Sunday, September 7, 2014

Looking Good

Six pallets of sod, 19 shrubs, 18 solar lights later the backyard is looking good. 





We are really enjoying the backyard. 
Can't wait for fall nights to have a fire in the fireplace!  
See ya, 
Di





Tuesday, September 2, 2014

One Side Finished!

Paul was able to find the last 3 Pink Muhly Grass plants and also 3 Little Lime Hydrangeas.  Before the afternoon rain came he was able to put these plants in the bed and put out the mulch. 
It is so pretty!  I love this bed.  Right after dinner tonight PAul commented on the rose cast over the yard as the sun was setting. I snapped a few pictures. I even got one of a rainbow!  



See ya, Di 


Monday, September 1, 2014

One Plant At A Time

We made a Saturday trip to Jackson to buy some plants for the pool area. Unfortunately our usual garden center was remodeling so they were low on shrubs. We did find 9 of the 12 Pink Muhley Grasses. But no Little Lime Hydrangeas to be found. 😢
It was a rainy day on Saturday so Paul had to wait to plant the grasses. 
They look so pretty, I know once we are finished it will be so lush.  I called around and I did locate more Pink Muhley Grass and the Little Lime Hydrangeas.   Soon it will be finished. 
 




See ya, Di



Sunday, August 24, 2014

Landscaping

Well we finally got the final grading of the area around the pool done. YAY!  So now the fun part of putting down sod and plants. We put out one pallet of sod on Thursday and another pallet on Friday. 
Whew that was hard work in these hot temps. Thank goodness we had a pool to cool off after our work.  Saturday, we started shaping the planter beds by the patio steps.  We were able to put down the brick edging to define the shape  of the beds. Then it was time to put down the weed barrier cloth. 


We also shopped around for some plants to go in the beds. I think we have decided to go with Pink Muhly Grasses around the top edge of the beds. The center plants will be Little Lime Hydrangeas. Both of these plants grow well in our zone, are suited for full sun, and grow well in clay soil. They are also recomended poolside plants. 
Now we just need two or three more pallets of sod and to purchase the plants. Until then we will water the sod. 
See ya, 
Di




Monday, August 18, 2014

Our View Has Made A Big Change

So the pool and back yard project is almost finished. Let's look back and compare how are yard looked back on June 17 and 

My new view today. 



Amazing how much has changed in less than 2 months. 
 We love our new yard. 
See ya 
Di 


Monday, August 11, 2014

Outdoor Fireplace Finished


The outdoor fireplace is finished!  I almost wish it were fall. What? I said almost. Ha! 
It looks great!  



Now it's time to get to work on the yard!  
See ya, 
Di 



Tuesday, August 5, 2014

One More Project.

The swimming pool is complete. We still need to have the final grading of the land around the pool deck and put down some sod. We also have added one addition to our outside entertainment area,an outdoor fireplace. This was something we wanted and it just worked out the bricklayer could start on our project this week. Actually he poured the foundation last week. He had the bricks delivered last Friday and started work on Monday. Due to a light rain and a shortage of bricks he wasn't able to finish  the fireplace. The additional bricks should be delivered on Thursday so hopefully we'll have this project finished this week. 



A picture of the pool deck and patio. 

We are enjoying the pool so much. I came home from work this afternoon and headed to the pool. What a great nap, floating in the pool with the spa waterfall lulling me to sleep. 
See ya, 
Di 





Sunday, July 27, 2014

Day 33. Party Time!

Well the pool project is 95% complete and that is close enough for a party. The boys played golf and were ready to hit the water. Only one hiccup, for some unknown reason, the heater for the spa came on about 3 hours before they got to home and it was spilling over into the pool. We will learn all the tricks of running a pool soon.  I made Matt & Mark dip, and had little smokies in the mini crockpot. The guys grilled sausages, boudan, and burgers. I also fried green tomatoes and hand cut French fries.   Yum. I forgot dessert but I don't think anyone complained.





Also sweet baby Caroline made her first visit to Honey and Papa's house. 

 What a great evening with family!  I look forward to many more such events! 

See ya, 
Di





Friday, July 25, 2014

Day 32. Closer, Closer, Closer...


Loving this last bits of progress. This morning we knew the fence crew would be here to set the posts. But before they got here, the brick crew arrived. Double Yay!!



Here are the fence posts by the sidewalk. 



See ya, Di



Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Day 31. Almost Finished.

