Tuesday, August 18, 2009


Morning Blogging


I have decided that blogging in the morning before I start my day is a much better scenario for getting it done on a regular basis! I think it is going to be my new policy which hopefully will mean more than once a week blogging is in my future.


So many things going on right now. We are still digging out from show orders (a blessing, not a complaint) and of course I am already starting development on our Fall release. Such is the way it goes! Also working on new classes to roll out this fall. More about that soon too!


After almost 3 months of being in our rental, they finally started on our house last week! It has been a 3 year process and I must say, until I saw movement and changes over there, I couldn't let myself believe it would really happen.

Hard to tell here, but they did a ton of clearing and have now dug out the foundation (ended up having to dig down a little in the back). Of course they hit rock - it is Tennessee afterall! That is why our basement is a "daylight" basement, basically just meaning we will have 3 levels. You don't have a basement in TN unless your on a cliff (exaggeration, but you get the picture)!

Jared has been over there almost every night moving rocks that we could use for something eventually (not sure what, but I'm sure it will be cool)!


We have worked on the plans for nearly 3 years and have a storage unit full of pieces and parts to "recycle" in the building process. And. . . the most exciting thing of all. . .

we just secured bricks from an old (early 1900's) tobacco barn in Greenville, TN where my inlaws are from. The barn sat next to Andrew Johnson's home right in downtown Greenville. I remember seeing it and admiring it when we toured the home more than a year ago. Sadly, vandals burned it down several months back (maybe a year ago now), almost taking the Andrew Johnson home with it. After several months of trying to figure out who actually "owned" the brick, we finally secured it and 60,000 of them will be on their way here soon!!! I'm so very excited to have that piece of history as part of our home (not to mention it's recycling at it's best)!!

Hopefully I won't bore you too much, but I plan to show updates here and there as we go (and ask for prayers that I make it through with my sanity still in tack)!

Happy Tuesday!!

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19 comments:

Cori from Ontario, Canada said...

...next to scrapping I LOVE anything to do with building and house related so PLEASE keep the updates and LOTS of photos coming!!

naomi chokr said...

congratulations on your house! i too just started a new morning ritual....i blog an read blog in the morning now before i go to work. i wake up at 445am to work out and i have plenty of time to blog now. hopefully this works for you. its works for me and i have the nights to just relax and unwind in front of the tv

Brandi Talmadge said...

How exciting! I'll be thinking of you for sure. We just went through this whole process of selling and having our home built. We're moving in the day after tomorrow...so excited I can't even stand it! Best of luck to you and your family through this process!!! So worth it in the end.

Krys72599 said...

Bore us??? Never!
LOVE building, houses, designing, decorating - bring it on!

Nicole said...

how exciting, Jenni! I can't wait to see pics of the process! :)

LindaSonia said...

I could never be bored hearing about your house progress. Already this one post is soooo interesting. Wishing you all the best and hope your home comes together quickly so you can get in there!! So happy for you. LindaSonia

Nicole said...

Love reading your blog! Keep the post and pictures coming!

Nicole
Houma, Louisiana

Jersey Girl Anne said...

I think that it is great that you are going to show us the house building!! It is also a part of you and it will be so neat to see how you use all the"old" stuff you have found. Your products are so wonderful that I can only imagine what the house is going to look like.

Michelle said...

That looks like a fantastic place to build a house with mature trees and everything! You better believe I will LOVE to follow all the steps with you as you post them :) Soo excited for you!

Amy said...

Oh my... Please share the house progress. I am so excited for your brick find. What an awesome time in life for your.... What blessings. Love the new line and all the new goodies.

Anonymous said...

Ok. My mind is swirling with a ll the uses for that stone! And the old brick that's coming!!!! Oh my! Can't wait to see how the process unfolds!

Casii said...

I'd be super stoked about the bricks! It will be fun to watch your home come together with reclaimed treasures.

Anonymous said...

This post is exactly why I don't want to build a home! LOL! The process drives me nuts. So glad that we are all different! I am sure it will be stunning.

stephanie howell said...

jenni-
it's not possible for you to bore me. you are living my dream! and the bricks? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? amazing.

Kathy Floen said...

Jenni- I can't wait to see your updates of your home! :) How exciting about the bricks from Andrew Johnson's barn! :)

I really can't wait to see your new fall things!!! :)

carolyn peeler said...

Sounds exciting Jenni. I know you'll be glad to finally get it officially started.

TracieClaiborne said...

Wow - that is crazy about the bricks! Where do you come up with this stuff? LOL I can't wait to see how you use them. I'm very excited to see how it progresses. Fun, fun.

Jen Gallacher said...

First of all TN is one of the prettiest places on the planet. And secondly I CANNOT wait to see all your recyled materials. It gives a home real heart.

AmyInKy said...

I would LOVE to see updates about your house here. It sounds like you are continuing on an exciting journey. I love how you will be adding the old into something new. Good luck!