GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Note Gina on the property. I'm not certain if she's crying or contemplating jumping. I suggested she find higher ground!!

So much has happened since the last entry, I don’t even know how (or where), to begin. As you can see from the pics, the demolition has both begun and has been completed...better yet, grading has begun!! We’ve been told that they will begin marking and staking for the footings and foundation forms next. If I am to understand the process correctly, once the earth has been gouged and ravaged, they slowly put the soil back...layer-by-layer!! Then an inspector is called to “release the lot”, which allows one to obtain the elusive building permit that we’ve been working towards. There are of course, numerous complex elements involved in this seemingly simple scenario Before going any further, let’s relive some of the events that occured prior to this.

We did not reach this point without what seems to be the obligatory additional pain and suffering. Guess what happened February 1st, the day of our last posting? A memo was received throughout the financial community, informing brokers that as of Feb. 1st, IndyMac was no longer funding Construction Loans. Gina was the first to be given this information via phone. Our adviser Tony began his conversation with Gina by asking her if we had torn the house down yet? Having begun this days prior, Gina immediately proceeded to walk into my office having the first of what I assume will be many, near-death anxiety attacks. She literally lost all self-control and between her gasps for life-giving breath, she asked in a tone of voice that required no additional interpretation, “Have we been funded yet?” Though we theoretically were funded on January 30th and the recording of all this was to be the following day, we had heard nothing from IndyMac...zilch!! Because we had heard nothing, anything was possible.

I immediately got on the phone to confirm where we were in the loan process. Thankfully, loan loan squeaked-in and was funded and recorded prior to this IndyMac Black Friday. We were safe, we were secure, we had the funding (and the payments that go along with it), we needed to proceed at full speed.

This brings us up to date and rather than telling you further construction tales, I’ll cut the chatter and show you what you really want to see...more pics!!

This first batch was taken on Saturday Feb. 2, 2008

"Look, I can see some ruby slippers!!"







The stones on the right once led from the driveway towards the front door...now it's the path to the shitter, Oh the irony!!




There once was a garage in this corner. How will we keep the rain and snow off my tractor? Oops I forgot, we live in California!!

More pictures from Wednesday Feb. 6th
This is not just dirt, it's OUR dirt!!


"Looks flat enough to me. OK boys, move in Gina's shiny-new double-wide."







"...maybe we can just toss some of it over the fence?"









...and the most current pics from Saturday Feb. 9th
Gina learning a new trade.


You'd be amazed at what people of Italian descent can put under freshly compacted soil!!






Only the driveway remains...sort of!!







Actual "helmetcam" shot of the carnage as seen through the eyes of the dozer operator.







The calm before the storm. Bring on the inspectors!!







Gina thinking of a way she can "injure" herself in the rubble so she can sue the owners. Oh shit, that's us!!

That's all for now. The site has been released and the forming for the footings and concrete should be what'll be happening next. Enjoy, comment if so inspired and please more than anything else, just send money!!