We are building a new garage/storage/office space, which started at the beginning of December. The old garage was torn down and hauled away. The old slab was removed, a new slab has been poured at the back of the property, where the new structure will be placed. The designs have been reworked several times for maximum useage of available space, and to comply with city codes.

Hosteen enjoyed his last few days in the back yard. Since demolition started the fence is no longer secure, so the boy will have to find another yard to play in for the next couple months. Jake will probably continue to tolerate the boy for regular visits, and they have a new female named Prussia over there, with whom he seems to get along quite well. She is still playful and a good match for the enthusiasm of the boy.

The container was delivered, filled and removed on December 1, 2002. The actual demolition began on December 4, when a crew arrived with equipment, and began knocking down the garage. It came down in no time at all. The concrete was broken up and several loads of debris were carted off. See the picture page for visuals of the container being removed, the demolition, etcetera. Check back frequently for updates.

The fence was started just before the Christmas holiday, and the back wall was done. The workers came back on Thursday, January 2, and completed the second side the following Monday. They did a great job and the fence is looking good.

January 7 - The walls are taking shape and it's really starting to look like something now. Tomorrow we select siding and order windows and doors.

January 9 - Got garden window, the last of its kind and on sale as its a discontinued model. Selected hardy siding. Three walls are up on ground floor. Driveway is scheduled to begin next Monday. Wednesday second floor materials are due to arrive.

January 16 - Snow and rain stopped work for a couple days, but today they are back and working on the driveway. The old approach we had planned to keep was nixed by the city, so they had to tear up the concrete there.

January 21 - The frame is up on the second floor. This thing is huge. They should pour the driveway in the next couple days. The curb will be poured tomorrow. The casement windows were finally ordered. The front wall frame was also completed, which shows where the garden window will go. Marylynn's bedroom window is right across the street. We joked about putting up a line and pully so we can send things to each other.

January 22 - The driveway is entirely bedded and ready to pour. More work was done upstairs. The ceiling was started.

January 29 - The driveway has finally been poured, along with a section of curb. It looks really nice and we can park on it in two days. the boards are up around all the window and door frames on the second floor so you can get a better idea what its going to look like.

January 31 - The first visitor to park in our new driveway was Mike, who was good enough to help me bring home the entry doors I bought for the garage and studio, which will be installed next Tuesday. One of the neighbors said it looks like a church. When we get the stained glass in it will really look like a church.

The big garage door was secretly installed this morning and waiting for me when I got home. Matt surprised me with an opener, and I am parked inside our new garage for the first time.

February 18 - Quite a difference from the last picture. The rest of the windows were installed yesterday and the french drain is almost finished around the back two sides of the garage.

March 23 - Stairs are done. Dad is here. Electricity and insulation are well underway. Ditch was dug for electric and should be continuing tomorrow. Plumbing still uncertain.