We passed inspection (Not the kind you think)

I am not talking about building departments...
My brother Hans is here to help with getting Mom ready to move out for a long weekend.  He brought Mom down to inspect our progress.
It is actually impressive that we are still moving forward like we are, because:
Casey is working on a broken leg
Steve and his son Aubrey left back to Pagosa Springs last week
My neice and nephew, Lauren and Keegan left for PS on Saturday
And Robert decided it was a good time to take a two week road trip last Thursday!

Still, Mom is very pleased.  She spent hours with Casey going over every detail.  Her timing was perfect.  She could make choices for her siding, decking, tiles and more.  (Did we say, "Thank God Casey is the builder often enough? Between an incompetent architect,  making sure this goes the way she likes best and his understanding of what is needed, this would never have turned out as well as it is)

Best news is that (drumroll please) the cottage is bigger than she imagined!
You need to understand that she is living on 2 1/2 acres in a 3 bedroom house, with a separate, full sized building as her studio and a full, separate garage.   She has a house with very high ceilings and a bedroom that is bigger than my living room- so she was concerned.  She did not want to feel boxed in.  So the fact that it feels bigger than she imagined is great!

Robert, on the other hand, is cruising New Jersey and the rural roads of Pennsylvania in antique Oakland automobiles with Elise and his Oakland Owner buddies.  (Jealous of missing a road trip...)
Today he heads to DC for some sight seeing, visits Elise in NY again and heads off to the Indy 500 for the race.  Poor baby, he has so much traveling to do.

In the meantime- we have progress...

Check out all the old Oaklands...

Back at the homestead- the porch is really taking shape.  The beams are up and the rafters are going up.

The goal is to have her moved in and ready for her 90th birthday celebration in July.  Casey and Andrew have their work cut out for them!!!
Now- off to Home Depot to get the stain for the porch

Annette, filling in for the vacationing Robert