Project Update

 It seems August is all about the house as my activities are centered here along with trips to Lowe's and Home Depot. I hope to ride my bike tomorrow, and a kayak trip is scheduled for Tuesday. Hot tub installation is Wednesday, hair and car appts on Thursday so my week is about set.

Another round of work on the patio Friday included setting the steps in place and installing a french drain in front of the patio and deck and topping it with stone. The yard will remain a wreck as the fence needs to go in and it will just get torn up again. I don't have a date for that, but Wayne has proven to be very punctual on this project so far ... fingers crossed.

I really like the steps up to the landing pad for the garage door. I didn't even request that; it 
was all Wayne's planning and forethought to include it to finish it nicely.

I have quite a few projects of my own to work on this weekend. I bought some new porch lights for the front of the house so I'll install them. I don't love electrical work but it is so simple that it doesn't make sense to call and pay for an electrician for a half hour job.

I bought another lilac tree as well as a mock orange bush which both smell heavenly when in bloom. When not in bloom they grow large and bushy enough to extend my 'green' fence so my neighbors won't be tempted to mow my lawn. I did lend a hand to my 'offending' neighbor and lent him the use of my power washer to clean his pool filter, so I'm not a grumpy neighbor, just very territorial. The utility guy came by to mark where the electric and cable lines are so I don't damage lines when I plant the shrubs.

I rediscovered why I dislike electrical work. Installing a fixture is very straight forward. Disconnect old wires, reconnect new wires, screw in fixture. Except that one electrical box was placed further into the studs than the other; or askew, or something. That required me to go further into the process to fix the original mistake which probably explains why the light on the left kept going out even though the bulb was fine. This half hour job took me 2 hours and I had to manufacture a washer so the fixture fit correctly. I am my father's daughter, so I found an eyelet screw and used a wire cutter to remove the threads and voila - a roundy sort of washer!

Before: 30 yr old plastic builders grade light fixtures in coloni-awful style.

After: New metal and glass light fixtures.

Now, of course, I see I need to power wash the porch.

I had dinner Thursday night with teacher friends, now travel buddies. I'm set to host next month when hopefully the backyard will be entertainment ready. As I predicted, now that the patio looks so nice, the deck looks shabby in comparison. Now another project - power wash and stain the deck a more compatible color. And I'm guessing new outdoor furniture will be a glaring need right after that. 😬

My plan to powerwash the deck was postponed Saturday, as my neighbor wanted to borrow the power washer again. Instead, I sanded and repainted the trim on the deck door which really improved it. I'll power wash the deck tomorrow.

Power washing the deck is mostly done and it took me all day Sunday. I did a little internet searching for deck treatments. and I'm thinking of just painting it a nice dark gray. My vision for the garden makeover is taking shape, but it means getting rid of some long time favorite plants, like lavender (too much) and bee balm (messy after blooming). I think watching Gardener's World on BritBox is having an effect on me!

Comments

  1. MargaretAugust 26, 2024 at 6:38 PM

    One thing does lead to another! 8 years ago or so I wanted my master bedroom and bathroom re-done. Then I thought--why not have my other two bathrooms updated while the workers are here? That required new towels and one shower curtain (looked at about a thousand of them before finding the One) as well as different decor. Love the concrete and the new lights. I don't like mine much but they are way better than the originals which had to be taken apart to put a new light bulb in. The ones now are accessible from the bottom!

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