The house is coming along and even has a roof now (although not the final metal one :). The exterior doors are in, but we are still waiting on the arrival of the windows. Hopefully we will have a plumber on site tomorrow to start the rough-in process. Things are moving along quite nicely and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. We can't wait to be at the farm permanently...we have even come up with a name, which will be a surprise at a later date. This past weekend, we went to Tennessee to visit Mamaw for her birthday...everyone had a wonderful time and enjoyed each other's company. On Sunday, we went to Dollywood...we have definitely gotten our money's worth of season pass usage this year. There was hardly anyone there, and the weather was perfect! Josh even got Wyleigh on a ride that I don't think she was quite tall enough for...of course she was grinning from ear to ear. Have a great week...I'll keep you posted on the farmhouse progress.

The heat is on

We officially started framing last Wednesday, boy have they made progress. Mr. Jem is our lead framer and he makes everything look so easy....although I know how hard it is...especially in this heat. He made a joke and said, "You couldn't have framed this house in July...when it was cool?!?!!". Of course, I got a good laugh out of that one. Sunday, me and Mr. Jem went out and chalked all of the walls...that alone was hard work. Yesterday the crew started putting up exterior walls, and today they have put up some of the interior walls. In the midst of all the construction, yesterday I heard the faintest "meow"...needless to say, we have a new kitten. She is black with green eyes and we named her Dowda. The baby thinks she is a baby doll, and the boys love her. If she can tolerate this crew...she is a keeper. I will try to upload a video of the baby "holding" Dowda. It's pretty funny, but I promise Dowda wasn't hurt (that's my disclaimer :) ) Have a great day!

I know, I know....I'm terrible...being gone away for so long. But, I am ready to start visiting on my blog and seeing everyone on a more regular schedule again. School is only a few days away, the baby is becoming more independent, construction on the farm house is about to resume again (thank goodness), and things are as hectic as ever. Summer has been good...a a few road trips here and there, lots of visiting with family, making the most of garden harvests (the best salsa ever), and spending time with my wonderful brood. We have to head to town within the next few days to buy shoes for school. The kids will be going to a much smaller school this year, which makes me happy. I hope everyone has had a nice summer...I have been following every one's blog, even though I haven't been as diligent about keeping up with my own. I love every one's pictures and stories and daily lives...thank you for sharing. Bye for now, Billie Jane

Long time no see

My oldest son racing at his school's Olympic day.

My youngest son's class. He's the little boy on the left end.

My little miss. She was hamming it up for the camera.

This is what the house site looked like after they took down the BIG white pine.

These little cuties were born Friday. I think they are baby mockingbirds.

Hi again! Whew, boy do we have some catching up to do. For starters, this is the last week of school and we know how crazy that can be. Things around the farm have been progressing...a little. Two weeks ago, the house came down. It took a total of 20 roll off dumpsters, and that was after we stripped the house and it was just a shell. Last Friday, the 15th, I was finally able to get our building permit. So, the batter boards and string went up. Today they are grading for the crawlspace walls. Tomorrow we should start digging for the footers. All the while, I have been working on getting prices for the framing package. Set building aside, the farm is alive!!!! The pasture is lush and green, we have caught lots of fish, birds are everywhere, Lilly and Jose (the miniature goats) are settling in nicely and we even have a horse (Gracie) boarded. Hopefully I will be able to document our progress now that the ball is rolling. Have a great day!!!

Slow moving...

Things around the farmhouse have been slow moving lately. I have been busy trying to get permits to start everything and quotes to find out just how much it's all going to cost. I have definitely learned A LOT over the past month about building, HVAC, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, lumber, roof pitch, building codes, and the likes. I like knowing a little bit about lots of things...so, this will be a great opportunity for some hands on learning. Monday and Tuesday of next week are the days set to take the house down, then Wednesday will be site prep for the new house. Thursday will be a just in case things run over day, and Friday will be the start of pouring the concrete walls for the crawlspace. It seems like once the ball gets rolling, it really gets moving. But, I'm sure there will be some stalls somewhere along the journey. It is all so exciting and we can't wait to live at the farm permanently. Have a wonderful spring day!!!!!

