Roses, Windows, Footings, Ulcers, and Beds

The wild roses are blooming. David's brother, Eric, gave us four little plants about 5 years ago and we planted them along the fence. Now the fence is a solid wall of thorns, with beautiful white roses for a couple of weeks in spring.


We spent a good portion of this weekend picking out windows - sizes, materials (vinyl, AL), dividers, Low-E, Impact Resistance, and so on. It would have been so much easier if we had built a stock plan, but then again, it wouldn't have been our dream home. We decided on the vinyl windows that the contractor gets direct from the factory for a good price. Everyone on-line says that you have to buy Anderson/Jeldwyn/etc. $300+ windows or else. But I can't find out what "or else" means, so we're going for the contractor stock, which are energy efficient, meet the Miami-Dade hurricane pressures, and have a lifetime warranty. We probably will not get the impact resistant windows.

The footings were poured this morning - the concrete trucks were supposed to arrive at 9:30, and the workers had about an hour of work to prepare for the pour, but at 9 a.m., the workers still hadn't shown up. By the time they showed up and started the pour, they were scrambling to add the missing rebar in the pilings and to install the bulkheads where the foundation steps (David ended up donating some spare lumber). The concrete estimates were off, so it ended up taking 4 deliveries by the concrete trucks before the pour was finished. So another day of language difficulties and stress for David. Did I mention ulcers? The end result looks pretty good though:


And a decision of the bed - we bought this one instead. We might be reselling it if the lay-off rumor I heard at work is true. Something about laying everyone off if the strike isn't over in 5 weeks...

Going forward - they should start placing blocks on Friday for the chain wall, although the weather report I heard on the way home said it might rain. It'll take 1-2 days to set-up the blocks, place rebar, and brace the walls. Hopefully we'll get the inspection Monday or Tuesday and will pour concrete mid-week. Stay tuned!