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July 29, 2006
Meeting The Frame
Today we got to meet our new home for the first time during our visit to Lancaster County Timber Frames. Since it was such an important day, we decided to take yesterday off of work to try and relax a bit. So we slept in, then headed up to stay in York, PA. Had a quick dinner and did a little research/planning at Lowes. Seems like we haven't been in the mood to shop around for interior stuff since we've just been waiting and waiting through all the delays, but now that progress is being made we've been reinvigorated.
We got up early and headed over to LCTF, got there before 8 to meet the HGTV crew. Got miked up and did a few "arrival" shots before saying hello to Tony, Josh, and Amy, who had been miked up before we arrived. Then the big moment arrived, and they took us into the shop where the first thing we saw was the beam that will be in the middle of the picture windows overlooking the vineyard. That beam is being carved with the word "NOTAVIVA" and some grape clusters. Tony Zaya, the co-founder of LCTF is doing the carving himself. Seeing that just blew us away - the care and craftsmanship were so apparent. So we did some camera shots by the carving, then had to do a quick diaper change!
Grabbed a coffee and a donut, then it was time to see our actual frame. They had assembled bent #2 and it was laying on the floor. It was VERY deceiving laying on the floor - it looked so small! Shannon asked Josh "what does it sit on?" and he replied "Nothing, just the subfloor" They must have seen the disappointment in her eyes because you can't really get a sense of how big the frame is when it's laying down. So Shannon decided to get a more accurate perspective and laid down on the floor in line with the bottom of the frame so she could look up at the ceiling! Too funny - Tony said "uhhh, no one's EVER done that before!" So I tried it too and definitely got a sense for the size of the frame - it's awesome!!!
Of course the camera crew was capturing everything, so the LCTF crew took bent #2 apart, then began to assemble bent #1. It's incredible how quickly the posts and beams go together. I would guess that they assembled the bent in about 45 minutes, plus another 15 to tighten the joints into place. Once it was together they had to drill the holes for the pegs which will hold it all together. So Chuck asked if I wanted to drill one - of course! After I did it, Shannon was looking a little bummed so we told her she had to drill one. Not sure Tony was prepared for this - he looked so nervous having a pregnant lady using power tools in his shop! She did great, and of course it makes for good TV.
It was easily one of the most amazing days in this whole process, and one I was so eagerly anticipating. To meet the home you're going to spend the rest of your life in is absolutely overwhelming, and to realize that the NOTAVIVA beam will be right above our Christmas tree for all our babies' first Christmas. This is what it's all about, dreaming big, taking risks, and making it happen. Today felt good. Really, really good.
Our heartfelt thanks to Tony, Josh, Amy, Chuck, and everyone at Lancaster County Timber Frames. Words fall short when we try to express how much your care and commitment mean to us, and we sincerely hope that you'll take away something special from this project. Never take for granted the importance and beauty of the work you do, as the art you've created will outlive us all and be an inspiration for generations to come.
Posted by Stephen at July 29, 2006 10:32 PM
