Week 10 & 11

Weeks 10 & 11

The Firemen are here!! Wow…what a great 2 weeks we have had with the interior and exterior of the home. If trucks count…we win…for the yard has been full! Let’s get started introducing you to all of these wonderful men!

The Firemen took over the house and headed up the interior trim to start off Week 10. They have been like termites plowing through the material, and thankfully we have had an abundance to work with! These guys were mostly friends of Buddy’s, and he had already spoken to them about helping with the trimming of his new home when it was time. I know they feel his presence as they get to work each and every day. They are mindful of the craftsmanship that he expected and have gone above and beyond in showing respect for his wishes. I am so thankful to have met them and marvel at their talent as individuals. These guys include: Michael Tolbert and his Dad Lawrence Tolbert, Billy Wilkinson, Tim Taylor, Greg Pruitt, Stan Michael, Philip Hansford, Jamey Bramlett, and Neil Mathis. These same men will be back the week of Christmas to run the judges paneling in the study and build the staircase. It has been my pleasure working with each of you.

The trim material itself was an amazing story. I knew that VNS Corp., Mark Haney had volunteered the interior doors and some casing, but it wound up being the entire interior trim package! Remember….they also gave the windows!!! The downstairs casing sent out is just incredible and gives a grand and unique look for the home. The storage trailer for the doors and windows to stay in during the construction has also been a wonderful plus. I am so thankful for the support that VNS Corp.,Choo Choo, Mark Haney and Mitch Malcom have given to this project. It truly has been a blessing to have them on board with us from the beginning!

The interior beams for the great room were installed in Week 11. This incredibly beautiful White Pine was brought in from Cosco, Maine from a 6th generation family mill by Water’s Edge Woods, Chris Colter in Comer. Chris was one of those last minute calls who didn’t hesitate and stepped right in to help. L & L Construction, Eddie Luther was back for this install and did a wonderful job.   I also want to thank Leon Daniel of Leon Daniel Construction. Leon did the interior trim material take-off for me up front. This was necessary to start rounding up the materials to be able to start.

Week 11 brought the beautiful cabinets by Webber Coleman Woodworks, Dan and Jessica Webber. They provided the cabinets for the kitchen, breakfast nook window seat, den entertainment units for each side of the fireplace, and the downstairs bath vanity. I do hope that each of you will be able to see the craftsmanship and detail that has been put into these. Buddy was a huge fan of oak and Jessica worked extremely hard with Melissa to honor this and design an incredible kitchen and living area. I will always remember Dan standing in line in the Homebuilder meeting back in April that started this great adventure. It has certainly been a pleasure to work with this fine family and business. 

While the trim was going on inside, we had the septic tank being installed outside! D. J. Backhoe, Dale Johnson was our installer and did a fabulous job. The Madison Co. Health Dept., of course paid a visit and declared us legal!  Again, I thank them for waving the local fees for this service. I also want to thank Jeff Bell of Bell Construction for the use of the equipment, truck and hauling. The septic tank was donated by McDaniel Concrete, Phil McDaniel from Winder. The pipe, paper, and labor for the trenches, were donated by Armour Plumbing, Gary Armour. Hanson Aggregates, Jeff Redmon donated the gravel for the system and Harris Trucking, Teri Harris Joiner again delivered it. I continue to thank these companies for they are always there to deliver. What a blessing each and every one of you have been for this install.

The Christian farm has a well on the property. Gary Armour also assisted with checking the well and procuring help with a water filter system. This was supplied and installed by Metro Water, Doug Davidson. It is so important when using well water to filter and protect the consumer as well as the new plumbing fixtures. I thank you Doug for your amazing contribution. Gary, you are also one of those guys that has been with me from the beginning of this home. Your contacts and encouragement has been tremendous and priceless.

We had another feast last week. Jerry Craig of Prudential Blanton Properties, brought out a lasagna lunch to “feed the troops” that was just delicious! These expressions of support are so welcome and refreshing for the boys and myself as we work. I will always be grateful to those of you who have contributed nourishment for our bodies as well as for our souls.

The same day that we were having our feast, Jerry Carnes with Channel 11 also came out to visit our build and interview Melissa. He said that with all the negative news going on in this world, it was nice to see a community working to give back. You can view this interview at:

http://www.11alive.com/news/article/216566/40/ATHENS--Slain-officers-dream-comes-true

As we approach Christmas, we will take a short break to celebrate with family and friends. I wish all of you a Merry Christmas…but especially to those who have shared so much with us this year. Just as the Wiseman brought gifts…you have brought your gifts to this home and family, and we are blessed because of you.

