Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The home stretch


It may not look like much, but that trench with the pipe in it is important. A guy was finally able to drive his heavy tractor over that rain-drenched fill yesterday and not sink to his axles as he dug a place for a drain pipe to run from the house to the septic tank. At last, if we bring water into the house, there's a place for it to go when it leaves. The last structural hurdle has been passed. We are celebrating our ability to dispose of our sewage. Who knew????

Detail work on the inside is becoming finer and finer. The wood floors are all in; carpets are now being laid. Trim details are being looked after, as are a couple of small projects that had to wait for this stage in construction. A "preliminary final inspection" will be made this week; after that the electricity will be turned on and the house will be heated. Protective covering from the finished floors will be removed, so we can enjoy that golden bamboo in all its glory. The process begun nearly 18 months ago with the removal of the first strip of paper from a wall in Arlington, this obsession with real estate and houses, builders and yes, sewage pipes, will soon be over. We will occupy our new house within three weeks!

I have no idea what this new life, so long anticipated, will really be like, but I can barely wait to start living it in what I know will be gorgeous surroundings. It's not time to write a valedictory to our current limbo existence, not just yet. Rest assured, though, ideas are percolating. We have been given much. We've experienced abysmal lows that have made subsequent highs seem stratospheric; we have made the happy acquaintance of people in places and walks of life we'd never have imagined, and we have learned.

As long as we are transitioning, that's what I'll continue to report on. Soon, though, it will be time for reflection and just plain enjoyment.

Onward.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats!! It looks like your septic tank is located in the next County. Our septic line is six feet from the north side of the house to the septic tank and drain field. You probably will never know you have a backup problem till it's too late. Man, when it backs up in that line it's been there a few years. Just kidding. I can't wait to read you're moved in. It will be a wonderful life.

splenidd said...

Congrats!!! so glad to see the finish line! Good luck as always

nan said...

Hi there Ralph. That sounds like one mighty important pipe. I enjoyed your music pick for today -- and it signified to me that there may be more transitioning posts to come once you get settled. I've missed you!

Ralph said...

Z&M: LOL!!! The tank had to be at least 50 feet from the house and 50 feet from any wetland so there it is. The field itself seems enormous--it'll make the biggest croquet field you've ever seen!

Ralph said...

Thanks, Splendid! No doubt there will be more to come, but and end to this stage, anyway, is in sight.

Ralph said...

Hi, Nan. I miss you aand all tuis, too, and the life that led to it. But I can't say I'm pining away--been too busy feeling creative and on the edge of a new beginning, even in our life for the moment has devolved to almost nothing but the house. As fun as this has been, I'm really looking forward to evolving some new "normal" and seeing what that's like!

Jeff said...

Ralph - if there's one thing I'd like to do before they close the cover on me is to build a house. I know it seems odd - but I envy you the process.

Good luck with it all - looks like a beautiful location.

What a great place for a dog to grow up ... :)

- J.

Ralph said...

Jeff, I am sorely tempted. I think we'll still have to consult our teenage cats, though....

Linda - SE PA said...

Ralph,

Congrats!

Wonderful news and I cannot wait for the next chapter!

Mim said...

Ralph,
Three weeks, what a spring celebration you will have moving in. Happy for you both... 18months is a long time to wait.