The Goodrums

First Christmas Tree

You know you are working on a major construction project when...






















Yes, those are batteries for the power tools in the freezer.

This update is long overdue, as we've been done with the deck for a couple of weeks now. I can't believe we started the project right after the Tour de France and only finished at the end of October. We're very relieved that it's done. ...Ah, the joys of projects.

So without further adieu...

Stage 18: Assembled the railings

















Stage 19: Fixed the pathway (grout was added later so the filler material now matches)

















Stage 20: Added the siding






















Stage 21: Assembled the stair railings

















Final stage: Passed the county inspection, which happened at the beginning of last week.
With that signed off on, we're done for the year. We have ambitions to close off the underside of the deck next year - but for now we're just enjoying being done.

Parting Shots

Before
















After
















Deck's first snow - a dusting (in early September)
















Deck's first "real" snow (late October)

Last weekend's/this work week's progress:

Stage 13: Post sleeve caps and skirts






















Stage 14: Stairs






















(Still need to fix the path to put on the final riser).

Stage 15: Post caps






















Stage 16: Test railing

















(See it to the top right of the stairs :)

Stage 17: Lay out railing patterns

Stage 11: Add border

















Stage 12: Add decking






















Still to come: Stairs, Railing, Trim

The deck continues to progress. It's been a slowly but surely thing (it's especially hard to make good progress on it during the work week).

Stage 5: Front beams (angled) go in.

















Stage 6: Add joists. Cut joists.

















Stage 7: Add bracing and blocking.
























Stage 8: Frame the stairs.






















Stage 9: Frame inspection (Friday). Passed. Phew.

Stage 10: Railing posts.






















We're getting close. Michael is outside sanding down some of the frame areas that are still too high. Tomorrow we should be able to put on the actual decking material.

This project is starting to look like 21 stages after all.

The Goodrums (the parent variety) are in town this weekend. Goals are getting the jeep running smoothly and building a deck. We're not ambitious at all...

The deck is kind of like the Tour de France. Hopefully there aren't 21 stages though (the first 4 have been exhausting enough).

Stage 0: Before


















Stage 1: Early August. Hire contractor. Bust out steps.


















Stage 2: Last weekend. Move rock. Stake out deck.

















(Check out the crazy blue sky in the first picture. Gorgeous day.)


Stage 3: Last weekend. Dig post holes.






















Auger anyone? Our new neighbor, Will, was nice enough to help dig the holes for the posts. And boy was it work. I won't blame our neighbors if they start hiding from us as this project progresses.

















14 pretty holes that passed inspection

Stage 4: This weekend. Pour concrete for post bases. Frame deck (posts and beams).






















More to come...

We've added a couple new accessories to the house in the past few months. We're slowly but surely finishing the furniture and decor.

















New living room furniture                                     New lamps

When we installed the lamps, we put makeshift bulbs in them. We had only two compact fluorescent bulbs left in the house at the time. One was the "daylight" variety and one was the "bright white" variety. Our advice: stick with "bright light," especially with the Aerin lamps from Crate & Barrel. The "daylight" lamp gives off a bug lamp vibe. Anyone who grew up camping is familiar with the bug lamp phenomenon. It's a good thing only when camping...

Our most recent house purchase:

So the guy that has been officially dead since September, finally got replaced yesterday. The former dude was reverently buried in the nursery's dumpster. Here's to hoping the second rendition does better than the first.















Michael pulling weeds after the tree planting















New little tree















The great legacy of yard work
Severe rashes and hives. When will I finally learn that I don't stand a chance unless I wear long pants and long sleeves anytime I work in the yard.