May we all remember the families of those who will be missing someone this year as they celebrate under their tree. Buddy, I pray that somehow you know and feel the kindness of so many reaching out to your family at this time and that it gives you peace. Melissa, may you, Callie and Wyatt look up on the hill and see His Mighty Hand upon you…for “He knows the plans He has for you.” …and that even with Buddy gone, you feel his legacy of “caring for others” providing a true Christmas gift for you now.

Merry Christmas and Holy Night Blessings to all,
Karen

Dale Johnson of D J Backhoe installing septic tank system with Josh Moore and Tony Patterson of Armour Plumbing and Well

Greg Pruitt installing crown in master bath.

Phillip Hansford and Tim Taylor hard at work on the interior trim.

 

Septic tank donated by McDaniel Concrete is installed.

Armour Plumbing added the "muscle power" for the septic tank install.

Beautiful work by Dale Johnson and Armour Plumbing

Michael Tolbert and Tim Taylor trimming away!

Stan Michael adding crown in the back hallway.

Trim crew - Jamey Bramlett, Stan Michael, Lawrence Tolbert, Tim Taylor, Phillip Hansford, Michael Tolbert, Billy Wilkinson

Week 10 guys enjoying lunch by Jerry Craig of Prudential Blanton Properties

Week 11 and the cabinets are rolling in by Webber Coleman Woodworks

Webber Coleman Woodworks did a fantastic job on the install!

Chris Colter and Kenny Branyon supplied the White Oak beam material.

Back of the house on Week 11

Halloran masonry continues to march on!

White oak beams and entertainment units are installed in family room.

Super oak cabinets supplied by Webber Coleman Woodworks

Oak was Buddy's favorite wood.

Rubbed black island and window seat compliment the rest of the kitchen.

The end of Week 11

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Week 8 & 9

Week Eight and Nine

Where were we??  Sorry, I got a little out of pocket during the holidays, so I am combining the week eight and the week nine update!  More on the reason for that later!   Let me bring you up to speed on what has been happening out at the Christian Farm while WE were all busy feasting on turkey! 

It seems that each aspect of this build has been touched by it’s own little blessing, and the sheetrock phase has been no exception.  So many of you have shared this story of the home to be built for the Christian family with others, which has led to amazing gifts of either material or labor.  Kent and Karlene Lawrence shared our story at dinner one night last June.  One of the men sitting at their table “just happened” to be from the National Gypsum Company and committed their company to supply the materials for the build that night.  On Monday before Thanksgiving, this material was delivered to the site.  I want to thank Robert Cunningham and John Mixson of the National Gypsum Co. for the generous donation of the sheetrock and the mud for this home.  I also want to thank my dear friends, the Lawrences, for sharing the story.   

Right after this commitment for the sheetrock material, we had an Athens Area Homebuilder monthly meeting.  It was a special day for I had the pleasure of introducing Melissa Christian and several other special guests to the Association.  I also shared the story of the sheetrock material gift.  Afterward, Melissa Orbea, introduced herself and her husband Lionel, as owners of Magnum Drywall.  She said they would like to furnish the sheetrock labor of the build.  With tears in her eyes, she told me her story.  Her mother served on the police force in Miami, and when Melissa was 15 and her sister was 10 she was tragically shot and killed.  She said the community had come out in force to provide for her family in their time of grief.  Melissa felt in helping with the Christian home she could “pay forward” the same comfort and support others in Miami had provided for her and her sister.   

Melissa and Lionel took the reigns and handled the entire drywall package including arranging the delivery of the sheet goods and material by Georgia Drywall/Georgia Vinyl Distributors Inc, with Jason Jenkins.  It seriously scared me as I saw the semi truck pulling a trailer along with another piggy-back truck drive into the jobsite with all 3 loaded with drywall on Monday of week 8.  I later found out that we were just the first stop!  I appreciate the special care the delivery team took with the windows and doors to ensure these were not damaged in the stocking process.  As soon as the delivery was complete, the installation started, followed by the finishers.  On Tuesday of week 9, Melissa called and said the sheetrock was finished and ready for trim.  Magnum Drywall and their crew did a fantastic job with the sheetrock, AND the job site was left cleaner than any other drywall company that I have ever worked with!  Melissa, you and Lionel have certainly “paid forward”, and I thank you. 

On the outside, the Halloran men keep right on marching up the walls with the brick.  The front is complete as well as much of the right side.  Scaffolds were being set up on the back this last Friday.  These guys continue to amaze me giving up their weekends.  I want to thank Sunbelt Scaffold Rental, Matt Long, for the rental and delivery of the scaffolds.  I would also like to thank Sutton Construction Specialties, Mike Lathrup for supplying the flashing and weeps for the masonry.  We have had angle irons and lintels provided free of charge by anonymous donors.  All of these items are necessary for the proper installation of the brick, and we thank you all.

