Well, the hot tub is hot, and the sauna is up and running. Still lots of finishing work to do in the spa, like shower, ceiling trims etc, but it sure is nice to have after a hard days work!  The windows are in manufacturing now and we hope the schedule their installation in the next couple of weeks.

The hot tub

Sauna entrance.  Still need to finish the shower between hot tub and sauna.

Inside sauna

Sauna.  Can you almost smell the cedar?

We are now moving outdoors and will only be working inside when outside work is not possible due to weather.

Now we're waiting for Drew Byford to arrive and start the final grading, retaining wall stone placement, pond excavation and topsoiling.  Things are drying up enough now to get in and do that work.  Just hope it's not too dry and hot once we have it done, to seed and plant!

There are a couple of guys who have been hired by our neighbour to cut down the box elders that have taken a real hit with the ice storms this winter.  So many of them have been damaged that they have to go.  They're also cleaning out the brush and generally cleaning up the vacant lots in the back.  We'll take advantage of the opportunity to have them cut up our dead box elder and some other trees which are leaning toward the house as well.

The front veranda and new screened-in porch will be the next major construction tasks.  The porch should be straightforward as the footings and columns and roof are already in.  We just have to frame up the floor, a short wall and frames for the screens.  Haven't quite worked out all the details for the trimming out, but that will come.

The veranda is a different story.  One side has settled about 6-8" and the roof has separated from the wall where it meets the house.  It seems to be structurally sound except for those foundations.  We'll have to jack up and support the whole structure at the perimeter so that we can put in new footings.  That will take some time as you can't jack it up too quickly - maybe just an inch a week or so - or it will damage the structure.

E/B

The new screened-in porch at the front - just need to add floor, walls and screens.

Veranda. Three columns on the right have sunk about 8".  Some efforts in the past to prop it up all failed.

The worst bearing point:  Looks almost dangerous!

Another half failed foundation.

Veranda structure is sound.  Just the foundations failed.