Springtime Fishing

It's been a few days, I'm happy to be able to get back to posting. Spring break was great. We took a short road trip, spent lots of time with family, and had one...or two....or three...good meals :) Back to the routine this week though. We are making progress at the house...albeit slow. We now have the final demo permit, we just have to finish salvaging everything we can. It seems like everything is waiting on the septic approval...something I had heard about, but didn't fully understand how difficult it is to get a septic permit on a property like this. Yesterday we went fishing in the creek with my brother and his two boys. We caught 4 crappie, 2 red eye bass, and 1 fish that we named the camouflage fish because we didn't know what it was. The kids all had a blast (me included). Little Miss had her first canned drink, a sierra mist, thanks to Uncle Nick . She wasn't quite sure what to do with it at first, but once she had a taste, she kept running away like she thought someone was going to take it from her. It was pretty funny. We love going to the Georgia Farmhouse which we have also started calling the creek house. We are just sooooo ready to be there permanently. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve...only we have about 5 more months to go...I hope those creeks have plenty of fish in them :)

Spring Break

There wasn't much going on around the farm this past weekend. We made a last minute trip to Pigeon Forge for the start of Spring Break. The kids were ecstatic with the surprise. We drove up Friday night, checked into our hotel, and went to bed. We woke up early Saturday morning, had breakfast and headed to Dollywood. We spent the entire day walking, riding, eating, walking some more, eating some more, and riding some more. All of the kids (and mom and dad) had a blast. Little Miss loved riding all of the kiddie rides. We were exhausted at the end of the day, but promised the kids we would take them to the indoor water park at our hotel. They swam and rode the water slides over and over :) Finally we cleaned up and went to bed....YAY!!!!! Sunday morning we had a lovely breakfast, did some gem mining, played laser tag and began our JOURNEY home. We went through the Nantahala National Forest and stopped numerous times to investigate scenery, old grist mills, old homesteads and the like. We knew we were heading home to some bad weather in North Georgia. Monday morning we awoke to SNOW and it was steady coming down. Did I mention it was 73 degrees in Tennessee. Don't you love spring weather?!?!?!

Some ducks decided to have lunch in the yard

My sweetheart and my sweet baby

One of my sweet sons at his Easter program,

isn't he the cutest bunny ever!

So much progress is being made inside the house. We have gotten some of the original lumber from the house that hopefully is enough to make my kitchen island and maybe a few cabinets. Someone told me this morning that we are suppose to have freezing temperatures again at the first of next week...brrrrrr. Sadly, that means that all of the peach blossoms will be doomed. With all of the rain, the creeks by the house sound more beautiful than ever. There is just something so tranquil about the sound of rushing water. We find out today if we can have a basement. There are so many hurdles to jump through when working with a site that is as old, and as close to two creeks as our Georgia Farmhouse is. Everyday there are new discoveries...some good, some bad. Have a great day!

Someone please buy the roof...

The demo phase continues at our Georgia Farmhouse. I have sold lots of goodies from the house that we can't use, or don't want. Craigslist is a marvelous thing. I can't believe the response we have gotten. It seems everyone is interested in a good bargain, and everyone mentions the economy. I'm glad we are able to make a little green and other people who are willing to come pick things up are getting a good deal. Most people are adding on or closing in porches to make more space in their homes. The one item I can't seem to find someone to take the entire thing is the metal roof. I have had several people want to buy a few pieces here or there, but no takers on the entire roof...I'll keep my fingers crossed. Have a great day!!!

The rain still hasn't gone away...

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days...things have been a bit hectic. I know we need this rain so bad, but it has slowed our demo. On a brighter note, we found some original bead-board on the ceiling upstairs. The demo guys started taking in down yesterday, but only some of it is coming down in whole pieces. Unfortunately, when the previous owner put sheet rock on the ceiling, they just put more nails into the bead-board. So, the bead-board is nailed all over the place :( We continue selling things out of the house that we don't need or want. So far it's gone pretty good...we are actually recovering some of the money lost for expenses we weren't expecting. Our plans arrived in the mail yesterday...they are really pretty. Now we have to take them to environmental health to get approval for the septic system. Once we have that permit, hopefully it will be smooth sailing. Before too long, we will have to start cutting the grass and trimming the hedges. It will be hard maintaining two places for a while, but definitely worth it. I still have my goals of painting the swing by the creek and securing an area for the chickens, but the weather has to cooperate first. Until then...have a great day!

