Thursday, December 22, 2011

Get this party started!

The party has started here at our house with CJ and Grammy already here and others coming over the next few days. Tonight we went to see a giant Christmas tree made from tumbleweeds in Chandler (only in AZ;) and had gelato at Enzo's.

We've been here before and wanted the guests to experience the genuine Italian atmosphere and dessert. While We didn't expect the full italian concert that we got last time " Volarrrre". We did get to witness first hand the camaraderie between the owner and Their guests with we welcome and hugs. Enzo was out Christmas shopping so his wife was manning the counter. Grammy loved it and went back for a last sample of tiramisu.

Last we headed out to Awatukee to drive by the decorated cactus all lit in a billion tiny white lights ... Another ax original. The big discussion question was how they ever get those lights on a prickly cactus?

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

More house photos

I hope you enjoy these pics as they show more progress on the house. We are still on track for a late Feb finish.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Cowtown

Vickie and I got away this weekend to a cool place about an hour from home. Wickenburg is a small town on the way from Phoenix to either Las Vegas (north) or Los Angeles (west). Originally founded as a supply stop to service goldminers during the gold rush, it later became an important place for ranchers to move cattle onto trains to Chicago.



Today it has turned itself into a CUTE cowboy town and much of the shops are reliving that era. We visited the cowboy museum which was WONDERFUL and walked around town to see the lifesize replicas of people from 140 years ago.





 And the place we stayed at had more cowboy stuff than you could imagine. We could never live in this much clutter but it sure was homey and warm. Just perfect for a restfully time.





We also visited the preserve and took a gentle walk around this un-characteristicly wooded area, saw butterflies, a roadrunner and a flowing stream which gave water to the stand of cottonwood trees in this small area. The registration and information building was located in an old main house from a dude ranch that was built to attract visitors from Phoenix who took the train to this small resort of yesterday.


If you need a getaway from the heat of the desert this is a nice place to try. We aren't experiencing as much heat right now, which made the spot even nicer with the warm sun on our walks.

OK, back to the real world.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Wow that was fast!

A week ago we were looking at a foundation frame ready for pouring, and here we have our new house...


Look, I have no idea how they did this so fast, but it sure does give us more to show in pictures.




Monday, November 14, 2011

Ready for Concrete

It may look like a small city, but these pics, taken on Sunday show that the house is ready for the foundation.  The metal cables are all in place so that when the concrete is poured they can be tightened some each day to prevent cracks. 


this little copper pipe is the incoming water feed.

Here is a closeup of a corner.  The wooden frame holds the concrete pour.  And finally the pipes sticking up in the air are the drain pipes.  All laid into the trenches we showed last time.

Now all we need is the concrete, oh yes and the rest of the house too.  maybe next week.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Phili cheese steak gone southwest?

If you have ever been to the Philadelphia area for good eating at lunchtime you know that there is a serious competition for the best Cheese steak sandwich. A foot long roll is stuffed with thin sliced beef steak that is chopped and cooked on a grill with onions, cheese and whatever else you like. The food is deadly but delicious.

Enter the southwest version -- funniest interpretation I've ever seen...




Wouldn't you know we had the opportunity to try one of these puppies via . Niki's Kitchen was offering a $10 bargain Groupon offer my dear wife signed us up for ...we just had to try one! This place was a combination of Indian fry bread, Philadelphia steak sandwich, and a bit of the Polynesian island of Togo thrown in.


V had to try it...


Yep...it actually was really good. Now the truth be told there was little resemblance to the original. But when you are 3,000 miles away, even a fry bred sandwich sounds good.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Breaking ground on lot 162

The big dig has started...we went by the property this weekend and this is what we saw...














You will notice a few things:
Wood frames have been placed to pour the foundation
Trenches have been dug for the utilities water and drainage
The house next door has been framed already

It happens pretty quickly after they get started...very exciting!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Details, Details, Details...Signatures, Signatures, Signatures

We did it!  We got through the maze of home purchasing details...and signatures.  There were many of each.  I'm not certain if you can imagine how many details there are to a new house...faucet finishes, cabinet door handles, extra outlets.  

To illustrate I have inserted a picture of the floor plan...now you may be more interested in where the guest bedroom is *as I would be* But I don't know if you can see them -- there are little triangles placed in the master bedroom, den and great room...this is where we selected the phone jacks would go!  Now how fine-tuned is that?   Imagine decisions like this in every room in the house.   


Not complaining, just sharing some of the joy of it all :)  One thing is certain, it will be beautiful when it is all in and done.  We'll keep you posted on the progress once there is some.  They break ground in 2 weeks!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Design expert

Aunt cookie arrived and spent the weekend - boy am I glad. She is clearly an expert in home furnishings, we can rely on her to safely navigate the waters on a million decisions.

I know we had good reason for confidence when the laptop opened and a full analysis of the builder's website unfolded on day of arrival Categories, priorities, budgets, upgrades, included features, spec home visits, Starbucks...these are a few of my favorite things (smile).





Saturday, September 10, 2011

A new chapter in the Move ...Cardinal Street

A new chapter in the story of The Move has begun. Almost 14 months following our move to AZ. Yep, we signed the papers today for a place of our own in Gilbert, AZ!


Now before you pack your bags, please understand that the place is not quite ready for visitors. Actually it is a small patch of dirt right now. Not very pretty. It will get better over time, in fact if you like construction, this will be an interesting blog to watch, cause I'm hoping to show the progress of our new house over the next 5 months.


In the mean time, I do have some shots of the model that will give you an idea what the rooms (not the decorating) will look like. First, here is a picture of the same model (cayman) home in the neighborhood with the same colors and stone that we chose.





Here is a picture of the front patio done with lots of pavers,



and the study in the model home. The decorating is a little heavy but still not bad looking.


And the master bathroom with the same glass block shower we selected. The cabinets and walls may not be the same, but this gives some idea of what might be chosen.


Here is a picture of the back patio taken from the master bedroom. You can see the sliding door to the breakfast nook and part of the small backyard.


And finally a shot of the man-made lake with small waterfalls at the entrance to the development. We will be a short walk from this area, where there are some benches to sit when it's not too hot!



So what are we waiting for? First, the papers get submitted to the town, and once they have permits they can break ground in about two weeks. We will be able to visit and inspect all along the way.

In the mean time aunt cookie is coming next weekend to join us at the design center, where we have to make selections on a multitude of possible upgrades to everything from flooring to lighting, faucets, appliances...you can even choose what kind of toilet. more pics to follow of that blessed day (8 hour of it...should be lots of fun ;)

We are praising God today, and hope you will join us, for his every provision...in this case more than adequate shelter and every other good gift from his hand.