A Re-Introduction.

If anyone is still kind enough to be following "323" and me after a [gulp] three month hiatus, I probably have some explaining to do.  Part of me thought you were sick of looking at a pile of lumber.  But if the real truth be told, my beloved 323 and I were engaged in a bit of a lover's quarrel.  I mean really, did she have to test my love with the the eleventh hour reveal of termite damage??   Oh, and then there was the "water in the basement episode" which had "never happened before."   Mmmhmm.   But, I digress.  We have reconciled and are committed to moving on...thanks in part to the installation of drainage tile in the basement, a rock star sump pump, a termite contract with a local pest company, and...most importantly...signs of progress:

To be continued...

Our First 4th at 323.

The combination of the Independence Day weekend and the constant smell of smoking BBQs made the walls of our rented condo officially close in.   Committed to salvaging the holiday, the Mr. packed us up for an impromptu trip to Home Depot.  We emerge with a grill, charcoal, mosquito coils and a renewed spirit.  With a Costco box turned table, a bit of plywood and a bottle of wine, we successfully rang in our first celebration at 323.

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What a Steel.

Hardly, actually...the stuff costs a fortune.  That said, 323 is ready to stand in as the neighborhood storm shelter.  

The much anticipated steel beams arrived and were installed this past week.  As a result, we are projected to be "fully framed and under roof" in a short 4 more.  The hot, dry weather has been unrelenting, but for us, it is exactly what the construction contractor ordered. 

A quick look at the front...hmmm...something's missing...

Foundation & Footings.

Another busy week at 323.  Among the happenings was the news the sunroom we had intended to keep intact was "structurally compromised," and would need to be torn down and reconstructed. [insert gulp here.]  On the flip side, my wish for fair weather was granted, and great progress was made on the addition.  Temporary support walls were erected, the rear brick wall was almost entirely removed, and plywood was installed to conceal what would otherwise be a big, giant hole.  

The foundation and footings were on the week's agenda, and I was downright tickled to see the cement truck pull up on Tuesday afternoon.  

A large pipe was assembled, and literally loads of the grey stuff was pumped directly through the house and in to the backyard. 

A sign of things to come...welcome to our kitchen and family room!

And finally, another shot of the constantly changing back facade .  I don't think we can call  it an "upgrade" just yet.