Driveway Update and Pricing Constraints

A lot has happened since my last post, but while it was happening none of it seemed particularly noteworthy.  But I seem to be way past due for an update.  It's Spring, the dogwoods are starting to bloom (in addition to all the myriad of other beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers) and things are really starting to turn green around here.  It's a great feeling to be out in the country (even if I am technically in the city limits).

Since the last post in late January I spent about three weeks digging tree stumps out of my driveway, and then another three or four weeks re-grading the 440-foot driveway -- all by hand.  The reasons for doing it by hand instead of getting a bulldozer in there are because I'm not really fond of machinery (especially big, destructive, noisy, polluting ones), plus I wanted to save money, get some exercise, and do a good, thorough job.  I still have some final touches to do on the re-grading, but it's just about done.

I've also gotten well into pricing out the cost of the house and have discovered that I'll have to cut back on the house, both in size and scope.  Since my last posted picture, I've shortened the house in both height and length, eliminated some windows and taken out the spiral staircase.  The new design will be a 12' x 32' footprint and 1-1/2 stories (instead of two).  I still plan to have a wrap-around porch and the wood cookstove, but they will have to wait until I go back to work and save up some more money.  So basically, I'll just have a basic, no-frills rectangle house for now.  At least that's the plan, assuming there are no more pricing surprises.  I'm hoping to finish up the pricing this week and then finish up the plans the next week.  Maybe I'll have a building permit in 3 or 4 weeks!  It's about time, isn't it?!