About 12 years ago, a former customer introduced me to the wonderful tradition of placing a family Bible inside the wall behind the sheetrock at the front door.  It serves as a blessing to all that enter and reminds each one daily of the protection provided by His Word.  Before leaving for Thanksgiving travels, we placed the Bible that I had presented to Melissa at the groundbreaking ceremony in her front wall.  She had filled it will their family lineage, pictures and postings, and it was a special moment of Thanksgiving for both of us.  I am truly thankful for the opportunity to have met this strong and special lady and her wonderful family and friends.

It has been my past experience that if you have a good sheetrock crew, this is a good time to take a much needed break before the trim and set out starts.  With Magnum in the lead, this house was no exception.   Doug and I did take a much-needed break and enjoyed the Thanksgiving holidays with our family in TN.  The holiday held the miracle of the birth of our second grand daughter, Eliana, and all the world stood still for just a moment .   We are entering the busiest time of the year.  May we all find time to just stand still for a moment and be thankful.

Blessings to all,

Karen

         Stocking house with sheetrock from the National Gypsum Co. by Georgia Drywall Distributors.

                Lionel Orbea and men from Magnum Drywall hanging and finishing sheetrock. 

                                               Melissa with Lionel from Magnum Drywall.

                                                        Callie showing off her bathtub!

                                                             Wyatt with his bathtub!

                                                   View of farm from second floor porch.

                                         Kids showing us the Heatilator from Porter Fireplace.

                                                     Family putting the Bible in the wall.

                                                                 My 2 little girls!

                                                                   House after week 9!

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Week 7

Week Seven

One lesson I have learned during all of this is… if one door is closed, another will be opened!  As a close friend frequently reminds me…”You just need to be still”!

Monday started us off with the installation of the heating and air systems.  I want to thank Sally Stanfield of Stanfield Air Systems for stepping in for the entire mechanical package…including the installation labor, duct materials, and 2 zone systems.  With Sally’s lead, Lennox Industries, Randy Head, supplied the home with both the 2.5 and the 3.5 Lennox 13 SEER heat pump systems.  Mingledorff’s, Martin Gregory, also supplied duct materials, copper linesets, grilles and registers.  These guys came in and got right down to business, including the ducting of the bath fans and vent hood.  Attention to detail was given in every aspect of an amazing product.

Our next accomplishment this week was the crawlspace.  I wish all of you would stop by and check it out!  Another wonderful phone call from Carol Williams brought her brother up from Cordele, GA.  Crawl Space and Basement Solutions, Charles Southerland, sent his electrician the first day to install lights under the house.  The next day Charles and his crew came with the vapor barriers.  This is a detail that should be required in these days with mold, mildew and allergies in abundance.  Check out the photos below!  I will be adding this to my next projects.

Porter Insulation and Fireplace, Keith Porter, installed a direct vent gas log unit by Heatilator for our den area.  Steve Patterson, you have always been a huge help to me in my past home and renovation projects.  I was super excited that you guys were able to supply this for the Christian Home.

Small details at the end of the rough-in are easy to forget but so important to a superior product.  Wally Ash of Ash Plumbing heard that Melissa had mentioned an in-house vacuum system and stepped in with less than a 12 hour notice and roughed this in for us.  Wally and Gary Waters of the Clean Living Store supplied the materials needed for the job. Jackson EMC Security, Hal Brady came for the rough-in of a security and monitor system.  Partner Technology, Chris Cunningham came out for a consultation and supplied the wire for a surround sound system and additional speakers.  Jackson EMC’s, Jason Bond and Ken Gordon came back over and helped with these wire runs!  Seriously folks, these EMC guys are good, and I have been so blessed to have them right down the road!  I would have been in trouble if there were serious power outages in the area!

The metal roofing was a welcome addition this week as this completed our sealing of the structure.   Tripp Strickland and Byron Lee of Georgia Metals supplied the material and Tom Fletcher’s crew of Fletcher Roofing, were back for the installation.  The metal roofing and the previous Certainteed architectural shingles are perfect together.

This was also the week of the insulation.  We….don’t you just love the way I say WE…. have caulked, foamed and sealed just about everything that was attached to the house!  As I have mentioned before Rowe Insulating has been working on this part for days to get ready.  On Thursday night, the entire Rowe “family”…wives and children…were out sweeping and cleaning to ready for the install the next day!  Certainteed, Javier Montalvo, supplied our ENTIRE house of insulation. With right at 200 employees, this is such an impressive Athen’s plant.  Keith Porter of Keith Porter Insulation and Fireplace sent his crew to help with the install.  Thank you Keith for that much needed help.  Jay Tucker a Clarke Co. Fireman, also joined us for the installation.  It was a total community effort and job well done, which was proven by passing the first phase of Right Choice Status with the Insulation and Heat and Air contractors this week.

