The Permit... On December 7th, 1999 we were finally granted our building permit.  I took the day off from work, went to the Regional Building Department and resolved to sit there until I had the permit. Two hours and three hundred dollars later, we had the permit! All said and done, we spent : $700     for the building engineering $500     for soils engineering $300     for the Building Permit $300     for the Septic Permit                    AND $0         for the Driveway Permit (God bless the Department of transportation!) That's $1800, and we hadn't really started.

"Oh, happy day!"

As soon as the permit came through, we started back to work. We are both teachers and therefore we had two weeks off for the winter break.  During this time we hired a crew of people to pound tires.  The first course of tires took 80 tires for the main part of the house.  As the crew approached the third course, we needed to get more tires.  Off we went, this time with a 24' Uhaul.  The 24footer can hold about 700 tires (if you pack it right).  Thanks again to Gerrardo and Dave from the Tire Broker.  Tires: free, Uhaul: $80.

earthpower1@yahoo.com

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December 25, 1999: Our first Christmas in our new home!