While on St. Croix.... Redi Rock Retaining Wall

We were on St. Croix for the Agricultural Fair.  While we were driving around I spotted this Redi Rock wall system for retaining walls.  I like it and am going to look into it.  It looks like a mix between cinder block and rock.  I love the texture and large size.   It was being used as a fence wall.  

Have you seen it used? What do you think?

Another Hurdle

So last I mentioned that we had come across a hurdle. What happened was... our contractor informed us that he had expected a lot more rock at our site than there actually is. But since there was so much dirt to dig through before he actually reached a hard rock surface, the columns we are going to need, are going to be significantly longer than initially expected. So, besides needing additional concrete and rebar for the additional height, we are going to need additional support beams at least if we want to continue with our current design. He said that if we shortened the balcony (which is supposed to be 12 feet wide) we could use other support options, which would cost less. However, the balcony size is very important to me and I don't want to compromise on it to save a few thousand dollars. I'm planning on living in this house for a long time and have already imagined the dinners, sun bathing and parties that are going to happen on this balcony. As soon as he suggested shortening the balcony I knew I would regret it for the next however many years, so we will be adding the support beams and extending the column height, which is not only adding to the budget but adding to our construction time. Check out how we are doing.

Happy New Year!

It's been a while.  I hope that you are enjoying the new year.  We made some progress and have run into some hurdles, but we'll get over them. 

Take a look at what's been done. 

Merry Christmas!

I wanted to show you some houses on St. Thomas that are decorated with Christmas lights.  Unfortunately, the power went out for several hours during my photo shoot and only one of the houses I wanted to show you had a generator on. 

It's just more motivation to get solar power.

Enjoy!

We've Closed!

Thats right.  We closed on ourbank  loan last week.  Its about time.  So now we shouldn't have to worry about any delays due to money.  Closing is a great Christmas gift.  Now I need to make sure that we stay within our budget so the bank doesn't cut us off before our house is done.  My wish for the new year is that are columns are up by January 1, 2012.  Am I hoping for too much?

Just think, I should be in my own home next Christmas.

The latest pictures...

What do you want for Christmas and the New Year?

Moving Along

We were supposed to pour the concrete for the retaining wall today, but that didn't happen.  I hope its happening tomorrow.  I didn't speak to the contractor today so I'm not sure what the hold up is.

In the meantime, I am researching fixtures and putting together a wish list.  Got any suggestions?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Speaking of homes, wanna know where your turkey might have been living?  In a turkey coop.

And this one is for sale on Craigslist. (I'm not selling it)

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

5 Walls

We have a cistern floor and walls.  Yay!  Does that mean if we don't go any further we have a pool?  I am very excited, but nervous too.  I am getting worried about all the things that could go wrong, from not having enough money to my contractor turning out to be terrible (he has been great so far, I just worry). 

The back wall is supposed to go up next.  It wasn't originally scheduled to go up next, but since it has been raining so much lately, the contractor wants to put it up to prevent run-off (the mountain from falling).   Then the pillars that will hold up the floor will go up.  We just need it to stop raining so much.

We are going to meet with the contractor this weekend to discuss some small changes to the plans and to look over the budget and make sure we aren't over budget already.

With WAPA rationing water now, I really appreciate having a cistern.  

Its Starting to Form

I didn't get up to the site until late today, so my pictures came out pretty dark.  The crew has started putting up the forms for the cistern walls.  I'm so excited.

On another note, we have finally been approved by the bank and are getting some last things together for our loan.  We have to close in less than 60 days.  If everything works out the cash will flow smoothly and we will be in our new home within 6 months.

Enjoy the view.

Stalled, but made some Progress

It's raining. It's pouring. Pouring rain, not concrete (at least not anymore).

We got started. Yay!  Some land was cleared (again) and the footings for the cistern have been poured.  I hope I'm saying that right.  I haven't got the construction lingo down yet.  The next step is to put up the cistern walls.  As soon as the weather dries up for a few days, the construction workers can get back to work getting the forms ready for the cistern walls.  That should take about five days.  I can't wait.