Thursday, January 14, 2016

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

November and December where busy months for us with the construction of a shed and the house.

The shed is basically complete. Hopefully by 01/15/16 we will have a kitchen counter/sink and loft completed so we can move in. We are grateful for the loaner home, but we want out of it so the owners can get back into their home whenever they want.



The house on the other hand is just a shell without a roof. We were getting worn out of the daily construction of the house. When it was to a stopping point we stopped. We can now be in better control of what is being done. In the next week or so, we will contact the construction foreman and get them back for a couple of days to get the trusses up. After that we will see if we can do the roof metal ourselves or if we need to have the contruction crew back. (A side note on the roof metal. At Midway Wholesale when we sold a roof metal package, screws were the fastening device that went with the package. We even sold the screws in 100 ct packages. Here they use “umbrella nails”. A nail with an oversized cap, no rubber on it. You have to put caulking under the cap. Screws are not found here.)



We will be working on other projects that do not require a crew. Putting up pig pen, tiling floor, installing fixtures, plumbing, painting, etc.

We do have internet at the farm. We use a pocket wifi device and chase the signal around. We cannot get a signal in the shed. We have found a couple of spots outside of the shed that we have a good signal. We place the wifi device in an empty peanut butter jar to keep it dry in case it rains. Hopefully we can better update the blog now.  (Sorry about the time between this post and the last.  We are still working out all the problems of connecting to the internet.  We will try better in the future.



There are two access roads to the farm. One from the north from the barangay road. One from the east from the national highway. It is second gear all the way on either road. Both need rock dumped on them to take care of ruts and holes.



We butchered one of the pigs for a Christmas party for the people who worked the fish pen. A lot of food and karaoke well into the night.





It feels good to have a break from all the daily grind of building a house. Right now there is only the two of us quietly finishing up the shed so we can temporarily move in. No more 11-member construction crew around everyday. No more wondering what to get them for snacks twice a day. Not that I mind doing that. It is a breath of fresh air to have the place to ourselves.

We bought a two-door refrigerator that had been delivered right after the New Year. We also bought a 32'' flat screen and a dvd player to keep JJ entertained. I'm finally able to play my favorite Christian songs on CD while working alongside Michael. I feel like I'm finally home hearing the old familiar hyms. I thank the Lord for this wonderful change of pace – for now, that is.

Until our next blog, have a blessed 2016 everyone.

2 comments:

  1. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO. May the year be what you want it to be.
    Hopefully getting the things done that you want to happen without problems, with enthusiasm, fun and great accomplishment.
    Looks like a lot of work too.
    Reminds me of when we built our house. We had help with the outside but did most of the inside ourselves. Took forever, I thought. And we only had one big argument on how to put it together, of all things it was over a spice area....duh.
    We enjoy your blog. Now that you have it at home will expect a lot more from you on the internet----since you won't have anything else to do....smile.
    Our prayers are with you that you will be able to do what you want, easily.
    We are now in Port Aranas, Tx. off the Corpus area for two more weeks, enjoying the beach and warmer weather. All is well.
    Take care and be well.
    C & E.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. We really do not have internet at the farm, it is turtle net. We are exploring options so our connection will be more consistent. Josh is here and we are at a resort in Oslob, Cebu. Josh and his friend Bryan are here for a couple of weeks and enjoying the sites. In Oslob, we can go swim with the whale sharks. A docile animal. We are using the internet at the resort and it is working great.

      Mike

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