Concrete Has Never Looked So Good!

I drove by on my way home from work today and saw a big cement mixer with the big long arm working away. This was some seriously exciting cement! My husband and I met and drove over there after he was off work and my meeting was over. He took pictures. I brilliantly wore flip flops. (Oops) 

Here is our lovely cement:

Looking straight back from the road

Have you ever seen a more beautiful hunk of concrete?! I sure haven't!

FINALLY!

We broke ground thursday! Finally! It's starting to seem real. I'm hoping to have more pictures soon, but here's the morning sun.

Just imagine that sun shining into our morning room! WE CAN'T WAIT! 

Papers, and Floor Plans, and Plots, Oh my!

Long time no update. Whoops! We haven't had a whole lot of updating to do.

We had our wiring appointment and our 30-day appointment. We didn't get a whole lot from Trinity. We upgraded our package to the Advanced Technology Package. They make it sound all fancy. However, this just gives us 5 dual ports instead of the standard 4 ports- 2 cable and 2 phone, and it gives us a larger network panel, a network switch, and enhanced technology feed (for Fios). We could have gotten security systems, surround sounds, whole home Bluetooth sound stuff (very technical terms here), and more. However, we just weren't interested in paying the overpriced costs or having a 5-year security contract. 

Today we had our preconstruction meeting. It went pretty well. It was a little overwhelming with all the big papers, floor plans, and plots to look at. However, it was a lot of fun to see it. We're so excited! Plus, we really like our Project Manager. He seems knowledgeable, honest, genuine, and interested in making sure we're happy. He said communication is important to him, and this makes us very pleased. We're looking forward to working with him.

All that said, we are both a little disappointed about our gourmet island issue. In every picture and model we have been in the gourmet island looked something like this: 

We were good with this. We liked this. We weren't originally going to get the morning room or the gourmet island, but at our 14-day meeting, we changed our minds and added the morning room and gourmet island. It was then we were told there was a new island design. It was described to us as a straight rectangular island with cabinets. Okay, that sounds good. We'll move forward. Maybe this wasn't the best thing to do without seeing it, but we had faith in our rep (and still do) and were feeling a bit rushed. We had to meet with our loan officer immediately after, and we had to get to work. Afterwards, I spent a great deal of time searching the internet for any details, pictures or slight clue to help me get a better idea of what this island design would be. That's when I found out it would look like this: 

I. DON'T. LIKE. IT. The legs bother me really bad. I don't think the island design is terrible, but it is not our style. I feel it is too 'country kitchen'. Please forgive me; I hope no one is offended by this. It is simply how I feel personally for my own home. This design isn't terrible. In fact, I think it looks very nice. I just don't think it fits our style and decor.  

This island is truly the one thing that I pitched a fit over. I feel that I tried everything to get them to not add the legs and just put supports under the counter. I sent them pictures of the island without legs from another Ryan community. However, today at the preconstruction meeting, our PM told us he could not do it. He said due to quality inspections and being liable for it if anything happens to it, he did not feel comfortable doing it. 

I thought I was going to cry right there. I didn't. (Big girl panties for the win!) I understand his perspective, and I am not angry with him. He gave us a fair reason why he won't/can't. Also, he did offer to have his people give us a free estimate on the costs to remove the legs and add the extra supports for after we close. He's not going to receive any negative reviews or feedback because of this. I just feel like a toddler pitching a fit.

I know it might not seem like a big deal or worth getting upset over, but this is my house and my kitchen. It is hard not to feel upset and disappointed after spending so much money. However, we have no choice but to accept it and keep it moving. Maybe I'll learn to love it?We'll see. 

On another note, we're still waiting on our loan.This has been so stressful. However, they did give Ryan Homes the green light to start construction. 

BEST INFORMATION OF THE DAY:

WE ARE SCHEDULED TO BREAK GROUND NEXT WEEK, MARCH 23!!!!

We are so excited to really get this thing started!

Look for more posting next week!