The project begins...

Who knew that getting a new septic tank could be this exciting?

The boys were observing which lever was for what purpose, and hoping he would dig up a treasure chest. :)

At last we are seeing some action here.  Getting the new septic system is the first step.  With it in place, we will have use of one bathroom (since it is near the new tank it can be hooked into the system right away) while the addition/reno is going on.  Just one toilet, one sink and  one shower - but it makes all the difference!  Can't express how glad we are about that.

And, oh joy! we'll have the use of our washing machine.  We'll have to plumb in some water taps in the basement for it.  Soooo nice not to have to make trips out to the landromat.  We won't be able to use the clothes dryer, though, since we'd need natural gas hook up.  I'm hoping for a dry summer.  The clothes line got taken down with the deck, so we're making do with a few ropes hung up between the front porch and the trees.  It's a little rustic looking :-/ but it will do the job. 

Our front porch area has gotten a new look.  I expect that we'll be spending more time up front this summer and I wanted to give the porch a fresher, more open feel.  We pulled out a few cedar trees and small shrubs, and replaced them with hosta which we had growing on the far side of the house where no one ever goes except to cut the grass.  A simple, free improvement, and though it certainly won't win any awards, it works for me.   Now, to wage war against the spiders that feel they have a right to build webs everywhere...

We have to get used to the idea that our yard isn't really our yard for now, but a construction site.  We normally have so much privacy; it's kind of strange to have people coming and going and taking over our space.  But a much bigger concern is safety.  Somehow we have to keep our kids out of the way of the trucks and machines and off the driveway.  They are so used to just blasting out the door without a thought to any of that.  We've put some strict rules in place, are training everyone in those new rules and have to be vigilant at all times.  We've also put those annoying things on doorhandles so the littlest ones can't go out without help.  And for Nadia we picked up a harness which she has to wear while she is outside, with the idea that she is never unattended even for a minute. 

Whatever it takes....it's a small price to pay.

On Tuesday we'll be seeing a parade of trucks come in bringing the sand for the septic bed.  Then once that is all in place, they'll be digging the hole for the addition.  Again we'll have front row seats since they'll be digging right outside the patio door.  What fun!