The Beginning of the New Catty Shack

As of today, we are quite far along in the build process. I guess I didn't start this blog or documenting this story earlier because I honestly never thought this day would come. We hit so many roadblocks and have waited so long that I couldn't be sure it would ever be more than a dream Scott and I had. And here we are, with the siding installation on the brink of getting started, and it still doesn't feel real. But it is and we couldn't be more excited. So let's get caught up to present day, shall we?

On September 19, 2017, just 5 days after we signed on the dotted line, we received the first photographic proof of progress. The builders were there breaking ground.

By the following day, they were pouring cement and molds.

By that Friday, we were able to make the 1 hour 5 minute drive up to Vermilion to see the start of the house for ourselves. It was exciting having photos texted to us during the week but words can't describe how exciting it was to see it in person for the first time!

The Month of October

Throughout my research, and going through the experience, I've learned that every so often there is miscommunication between the trades or details are overlooked and mistakes are made. Ours happened to be that the foundation was laid in the wrong direction. They had to pour an extra wall, which they did so right away and in turn we gained an extra 60 feet across the front of the house. The square footage went from 1,499 sf to 1,559sf. I don't consider that a mistake, I consider that a win!

At this point things started moving fast. And then they would slow down. And then it would move fast again. Despite the fluctuating timeline, this build has been blessed with some pretty decent weather. That's a miracle in itself here in Ohio, in the fall.

This was one of the most exciting photos texted to us. It was a Friday and we knew when we got up there after work we'd finally be able to walk around inside the house and see the layout in person. Drawings don't exactly make it easy to know what a design is going to look like in the real world.

When we first walked into the house we noticed that the windows didn't seem right. We had changed the windows throughout the house to 36" wide rather than the 30" wide windows that were drawn on the original plans. But the windows in the house were all 30" and not 36"! Seeing them, we decided we liked them at 30" wide and then turned and looked at the kitchen dining area. I was horrified!

What were these weird little windows in my dining space? The windows throughout the entire house are 5' long and here are these two windows that look more like peepholes rather than windows. Since I have a flair for the dramatics, I obviously overreacted at this point. I even cried. My mind was made up this whole house was ugly and didn't make sense and I didn't want it anymore. All because of two little windows.

Scott tried to calm me down and assured me that this could be fixed. I didn't really believe him but continued the tour anyways trying to take it in through the blur of tears falling down my mascara streaked face.

If you ever tell Scott I said this, I'll have to kill you, but he was right. The windows could be fixed. The framers realized they had made an error and had those weird little windows fixed by the morning. My freakout was for nothing and my house was no longer stupid or ugly and I totally still wanted it. Whew!

The next day, after a glorious Saturday morning spent at the lake, we came back to my inlaws house, sat under the tree and watched as the framers started the second floor. We had plans to leave about mid morning to go back home and do work on our everyday house but knowing we could see some of the progress happen rather than see it through photos that are texted to us persuaded us to stay.

After the framers left, we could not wait to check out the second floor. This involved a precarious climb up a ladder since the stairs are not in yet. Have I mentioned that not only do I have a flair for the dramatics but I also have a paralyzing fear of heights?

Of course, before you leave to go home, you should always fit in some glamour shots

By the start of November, the house was completely framed in, the doors and windows were installed, the screened porch was started and the house was ready for a roof. And then we realized the windows in the dormers were wrong. They are too long. Once all is said and done, these windows will be trimmed with 4" lineals. However, a 4 " lineal will not fit in between the bottom of those windows and the porch roof line. The issue is being taken care of but my advice, when building, save yourself the headache and pay special attention to the windows!

And this is how the house looks as of today. She's got a roof, now she just needs her siding

That my friends, is where we are today. It is my hope that from today on I will be able to update this blog in real time. Considering the fact that once the builder finishes their part and passes the baton on to us, Scott and I will be doing all the interior work ourselves, I give it a 50/50 chance. Here's hoping!