We Are Tree Killers

Our little piece of Florida swamp land saw some major changes during the last two days. The footprint for the house and the surrounding area were cleared of the pines, cedars and other fauna that populated the land there. Trees that have weathered hundreds of storms and have been silent witnesses to Florida's development during the last century fell unceremoniously to the ground within seconds.

While it was sad, it was also tangible progress for us and a much-anticipated step out of the gate. We made every effort to keep the oaks on the lot as they were luckily outside of the footprint, and we were also glad to save a few palmetto trees.

We are still awaiting the final engineering report, and thus the ability to go to permitting. In the meantime, we are ordering a heap of patience.

Getting Anxious

We are getting anxious to break ground.

We ordered windows and the HVAC system this week. The window order was a nail-biter, but I succeeded in adding the phrase "too matchy-matchy" to the project manager and the building supplier's vocabulary. I could hear the "cha-chings" in my head, but I want to make the right choices for this home while being a good steward of the money we've allocated for this project. Sometimes, I have quickly found, it's a delicate balance.

Randy has cleared some of the lot himself, and we expect clearing for the house will begin soon. This week, we hope engineering reports will be finalized so we can proceed with permitting.

Paperwork!

The plans are done, the builder is chosen (I think), and we have started the paperwork. Before we can go to permitting, we have to have approval from the architectural review board, which has prompted us to begin making some choices, choices I didn't see coming just yet. For instance, the ARB wants to know what color the screens will be on the back porch. And yes, screens only come in three colors. So I have to wonder, at one time did one of our neighbors cause a big bruhaha by spray painting their screen hot pink? So while I was racking my brain between black, charcoal and gray, I decided that we will need a hearty sense of humor as we continue on the journey.

Could this be our new home?

Here We Go

In January, Randy and I had the opportunity to buy a lot on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in North Florida. Randy, an avid fisherman, had always dreamed of living on the water.

Our first step in the process was to build a dock, which was completed this summer. We have already enjoyed many lazy afternoons and fun evenings on the dock with family and friends.

We are currently working with a residential designer on the plan for the house, and we are almost finished with part of the process.  We are very much looking forward to breaking ground on our new house!