It’s been a little over two months since the last update. This update wasn’t supposed to happen until they poured the foundation because, let’s face it, it’s not really a building project until the foundation goes in, right? We still have no foundation, but here’s an update anyway.

We’re in the middle of a beautiful spell of weather and we were so hopeful concrete trucks would work their magic this week, but a meeting with our builder burst that little bubble. It seems we’re not the only project in the world (gasp!) and the projects in line ahead of us have dealt with the same nasty weather so everyone is behind.

It feels a bit like standing at a deli counter, looking up at a sign that says Now Serving #76, then looking down at the #149 ticket in your hand. I’m not typically a negative person, but I fully expect to be in the middle of a six-week-long ice storm by the time they call our number.

All is not lost, though. Here’s what has happened in the last couple of months:

We ordered windows while they were on sale. The sale allowed us to upgrade the energy efficiency of the glass while staying below budget (win/win!). Unfortunately, the manufacturer wouldn’t hold them indefinitely – the exact amount of time this project will take – so they’re living in a storage unit near the construction site.

In case you’re wondering, we’re not going about this project in the typical way. Most often a builder owns the land, they give buyers a choice of several house designs and they provide everything from the bricks and mortar to the finishing details (sinks, faucets, lights, tubs, etc). This is a great way to build a house because all the kinks are worked out, which usually means fewer headaches. But fewer headaches equal less control, so we took the other route. We bought the land, we found an architect who had the right background for this project and he introduced us to a builder who is happy for us to find and purchase materials on our own. In an odd twist, the delays we’ve suffered at the hands of the city have turned into a boon for us because we’ve had time to slowly collect exactly what we want and we’ve done it while the items were on sale so our budget has a bit more breathing room. The only downside to this arrangement is that we’re living with these purchases – including a whole kitchen, refrigerator and all – in our current home. Look for us on an upcoming episode of TLC’s hit show Hoarding: Buried Alive.

The things we can’t control (and really no one can) are the city and the weather. The nearly eight-month delay caused by city permits and the errant sewer line happened when the weather was relatively mild and skies were mostly clear. Once permits were in hand and they completed the task of moving the sewer pipe to its proper place, Mother Nature unleashed snow, freezing rain and arctic temperatures. I can’t imagine what we did to make her so angry. I also wonder how they build things in Alaska. I have a lot of time to think.

On the up side, we had a few good weather days that allowed the crew to get a few things done!

Pipes are now installed. It was an ordeal with frozen pipes and city inspections, but I won’t tell you that story for fear you might fall asleep, plus I would need two cocktails to get through it and I’m low on gin.

Termite treatment went down (a city requirement prior to pouring the foundation).

They laid a polyethylene vapor barrier and most of the cables for the post tension concrete foundation are now in place. Nine cables are missing, which isn’t a surprise considering they sat on-site for six months. In case you’re curious, we’re not the ones liable for replacements.

Now we wait.