! This is something I know NOTHING about and I'm so glad that Shannon is helping me. I feel like I'm learning a whole new vocabulary...words I've never even heard of before!

I have to tell you that I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. I have days that I'm totally freaked and think I'm crazy - but mostly, everyday I am blessed and I'm really finding joy in the process. I'm trying to treasure every moment of the journey, and I'm looking forward to the road ahead of me.

Friday Night Planning

Spent the evening with Shannon and JoLynn (and the twins of course) working through the budget worksheet (yuck) and windows! The budget worksheet - well, it's easy to use - just scary watching it all add up!

JoLynn and I spent time measuring windows and drawing on the floor plan. I feel confident in all of the window sizes and am ready to get some bids. I'm excited to have that piece figured out!

I'm meeting with Ryan the landscape guy Monday morning (we had to cancel last week because of the weather.) I'll keep you posted!

Cool Boots, A New Tree Guy, Survey, and Front Doors!

So my very cool sister Molly took me shopping for some "big girl boots." Let me just say that this does NOT involve shopping at the mall, or any other frequently visited store by girls and their credit cards! Farm & Fleet (for you girls - this is like a FARM STORE) in Morton, Illinois is the place for sturdy work boots. I was starting to get a belly ache over paying $80 bucks for ugly boots, but Molly assured me we would find some cute work boots for me! Sure enough - I found some very comfortable, brown CAT boots with steel toes and everything. I wonder if my voice is deeper when I wear them... just kidding. They are actually really great, and look a bit like my Doc Martins...

I called a new tree guy this week, and let me tell you it was so refreshing! I called and told them about my project, where the land was and that the trees I need taken down are all marked. Rick (the new tree guy) told me he would run out there that very day and call me back. Sure enough, he called me that night and gave me a bid! I always thought Rick was a good trustworthy name! I'm still on a hunt for someone to actually buy the trees once they come down, but I'm not giving up hope! I have alot of really great leads and am hopeful to make some good contacts this week.

Why didn't someone tell me how expensive it is to have land surveyed? YIKES! I feel like it's really important to have it done, I was just shocked at how much it cost. I guess I didn't realize there was so much more to it than the guys in the cute orange vests and there tripod thingees... So, suck it up and get it done. Okay, okay....

A fun project this week - picking out a front door! Pam (another cool sister) and I took a little trip to Lowes this week. I picked up some brochures and started researching entryway doors. So fun! I knew the one the minute I saw it! I love it when that happens! So one more thing off the list....check!

I'm meeting a highly recommended landscape design guy tomorrow morning. I have lots of pictures of what I like - hopefully I won't overwhelm him! I'll keep you posted how that meeting goes!