Valentine's Weekend, not even two months into construction and, my gosh, I can't even believe what I'm seeing. D and I started over early Saturday morning. I'd been by earlier in the week on my way to pay the water tap deposit at Speers Properties in Mont Belvieu. The shutters had been delivered. The treated lumber for the porches is also there. Plywood is on the roof and sides. HardiPlank is complete on the garage and almost complete on the house. They're ready for brick and roof shingles. We can't believe the progress. Men were working on Saturday for the first time.

Two neighborhood ladies out for a Saturday morning walk told us that the house looks really great. One of them also commented on how neat and clean the construction crew has kept everything. "They didn't do that when I built my house--but then I didn't have your builder!" was her exact statement. D and I continue to be extremely pleased with Gems. Mike is so organized and efficient and he seems to have really good subs. The only problem to date has been a batch of badly laminated plywood which has buckled in several places on the flooring. Mike told us that he has already settled with the company on it. They will cut it out, patch the cut-out places and come back with another layer of 3/8" plywood over the entire downstairs. That's 3 layers of plywood.

Teri, Mike's assistant who keeps everything on schedule for Gems Construction, called during the week to tell us that Glass Craft had discontinued their 4 panel door. D and I went by Reed Door on Thursday and took our plans. Tom Reed will give us a proposal for the front door unit. He had a custom 4-panel door in stock that he showed us. It's beautiful-extremely deep panels and very solid. We also made final decisions this week on kitchen appliances and plumbing selections. Teri will be proud!