Category Archives: House

A look at what we’ve done to our humble abode.

House

More Backyard work

We finally finished laying down the railroad ties…now we start on the shed and brickwork…

Tommy hammering in rebar
Henry falling asleep through all the racket
Done with the railroad ties!
No more slope!
Henry trying to clean up the mess
House

Let the excavating begin!

The transformation of the backyard has started. We rented a bobcat this weekend and dug out the slope on the side of the house and started laying railroad ties. We worked night and day moving that dirt and it ended up being a hell of a lot more than we thought. We had the railroad ties delivered and dumped in the driveway (54 of them) and then moved them all, one by one, to the backyard. Talk about back-breaking work. We moved those damn things while little kids walked around trick or treating! The next day Grandpa came over and helped us shovel excess dirt and then ended up helping us bury the water line that we dug up! woops! It all went well and we were able to return the bobcat on time even with the set back.  Happy Halloween!

Slope by side of fence
Doesn't look like THAT much dirt, does it?
View from the other side
54 railroad ties - Before
Railroad ties after...we were dead.
Henry helping daddy with the bobcat
That's a lot of dirt!
Taking the dirt to the driveway
Grandpa giving me a smile
Can I help Dad?
Laying the first railroad ties
My favorite boys
Henry, House

Henry and the new carpet

We finally got new carpet! Yeah!

Yeah! New carpet!
Ready for new bedroom carpet with all the furniture & stuff piled into the living room
Now it's the living room's turn!

 

Our makeshift crib for Henry (in the dining room) while the installers work on his bedroom - poor little guy!
A look at the new tile surround on the fireplace to match the hallway
Henry rolling around on it
Living room and new furniture arrangement
Tommy's beautiful tilework - that he did in 2 days!!
Henry trying to wrestle with Hexus
Careful not to get the sharp end!
Tryin' on mom's glasses
A little crooked?
House

Tearing down the fence

The backyard fence between us and our neighbors was older than dirt and about to blow away…so we finally decided to tear it down and put up a new one…what a pain in the ass. It was a lot of work but Tommy, once again, did an amazing job. Later, we ended up spray painting it a dark brown to match the trim of the house. It looks great.

Tearing down the old fence
Finally taking it down!
Making progress
Almost gone!
All the new stuff
Tommy attaching the post to the block wall
Waiting for something to do
Posts are up - that part was the worst
Second day - slats going up
Striking a pose
Helping Tommy cut the slats
Almost done with the vertical slats
Now putting up the stablizing slats
Putting on the finishing touches
House

New Shrubs and Trees

We bought some new trees and shrubs for the backyard. Can’t wait for them to grow!

5 new Oleander shrubs infront of the fence

 

New Ash tree

 

Different view of Ash

 

2 lemon trees and an orange tree