South Central Rain

Huge fan of the song by R.E.M.. Not a huge fan of the insane amount of precipitation we are receiving. Flash Flooding is no joke around these parts and has claimed 24 lives since January. Over 151 high-water rescue calls have been made so far this year not counting the current tempest passing through (see above image). I am starting to see wisdom in the massive trucks that people drive here.

If I had a hammer

The carpenter came by and installed the railing, trim and doors. From the left you see the garage steps, the view of the kitchen and foyer from the great room and the view from the front door entrance. I couldn't quite capture the balcony with the phone's camera.

Back and Front

Now that we have been promised solutions to the step/deck problems, I wanted to capture the before shots to be compared to the after shots. I regret not having Patty along to demonstrate just how severe these grades are.

Everything's Bigger...

Yup it's true. From the trucks to the food. No wonder San Antonio was rated 2nd fattest city by Men's Fitness. Everywhere you go, the food is delicious and the portions are big.

Great Success!

We watched Borat again last night and it was still wildly inappropriate and funny. But the great success in this context is that we met with the construction manager and will be getting a full deck in back. Even better, they are giving us a front walk, and step solution that isn't something out of an Escher drawing.

Walls, Decks and Steps

The sheet rock has gone up and they are mudding and taping. There are two points of contention on the house: The back exit off the sun room and the front walk and steps. Because of the massive drop off on the right side of the house and the subsequent 12 foot foundation, the patio will be in a big hole (pictures to follow). I am insisting that they build a deck and they are thus far, balking. Patty has a similar concern in the front as she does not want Machu Picchu-like steps leading to the front door. We meet with the construction manager on Friday to negotiate.

May I See Your License, M'am?

It is official! Patty has received her License to practice Dental Hygiene in the state of Texas. Now the job hunt can begin in earnest. She already has some good leads and has hooked up with the ADHA locally. I am pushing her to get her Nitrous permit which sounds more fun than the Fissures and Sealants permit.

Mom, can we keep it?

During one of our frequent trips to the new house we saw Bambi walking around the lots in the back. This was the smallest deer I have ever seen. It could barely walk but had somehow wandered all the way from the not so nearby woods into the lots behind the house. Feeling bad about contributing to its displacement, Patty and I tried to herd it back to the woods. There were some menacing hawks flying around and Patty was pretty upset. I called wild life rescue and they gave the go ahead to pick it up. Apparently the urban legend around handling wildlife babies is a myth.


I didn't ask if it was okay to drive it around in the car while listening to house music but it seemed pretty cool about it.

We found the closest woods and carried in. After about 10 minutes I heard the mother approaching from nearby so I backed out. It should be safe until someone clears that group of trees to build another house.

House

No not M.D., although that is a good show. A bit formulaic and over the top but....anyhoo. Here are some progress shots of the house. They are moving fast.

5/15 - Check out the 2 story garage, and Jackson.



5/26 - Port O Potty not included


Seriously, the garage is huge


5/28 - View from the 2nd floor front

Blog interrupted

I took a break from posting until I could get the photos from my phone onto my PC so now I am back. Here is the latest:

5/30-Spurs win! My first and only Spurs game was the winner in the Western Conference Finals. Among the highlights was seeing Eva Longoria sitting among the crowd, cheering on her boyfriend Tony Parker.

6/1 - I found the real deal at a Mexican food restaurant near my job called Oasis. Lunch specials are $5.95 with drink and tax included!! We are talking real Tex-Mex here. Fresh Tortillas. Great frijoles. Check out this dish.