Backyard Wednesday

Thanks to working 4 10-hr days, I was able to take yesterday off of work. I was able to get everything I had hoped to done, and here are the updates! 

A few days back, I tried to level out the dirt as well as I could, planted some grass seed, and hoped for the best. It is coming in very well in a few spots, and some others will just take time, I suppose. 

This is a picture of what the little patio area looked like before. Blah.

The busted up concrete from the pool... (notice the pile of rocks/dirt/miscellaneous crap to the left).

After the concrete (extra that we didn't use on the pool) was used to bond the rocks. It still needs some finishing touches, and to be swept off, but it's a start.

Waiting patiently for the grass to grow, but at least the big pile of rocks is gone! I'm thinking about doing some kind of edging. I have a bench and a couple of flower pots that will go on here. Can't wait to set them up!

My main reason for doing this... is so it wouldn't end up looking like this! This is a picture taken from when I first moved into the house. Yikes. (Sorry about the glare.)

My backyard! I have started to forget what it looks like without power tools everywhere. Still working on that stubborn grass...

I just now got a hold of this picture. This was taken when they tunneled underneath the pool to install the bottom drain. My brother's hand was literally sticking up out of the drain in the middle of the pool. I had to walk away because I am too claustrophobic, and started freaking out just watching it! 

There were a few large places on the bottom of the pool that needed to be patched. Check! 

Just a reminder of what the skimmers looked like during installation... 

And what they look like now! All sealed, with new tile and ready to be painted. The other one looks identical.

So, I decided to go ahead and poor the steps! Dad was able to build a mold that was round and fit the inside lining of the pool. Now we can actually enter the pool normally... 

This weekend, we are patching, sealing, and painting! I will post more pictures of the pool after this is complete, and after my little patio "thing" is all decorated. 

I see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Smaller Items- a Door and a Floor.

I have a lot to update on here. Here are a couple of smaller projects that I have been working on throughout this spring.

I finally painted my front door red! I am so happy with the way it turned out -- it really gives the front of my house the "pop" that it needed.

The door before was in great condition, I just did not like the wood against the color of my siding.

After painting it RED! I think it makes it look more welcoming. :)

Another project I have been working on is the storage/laundry room in the basement. It just always seems quite dingy, dirty and unorganized. I will soon be installing my new washer and dryer (which are BRIGHT WHITE! Thank goodness), and finishing up the floor. But here is a preview of what the floor looked like before, and what it's going to look like after being painted.

Before, the floor looked like it belonged in a garage. Rust stains, paint splatters, all of that fun stuff. 

The floor is still glossy looking because it is wet, but at least it is all one color. Don't mind the table holding up the piping... or everything that I had to shove in the corner so I could paint the floor.

Once I get the new washer/dryer installed, shelves painted and everything organized, I will post an updated picture.

Questions or comments??

Tool Time? Pool Time!

Happy summer to all! While many of you have been indulging in the summer life and laying by a pool, I have been working to get mine in better condition!

A little background of the pool:
When I purchased this house, the pool was literally a cement bowl in the backyard. It had no drains, no returns, no anything. The only plumbing it contained was one pipe that split into the skimmer and the fill function.

After doing some research, I learned that a storm/tornado in the 90s had knocked a tree onto the pool. It busted concrete as well as the electric lines beneath. Instead of fixing in the electric, it was simply covered up by more concrete (SHAME ON WHOEVER DID THAT!)... so the pool light did not work.

Here is an idea of what it looked like before we started. (Note that this is before the privacy fence too.)

Here are some pictures of what we have completed so far:

The Demo Begins... We busted up three slabs of concrete. 

Before installing skimmer #1.

Skimmer #1 installed with plumbing to return and auto-fill.

Pouring concrete around new skimmer to make sure it is set.

Well, Hello, giant digger! This was used for digging straight down, so that we could burrow underneath the deep end of the pool.. to install the bottom drain. The electric pole you see sticking up is where my new outdoor light fixture will go.

This is with the plumbing exposed. But again, this is where the deep hole was.

Installation of the bottom drain.

Installation of Skimmer #2.

Concrete mold for skimmer #1.

Front view of concrete mold. You can also see the return and auto fill hole that were installed.

Last slab of concrete to be poured!

My poor grass has definitely taken a beating.. but SO worth it.

 Skimmer #1 - To be painted.

 Skimmer #2 - To be painted.

Center slab (with light-post)

This is my side project. I wanted to reuse the concrete, so I am making a little sitting area in the back corner of the yard. Just the first step -- I still need to continue leveling it out and then seal them together with mortar mix, or something of the sort. I will post another picture when it's done. I'm hoping to have just a small bench and a  flower pot or something back there.

Check back for more updates! I am considering pouring concrete steps inside of the pool since there are none now, but I haven't decided yet. Sorry that some of these pictures seem really mudding and dirty, as it rained earlier today before I took them.

Thanks for reading-- and I will have finished product pictures soon!