Today is the three-year anniversary of losing our home to wildfire. One-thousand-ninety-six days. Thankfully, we’ve reached quite a few milestones in the past month and a half. The finish line is in sight, but we’ll still have hoops to jump through when the seasons change and we can get crews and materials up the mountain. … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 156
I think we discovered one reason we are still unhomed. And the subtle homophobia infuriates me. We met with Mr. Contractor and the Sub he hired to do the bulk of the basement construction work about getting the decks done. Because the house is on a slope, we need three decks, each at a different … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 155
This week was a sh!t-show. When the finishing crew began to seal and drywall the seams where the halves meet, they discovered the walls did not meet flush. We can’t determine if the problem happened because the house sat on the sales lot for so long, almost tumbled off the mountain, or if the set … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 154
This past week saw more progress on the basement level. The downstairs level saw progress as they put in the slider and added treads to the stairs. However, we need to return three of the windows for manufacturing defects. (C) 2023, JJ ShaunAdding treads to the stairs. (C) 2023, JJ ShaunDownstairs sliding glass door. Most … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 152
We have visible progress on the house. (C) 2023, JJ ShaunThe basement, with the new siding and windows. (C) 2023, JJ ShaunThe lower windows and siding. Of course, First Reader and I thought more could have been done, considering what the crews accomplished in one day. (C) 2023, JJ ShaunLooking down the unfinished staircase. (C) … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 151
I’ve been staying in close contact with Mr. Sub-Contractor. He’s probably tiring of my asking, “Are you done yet?” This past week, the electrician was up to hook up electricity. Yay, the house now has lights. But not much more. The next task scheduled for completion next week is the downstairs window and door installation, … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 149
One thousand, forty-four days. That’s how long First Reader and I have been un-homed. Our contractor has not done a bloody thing since they placed the house on July 10. Wait, I take that back. They sealed the gables in the days following the delivery. Now, we wait for contractors to decide whether the drive … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 148
Every year, our region experiences monsoon season. A confluence of weather changes in the desert southwest, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Ocean draws moisture in from the south. This moisture clashes with the build-up of hot air in northern areas, which leads to afternoon thunderstorms. One year, the city recorded about six inches of rain … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 147
Now that Mr. Sub-Contractor has the measurements he needs, he’s spent the week getting bids for the project. We communicated late in the week, and he’s crunching numbers, so we should have more information by tomorrow or Tuesday. Having the house on the foundation and not seeing progress is almost more difficult than it not … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 146
Earlier this week, we met with Mr. Sub-Contractor to discuss stairs, windows, siding, decks, and the basement door. Our original idea was to have a wrap-around deck, but with the cost of materials right now, that won’t happen. We opted for a 10 x 10 platform leading into the dining room on the main level, … Continue reading Rebuilding the Dream, Pt 145
A piece of my scattered mind.
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J.J. Shaun 