This is not my usual nature blog today.
Last week, we made a huge improvement to our house.
It was finished today.
This was what was here when we moved in. It is the original builder's grade deck,
and was similar to every other existing old deck in this subdivision.
As you see, Keith removed a section last October in order to build new stairs, as the
stairs were crooked and slanting, scary to walk down.
The gap was never filled, and I was always scared on the deck. The rail
closest to you was also loose, and you could not lean on it.
The one good thing was that Lil loved to lay under it.
Several months ago, we saw a deck being built behind us, one door down. Keith
went over to talk to the men building it, and getting their information, and
that night at the T Bones, the owner of the company sat in front of us two rows down!
Serendipity!
We had him come and give us a bid.
So, two weeks ago Thursday, Bob (l) and Jack (r) came and tore the old deck down.
Bye Bye, old deck!
The following Monday, they got started. (Notice they also removed the old swingset that used to sit in the outer yard directly behind where they are. It was hard to cut around and the little grands did not use it)
The dogs pined to go out onto the deck.
But little by little, it was taking shape. Keith was in awe of Jack, who was
able to cut with a skil saw and not have to use a mitre box or chop saw.
The railing began to go up...
And the steps, I call them the "throne stairs".
And yesterday, the stairs were finished and the lath went up around the bottom. There is a
door for Lilly to go under where the old stairs used to come down.
And here is the finished product!
Jack (l) and Bob (r) and proud of it, and believe me, they earned their
kudos! It's a work of art. Thanks so much, guys!
We highly recommend Sands Construction Company of
Leavenworth, and we have some more projects for them next year.
Today, Jack and Bob came back and cleaned up the leftovers, and then sprayed the
deck with protectant. It's drying as I type this, and I'll show you the
finished product tomorrow.
It was a wonderful birthday present, and we have some new furniture to put
on it as soon as it is dry, courtesy of Walmart end of season sales.
So... here's a picture of me, Jester and Lil,
on the evening of my 65th birthday (today)...
I so rarely post pictures of myself, but I did
post this today.
(when will my glasses EVER be straight?)
( Likewise something else!)
