Septic Tank Arrives

Arriving at the house today to work in the basement, we were surprised to see new lawn decorations.  The new septic tank sits waiting for installation behind a big backhoe loader.

The old tank will have to be broken apart and removed, then this new one will go into that location.  However it will need a much bigger hole!

Stationed near the edge of the ravine is a small backhoe. The shed used to sit behind the decorative concrete block wall, but has been moved out of the way.  It will eventually be put where the small backhoe is sitting.

We appreciate that Calvert County approved paying the cost of the tank by the Bay Restoration Fund.  Our property is in the Critical Area, within 1,000 feet of the Chesapeake Bay, so it is a top priority to reduce the amount of nitrogen going into the Bay.

Watering the new plants, I looked into one of the basement window wells and was surprised to discover this turtle sitting in the bottom.  It is big, I would guess about 14-15 inches long.  When I picked it up, it was definitely angry, opening its mouth wide and glaring at me.  So it is not surprising that it is an Eastern Snapping Turtle.  That is a new one for my list.   

Tree Planting

Most of the work over the Memorial Day weekend was in the basement.  We spent most of two days cleaning up the construction dust and debris.  There is still more to be done, but the laundry room and bathroom are usable.  So for the first time in seven months we could do laundry in the house. 

Yesterday we planted the new Acer Rubrum 'Brandywine' tree in front of the house.  It is on the left in this photo, with the stakes.  It will provide shade from the hot afternoon sun.  Curiously the new tree is already taller than the paperbark maple already in the ground for over 10 years.   Our plan is to dig that up and move it over closer to the sidewalk sometime in the autumn.

It is the end of the season for the peonies and iris, but a few are still blooming, along with the acanthus, chives, and penstemon. It has been a gift to be able to work in the garden and get my hands back in the dirt.

Close But Not Yet

Eight months ago, in September, this is the house we lived in for almost 20 years.  

 

This is the house now, with the new addition and front porch.

 

The changes inside have been dramatic also.  Here was the fireplace end of the Great Room.

Now the stairs to the basement have been opened with space for TV alcove.

The old kitchen;

and the new kitchen.

This was the sun porch with jalousie windows, 

which became the library with new windows overlooking the bay.

The 1960's bathroom

updated for another 60 years.

The office with drafty, large jalousie windows,

replaced by the new office.

The electrical and plumbing inspections were passed with no problems. However there is a stomach churning uncertainty the county may require a costly update of the septic system.  I will be having more sleepless nights until that gets settled.

Forbidden Entry!

We drove down to the house because I had someone coming for spiritual direction.  On the way down, our contractor sent a text message saying the final coat of polyurethane varnish on the floor is drying, and we could not walk on them.  Sure enough, each door had a note taped on it to stay off the floors until Monday.  Fortunately my office has porcelain tile floors, so I could meet with the person there.  But I did need to borrow two lawn chairs from a neighbor. 

We could see that the house number sign has been installed and the cedar applied to the pillars, which all looks good!  The house may get done in the next week, depending upon when the cable gets re-installed and the various inspections are done.

Getting Close to Finishing?

Today was the first day without rain this week, so we went to the house to begin catching up on the gardens.  The orange mesh fencing was the first thing taken down.  We no longer need it to protect the labyrinth.

The view from the garden to the front porch looks good.  The cedar planks are now on the pillars.

While we are in the garden, the second major project was replacing the large catch basin at the lower side of the labyrinth.  The three front downspouts now feed into a pipe that empties into this catch basin.  A large pipe goes through the berm under the juniper bushes, and out the other side and down the ravine.

When there are heavy rains, as in one of two inches an hour, a 2-4" sheet of water runs through the labyrinth.  Hopefully this catch basin will handle the flow.

Going inside, the bathroom is almost finished.  The cedar shelves have been installed along with the medicine cabinet. 

There have been varying problems with electrical switches in odd places, three way switches not working properly, and a couple of the fan switches not working.  I hope everything gets worked out soon.

We have ordered a house number sign online, and it is traveling from North Dakota on UPS as I write this.  We need it installed before the final inspection can be done.  But there are still lots of hook ups needed, such as the gas stove and the cable line.

Speaking of the stove, it is finally in place, even if the gas line is not connected.  The dishwasher is also installed and working.  We used the microwave today to warm up our lunch today, and it worked!  I need to move on to the next picture so you can see that.

David has wanted a drawer microwave so he doesn't lose counter space.  So there it is at the far end of the island. You can see the refrigerator is also installed, and working. 

You may see the top of the stove covered with dirt.  It was in the basement, and everything down there has a layer of fine dust.

Here is a view of the kitchen end of the Great Room, with the French Doors out to the Library, previously the Sun Porch.  The floors were stained and varnished two weeks ago.  This is just the first coat of polyurethane. 

Finally, a view the other direction with the media wall and fireplace.  See all the dust on the floor!  It is on the walls, window glass, and cabinets.  Everything will be thoroughly cleaned before we start moving back in.  Hopefully in a few weeks.