welcome home

 

 it's the last ride.

 i arrived two weeks ago when final cleaning was being completed.  the wood floor was exposed (to me) for the first time and was quite spectacular.  any concerns about too much wood in the space were quickly alleviated.  furniture had been unpacked and moved into approximate locations, virtually no damage and only a few missing parts.  within a day or two, the house was ready for mishel's arrival and subsequently, her folks. 

 windows and screens are cleaned, the barbeque assembled, shelves completed, and final finishes are at 95%.  there are still many items that need attention, but full occupancy is in effect.  it is now time to focus on punch list items and ongoing maintenance and operational models for full-time and transient use.

(about that operational model, it is a bit scary to make the shift from project advancement to resident stasis.  only a few hours during the last two or three days of this trip was i able to just chill out free of tasks and check lists.  i look forward to more of that sort of quality time.)

 the hydraseed has taken off and green grass sprouted up all around.  i try not to think about the next water bill, as the system's irrigation is spraying four times a day.  when it kicks in there are lots of noises in the water system, and the toilets are hissing and farting.  we believe this is due to the whole house's high water PSI of 82.  plumbing contractor will be back to install a regulator.  this will allow us to get a final on plumbing inspection (below 80 PSI), and (hopefully) eliminate the noises.

 garage door motor was installed two days before our return, so it was fun to park the rental in the garage and actually use the house as intended via the garage and mud room instead of through the front door.  though, the front entry is an attractive hue at night with the exterior lighting.

i consider myself more than lucky to have had the opportunity to build something from nothing not once, but twice.  i feel like i've gotten away with something i should not have been able to do.  having my family visit last week reminded me of why i went through everything documented here.  there is a peace on kauai that makes the rest of the world fade away.

 and, it was a fun art project, too.