Friday, October 16, 2009

Desperate Yard Crashers - Part 1


If you are a fan of DIY Network, you will understand the combo title of my post. Before our pool was actually completed, my husband, who is my own personal Ahmad Hassan, began the sod replacement and flagstone bed preparation.

Here is the blank slate.


The sod, flagstone, and good Oklahoma sandy loam await our blood, sweat, and tears.

Hubby carted many loads of dirt and personally laid all the sod, because the rolls of fescue were too heavy for my daughter and me to lift.


I am a weak wuss, but my daughter was a trooper, filling the wheelbarrow with load after load of dirt to be dumped into the bed for the flagstone and to build up the corner for a flower bed. I think I moved two loads of dirt, total, before I was wiped out.


Finally the dirt and sod were removed from the driveway, and my yardgirl attempts to leave before we make her do more back-breaking work.


Remember the relocated crepe myrtle? It now has a new home.


Hubby installed stairs from the deck to the flagstone.


The flagstone is being properly laid by a landscape company, but it has been delayed due to daily rain. Part 2 will reveal more fun and games.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Life's Too Short--Build A Pool! - Done!

Our pool was begun on August 6 and completed on September 10 for a total of 35 days--not bad considering all the rain delays. Business, yard work, laziness, and enjoying the pool have taken priority over posting the final pictures of pool development.

Here is the yard before and after.



Below is a brief gallery of the process since the gunite was applied:

Plaster is mixed on the truck and runs through a hose to the back yard.


Plaster is sprayed onto the gunite surface.


The plaster is smoothed to dark blue perfection.


The last step prior to filling the pool with water is acid wash. I was happy to see this gentleman arrive.


The hose is turned on full blast to fill the pool, starting at 10:30 a.m.


Here it is half-full at 6:00 p.m.


We turned off the water to the pool overnight then resumed filling the next morning. Here it is at 10:30 a.m., being cleaned by a happy hubby.


In the meantime, this awaited us.


My next post will be about the ongoing yard renovation.