Birthday weekend

It's been two weeks since my last post. It's been busy, both at home and at work. Time to update everyone on what's been going on. On the log home front, we have spent quite a bit of time reviewing the house plans all the way down to the electrical blueprint. We are now done! Yesterday, on my birthday, we met with Ali and Matt to sign off on the application for the construction permit. We have also chosen the septic contractor. If all goes according to plan, Matt will submit the plans to the Town of Huntsville by end of next week. We are very happy with the way things are progressing. I feel like things are under control, and it's a good feeling. Matt and Ali have a lot to do with this. I know that we will most likely have to overcome some hurdles along the way, once the construction starts, but somehow, getting to this point was a bit overwhelming for me, being the detailed person that I am.

As mentioned above, we spent a good part of my birthday in Washago, with Ali and Matt. They asked us to stay for lunch and Casey joined us. Casey will be working on our log home as well. It was very nice and I was touched by the fact that they wanted to celebrate my birthday. They are truly down to earth people and we enjoy their company. I attach a picture of Ali, Casey and Matt, as well as Matt's cows ( no photos of the pigs, 10 roaming turkeys, ducks and honey bees )!

The rest of my birthday was spent a home, quietly with Russell, which is what I wanted to do. Although the weather was very hot, we were able to sit outside in the shade, with a fan on! Russell gave me a camcorder as a birthday gift. I will learn how to use it tomorrow and I intend to make many videos in the future, capturing special moments along the way. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Russell gave me a birthday card which, as usual, made me cry. This one was particularly special because of the words in it. Russell has a way to choose cards as if he wrote the words himself and the cards always seem to reflect a particular moment in our lives. I will cherish this particular card for a long time!

On the work front, I have been quite busy, actually busier than I thought I would be at this time. I have 9 weeks left before I retire. Time is just flying by and that is also a bit overwhelming but I will get there. Until the next post, stay cool!

La grande visite...

We had a great weekend. Mom and Dad were over from Montreal for the weekend and we took them to our lot yesterday. The weather was perfect, we had a nice lunch and enjoyed the beautiful view. They really liked our property and were impressed by what they saw. We were also impressed when we got there as the lot had been cleared of trees and brush to allow excavation for foundation. We actually were able to clearly see where the house will be situated, as well as the garage. On our way to the lot, we saw a deer with its fawn, probably no more than a few months old. It was a very beautiful sight.

We also saw many birds and figured out a way to feed them without attracting the bears. When there is a will, there is a way...

We will meet with Matt & Ali and Denise this coming Friday to review the plans once again, and fine tune the small details. Things are moving along just fine.

Introducing 31 Forest Hill Lane

We now have an address in Huntsville! The rural number 31 was assigned to our lot last week. We met with Matt and Ali on Wednesday to review the house plans one more time. We are pretty close to the final product. Matt also prepared a project timetable, month by month, from now on until July next year, which is the anticipated move in date. We expect to file the permit application by July 20. I attach the drawing of our house, which still needs some fine tuning, but this is as close as it gets. It will be very nice and unique.

After our meeting with Matt, we went to our lot, had lunch and admired the beautiful view. The lake was calm and the only sound we could hear were of the birds and the rustling of the leaves. We nailed an old horseshoe on a tree, pointing up for good luck. We also hung up a windchime. Next week, Matt will start clearing the lot and get it ready for the foundation, septic, and well drilling.

I will post more pictures later. Until then, I wish everyone a nice Canada Day weekend!