overall progress...

so we did get some good new today in regards to the loan... basically, the bank will give us as much as possible based on the appraisal. it may not be what we've asked for, but it should be enough to get a lot done. and what will be left we will scrimp and save and do as we can. we know some really respectable people who have lived with OSB countertops for a while... if they can do it, we can too. our frustrations with trying to do this in the midst of a spiralling economy have not gone away... but we ultimately have faith that modesty in our budget now will hopefully pay off in a few years when we do want to sell this house in a hopefully healthier economy!

so progress continued at the house today... the concrete arrived and the footings are poured. i hadn't posted photos from the weekend yet... i was too depressed to do it last night. so here goes... friday to today:

BOBCAT!!

robby dug out for the crawlspace

have i mentioned that we're having a great time doing this together?

so, i have used a standard nail gun a thousand times.... but a framing nailer is a whole other beast. it weighs a lot and has a powerful recoil blast... so robby made me practice. it was scary...

sunday morning: dunkin' donuts! and ryan (hero #2) there to help...

the boys digging out for the footings...

shirts off... for the boys at least.

i did my share... or all that i could handle. (i could barely move on monday)

footing central...

i got tired after that and didn't get any more photos sunday. robby and i got rebar and got it set in and tied together, and covered everything up for the rain that came monday. we were exhausted.

but it was worth it... we passed our footing inspection!!

today at 4:00 the concrete truck arrived...

i was oh, so helpful today...

i had to at least play a little...

and we made our mark. it will get covered by the brick on friday, but we will always know it's there.

self portaits along the way... we really are loving this.