Re-inspection, cleaning footings, and spraypainting.

Posted on by David Maxwell

I arrived at the farm right at six. It was still relatively cool, and I took advantage and started cleaning the concrete and dirt off the footings so that I can seal them up and backfill the foundation. Even with the slightly lower temperatures I was still drenched with sweat within minutes. I didn’t have gloves and using the breaker bar was pretty rough on my hands, but I powered through. Once it started to get really hot I went inside and started laying out all of the plumbing fixtures. This involved spraypainting the floor. It was helpful to see it all mapped out.

The building inspector came a little before noon. I passed this time, having made the corrections that his colleague required. We actually ended up talking for close to an hour. He has a fifteen month old son, so lots of conversational topics. A while after he left my dad came by to get his lawn mower, and we talked briefly. The next visitor was my neighbor down the street Ron. I had met him a few weeks ago when he stopped by, and he came today for a little tour. He was very complimentary about the house. We talked for quite a while. He is a teacher in town, and we actually know a couple of people in common.

After Ron left I worked on the footings a little more, built a small wall in one of the bathrooms (in order to accommodate the tub), and started forming up for the pads under the HVAC units. I hit the road a little before seven. Traffic had cleared and the drive was uneventful. Liz and Luke were doing well. He was pretty calm. Liz and I discussed the electrical plan for the house, as the electrician wants to discuss it tomorrow.

Georgia in the morning, Luke and Liz in the afternoon.

Posted on by David Maxwell

I drove down to Trenton, GA around seven this morning. I took the back roads just because. There was only one woman at the store and she couldn’t operate the forklift, so she called a guy from their other store. He didn’t do a great job of loading the siding, but it was probably the best he could do. I took the interstate to the first Monteagle exit, then took Highway 41 down the mountain. I took a new route to Tullahoma, then proceeded through Shelbyville and Chapel Hill to the farm. After quickly unhooking the trailer I drove up to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Nashville. I was looking for a tub since the guy in Boaz never responded to my email. They didn’t have any so I came on back to the condo.

Liz and Luke were there and almost immediately I had a dirty diaper to change. And about three more in the two hours since. He spent some time in the pack and play, and we just did a bit of tummy time. He has nursed and taken a bottle of formula too. Hopefully he will nap soon.

All good things come to an end.

Posted on by David Maxwell

We left the mountain about ten this morning and came back to reality. Fortunately it was a nice morning on the mountain before we left. The weather was glorious and we weren’t in a huge rush to get going. We had time for a two mile walk before leaving. The highlight of that was seeing a small fox on the greenway. We drove the interstate the whole way home, stopping only for gas in Manchester. I got out at the condo and Liz and Luke headed to East Nashville to hang out with some of her friends. I spent the afternoon catching up on paperwork related to the house. 

Another active day.

Posted on by David Maxwell

The mountain continues to be magical. And I continue to be lazy. I didn’t get up for sunrise again this morning. I did at least manage to take Luke for a 3.22 mile walk on the greenway so that Liz could have a chance to shower and relax a little. There were a number of people out. It was fairly humid but not too hot, and Luke slept for most of the time. I really enjoyed breathing the fresh air and seeing the beautiful scenery along the path.

We all took a little mid-morning nap and then drove down the mountain to Kimball. Our destination was Jesse’s Grill, because Liz wanted a hamburger. We both got burgers and sweet potato fries; mine was pretty good. This was our first time going out with Luke and he only fussed a little, then stopped once Liz held him. Fortunately there was only one other couple in the restaurant. After we ate Luke was hungry again, so Liz breastfed him in the car for about forty minutes before we took a new route back to the cottage. It sure was a lot cooler up on the mountain than down in the valley.

We went on another nice late-afternoon greenway walk. Two miles. Luke was pretty relaxed. Afterwards we drove around campus. The goats had gotten out of their pasture and were all over the road. Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture. Their keeper said the electric fence wasn’t working and they took advantage. It was quite the sight to see.

Dinner was sandwiches. I had hoped to take another walk after dark, but Liz was tired, Luke was fussy, and I was a bit sleepy too. It’s a shame since it felt wonderful outside and walking on the greenway after dark could be a fun adventure. Maybe next trip.

Two months!

Posted on by David Maxwell

The little man hit another milestone today. I am incredibly grateful that he is still alive and healthy. He continues to grow and develop. And fuss. He has transitioned from newborn diapers to size one. He is also wearing some 0-3 sized clothes now. At Piggly Wiggly they have some baby clothes with their logo, but just size 12.

I woke up early this morning but didn’t have the energy to go out for sunrise. I went back to sleep and everybody stayed in bed until about 7:30. It was a pretty lazy morning just spent hanging around the cottage. At about eleven we went for a 2.25 mile walk on the goat trail. It was fairly warm and sunny although the shady canopy covering the trail helped keep things fairly comfortable. After we returned to the cottage and Liz and Luke got situated I drove down to Trenton, Georgia. I just took the interstate to be quick. There is a building supply place there with good deals on siding. I had been before and their inventory is a bit hit or miss, so I wanted to check on things before making the drive with my trailer. Fortunately they had the product I wanted and a sufficient amount. They were selling the pieces for $6.99 each, but I asked how much of a discount they would give for buying 200, and they said $5.99 each. So that was a nice treat. Less of a treat will be driving them back over Monteagle mountain to the farm. It might take two trips. I think I’ll drive down on Tuesday. I took the scenic route back to Monteagle and stopped for a late lunch in South Pittsburgh at a little burger joint I had been to before. I had a cheeseburger, fries, and a soft-serve ice cream cone.

We continued relaxing the rest of the afternoon. Unfortunately Luke didn’t want to nap. Around seven we returned to the Mountain Goat Trail and hiked another 3.25 miles. It was really pretty and tranquil out. The walk was a little much for Liz though. She got really worn out. We agreed that tomorrow we will try to take more, shorter walks. After a quick shower I again picked us up dinner at the Mountain Goat Market.