The barrels are finally ALL IN PLACE!

This is a HUGE landmark day! ALL of the barrels are secured and in their place! It has been an extremely long haul, and I couldn't have gotten this far without help from Dave at the marina and Steve Dunning my hire hand, and new friend.

We've shared some great laughs, some deep tears and wild frustrations, and made it through with humor, a broad perspective and humility. We've all learned from each other and came out better from our connections on the other side. 

Building this home was more than just building a structure, more than building memories and dreams, it was also the building of bri...this home is literally named deBri...of bri, by bri and also scattered pieces of remains...the remains of an old life that i needed to work through to help me pick the pieces up and reassemble into something that felt like home.

And this feels like home...because home is where the heart is, and I have poured my heart and soul into this build. And as I have watched it grow, so has my heart and soul. 

slowly but surely

We are sooooo close to the end of this big undertaking (under the house taking). One more day after today and it should be all wrapped up.

moving cribs out of the way for the last row of barrels to be installed

with a little help from my friend "Jack"

last row, here we come!

So close now!

Today was also the day that Steve finally was officially introduced to the marina owner Larry and had a chat with him about our work and his credentials. Larry still believes we should be building the deck out on either side a few more feet to stabilize it when in the water. He isn't convinced that it will float. I, however, am confident that not only will it float, but since it will be tied up to a dock on the Pow Wow river (a much smaller and milder river than the Merrimac) that it will be in good shape. Well, we won't know until it goes in...I'm just crossing my fingers Larry will let his guys put me in when the dock is ready....We all have to trust and believe at this point!

things are really moving now!

Suddenly it feels like the work is moving along fast! Now that the structure is straight, cribs in place and the basic layout is done we just have to assemble the precut pieces we made earlier and attach everything! I can finally see the light at the end of this long dark tunnel!

getting the  barrels in position with support underneath.

feels so good to see so many barrels off the ground!

Steve's awesome last minute design for both looks and functionality
to secure the outside of the barrels and the bottom support.

so thrilled, I can't stop smiling....what a difference a day makes!

installing the new loft window

getting loft window ready for new install

had to get rid of all the insulating foam first, the window dimensions were close, but not exact.

looking forward to finishing this phase and being on the water at last.

finishing the inside job

Took some time off for the holidays then had some back to back out of the country work travel, but am refreshed and back at it! Feeling a new excitement for the old task of replacing the floorboards and finishing some odds and ends inside. I like this part because I don't have to wait for or rely on anyone else. Feels good to have that feeling back of working at my pace and knowing what it going on.

(Don't get me wrong I'm super grateful and happy for the professional help, it's just that things feel different when you are working on your own)

finished replacing the burnt floor sections...it's actually better now that it was before!

time to get the window ready for it's replacement

peeling it out was kinda fun...mostly due to the beautiful weather and blue skies!

just about ready for the new one!

did a thorough cleaning and finished trimming out the floor.

feels good, spring cleaning.

everything worked out great.

almost ready to move back in!

i've been framed!