A Significant Modification (a detail that got away)

It was a big job taking two men almost two weeks to finish but in October Fred did it: he added flashing to all the facia. It's changed the look of the house, more in keeping with my original vision. Years before construction I had thought about different finishes figuring we would do it while under construction. Never got around to it and as the year wore on I watched the wood on the facia deteriorate.

With this flashing I will never have to stain or take care of it again. Same thing with the stucco finish; there is no paint to maintain.

She is Finished!

I moved into Montana Alegre in November of 2009 but the final details, including furniture, landscaping, and a sound system, were not done until two weeks ago. That is 25 months since the first shovel of dirt was turned over on the property and 10 1/2 years since I bought the vacant lot.

Montana Alegre took two public hearings, a property line adjustment, a formal written determination by the City stating it complies with the zoning laws of the area; a construction loan which went 5 months past the due date at $89 a day in interest, and a change in contractor. I spent 3 1/2 years playing with the designs (the fun part), even commissioning designers to try it, but ended up with my own design.

Montana Alegre is the feminine version of my last name which means 'happy mountain.' The house is also on the top of a mountain ridge. I will be very happy here