A Foundation

^^ Wild strawberries in the field ^^

Last year, on the fourth of July, we made the trek down to Ithaca to meet with Sarah about designing our house.  We talked with her about possible layouts and what we wanted in a home in general.  She gave us some really great things to think about, and we left with so much excitement about what we'd be taking on.  And here we are, a year later, finally getting started on that project that was really just a dream at the time.

^^ Foundation excavation in progress and our excavator deciding what to do next. ^^

^^ Footers poured and ready for walls.  And John contemplating his bike. ^^

^^ Reclaimed insulation that will be used in the foundation. ^^

Foundation work finally started last week.  Rain and some other variables held us up for a bit longer than we would have liked, but the footers are in and the basement walls should be poured early next week (fingers crossed for tomorrow).  The first load of lumber will be arriving then as well, which means that we should be able to start vertical construction by the end of next week.  Since we're starting later than we would have liked, it will really be a race to the finish to get our certificate of occupancy by fall.  We'll just have to put in longer hours and hire help where we might not have originally planned, but the goal is to be living in the house by fall.  Then we'll spend the winter and next summer (and years after that, really) doing the finish work.

^^ My mode of transportation from the camper to the site. ^^

Life in the camper has been an adjustment, but we've settled into a routine that seems to be working pretty well for us.  I'm sure everything will be turned upside down once we're working every night, but it'll all work itself out somehow.