Deckboards!

No photos (too dark last night when I finished), but the first 4.5 deckboards are on!!

Ran into a small glitch with the left side of the left lilac tree-- with the trim boards on, there was only one crossbeam for support for two small planks. DRAT. Need to add another support board. Yes, NO ONE will probably ever go back there, but.

Also, right angles and I are not talking. What a pain in the behind.

But, it looks beautiful, if I do say so myself. I was mostly struck by the lilacs. Both Bob and I are REALLY happy that I kept them in. The sight of them coming out the deck is stunning. I also lined their little frames, so that way, we can put river rock in there. That way, when you look down into their cut-outs, you'll see rock, not a pit.

Whew.

Deck progress.

Well, I'm getting there with the deck.

 Even with (or in spite of) all the canine support crew.

The entire deck (in this phase) measures 20' long by 14' deep. I've added support pillars to this section (below) to make this 10'x14' section incredibly sturdy. The other side (next to the part in this photo) still needs additional support. I'm getting really good at ratcheting.

The lilac trees (seen above, poking out) are in full bloom, which makes it pretty sweet-smelling outside and nice. I've completely framed them. I'm going to add some wire mesh which will extend from the wood to the ground. It will completely encircle the trees, that way I can fill those squares up with mulch or river rock. That way, when you look into the small cut-out for the tree, you won't see a pit; you'll see mulch or river rock, which I think will be nice. This area doesn't get a TON of moisture, so I think mulch would work... but I tend to lean on caution and will likely go with river rock.

I realized tonight too that I'll need to add ANOTHER support beam right next to the first and last beams to provide appropriate extra end support for the deckboards. CRUD.

I know this is the hardest section, what with the lilacs, the front door, the two sets of stairs, working around the fence, etc, but sigh. It is a TON of steps to do this sucker right.

Like a bridge over short-legged pups....

Just had to post that tonight? Our new addition, Roxy, walked under our Golden Retriever for the first time. Our other corgi? Does this all the time. Yes, Maddie is a champ at walking under the belly of the much-taller Bailey. But oh, it does wonders for my happy soul to see Roxy now doing it too. Our little new girl is adjusting.

Here's to puppy happiness.

Roxy Girl

This is Roxy. She's a 5-year-old fluffy red-and-white corgi, and she's ours. The golden retriever? Happy happy happy (when is he not?) about this new development. Somehow Maddie, our other corgi, knew this was a permanent interloper addition and she was a tad cool, though that only lasted a couple of hours and now they get along like peaches and cream. Mads just had to let her know who was boss.

She needs to lose about 10 lbs, and she will be getting a teeth-cleaning in the next two weeks (a couple of bad build-up spots that could result in a gum infection if not soon removed). She has slight lower back pain, so we're giving her a small tablet every morning, that way she has no pain and can easily romp around with the other two dogs (and not have it inhibit her weight loss exercise!).

To say she loves being on the bed is an understatement. We've moved our mattress and box springs onto the floor so the corgis can jump up (Mads could already, but we were worried about her someday hurting her back). Mads and Roxy think this is swell. Mads leaves after a few minutes (she likes cold floors), but Roxy turns into a rock and stays for HOURS.

I took the two corgi girls over to a friends house yesterday. LOVE! They had so much fun in the car together and looking out the windows. And yes, they took turns. Roxy got to car surf on the center console on the way back (front paws on the console, back paws on the rear seat), Mads took the side window. They had switched from the set-up they had when driving over! Poor Roxy is a bit plump and when she jumped in the car, she got wedged between the front seat and the back seat and needed a bit of help getting onto the back seat. We're working on that, dear.

Both corgis garble-talk when playing. It's ridiculously cute. And, rather than breaking into a full bark, they both "BUFF!" as a warning half-bark, half-growl. Two buffers! The golden retriever tries to imitate and sounds like a foghorn.

Pretty great. Oh, and here's a video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w0WBwr0G30&feature=youtu.be

Things are a-happening.

Deck Progress

 

Well, we're getting there. The pathway is so we don't go crazy this next week trying to cross the terrace. The deckboards are our small ones (meant to frame out stairs), but I had to put them on so I could be reminded of the final product. :)

Still need to add more support posts, frame out the trees and stairways, and create a gateway for the gate to the rock stairs before I can add deckboards. 

But, hot damn, I'm getting there....

Deck, part I

Yes, the deck is coming along. Keep in mind this is 1/6 of the final deck! But, I'll argue that it is the most complicated portion, since I have to take into account a) Leveling, b) two lilac trees, and c) STAIRS. Plus, it's always the most difficult starting out and hitting a groove. I think I'm beginning to hit it and have fun with this phase of building. In the beginning, all I wanted to do was screw on the pretty deck boards... But now, yes.

As a side note, I HATE BOLTS, but oh, they are so necessary. I bought an incredibly sweet 12" long drill bit, and I have 6" long bolts that go through both the 4x4 AND the support beam. I hate bolts. My arm hurts from ratcheting. But, in the words of Bubba Sparxxx "get it right, get it right, get it tight."  And I am. This will be ONE SOLID DECK.

Quite honestly, the main things pushing me on right now are:

• the weather. It's FABULOUS
• our canopy arrives TOMORROW. It won't get installed tomorrow, but at least I have that as motivation to finish!
• lilac blooms. They're barely budding now! I either finish the deck with time to spare so stain/gloss sets before the blossoms fall, or I wait until after they're gone. I also would LOVE to sit on our finished deck and admire the blossoms, so there's additional motivation.
• a screwdriver. I'll leave it to you whether I mean the tool, the drink or both. (hit: definitely the latter).
• The thought of sitting out here and enjoying ourselves.

Also: Thank goodness for portable radios. And kind neighbors (the two next door neighbors love us and are fine with the construction noise, and the neighbor across the street lent me his ratchet when I, for the LIFE of me, could not find ours). 

This project will end fabulously. I KNOW IT.

Deck and Canopy!

I'm in the middle of building a deck. Well, I have all the supplies... just need to put it all together!

And, once the deck is complete, this beauty will go on top. Yes, after changing our minds 4000 times as to what our canopy would look like, this canopy sealed the deal. The top panels are semi-translucent, so we'll get sunlight through. If it's too much, then we'll put together a top curtain.



So excited! And everything is on it's way now!

Rat Killer.

Just killed two rats with a stick. Thankfully, they were not IN our house, but they were on our property. GIVES ME THE CREEPS.

I keep telling Bob that this elevates me to "awesome wife" status, and this proclamation is coupled with many huzzahs! and muscle flexes.

Fairly certain that my husband is even further convinced he married a loon.

Adorable!

This is quite an adorable little film! Lightbulbs! Love! Ideas! Swoon.

http://vimeo.com/24051768