Waiting for Windows

I would guess those who have been following this blog have wondered...so what is happening?  Well, not much.  The crew worked on Sat Framing Day 4 then came back on Monday Framing Day 5 but not much visible work except for small changes and cleanup but the house feels very different.

This is the "pony wall" under the peninsula going into the Kitchen.  It is about 7 ft long and will be about 3 ft wide with seating on the Dining Room side.  Notice how clean the construction is now with all but a few bracing removed...and no nails or garbage on the floors.

This view is standing at the front window area looking up at the vaulted ceiling in the Great Room....here's a test ..how tall do you guys think the ceiling is from the slab?  Give me some guesses.  The winner gets to have his/her name inscribed somewhere on the house.

Notice the barrel openings.  This was the idea of the head framer.  I love it.

Again in the Great Room but looking towards the entrance which also will have a half wall with stained glass above as a divider from the front door.

Isn't this neat?  This is still in the Great Room looking into the Dining Room where the double back door can be seen and the pony wall for the peninsula in the Kitchen.

This is the second barrel opening which goes from the Great Room into the Kitchen but on the other side of the Central Pod.  Yes, I know, you don't know what the Central Pod is but much will be discussed on that Central Pod later.

This is the Master Shower and the crew framed in the seat but it will be ripped out since I wanted it to be masonery.  There is just too much risk that the water through the tile will rot the wood...might as well do it right.  The doorway is wide enough for a wheelchair and of course the pipe coming up the middle is for the drain.  The floor is dropped and when the tilers put in the final floor, it will drain nicely and not get any water on the floor outside.

Another example of on-site modifications.  This is a window that is an awning in the Master Closet.  It is for light and for high Northern ventilation in the shoulder seasons.  The South breeze will flow nicely across the house and out this North window when there isn't a need for AC or Heat.  The Framing plan did not match the window order.  Turns out the window was planned for 24 x 12 inches (they don't make an operating window that small so I ordered 24 x 18 inches.  I caught the discreptancy and the window rough opening was moved up 6 inches.  Works fine since I wanted the window higher anyway.  The framer reminded me that now that window did not match the height of the other windows but that is fine.

One of the things I have been doing is SHOPPING!  Buying toilets, faucets, light fixtures...etc   and a new TRUCK!

BUT, you know that commercial with the mailman and the family wants to return the clown that is scaring them?....well, my truck is trying to get into the house!

This new house I am living in has what I call a minimal garage and the crewcab FORD F-150 just barely fits.  I have to opening the garage door to get into the truck!

It has proven useful since I have hauled stuff to the construction site already.