Getting the Finishing Touches

This last couple of weeks have been especially exciting.  The carpet was installed on the first of March, then the next day we got an astonishing two-and-a-half inches of snow!  Some of you may be snickering, but getting that much snow in Georgia is a rarity - and definitely a good reason to go home early from school and work.

Stephen and I spent a lot of time spreading pine and wheat straw around the house, as one of the county requirements involves covering any disturbed earth.  Of course, when we chose to move the house forward (out of the sinking mud), we ended up with a much larger cleared area.  So, we covered everything within 20-23 feet of the house and hoped the inspector would show us some mercy.

He came Tuesday of this week, leaving us with a list of twelve items to "correct" before he will grant us our certificate of occupancy (which we need in order to transition from a construction loan to a permanent loan).  Not only did he tell us to cover every bit of ground, he also instructed us to coat the walls and doors of our unfinished bonus room with primer.  He also wanted to see our propane hooked up to prove that the gas cooktop is functional.  I made a valiant attempt to control my breathing as I thought about how we could get it all done quickly. 

Builder Brian came to our rescue.  After reminding the inspector that we've had a great deal of rain (and some snow, too) since we broke ground, and that we also expect several more days of rain this week, the inspector agreed to lighten up on the straw issue.  However, when asked if priming an unfinished bonus room is a new part of the building code, the inspector snapped at him to "just get it done!"  You take your life in your hands when you question an inspector.

In order to speed things along, Stephen went out to prime the walls that night and I spent the next day filling out paperwork for the propane company and meeting the installer to determine the proper placement for the tank.  I watched in frustration as the pouring rain transformed the driveway and surrounding area into muddy rivulets and pools.  The fresh crush and run (gravel) in front of the garage might as well have been quicksand, inspiring me to call the local tree services to see if we can't get a load or two of wood chips to cover some of the ground on either side of the driveway.

Our propane tank is scheduled for installation tomorrow, and we're hoping the inspector will deign to come out just afterward.  Maybe, if he's in a really good mood, he'll give us our c/o.