By Monday, March 18 (one month after construction started with laying the foundation for the pad), the repairs were made on the fallen walls and we were back in business. Jimmy Chaney had worried about the wind on Wednesday, March 13th and kept an eye on the house, but there was nothing to be done. We discussed with him whether to file an insurance claim, and after talking to the framer, Jimmy offered to share the cost of repairs so we wouldn’t have to file a claim. Jimmy and Amy have been so easy to work with, and they communicate frequently. They offer their expertise without being overbearing and have a construction system that keeps the job flowing without much delay. We are always informed about what is going on and what to expect next.
thanks, Chaney Family!
Hey wind, we’re stable 😉 
Thanks, Jason! 
Pulling electrical wires
By March 19th all the exterior and interior walls were in place ready for the trusses to be installed on the 20th. Randy had a friend from work, Jason Sutherland, come out that day to help pull the electrical lines through the conduit that had been laid underground. It was a hard job because they had to pull lines about 200 feet from the road to the house. It was a good thing his brother, Ed, showed up to help even though Marilyn was willing to pitch in when she saw any slack. Those three grown men were exhausted by the end of the pull. Meanwhile, I stayed home to meet with Century 21 about listing our house … we decided the “sale by owner” wasn’t going to do the trick as quickly as we needed. The construction finished date may be moving up to June instead of August so we’re feeling the pressure to get our house in town sold.
On Thursday the porches were up and on Friday half of the decking was down on the roof. Randy and I met the Chaney’s at Floors and More to select the LVP (luxury vinyl plank) for the majority of the house and carpet for the bedrooms. We also chose a charcoal for the roof color and black for the exterior trim and gutters. That night we got about 1/2 inch of rain and there was no work on the house on Saturday. That day, we met the Chaney’s in Amarillo to choose cabinet styles, granite for the kitchen and cultured marble for the bathroom. We also chose the color for the cultured granite kitchen sink. It was a good day and the choices were easy for us with the help of the Chaney’s. When we got home, I realized that the granite choice was almost just like the one we already have. At first, I chose lighter slabs of granite, but the lighter the granite, the higher the price. We’ll just have to get the cabinet stain as close to the natural color as possible to keep the kitchen from being too dark even though we have a lot of windows for natural light. I’m trying to stay with a palette of colors from nature in the interior of the house … creams, greens, gold in wheat and grasses … true Harvester.
Beginning on Sunday the 24th, Randy and his Uncle Steve started wiring the house. They worked on a few Sundays, each time taking a break to eat lunch at Don and Marilyn’s … can’t miss Sunday lunch! It’s too good! Ed came out several times during the next couple of weeks when he wasn’t working to help wire the house. We appreciate the family’s interest, labor and willingness to help more than we can say. Building the home and memories wouldn’t be the same without their support … thanks from our whole hearts.
We also met with Katherine Jeffcoat about listing our house with Berkshire Hathaway and decided to go with her because she was more positive about our house selling. Monday was another busy day. The windows were delivered, Randy, Ed and Steve came out in the evening to set light switch boxes throughout the house, and a photographer came out from Amarillo to take listing pictures for the house we’re selling. We had our first showing appointment on Tuesday the 26th, Ed and Steve came out to wire some more and then the family met at the new house for a pizza supper – it was chilly in the house, but the pizza was good and we’re making good memories.
Roof decking going on 
Ready for soffit and trim 
View from
County Road D
Randy took a break on Wednesday, but was back at it by himself on Thursday getting the porches wired for lights and ceiling fans so the framers can finish up and trim the soffit and porches. It was a hot day in the high 80’s with storm clouds building up in Oklahoma in the eastern evening sky. Don and Marilyn came out to watch Randy work and we had a nice dinner later at the Texas Rose. We didn’t get any rain, but it cooled off by Friday – thank goodness – I’m not ready for summer yet.
beehavin' on the prairie 