What a special lunch we had on Friday!  My Mom, Betty Bell and two of my best friends Barbara McConnell and Pam Huff brought out an early Thanksgiving Feast!  Ham, potato salad, peas, biscuits, peach pie…are you getting the picture here?  It was just incredible and loved by all.  The men said to tell you ladies that Christmas was coming up and you were welcome back any time!

Friday was just a “happening day”…of course almost all days are like that out at the farm…with Channel 5 coming out to visit us.  Tacoma Perry did a nice feature that ran Nov. 21^st.  She was truly amazed by the house and the precious donations given for the Christian Home.  Take a look at the Fox 5 site for the clip below:

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/local_news/Family-of-Fallen-Athens-Clarke-County-Officer-Gets-Dream-Home-20111121-am-sd

Of course those Halloran Men were back sacrificing their Friday and Saturday again.  Pat Halloran had a special presentation for Melissa this Friday.  It was a piece of Jerusalem stone that he had carved a cross with a special verse “Be Still and Know That I Am God” on the front to Melissa.  Another special prayer was carved on the back for the children.   A special “brick frame” on the front porch will later house this stone for the Christian Family.  I will tell you, there were not many dry eyes that afternoon!  Such a special and precious touch to an already incredible gift!

On a personal note, I need to thank Grant Tyner of Adam and Eve Hair Salon.  He treated me to an afternoon of pampering last Friday.  I think he thought that I really needed some help…and bless him…I did!  Thank you Grant, you are a precious friend of 27 years, and your gift was perfect!

As Thanksgiving is just around the corner, I have to pause and give thanks for each of you.  Without you, this dream would never have happened.  This home is a precious design of time, talents and gifts given in the most “sweet of spirits” by a community that cares for our own.   As several friends and family gathered to write scripture on the studs before the sheetrock, I added Romans 12:6 for all of you.  “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.”  Thank you for sharing yours. 

 As Melissa reminded us, this 22^nd will have been 8 months since Buddy was taken from her.  In her post she says that she “could have missed the pain but if she had, would have missed the dance.”   She is thankful for the 15 years of the dance.  

Many Thanksgiving blessings to you all,
Karen

                                                                Stanfield Air System
                              Tony Stratton, Ted Richey, Josh Wheless, Josh Callaway, & Matt Hawley

                                      Crawl Space and Basement Solutions - Charles Southerland

                                                          Crawlspace with barrier and lights

                                               
                                                      Keith Porter Insulation and Fireplace -
                                               Steve Patterson checking out the new Heatilator
                                                    

                                    Wally Ash of Ash Plumbing roughing in the in-house vacuum

                                    Metal Roofing from Georgia Metals installed by Fletcher Roofing

         Wayne Moon and Kevin Rowe of Rowe Insulating loading the insulation from Certainteed

                                             Looking over the pick-up list from Certainteed -
                                 Javier Montalvo, Kevin Rowe, Glenn Baxter, & Wayne Moon

Wayne Moon, Javier Montalvo - Plant Human Resouces Manager,  Glenn Baxter - Plant Supervisor,
                                                                  and Kevin Rowe

                                 The Rowe Insulating "Family" cleaning up for the installation

                                              Melissa talking with Tacoma Perry of Fox 5

                    Jay Tucker donated a day to help out with the insulation installation!  Thank you Jay!

                           Stanfield Air Systems men finishing up the ducting for the vent hood

         David Griffeth of ACCPD and Noble Heroes joins Melissa in showing Tacoma around the house

Pam Huff, My Mom - Betty Bell, and Barbara McConnell with Melissa setting up lunch for the crew

                                         Lunch is served with a plywood table on saw horses!

Pat Halloran of Halloran Masonry presenting Melissa with a hand carved stone for the front brick wall.

                                         The back of the stone with the prayer for the children.

            David and Barbara McConnell, Pam and Mitch Huff, & my parents Betty and Simmie Bell
                                                  Thank you guys for the delicious lunch!

                Keith Porter Insulation and Fireplace of Jefferson installing the Certainteed Insulation

              More Insulation in the kids playroom - Mr. Alton Rowe, Kevin Rowe and Jay Tucker

Halloran Masonry with a completed front wall

                                   
                                                  Halloran Masonry jointing up the new brick

                                                                   Week 7 Complete

                                

                                                             Christian Home - Week 7

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