Rain, rain, go away...

The rain definitely puts a damper on things...but, the guys are moving along. Today we have one of my husbands friends coming to take a look at the place and talk to us about using hydro-power for our house. It would be really nice to never pay the power company again. I am interested to hear what he has to say. He says we definitely have enough water around us to do something like that. Right now I am leaving to go the the farmhouse and see how things are progressing. Today's big project is getting the floors up. They started pulling the floors up yesterday and found that there are actually 3 layers of flooring. So, it should be quite a job. I hear the baby waking up so I better go for now. Have a wonderful day and I look forward to seeing you here again soon.

One day at a time

Yesterday entailed removing more sheet rock...I think it's just about all gone now :) We are having another construction dumpster delivered today, which will be placed on the other side of the house. All of that sheet rock is going out a hole in the wall and straight into the dumpster...rather than A LOT of running up and down the stairs. After the sheet rock is cleaned up, we are going to start removing the wood we want to save. We are excited about the progress being made and by the wood we are going to be able to salvage. Hopefully there will be enough to do the cabinets for the new house and hopefully (if we keep our fingers crossed) enough flooring for the new house as well.

We are making progress

The upstairs front bedroom

We found some original wood in good condition upstairs

The original stacked stone foundation

Miss Wyleigh Jane feeding Miss Lily

Another full day of demo, but we are making progress! Yesterday uncovered a few nice sections of original wood...which always makes me happy. So much of the original house has been discarded over 108 years, multiple families, additions, and renovations. With much debate, inner struggle, numerous talks with architects, builders, and contractors, we are going to remove what is left of the old farmhouse and build a new farmhouse. I know, I know...this was my dream. But, there comes a point where structural issues, termite damage, mold & mildew, and finances put a hold on things. Unfortunately we have reached that point. But, the good news is we were able to find these things early on, rather than 2 months into the project. So, I am going to count my blessings from that perspective. Hopefully we will be able to salvage enough wood to make the kitchen cabinets and do the floors of the "new old farmhouse". It is a bittersweet situation...we have the land that we have always wanted, but the house situation isn't the best. We still have to proceed with soil tests for the septic system...we should have the results by Friday.

As for farm life...we are still so excited. I went to the feed and seed store yesterday and looked at baby chicks. We have a barn, but I have to make an area for the hens. I have nesting box already...a really old one that I bought for 10 dollars about a year ago. I have to enclose a run area for them as the open pasture isn't safe. I hope to get started on that project this weekend. I also want to get the old bench swing down by the creek painted...perhaps a robins egg blue. Please check back with me to check our progress...hope to see you again soon, Billie Jane

The good, the bad, and the ugly...

Signs of spring around the farm

I'm not sure what this plant is, but it sure is pretty.

Some studs that aren't even nailed to anything, there is also termite tunneling on them

Extensive water damage

The work of some very hungry termites

So, as you can see, I started with the positive images from yesterday and then progressed to the ugly stuff. Everyday reveals new things, some good, some bad, and some just plain 'ol ugly! Regardless, this is still a very exciting adventure. I have to meet the soil scientist this morning to get a Level 3 soil test for the septic system. Our demo crew will pick up where they left off yesterday. I will take more pictures today and continue to document our progress. According to the results of our Level 3 soil test, we will make finalized decisions about what to do with the house. Until then....have a great day...hope to see you here tomorrow!!!

Back to the grind

This is going to be a very busy day! My Monday mornings aren't too bad though...my kids love going to school...which makes my job, come Monday morning, a whole lot easier. I do however have to get things together to meet the builder this morning. We are going to go over to the farm, take a serious look around the house and start hammering out where we go from here. After I meet with the builder, the demo crew come back in to continue taking down the sheetrock. The sheetrock removal in some places is a very delicate job, because it has been nailed directly to the interior, horizontally run, original wood on the walls...which of course I want to salvage every single piece!!! After lunch today, I have to run over and meet the CPA...it's that time of year again when numbers start flying in every direction. Fortunately for us, we have a great CPA who knows her stuff. That allows me to focus on the project I really want to be focusing on...the farmhouse :) All the while, I'll be carting around Little Miss...she is so sweet and adapts to anything. We are constantly on the go, and she loves to be a part of the ride. Have a wonderful Spring day...I'll see you again soon...especially you, Dad...I love you!

