The Nuge

It's time for the Mississippi Valley Fair again. The fairgrounds are less than a mile from our house and each night they have a concert. As my friend Brian described it, "it's kind of like the rodeo (in Houston) but without the rodeo part." Last night's act: Ted Nugent. He started up about the time we were finishing putting our table and chairs together on the deck. So we sat around and listened to loud Ted Nugent.

All the deck boards are down, we just have to put the steps in.

Phase 2: In Progress

David started on the deck Saturday while I was having lunch with some friends. That lasted a lot longer than I thought, so he didn't have much help. Sunday, David's Dad Craig came and helped us. We got about 1/2 the deck boards on. When you start putting deck boards on, you find where things are out of whack that need to be straightened...which is why we didn't get as far as we would have liked. Plus it was WAY hot. Now, I know Holly will trump me with 100 degree temps and way more humidity. Like I've said before, I am a wimp now that I live in the midwest. So we called it quits at 5 PM. We might have been better off to take a siesta in the hot part of the day and then finish up...but oh, well. Craig is coming to help David this afternoon. You will get pictures when it's done and you will like it!

Phase 1: Complete

Well, they were right. They finished by 5 PM on Friday - sod and everything! We had them put in landscape fabric and river rock under where the deck will be built. We still need to decide what we're doing with the area around the burning bush/tree and across the top of the retaining wall. I think we'll plant hostas under the bush (since it's shady all day and I can split some of the bigger ones on the side of the house). But we aren't sure about the long strip of ground at the top. I think I might make it an annual bed, since there's not really any other good spots for annuals in the yard. Maybe mix in herbs with annuals. That spot gets PLENTY of sun.


Here's another view from closer to the side door. It will wind up being a pretty big deck! The plan is to rent an auger and dig the footings on Tuesday. Hopefully the inspector can come out Wednesday and we can start working on the deck this coming weekend.

It Begins!!

The crew showed up today to start on fixing the disaster in our back yard. The wall was torn down and is 1/2 way rebuilt. They are going to try and finish it all tomorrow, but I don't think it will happen that quick. I am just getting excited that we might have a deck in a few weeks!! Miner supervised the action and made sure to mark the pile of blocks - and he didn't use that can of spraypaint.

We've been without internet for 3 days at the house. It's a little frustrating how much we get attached to having it.

John Deere Classic

Yesterday and today, we were marshals at the John Deere Classic.
We got rained on yesterday, but not much. Today was beautiful and a nice breeze where we were on hole 3. As the day went on, it got more and more windy. We're watching the leaders finish up on TV now. I think I'll take a nap and then maybe do a little work.

Red it is

So, we went with a dark red with a lot of brown in it for the front door. We think it turned out pretty nice.

Ignore the bright orange permit sticker for the deck (it's coming eventually). And the smudgy stuff at the bottom of the screen door is part my reflection and part doggy nose prints.

David also just finished building a light box for a stain-glass window. So, I thought I'd let you all see his handy work.

Where's the Bark?

I know you should "be careful what you ask for" and all, but Miner doesn't bark. We think he might have been mistreated when he was young for barking, because the first few times we heard him bark he cowered. So we try to give him plenty of positive reinforcement when he happens to bark today.

This morning, Miner was laying by the front screen door, looking outside as usual to see if any squirrels happened to come into the yard. Squirrels have come as close as the top step by the front door before. (I think they are taunting him.) We hear Miner growling at something. Not a very loud growl, just a low rumble. David walks over to the door quietly so he doesn't scare whatever it is off. He looks around and busts up laughing. Miner was staring and growling at a fly that was hopping around on the door mat. I wish we had been able to get it on video.