Both have that peculiar gleam in their eyes when something big is approaching. Can you imagine how difficult a forecaster’s job must be with a winter like we had in Boston last year?  Showing concern and empathy for their viewers when they have to say something like, “We will probably see another 21 inches of snow in the next 24 hours.”  Their eyes are screaming, “We live for this!  So cool!  This is why I went into meteorology!  Epic weather!”

This week was epic for our builders.  The wood for framing was delivered last Saturday.  The foreman was here to make sure it was placed close enough to the work spot so they didn’t spend the next several days carrying lumber rather than fabricating it.  “Framing starts Monday!  It’s supposed to be 85 degrees!”  He was ecstatic.  “Nothing I like better than building in the heat!”  I wanted to crank up the air conditioner just thinking about that.

With bright sun, four or five framers daily, and a bunch of lumber, amazing things can happen in five days: from foundation up to the the floor of the master bedroom.  I imagine the walls will be completely framed by the middle of next week.

Below are some of the week’s highlights, beginning with the view of the new family room (where the kitchen door used to be).

After two days of framing… double-hung windows will flank the TV and a row of narrow stationary windows will allow more light into the room above the TV.  May need strong shades for morning TV watching.

After two days of framing.  Our current – and still functioning – kitchen is behind the insulated walls.  Fly-away beam still supporting the house.

The truck below was delivering stone for the patio wall.  Yes, I asked to drive the 3-wheeled forklift.  No, I didn’t.  “Liability.”

Cool contraption!  The forklift tines load right into the slot at the back of the truck.  And hydraulics pick the machine up, raising the wheels off the road.

After three days of framing.  The bay windows are framed in AND the fly-away beam is gone!  Permanent corner supports and cross beams replace that temporary support.

Picture on Day 3 of framing: Where the patio will be from the walk-out basement.  We are recycling the old steel spiral staircase from the original deck; that will provide access from the drive to the patio.  Wall blocks waiting on a pallet.

After four days of framing, 1st floor is framed, including the walls.

After five days of framing, bay window framed, new entry door framed.  Under blue tarp is new framing for kitchen window.  (We may get a lot of rain this weekend – tarp is protecting exposed insulation.)

Picture on Day 5 of framing: First row of patio wall blocks, each one 8”x 12” x 18,” made the patio feel too small.  There would only be three feet between the door and the spiral staircase.  Back to the drawing board. We need to widen the patio to make more room for the staircase.  A mini-excavator will come in next week.  If it’s the same driver as the big CAT, I won’t ask to drive it.  I know the answer.  :)