Lazy days of Spring

Although we just started on the house...we decided to let the crew rest, take a break over the weekend, and let the dust settle a little. I have to admit I did enjoy walking around the farm, taking in the sunshine, having our first official picnic by the creek, and snoozing in the hammock. Josh was able to cut some old locks off of several gates around the perimeter of the pasture. Now we can enter and exit on all sides. The boys and baby enjoyed exploring the barn and running all around. It's all they can do to stay (completely) out of the creek. I think if it were up to them they would be neck deep, rolling around in the cold mountain water. Josh and I have done some serious talking about our farmhouse. We are going to meet with our contractor first thing Monday and explore our options. We are also limited by county officials, and especially the Department of Environmental Health concerning a very old septic system. We are going to eat breakfast and prepare ourselves for the day ahead. We are all ready to head back to the farm and spend the day enjoying the beautiful outdoors!

What one day of work can reveal...

We closed on the farmhouse Thursday as planned...smooth sailing at the closing table. I ordered our construction dumpster to be delivered, and arranged for our small crew to start first thing Friday morning...we are ready for demo. At least I thought we were ready for demo...boy what a day of work can reveal...termite damage, water damage, mold & mildew, major structural issues, the fact that all of the original exterior of the home (which we thought was under a layer of vinyl siding, house wrap, and insulation) had been removed, and a plethora of other things we weren't prepared for. It's hard for me to focus on the positive when we found so many negatives yesterday. However, towards the end of the day, we began removing the sheetrock from an upstairs bedroom and found all original wood on the walls. There was even a layer of newspaper from 1909 on the walls...some sunshine at the end of a very long day. Numerous neighbors stopped by and wanted to know who the new kids on the country block were...everyone has something positive to say about the "old Dowda place". We also found out that this was one of the only mills in the area that could grind grits, cornmeal, and flour. After our first full day in, there are definitely mixed emotions and lots of major decisions to be made. Perhaps today we will laze by the creek...my husband was able to set up a comfy hammock in the perfect spot. As tiring as yesterday was, I do look forward to seeing what the day holds :)

The big day is finally here...

I feel like this is one of those days that I can say my life is going to change forever...in a very good way. After lunch today our family will be the proud owners of a 5 acre 108 year old farm in North Georgia. Who could ask for a better place to raise a family!?!?!? I feel like we already live there though...we go by everyday...sometimes multiple times a day :) Wild horses couldn't drag me away now. Also, another biggie today..I am going to meet a beautiful, 5 year old appaloosa gelding. Who knows...if everything works out, the farm may have it's first full time resident. I'll keep you posted...until then, have a wonderful day!!!

One more day...

I can't believe the day is nearly here. Tomorrow is the highly anticipated day when we take over the 108 year old farmhouse and farm. I believe we will go to the closing table with our sledge hammers and crow bars in hand :) Until then, I am going to attempt to add a blog background again today. I worked on it for a while yesterday without any success. I hear all of the birds outside keeping me company and providing inspiration for the day ahead. Lots to do today, so I better get started. Have a great day!!!!

Two days until we take over the farm

I am new to reading blogs, but found the ones I read to be really interesting. I found myself looking forward to reading them each day. So, I decided to start my own. I hope that other people will find my blogs, enjoy reading them, and perhaps find themselves smiling at the end. Hopefully this is the start of something that will be ongoing and rewarding...definitely for me and hopefully for you as well.

I have a new and interesting part of my life that I would love to share with everyone. My husband and I have recently put in a contract on a farmhouse built in 1901. The house is wonderful, but the land is amazing. It's not really a big parcel (5 acres), but more than enough for our family to finally start working towards the life we would really like to live. The house and land sit smack dab between two creeks. The sound of water is something that we love and can't wait to experience on a daily basis. We close on the house on Thursday. We are not going to move in yet though. We are going to do a to the studs renovation. :) Hopefully this blog will allow me to keep up with the progress and share all of the experiences with everyone. It's nice chatting with you and I look forward to seeing you again soon.