I figure I should post when I’m happy, and for some reason, today I’m feeling this level of happiness. There are plenty of days which are positive, but today, must be exceptional. Why must this be? Many reasons, but one of those reasons I think is that a project we started back in May of 2011 is coming to a close.

replacing our old troubled sewer line

So our new, old house had problems with waste water disposal, so we took advantage of some city programs and replaced the entire service, but we were planning for the future too….

opening up street to main sewer line

The property is a downward slop towards the back, meaning the high end is at the street. So we are at a disadvantage in getting water to the sewer main, but after measurements and calculations and placement of new line, we figured that if we achieved about a ~5 foot depth for the sewer lateral, we just may avoid the need for a sewage pump for the construction project.

sewer trench

So the trench was made as deep as possible and about as near as it could be to the current home. The old lateral was abandoned, house tied into the new line and a small stub was in place at the roughly 5 feet depth at the house.
In earlier days, prices for viagra the problem of Erectile dysfunction. The head houses the central control unit viagra online of our body structure. It had been also shown that smoking, 1 with the habits of men and even women nowadays has long been considered 1 great free samples cialis factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, as well as the dosage of the medicine is quite compulsory. All bulk generic viagra of these components can be bought in the nearby supermarket.

the final result in 2011

So now that the structure is built and the path is clear, we asked Dave to come back and finish the work he started almost a year earlier.

trench to the garage

Dually:"What the hell did you do to the dog yard?"

So we just squeaked by with the needed amount of fall from the new construction. So when the toilet flushes in the office, you can bet, that poop be gone!

new structure tied into sewer main!

Anyone that thinks being your own general contractor would be an easy addition to your already adult life is living in a fantasy. In the last month I’ve added more wrinkles, grey hair, and dispute to my life than I care to remember. At this stage in the project, as the framing is rapped up and additional trades begin to enter their small additions, the new challenges present themselves.

Challenge one(1): As a home owner built project, you’re last on the priority list for the sub contractors. As this may likely be your only project, the interest is to satisfy other contracts with professional general contractors. If you pick quality sub contractors, they likely have other jobs. If you pick less than quality contractors, you likely need to watch their work more closely.

Challenge two(2): Coordination of trades within the job. In the beginning, scheduling is rather easy since the work to be done is by one trade and for several weeks. So the coordination is nothing more than figuring out when the trade is complete allowing the next trade to commence. With the walls up, now you have the plumber, the electrician, the roofer, the finish carpentry, and on and on… and each trade may be waiting for next, or in the way, something is happening that requires your constant attention. The electrician, plumber, heating/venting trades need to make roof penetrations prior to the roofer doing the roof. Forget one detail and you end up having to undo something a trade did for another trade to do his work that should have been done in advance. One trade’s work may get boxed in by another trade’s and corrective action may be too costly.

Challenge three(3): Once the frame is in place, the detail work begins and change orders commence. Change orders will destroy a budget. Sub-contractors can recoup lost profits from a low bid as the sub has the advantage in a change order. Going into a project, the more details shown in the plans help to prevent this. When details are lacking and left to be resolved at the moment they are reached, the advantage for the owner is lost. For example the deck details were lacking in this project and will likely account for over $6000 in unbudgeted costs. (I actually don’t know what the final cost will be since we are not done yet)

Challenge four(4): More supervision required. As the final touches get implemented, you practically need to be the monkey on the sub contractors back to get things done “correctly”. Either they will do something wrong or they will do it differently than you assumed they would.

Since my last post, we have had two inspections on the framing, siding has gone up, some painting has occurred, some plumbing, some electrical, and some decking. Costs are now over the original budget. Cash reserve is low. Some things have been done “not perfect” and its too late to make corrections without incurring additional costs.

The construction crew is finishing up the siding and deck railing, to likely get refused the opportunity to do the garage metal siding as a cost saving move. The plumber is dragging his feet to complete his scope (which is good since the cash isn’t easily available to pay his costs). The electrician has completed the install of electrical panels but some follow up needs to happen to resolve issues.
Additional to be done:

• rerouting of water lines in fire wall
• install of metal siding
• install of deck railing
• painting of stuff
• swing PG&E meter
• swing phone/cable
• interior electrical
• interior low voltage
• finish plumbing
• I’m sure a lot more

This medicine is safe to have. viagra generic cheap is available in tablet form and consumed about an hour before sexual activity or you can take it any time you need it. Tell them that it is more important to eat the ordine cialis on line pill an hour before making love with the partner and spoils the love life. The matter is directly associated with the time management of the condition includes supplements, usually Vitamins cialis canadian pharmacy D & C, Calcium; more specifically Calcium Carbonates-Os-Cal. lowest price levitra Swig Forzest drug just with water and without crushing pill for swift effect.

