A New Chapter

Last we checked in we were still in the South.  After spending time in Texas we headed home arriving back in Iowa in time to have two weeks to finish packing up the last 10% of our belongings and move them to storage in Ames.   We moved to Lost Island KOA, Waterloo, IA on the 26th of March and signed the closing papers on the 28th.  Due to the cold weather we stayed at the KOA for 20 days until Ledges State Park, Madrid, IA opened for the season. 

Between now, 21 April, and the middle of July, we will be rotating between Ledges and Saylorville Lake COE, Prairie Flower campground.  Hopefully, by the end of July, the sewer, water and electricity will be available at the lot and a pad near the side of the house will be leveled where we can park the Airstream.  Nothing is definite, but that is our hope. 

Today is the big day; we start the BIG DIG!!!  This day has been a long time coming.  We started the planning back in January 2013.  It is very exciting to see plans that Dave has spent hundreds of hours designing finally coming to be.

Facing south

Standing on the north side of the basement looking southwest.

 



Looking toward the back of the house which will face Northeast; this will be a future patio.

 

Warning:

 

This blog will not be documenting much travel the rest of this year; it will be devoted to the building of our new home outside Ames, IA.   We are so excited!!!  You can expect LOTS of pictures of the house in progress.  We were fortunate the rain held off and went around us today.  Now if the weather will cooperate for a few more weeks until the basement is poured, geo-thermo wells are dug, septic dug, water lines ran in along with the electricity.   I don't know the exact order of progress but will learn it as we go. 

 

 Dave and our builder, Jeff, have all the details between them.  I'll just be reporting and taking pictures.  :)  Oh, and handling the finances.  Also, the interior details....yeah, I do have a bit to do I guess.  So far, Dave has been responsible for all the planning, but going forward I will have some work to do also.  :)   I have to say I am very proud of Dave's project management skills and the amount of details he has laid out in a very impressive spreadsheet. Jeff was really impressed.  Said he hasn't had that amount of detail outlined for him from any previous owner/general contractor.

 

Hope you will check back in with us as we document this exciting time in our lives.  We also have some additional news regarding our son and daughter-in-law; they are expecting our first grandchild in October and are also in the process of buying a home.  They expect to move into their new home in August.  This summer is going to be a very busy and exciting time for our family. 

 

We are very blessed and thankful for all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon our family. 

 

Hugs!

The Jones

KT and Nacho too!