October 3. The plastic vapor barrier is down in the basement. Tomorrow the concrete will be poured for the floor.
	October 3. A new foundation is being prepared for the front steps.
	October 9. The front steps are nearly complete. Railings to match the porch railings will be added.
	October 9. Another look at the front steps. Jack's masonry guys have done a great job, but I worry about it settling over time.
	October 9. Jackie is helping me at the job site . We're plotting the lower level floor plan today (see it). It's a real education.
	October 9. The drainage field for the septic system is being installed in the front yard. At least the grass will be green here.
	October 21. Sheetrock has just started going up on the second floor. Last chance to document what's in the walls.
	October 21. He's the man! Jack impresses us with his heretofore unknown skills in both Spanish and earth moving.
	October 21. These boulders are being used in the retaining wall and stairway to the lower level entrance.
	October 21. It's hard work, but the materials are close at hand. All these stones are native to the property.
	October 21. The Autumn colors are pretty. Too bad we can't move in yet.
	October 24. The retaining walls are now complete. The 5-ton bolders are at center.
	October 24. A view of the retaining walls from up on the porch. I greatly appreciate the fine stone work that these workers do.
	October 24. The kitchen still needs a little work (Ha!).
	October 24. The sheetrock has been nailed up in the master suite. The portholes make us feel like we are on the Titanic.
	October 24. The main stairs to the basement are in. The garage-to-basement stairs are, as well, but I didn't get a picture. I'm still working on the floor plan for finishing the basement.
	October 24.The oil tanks have found their way to the octagon in the basement.
	October 24.Don't ask...
	October 25.Jack has layed out the border for the rear patio and sidewalk.
	October 25.The latticework panels have been added and the slate is now on the front steps. We still need the railings, though.
	October 27.The garages are sheetrocked, but still no doors! They're about 6 weeks overdue and the temperatures are starting to drop. We need to get the house closed up this week.
	October 27.See...The attack of the bionic sheetrock finisher! Yes, they even walk up and down stairs with these articulated stilts on.
	October 27.There's a lot of grumbling about the bluestone-over-concrete construction we specified for the patio. It's both time- and labor-intensive.
	October 27.The patio connects to the lower-level entrance via a sidewalk and stone steps.
	October 28.We're using the first water pumped from the well to mix mud and mortar for the tile work. Austin shows off the pressure tank for the well - "Hey Dad! It looks like a bomb!" Oh, great...
	October 28.Yes, this is fun.
	October 31.It's suddenly turned cold. We need heat in order to get the sheetrock work finished. And to get heat, we need several things: We need a furnace...
	October 31...we need the baseboards plumbed, and we need an oil delivery. At least I can control the oil delivery, or so I thought. But that's a long story.
	October 31.We've designed the laundry room with a floor drain. Whoa! Heavy duty!
	October 31.On the eve of the final month, the job site is beset with subcontractors and vendors. A minor jam occurs.
	October 31.Jack's happy. I agreed to pay for another stone wall in exchange for his giving me a couple of additional parking spaces in the driveway. Judging from his expression, these walls must be a good business.