Deja vu all over again.

      If you think you've seen cement trucks pulling up to our construction site before, this may look familiar. Yesterday they came again. This time there were 12 of them.

      The pumper truck was a different kind this time. No elaborate crane flying high in the sky. The cement went up a tube laying on the ground. Actually this method seemed more efficient. Plus the men could move the filling tube around the site easier and more quickly.
      The pour took care of the entire main floor slab and staircase down to the lower level. Also footings were poured for a retaining wall running behind the house. Here are the guys smoothing out the area that will be a covered pavilion next to the swimming pool. It was a hot day! Gallons and gallons of Gatorade were consumed.

      The work started at 9 AM and the guys were finished at about 5:30 PM. That's a long day of pushing concrete around. These guys work hard. No wonder they all look like linebackers. Below is a panorama of the whole main-level site. In the foreground is the master bath, master bedroom and outside deck. This will give you an idea of the view from the bed! The cluster of guys are working in the Great Room area.

      We will be able to walk out on this slab today. I was told that the concrete starts to cure within two hours and is complete overnight. So early next week they will begin to frame up the walls and roofing. Then it will start to feel like a real house.

      Let's get some water into that pool! Got an inner-tube?

Things are rolling along smoothly.

Wow, it's almost the end of January. I understand it's been a bit chilly up north. So sorry. He, he.

      We are now about eleven weeks into our project. Next Wednesday is another milestone. They will pour the concrete slab for the entire main level. Here's a look at the wood framing which will be filled with the concrete. Steel rebar will be laid over the wood. They are working on that now.

      Take a look at our swimming pool. OK, there's a bunch of junk in it. But try to imagine it filled. It should be great...small but great! The doorway below is for storage. We could use more.

        So things are rolling along smoothly. And look what rolled off the boat this week. Ah, yes, the old Mini Cooper. My she's looking pretty good after 12 years. Here she is on the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John. This car is going to be tons of fun to drive on the twisty St. John roads!

      Oh dear, who gets the only garage? Maybe they will have to share? Flip a coin? Any ideas?

Stay tuned for the next posting. We're expecting 12 concrete trucks Wednesday. Sounds like a traffic jam. Stay warm up there. We're putting up with the 85 degree weather down here!