Here you go . . .

An update on the sunshades, as promised. You can see below a shot of the sunshades in progress. The single windows on the first floor all the way to the right and left are finished -you can see the shadows being created around the windows by the sunshades. On the long set of windows in the center of the house, you can see that the three to the right are complete and in shadow, while the two to the left are not complete and have no shadows.

Here's a close up of one completed . . .

Sunshades in progress

We should be finishing up the custom architectural sunshades on the exterior of the house today or tomorrow. The Memorial Day weekend is being kind to us and allowing an extra day of good weather to work in.

It also looks like we'll have another summer of frequent blog updates, as we've decided to add a pool to the landscape. Hopefully if all goes well with financing and planning, we should be able to start excavation for the pool in mid-late June. Of course we'll keep you posted with updates and photos. We decided that we aren't getting any younger and neither are the kids - and pools won't be getting any cheaper, so we're going to really do it. That means that our mini-vacation to Indianapolis is pushed back to next year, and next year's planned trip to Disney World is pushed to 2010. All the while, we'll be kicking back in the pool and having fun!

Anyway, look for an update later today or tomorrow for the sunshades, and don't forget to check back for updates on the landscape - raingarden, wetland, and prairie - soon too. The excavator will be starting to clear for the wetland next week.

As for an update on the inside - Kenny will be starting trim sometime this summer and I'll be working on touch up painting and getting another coat of wax on the floor. By the way, dogs are not kind to the wax finish on my floors! Oh well, it's otherwise indestructable and great for both kids and pets. I can't tell you how many times something has been spilled or dropped or there's been a pet/kid "accident" and it's just no big deal. In our old house we'd have to break out the towels, carpet spot treatment, shampoo machine, etc. Here, it's a quick 1-2 with the mop and you're done. I will never have carpet in my living areas ever again - it is so nasty.

Also, those of you who know me probably remember that I had a terrible time with springtime seasonal allergies. I'm happy to report that amazingly, I have not had the slightest problem with allergies since moving into our house - which is wierd considering that we now keep the windows open all the time. (Knocking on wood as I type).

Ok, so that's about it for the update today - I'll see some of you in August for the Dalton Reunion, and others for various tours that we'll be doing through the summer months, so be sure to mention that you still check in on the blog. I'll only keep it up as long as people want me to, so let me know!

Clean Energy Strategies for Consumers Workshop!

Green Energy Ohio has asked if I would post this announcement. For more info or to register, please go to www.greenenergyohio.org. Thanks!

GEO Southwest Ohio 2008 Regional Workshop
Managing Your Carbon FootprintClean Energy Strategies for Consumers

Saturday, May 17, 2008
9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Cincinnati ZooHarold C. Schott Education Center3400 Vine StreetCincinnati, Ohio 45220See Agenda & Register On-Line [CLICK HERE] Map & Directions [CLICK HERE]

This all-day workshop provides multiple sessions with expert speakers covering current topics in energy efficiency and alternative energy practices relevant to Midwest residential and small business applications. This Southwest Ohio Regional Workshop is co-hosted by Green Energy Ohio, the Ohio Department of Development, the Cincinnati Zoo and the Cincinnati Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Companies providing sustainable design and energy services will be on hand displaying products and services. Expert speakers will discuss these issues:

How can you save energy and reduce your utility bills?
Wondering how to rehab a building in a green way?
Will renewable energy work for you?
Where can you find providers of sustainable energy products?
How will Ohio's new Energy Bill impact renewable energy and energy efficiency?
Two programs in three afternoon breakout sessions are offered:
Basic information on efficiency, renewable energy and green design.
Advanced information for those seeking more detailed knowledge for specific projects.
Registration: $60 Individual Registratin /$48 GEO/Zoo/USGBC Members Walk-In Registrations Welcome, But Lunches Limited
Questions: Contact James Kinsman at james@greenenergyoh io.org or 513.293.3241

Front porch paint!

We finally finished painting the front porch! I can't believe how much of an improvement it is. Next on our list is getting some landscaping and possibly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a pool. We are getting some bids and thinking it over. Of course, that's a whole other blog, right? For the landscaping, we are putting in a rain garden in the front yard - downslope from the house. And in the back yard, we'll be putting in a wetland. Eventually, I'd like to also have a native prairie.

If you look at the top of the blog you'll see I added a photo fixed to the top and a little general info to the right sidebar. The photo at top, shows the view of the house with the PV solar panels layed down flat to the roof (the solar hot water panels are permanently raised to that angle, but the PV electric panels can be raised or lowered based on the seasonal angle of the sun). This is the summer look. The panels are only raised up in winter. We'll see if the angle change really impacts us that much for our summer electric production. That's about all for now - we'll keep you updated (hopefully more often) on the landscaping and pool. As always, thanks for reading!