Rain Delay

Summer in Missouri.  Hot, humid and rainy.  Wait, rainy?  Yep.  This past week it rained enough near Rolla (an hour south of us) to close Interstate 44 for the day.  We got almost 2 inches of rain here on Thursday and a couple other days including about a half-inch today.

Lucky for us, it drained away pretty quick and the basement footings were poured this morning.  The rain came a few hours later.  Forms for the basement walls will go up tomorrow and will be poured Wednesday or Thursday.

 

 

We looked at siding and stone samples over the weekend and are considering using a local manufacturer of cultured stone.  B & M Stone uses casts of limestone found nearby and re-creates the colors and patterns.  Next is to decide on the siding and roof colors. 

I've been working with an energy consultant and have learned enough about home energy efficiency to make my head hurt.  Like where to add insulation to the footings and basement walls to prevent cold from penetrating the building envelope, what a HERS rating is, the difference between open and closed cell foam insulation and what BIBS stands for (blown-in-batt system).

Tally and Nissa are learning to be country dogs, although they still spend much of their time at the house yet.  They had a great time running up and down the dirt piles after the basement was dug.  Too muddy for them to be out there now.

 

 Is this your room or mine??

 

Begging for a ride in Greg's 4-wheeler.

 

Family has been sharing their garden produce with us, so we've had lots of fresh green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and the ever-prolific zucchini.  Greg shared fresh blackberries with us that were the best.  We've bought peaches, sweet corn, melons and potatoes from local orchards and farm stands.  The funny thing is that the farmer's market on Saturday is pretty small - I guess because so many people have gardens, or have family with gardens.  I do miss the variety of Kerrytown, but not the crowds or parking.

More to come . . .