We "made" the "Cape Gazette"

We promise we did not call our local newspaper (The "Cape Gazette") for coverage....although we did not refuse to be interviewed and photographed when the reporter unexpectedly showed up. In fact, Richard loves the idea that "paparazzi" have descended on them in Lewes! (click on the image to enlarge it)

Excavation Continues

Gobs and gobs (is that an engineering term?) of dirt (I mean earth) have been moved from under the house. Tom has rigged a pumping system to dry out the earth so the footers can be poured next week.

Bruce & Mark were a BIG help

Tom's God-son's Bruce & Mark had helped out with demolition. We couldn't have done it without them. Tom taught Bruce and Mark how to take down a plaster wall and throw stuff off a balcony into a dumpster.....great fun! Hey Bruce & Mark...when are you coming to Lewes again to help?????

What Will it Finally Look Like?

This is what the home will look like when complete. A big thanks to Tom's brother Mike, the architect!

The house if REALLY off the ground now!

Shortening Up the Existing Garage

Tom thought it would be "good idea" to take 2 feet off the existing garage (so we had more of a 'view' when looking out the kitchen window). Bob the builder offered "yanking" the front of the garage (of couse, after Tom had sawed up the walls and roof). Notice the new shingles on the roof. Next comes a front to the garage as well as siding.

While the house gets moved

Tom doesn't waste any time. While the house gets moved....lets re-roof the existing garage!!!!

Moving the House 8 Feet to the Left

Not only does the house need to be picked up (to put a new basement in for Tom's woodworking shop), but also moved 8 feet to the left (so a new garage can be built). Bob the Builder adds more I-beams, strategically places rollers between the beams and pushes the house into its new location with the bulldozer. Notice Tom stringing out where the house needs to move to. Last photo is the home's new location.

Lift Off

"Look Ma, no foundation!!!"

The day before lift-off

Today, all the steel I-beams were put in place. Tomorrow, Bob-the-Builder will jack the house up into the air. Notice Tom giving a "thumbs up" to Bob....in another photo, Bob is pushing the I-Beam under the house with the bulldozer. The young man in the photos is Bob's son; looks like he was busy keeping Tom out of Bob's "hair".

Removing the Existing Foundation

Builder Bob used the bulldozer to demolish the existing foundation. It’s amazing how he can knock down a foundation wall, then pick up the pieces and drop the, oh so carefully into the back of his truck.

Placing the I-Beams Under the House

Builder Bob is unbelievably skilled at moving the I-Beams with his Bulldozer.

The Donoghue's Visit Lewes!!!!!

Each year, Tom, Richard and the Donoghue’s (sometimes also with Nico) meet in New York City for some fun and a show. This year, we visited Ellis Island and saw “Hair Spray”. After NYC, we spent a few days in Lewes, inspecting the progress on our home, going to the beach, a walking to the “DQ” for a round of “Blizzards”.
As an alternative to performing a concert, Rockette kicks or joke telling, the Donoghue’s decided to lift the house instead!!!!!

Elyse and Davis stop by for a visit

Our friends Elyse and Davis stayed overnight on their way to Washington, DC and Virginia. It was too long since we've seen them. Elyse and Richard have been friends since 5th grade...(tidbit alert...they attended their senior high school prom together....tearing up that dance floor!!) Elyse and Davis are professional musicians; we were blessed by a concert of beautiful music in our living room. Let this set the bar for future guests!!! A Rockette high-kick, stand-up jokes or witty comments will do just fine...

Ready for picking the house up in the air

Here are some shots of the foundation and steel beams prepared for lifting the home up in the air.

Slowing moving to Lewes

Our home in Pennsylvania was recently sold. Closing should be mid-Sept. While the home was for sale, we had to keep the home fully furnished...resulting in a "minimal" look at our Lewes rental. We've been slowly moving items down to Lewes. In this photo, we made it about 1/2 way, then the rain started coming down very hard. We had to stop to tarp Tom's truck (full with the guest room bed, side tables and two living room chairs.

Our first guests

On Monday, we had our first guests. Jim and Anna from PA drove down for the day. Peter and Richard (from San Fransisco) stopped by for 2 days as part of their East Coast trip. Top photo - Tom giving a tour, next (Peter, Tom & Richard), next (Anna & Peter), bottom (Jim, Richard & Tom).

The wells are driven for GeoThermal

We're going to install GeoThermal heating/airconditioning. 2 wells were driven in the back yard....since ground water temperature is a constant 55 degrees, water from the 1st well will be drawn and used to cool or heat the house...and then it will be recuculated back into the 2nd well. For more information, check out http://geothermal.marin.org/pwrheat.html

Off with the Porch

This week, "Bob the Builder" took off the porch. Note the before and after photos! we now have to use a ladder to get into the house.

Making Progress!!!!

We are finally making some real progress (per Tom). Richard “thought” we were making progress before also.....

On Tuesday the tree guy came and took down the two trees in the way for the move.
On Wed the Drill guys came and drilled the two wells for the Geothermal heating system that needed to go in before the house was moved.
On Thursday the house movers came and took down the two chimneys.
And on Fri the house movers are coming to take the two porches off the house.

Does this mean that maybe we should have TWO days of rest this weekend instead of our normal one?
Note - The top photo shows the roof chimney free (patch on roof)....the 2nd photo is of the guy taking down the chimney...it is NOT Richard or Tom!