Garage Mahal

When we started discussing our "dream list" of things we really wanted in this home, we both had a few items on the very top of our lists. For me, it was a big kitchen, separate laundry area and a formal dining room. For James, the absolute top item on his list was BIG GARAGE. Well, folks.. he certainly has gotten what he asked for! They framed out the garage this week and it looks amazing!

Here is the foundation finally poured and the framing just beginning on the back wall of the garage:

 It is amazing how quickly the progress happens! In just a day they have the entire garage framed.

And here is James loving HIS BIG GARAGE!

View from driveway. A two car garage door and a one car door.

View looking from back corner of garage to street.

We have decided that the garage is in fact a) large enough for approx 48 motorcycles or 12 Cobras b) very roomy for both the Tahoe and Cadillac and most importantly c) exactly what James wanted!

Born to run (well, maybe not)

James and I start talking about getting into a new exercise regime a few months back and I talked about how much I missed running. I tore my hamstring several years ago and it pretty much made running impossible for me. I had finally been able to run 2-3 miles without any pain and realized how much I missed running. James has never run any distance race so we decided to train for a 10K. We even talked out friend Kerry into training with us. Each week we ran our assigned mileage and slowly built up our distance to 6 miles. Now, we knew we were setting a goal of distance and NOT speed. We are slow runners and are ok with it! When James was a little boy his grandfather told him "Boy you weren't made to run, so we better make sure you can fight!" So, while it may take us longer than others and that's just fine with us.

On Sunday we joined 1,200 other runners for the Wounded Warrior 10K and successfully completed it!

At the finish line!
(Kerry was a rockstar and finished in 58:46, James and I finished in 64 minutes.)



I have decided to keep training and hopefully run a few more 10Ks, maybe a 15K and 20K and even perhaps shoot for a half marathon this fall. We will see how training keeps going through the brutal summer though! James has decided that 3-4 miles is about the longest distance for him so he will be training with me on his bike from now on!

Pouring (and I'm NOT talking about rain!)

Guess what the big concrete truck at the house means??

YES!! We are pouring our foundation! Here are a few quick pics...



This is truly a big milestone and means we will really start seeing the house come together quickly.

Hello walls, goodbye windows

One of the most challenging aspects of this entire process is trying to truly grasp what the house and spaces will actually feel like when this project is complete. James and I have spent hours pouring over the plans and walking through the house, but it's been impossible to really understand the flow of the house when old wall studs are still there and new wall studs aren't there and there is no flooring and the old exterior walls are still there and the new exterior walls aren't there, etc, etc, etc.. you get the drift.

So, this week is the first chance we have had for a glimpse of some rooms really taking shape and being able to visualize what it will feel like to walk in them. The master suite is the first area that they have framed out and it was amazing to walk through the bedroom, closet and bath and spatially understand how it will be. And, y'all.. it's awesome!

These pictures don't do it justice, but the closet is a dream! There won't be any more bumping elbows in the bathroom and I got the potty closet that I wanted too!

We also said farewell to the existing windows in preparation for the framing of the new windows. Have you ever been in a house with no windows? It's weird (and breezy!)


Here is a view of the bedroom and the tray ceiling framed out.

This is the master closet.. hard to tell from the picture, but it's huge!

This is the master bath.

Potty closet!



The hallway bath is framed out too.

These are the new cased openings in the foyer to the formal living room and dining room.
 This will be the view from the front door.

View of the cased openings from the formal living room.

View from the back east corner of the yard.

Up close photo of the new foundation of the garage before it is poured.

We are all ready to pour foundation, but it has now been raining for 48 hours(of course). So, hopefully the weather will get out of Dallas soon and we can continue marching forward with progress! Anyone know any anti-rain dances?? We may need them!