Lovely day for working in the yard and around the pool. Today the crew removed the boards used for forming the pool deck. Also the brick coping was scrubbed and washed  the diving board was installed   The ladders were positioned and cleaned. Finally the pool and spa were vacuumed  and all the salt was poured into the pool.  We are so close to the finish line.   The gas company came and ran a line for the heater for the spa. The LED lights are also on in the pool and spa. Love the colors! 




All that is left is to brick the spa, and smooth out the ground around the pool deck.  Wow. Then we can put down sod. The fence crew should be here this week too. I can't wait to put all my plants on the deck area. I put out all my pillows and cushions this afternoon. I need to finish painting the 3 other adirondack chairs.  I made new covers for the chase lounge chair and pillows for the table chairs. 
I may need one more pillow for the adirondack chairs. I have a few other ideas in my head that I want to do for the patio and deck. I did get the iron hammock stand down from the attic, I plan to paint it aqua and we have a new new rope hammock on order.  I also have an old iron dinner bell that I have painted aqua and plan to put it on a post by the fence gate. I'll post so all the other little touches I have planned. Paul laughed when I said the steps from the patio to the deck will look great with mums and pumpkins. I know I love to decorate for every holiday!  
See ya, 
Di 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Day 30. As Far As The Eye Can See - Concrete


Well maybe not that far but we do have a lot of concrete. They started early this morning finalizing the frames that will hold the concrete. Soon the first concrete truck arrived and the fun began. 

And more fun...
And more ... 

Three umbrella anchors were positioned to allow shade without having a bulky stand that has to be moved around.  The "gig" for the diving board foundation, the deep end ladder and the steps hand rail were also positioned. There definitely an art to pouring and smoothing the concrete. 

Now we just have to wait while it dries and firms up. Easy Peasy! 

I thought I would never see this completed, well almost completed. But the vast amount of dirt/mud is greatly decreased. Now we just have to have bricks placed around the spa, smooth ground around pool area, hook up lights and gas line.  Short to do list.   I'll take it! 

See ya, Di 




Monday, July 21, 2014

Day 29. Finishing The Last Items.

Our patio is awesome.  We love how much bigger it is. We had a few days of rain delay but we were told rain is helpful. First it cause the concrete to cure or harden at a slower rate and second it allow the dirt to settle and shows where more dirt might be needed. 
So after two good days of clear weather the ground was ready to finish up the framing for the sidewalk and the pool surround.  


The steps from the patio to the pool area. 



They also ran the conduit pipe for the pool lights. The pool was cleaned a little more and treated for the alga.   The deep end ladder and steps handrail were placed ready to be set in the concrete. We also have 3 umbrella anchors to put in place which will eliminate the need for those big bulky umbrella stands. 
Hopefully we will have the concrete poured tomorrow and hook up the gas line to the spa. Soon we will have a completed pool. 
See ya,
Di

Friday, July 18, 2014

We Interrupt This Pool Building To Bring You A Baby

Our first grand child entered the world on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 7:27. She weighed 7 pounds and 1 ounce and is 19.5 inches long. She was quite stubborn in not wanting to leave her warm nest but with lots of encouragement she made her debut. She has a head full of dark hair. Mother,  Baby and Daddy are all well.  She was greeted with lots of cheers from Honey(me), Papa (Paul), Pops (Mark Posey) , Uncle Matt, Marianne, Dinah, and Great Aunt Virginia.  What a precious gift. let the spoiling begin.

See ya, Di
 

Day 28 Let It Pour. Concrete That Is.

What a day we were on baby watch all day.  We left our house about 10:00 to head to the hospital. 
Shortly after that the crew arrived to start working on pouring the patio. To top it all off right before we left the house we heard a large bang in the garage. Turns out the spring on our garage door broke. Ugh.   Paul called the company to come repair it. 
After lunch he gets a call the repairman was on his way. We needed to run home and let him in the house. We also needed to check on Annabelle, the grand dog too.  Seems we got home right as all the fun was happening. It was like bees in our yard as the crew prepared for pouring the patio,  cleaning  the pool and forming the sidewalk. 

They covered the doors and walls with plastic to keep the concrete splashes to a minimum. 
Thank goodness. 

 The truck arrived with the first load of concrete. 


Pouring the patio. The only bad part was the windows were covered and Annabelle could not see out. She was not a happy camper. 
They did remove one of the plastic planets to allow us to see them finish the patio. 
We headed back to the hospital before they finished the patio. 
By the time we returned home it was very late. I did walk around back and check it out. I'm loving this. 
See ya 
Di