Retrospective

Every once in a while I get in the mood to writing about something.  So I thought I would take a break from the house updates and write about one of the Air Force's newest recruits, then Trainee and now Airman.

Last week Monica and I had the privilege to watch our daughter's fiancé graduate from Air Force Basic Military Training.  For those of you that have not had the chance to witness all of the graduation activities, it was much different than it was 27 years ago of me.  I remember graduation parade, but that is it.  Festivities began on Thursday morning with the Airmen's Run.  All of the graduating flights ran from their barracks to the new Basic Military Training Reception Center onto the drill pad while singing Jodies.  Corinne and Monica were able to see Corey as he came running by in his flight.  Later that morning they had the Coining Ceremony.  This too was pretty cool.


The Airmen were then put on Base Liberty for the rest of the day.  Airman Farmer's Flight won best PT Flight so they not only got Town Pass on Friday afternoon and Saturday, but also Sunday.  We enjoyed dinner downtown with Corey's parents and then some home cooked food at our house on Saturday.

Needless to say, we are VERY proud of Corey Farmer.

Listening to all the ceremonies and watching the young Airmen really got me to reminiscing.  My friend John G. framed it very well.  It is the joy of having served my career and knowing what young Corey has ahead of him.

Things like getting my 5-level, making Senior Airman and Staff Sergeant and going from the new guy on the block to being trusted by my supervisors to training those that came up behind me.  I remember the camaraderie among my friends, tacking on the stripes of my friends and getting mine tacked on me. There is a certain brotherhood (or sisterhood) among the military that I don't think you have in the civilian workforce.  Something can only come from months of training and knowing that you can count on your wingman.  He or she has the same training that you have, and are there to make things happen.

Half of my assignments were overseas.  I always found those units to be closer-knit units and you did things with your coworkers on the weekends too; you looked out for one another.  Stateside assignments seemed to be more like jobs and folks went their separate ways at 1630 on Fridays.  I really value the friendships I made over the years.

I remember making Technical Sergeant and thinking that it is time to start studying for Master Sergeant so I could achieve my career goal of becoming a First Sergeant.  Up to this point I only had one assignment over 3 years.  I always tried to keep working on the next goal.  I had a supervisor when I was an Airman that told me to ALWAYS take each opportunity as it presents itself even if it doesn't seem that attractive.  I kept that in mind throughout my career.

Earning my diamond was another special time to me.  Here is another group that I felt was pretty tight and we looked out after each other.  Becoming a First Sergeant was the highlight of my career.  It was long hours and hard work, but well worth it.

These are just some of the highlights of my career.  We are very excited for Corey and the prospects that lay ahead of him and our daughter Corinne.  We wish them the very best as they embark on their life together in the Air Force.

Here is a link to the pictures from graduation week.

Pictures and Videos

Thanks for listening.  Talk to you next time!

Roofing paper, PVC and PEX

Time for another update.  We have some roofing paper on the roof as that part of the project is getting closer to shingles.  The plumbers have been in to rough-in the plumbing in the walls.  It is definitely nice to see this new activity.  Another fun activity was seeing the cabinet maker's drawings of our cabinets and the kitchen island that includes our wine barrels.

I have also been doing some planning and coordinating regarding our wine room/closet.  We have decided on the cooling unit for the room and how to duct it.  Also spoke with the builder regarding the insulation of the walls and the vapor barrier.  Pretty soon we will have to continue our research on some of the wines we want for the room.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a5jlq58lakv5z7q/AAA4dOknRkEYU2b6VrtWDH5fa

enjoy!

A roof over our heads

So here we are at the beginning of August.  The roof is decked and today we saw a few windows installed.  Almost makes it start to seem a little more real.  The house will soon have some roofing paper on.  We had a little communication hiccup with our builder.  I relied on my conflict resolution skills that the AF taught me to get through it.  LOL.  I don't expect any more issues.

We had a meeting with the builder to finalize stone, stucco and shingles…  good times.

Enjoy!

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a5jlq58lakv5z7q/AAA4dOknRkEYU2b6VrtWDH5fa

Looking more like a house...

The framers have made some good progress in just a little over two weeks of framing.  The pictures do not do it justice.  There is a lot of work going on that just doesn't come through.  Something I learned last week, which makes a lot of sense; custom built homes, the roof is put up board by board.  These guys have built their own little scaffolding out of 2x4s and 2x6s.  It looks like an erector set of little ladders and platforms.  Very impressive.  Today there was a bit of rain and slowed them down and made the rafters and scaffolding slippery as they have climbed all the way up to put in the top ridge int he roof.  Once they get the roof done, I expect the rest of the framing to do faster.  The builder gave the framers 30 days to finish…  that would be 23 July… time is money baby!

Here is the link to the photos.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a5jlq58lakv5z7q/AAA4dOknRkEYU2b6VrtWDH5fa

Taking Shape...

A house needs walls.  Well, at least to start.  So we have walls.  We can now walk the floor plan.  It is pretty darn cool.  This week saw a lot of changes.  I am hoping that sometime this week the trusses will be put on, that will really give it some definition.

Anyway, here is the link to the June folder.   The framing is the latest update.  Enjoy!

June - Framing

Hard as a ROCK!

We are the proud new owners of a great big slab of concrete!  I am still amazed at the amount of forethought and planning that goes into building a house.  There is more to a slab than the concrete.  I updated the dropbox with photos of the slab prep through the concrete pour, which happened today.

Framing starts Monday!

Concrete Slab Progress

In the beginning...

In the beginning… it was an empty lot that Monica and I created a vision of the house yet to be.

Everything must start with a good foundation.  That is essentially where we are at the moment.  I have loaded the photos for May.  The forms went up and plumbing rough out was complete.  Next week, the back fill around the plumbing will begin with the concrete to follow.

Things are getting interesting.  Every time I have the opportunity to speak to the builder or sub contractor, I learn something.  Discussions on their particular task and how they do it or why they do it that way.

Some have said that building a house with your spouse is trying.  All the decisions that must be made and that you really find out how far apart the two of you can be.  I have to say that things have gone pretty smoothly so far.  Monica and I discussed everything from appliances, brick color, tile choice and of course bathroom layout.  We have found room for compromise so that both of us are happy with this build.  I hope that it continues and she gets the house that she wants.  She deserves it.  :)

I have divided the photos in the following link by Month.  For May you will find photos on the foundation and the plumbing rough out.  I also have a folder for shots that I will be taking around the perimeter of the lot looking back toward the house.  There is also a folder for random things.

Enjoy!

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gjlh80c2jrd5eae/AACI-6f5YucSrmSwqMoSReHta