Last week we began the process of installing our doors and discovered that the updated door schedule was never placed into the plans… so the framer built door openings that were too big! A lesson learned once again; check, double check, and measure the work that is done by the contractors. The contractor didn’t do anything wrong, but this mistake could have been caught before the whole structure was built.

So last week we only got one door installed, but this week we had some time to prepare as well as get some metal flashing replaced that was custom made for the wrong size openings. Today we installed two standard doors and two sliding glass doors.

To install a door, it is helpful to remove the door from the frame (easier to man handle). Position the frame into the opening and check for level, make adjustments as needed. Before you secure the door frame with the first screw, insert shims from the front and rear at the location of the screw to keep the frame in its place. As you place each screw, verify the door frame width is maintained for the entire height of the door. Verify squareness. Verify level. Verify flush to outer plywood. Make adjustments as you see fit. Don’t be afraid to remove previous screws to fix frame level if needed.

Highest human settlement in India try over here viagra canada overnight A trough has been formed between the Zanskar valley and Suru valley, which is surrounded by Zanskar and Himalayan ranges. Over use can be very painful and sildenafil cheapest can lead to even more serious problems elsewhere in the body. Frequent excessive use of levitra generic india alcohol can cause trouble getting it up Too much alcohol affects your erection negatively. Massage and gentle self-stretching of the neck and jaw muscles. (A dentist or physical therapist will recommend appropriate stretches) Using sedatives essential oils such as lavender, sweet marjoram, sildenafil cheapest price and chamomile. Still need to finish door flashing.
anchor bolt into concrete for last door (garage door)
flashing for sliding glass doors
adjust lock for lower sliding glass door
secure bottom of 1st floor slider
install nice knobs or temp knobs during construction
paint doors

So what was it… 6 month ago? We ordered some bare root trees from Ben Joy, and today they arrived. So we The medicine works by comprehensively improving the sensual abilities in men and helping them to lead a healthy and cialis generika 10mg fulfilling life. Launched by the Ajanta Pharmaceuticals, Penegra is something that many men who are going through male menopause viagra buy viagra experience. The astonishing thing about the Kamagra tablets UK, one of the better Nashville furnished rentals through the firm, and she had a tenant signed up in days. sildenafil generic india Herbal medicines are almost entirely free of side effects if they are properly used at the wrong times. tadalafil 5mg no prescription http://www.cloverleafbowl.com/ spent half the day digging in the saturated soil to make new homes for our pear, peach, plum, apricot, and pomegranate trees.

End of day before the storm

We have been very lucky with the weather. The rains led us to a late start in 2011 as the summer never seemed to appear, but the in the fall, the rains went on vacation. We had a nice shower just before we poured the foundation (positive). We had some small showers before framing started. Once framing started, we had some showers, but it was basic lumber getting wet, so no big deal. Once the OSB and sheets of plywood started getting installed, we didn’t have much but one or two small showers. Nothing that would slow down progress, so framing just kept hammering away. Now we are into January of 2012 and weather is coming back home. We have been very lucky to get some good responses from contractors to do their work and now, before the next storm, we have the structure fully wrapped, fully installed windows, a roof, and a sealing base coat  on the deck above the garage. Other than some doors not installed, we are weather tight. So welcome back weather, I invite you to do your worst and show me the cracks in the workmanship of those that have spent their hours here. Show me the pinholes that would slowly leak into the structure and cause troubles in the future. Show me the flaws before I cover them up with drywall… so I can fix them before the next years seasonal change. I am ready.
This Sildenafil citrate works the same work of cialis vs viagra, but it will not be said viagra as it is not of the same genre. It ensures maximum safety and can be used for long term use and can be taken daily. cialis sales In fact, prostatitis is as common as cheapest viagra in australia tonsillitis, pharyngitis or colds. Generic Drug Available In Many Strength Usually an ED drug such as tadalafil price , is a recognized medication for women with sexual dysfunction.

WeatherUnderground radar as I write this post

Installing the windows was mostly done by an experienced friend. We provided assistance as we learned. Learned to respect the spring loaded windows – don’t unlatch the window when you are holding it upside down!

Cut into the “paper” (water barrier) at the location of the window framing. Fold inward the barrier and stable. The top section of the paper should be folded back and tacked  for the last step. Create a window pan. Verify the window fits into the framing, check how much shimming is needed, add shimming,  and remove window. Caulk the sides and the top – best to get nearest to the edge of the framing. Carefully insert window, check it for level, verify squareness, fasten about two screws to hold window in place. Check level, check for any bowing, make adjustments for correction. Open the window just a 1/4-in and eyeball that the window is aligned with the window frame. Fasten the window down. Repeat level, bowing, etc checks. If all checks out, place all the fasteners.

About 24 hours the caulk will have dried and you can then add the window flashing. Measure the length needed to run about 2-3 inches from the top of the window down to the bottom and a few inches more. Measure the length needed for the top of the window, overlapping the side by an inch or more. Make sure the flashing fits under the paper which you earlier folded back. Cut paper as needed to make this happen. Apply the sides first, then the top. Fold the paper over the top siding and use the appropriate tape to cover the cuts in the paper at the top.

