Mini Update

I don't have a whole lot to say, so I'll let the pictures do the talking again.

Dad's making progress on our window for above the front door.

They fixed the cabinets so there is room for the microwave, however, the microwave that has already been delivered is way too big for that spot.  We don't seem to get answers over email very well lately, so we've requested a meeting with Victor to go over every room in the house and get an idea of what is left to be done and timeline.  This will be one of those things we talk about.

They started to install the range hood.  They can't finish it until we have power, but they needed to install the base so they knew where to do the tile backsplash.  The tile was supposed to start yesterday, but it didn't.

After having two identical bathtubs in the garage for about a month and a half, they finally got rid of one of them and installed the other!

Power to the People, Please?

Angry, mad, irate, livid, pissed - none of those words accurately describe my rage on Friday.  I had every intention to blog about the house Friday afternoon, but I was so angry that I just couldn't.  The reason I was angry was because we received an email from our team at Bob Ward that informed us that BGE wasn't going to run the power line until August 20th.  On top of being whatever the strongest word for "angry" is, we were heartbroken.  The house is so close to being done and this sets us back another month.  We've asked Bob Ward what can be done to speed things up and if we can at least get into the house to paint.  We're still waiting to hear back on those things, but we're really hopeful for positive outcomes on both.

Saturday, we decided to drive out to the house anyway to see if any of the random tasks on the inside were completed (they weren't...), and as we drove in, we saw two BGE trucks in our driveway!  I think we were both running out of the car to the trucks before Steve had the car in park (I'm exaggerating, but trying to convey our excitement)!  We spoke with a very nice guy from BGE who told us they installed a new utility pole which was something we didn't even know had to happen.  We asked about the August 20th date and he said that seemed pretty absurd to make us wait a month before we have power.  He was going to say something to his people that we are ready for power and he highly encouraged us to tell our team at Bob Ward to put pressure on BGE to run the line.  He even told us that Bob Ward has more pull than they think.  Our first task tomorrow morning will be to let our team at Bob Ward know that!  We are also thankful that a few friends of ours have reached out to let us know that they know someone who works at BGE and that we can reach out to them too.

That's pretty much it for the blog.  Since nothing has changed at the house, I don't have any pictures to share.  Sorry about that.

We're Stoned!

I have a few updates to share, the most disappointing of which is that "July-ish" is now a definite no-go.  It's looking like mid- to late-August for move in.  Here's why...

First, we still haven't heard from BGE about when they are going to run power.  They did let Victor know that they inspected the pre-work they required of Bob Ward and that we are good to go.  But they haven't returned calls from Victor, me, or Steve regarding when power will run to the house.

The cabinets in the kitchen that were incorrect have been ordered and will be delivered next Wednesday and installed that Friday.  The subway tile back splash in the kitchen will be scheduled for probably Monday the following week.  We're still waiting on a few random things inside the house to get done, but the only "big" thing that remains is flooring.

The most exciting update to share is that we finally have a stone-front house!!!  Carlos (the stone guy) still has a few finishing touches to add tomorrow, but it is pretty much done.  I'll take another picture tomorrow when his truck and scaffolding aren't in the way.  All that's left for the exterior are shudders, painting the columns and door, and gutters.

Garage doors

Start of stone!

Stone almost done!

July-ish

As we get closer and closer to completion of the house, we are getting more and more people who ask when move-in is.  My response:  July-ish.  Contractually speaking, Bob Ward has to have the house done by July 22 (five months after breaking ground).  However, the next clause in the contract explained that five months is "weather permitting," and we did have some snow hold us up back in March, so we can't hold them to July 22.  I don't know if it's because I'm excited, or anxious, or stressed, but I feel like everything is moving at a snail's pace right now.  Not a lot has changed on the inside of the house since last week.  There are still appliances that haven't been installed, the barn doors for the pantry and master bath haven't been installed, subway tile hasn't been installed in the kitchen, and the list that feels never-ending continues.  We still need floors too, but we know that's not going to happen until we have power so the hardwood can acclimate to the environment.  I know we are so close to the finish line, but it just feels like we are crawling to it.

The only appliance that has been installed so far.  Steve tested it and we are hooked up to gas already!

Concealed the sprinkler heads

The other thing that affects move-in is BGE (the power company for the blog followers who are not local).  I mentioned in a previous blog that they gave Victor (our superintendent) a few tasks that needed to be done before BGE ran power from the road to our house.  Those tasks included running a PVC conduit underneath the driveway for BGE, having septic and storm water management installed, and leveling out a spot for the transformer in our front yard.  The transformer spot is ready to go and the PVC conduit has been installed.  They worked all day Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday to finish up the storm water management installation.  Maryland code now requires gutters to drain underground, which is great since we are on a well (this will refill our aquifer).  It kind of puts a wrench in our plans for the rain barrel system we had planned for the garden, but Steve says we can still make it work.  They started septic yesterday too.

Storm water management

Start of septic

Still no sign of stone on the outside of the house.  We were told weeks ago that it was going to be installed two Mondays ago.  Just yesterday, we were told that they were waiting on the grading and the storm water management to be done before they even ordered the stone.  So I have no idea when it is starting at this point.

I know the tone of my blog today is coming off a bit negative...ok, maybe a lot.  Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely glad to see progress, but I'm just frustrated with having a little less than 2 weeks left in our current house and I'm pretty sure we won't be moving into our new house within that time.  There's a lot going on with packing our current house (the series of pictures below depict Sophie's idea of helping us pack), coordinating storage units, what goes to my parent's house, what do we do with our pets, delivery of furniture and other appliances that we had to buy, among other things.  I'm stressed and that's putting it mildly.  It is July 7th and there is a lot of July left, so I guess we are still on track to move in to the house "July-ish."  But if I'm being honest, I am pretty sure "July-ish" includes the first week or two of August.

Our "helper," Sophie

Let's end on a positive note because I have a really cool story, but the only pic I have doesn't do this story any justice.  I drive past the house every morning on my way to work.  I like knowing if anyone is working or not (I'm obsessed, remember?).  Thursday, I drove by and in one of the lots that will share the common driveway with us, right by the road, was a bald eagle sitting on a small tree.  As I drove by, it didn't really register with me until I had just passed our driveway.  It finally dawned on me, so I turned around to take a picture because how often is a bald eagle in your front yard?!  Technically, it was in a future neighbor's yard, but close enough!  I started to walk toward it to get a better picture, but they must have really good hearing because I was nowhere near it when it started to fly into the woods in our backyard.  It was really cool to see (especially right after 4th of July!) and made me so excited to be living there soon!  Hopefully we see it again when we live there!

MURICA!