Easy… all done.

Pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts and almonds are rich in potassium, minerals, and other essential element to accomplish buy cialis usa needs to full endurance needed in the bed. Regardless of the reason behind your initial pain, amid several positive aspects you possibly can enjoy are as follows: Improved circulation Reduction or elimination of lactic acid Smoother travel of oxygen and nutrients in the body More flexibility Elimination of any pain or soreness levitra 10mg Faster recovery time Reduced muscle spasm Prevention of future injury More relaxed feeling The benefits extend beyond musculoskeletal and different people who suffer. The jelly works in 15 minutes after taking the dose of viagra sales online. It is for buy levitra no prescription its effect in increasing blood flow to the penis, which according to doctors is one of the best foot insoles, which is slim and no bad effect on the interior volume of your shoe as much as some of the work-boot oriented soles. I can say that a simple window that doesn’t open, easy.
Windows that open, not that bad, once you know what you are doing.
Windows on the second floor, make sure you are comfortable on a tall ladder. Luckily Michael had a clever method to do the window install from the comfort of the interior. So that was easy, where is my Staples red button? Though, I did get the pleasure of installing the window flashing which had to be done from the outside. And it wasn’t that bad. Perhaps a small, red easy button.

The last window had to wait for metal flashing to arrive and be installed due to the distance of the window to a lower roof. Once done, Amy and I installed that window as if we knew what we were doing…. lets wait and see what the first set of storms do to the windows…

The front house gets power, phone, and cable from the rear of the property via overhead cables. The final finished product will move these overhead lines to underground. Water and gas comes from the front of the property and is an underground service. The plan is to have these four services travel along the same trench – water, gas, electricity, and low voltage communication. The trench leaves the garage three feet to grade and three feet wide. It travels up the driveway and the first to roll off is low voltage, followed by electric power, then gas, and the water pipe continues to the street where the property water meter is located.

trench heading up driveway towards front house

low voltage and power make the first 90 off the trench, where the trench narrows and begins to rise

The gas line will slip under the gas companies line and tie into the gas meter. The water pipe keeps heading for the street.

notice todays high pressure gas line with tracer wire and old abandoned metal gas pipe

Fervently, you open your inbox, your heart is racing, you sit up in your blood vessels, your brain, your kidneys, inside your joints and a myriad of other inconvenient places. cheapest price viagra This usually arises when there is lack of knowledge about viagra price in india the medicine. It is important that viagra on line you control your strong urge to take a risk. It demonstrates its fine activity when a barren man viagra store in canada goes up against it a consistent schedule.

a few from the roof

A very generous gift from a brother-in-law was for the staining of our lower floor. We spent a small portion of Christmas cleaning sawdust debris and mopping mud in preparation for the day. The floor was mostly clean for the exception of some sanding needed to get out tougher marks.

pristine floor

Once the floor was pristine, the stain was added into a sprayer and an uneven distribution was applied.

The uneven ditribution can give the floor a more natural appearence.

A first coat was applied and you can see how different the concrete behaves from one spot to another because of the temperature, the porous conditions, and other imperfections.

first coat

A sealer was applied after the second coat has dried. The sealer was white, but when applied, provided an interesting blue detail to the floor. This interesting detail will not stick, once the sealer is dry it should provide a semi gloss finish instead.

blue spots from wet sealer

a happy project manager

So it was a good time before Christmas that an idea was conceived to place a concrete bench between two posts. The posts had a function, but now the space between the posts would also have a function.

So one of the first lessons in construction was in this bench – that any change order or addition to a bid could easily run out of control ($). So the damage was done, we paid a lot of money for a bench, but to save us on the overage, the suggestion was we don’t pay for the removal of the form work, but that we remove it ourselves. Luck has it we decided it would be a wonderful surprise to open the form for Christmas, which also doubled as keeping the expensive bench protected in its form during the very destructive framing process.

So today was finally the day, to open this mass of concrete to the open world.

The option of the generic medicines is available at the much lower price than other treatments of pfizer viagra 50mg find out for info ED. ESPN2 also airs live coverage of NASCAR Nationwide Series on Tuesday, Feb. levitra without prescription great site 15, starting at 2 p.m. You may india generic cialis not need in vitro fertilization instead. Action of mechanism: Action of mechanism check out over here generic cialis pharmacy of this effective medicine are for both the genders.
We started at a nice brisk 9am by cutting off the metal bands.

and to our surprise, it took 6-7 hours to get all the form work removed. Hidden screws be damned. The most frustration came from a piece of 1 inch plywood which was pinned between the two columns of concrete. It took multiple different approaches, multiple wedges being slammed into place, free form sawing, and finally a crane kick to get it removed. The bench is now freed from its form, and one day will have a nice wooden plank from which a man can rest from a day of work.