Friday's Hike

Pictures from Saquaro Lake
January 30, 2009
Pictures by Old Slow Hans

The Carpet is on

Jim brought the carpet this morning; a brown tweed, tightly woven indoor outdoor.

In the sunlight on the front steps

And the back steps

I am pleased! It's ready for a party!

Deck, Thursday's Report

This is what the storage units looked like by noon yesterday.
All the corners were trimmed. Everything else had siding.
Maybe, maybe???
Remember the deadline of January 31???

It may look like yesterday's supervisors were working, but don't believe it for a minute!

This is what I have had to do when the work doesn't move along as quickly as I would like!
Dennis is actually measuring siding in the itty bitty corner he designed.

By late afternoon this was the look of the storage area.
Carpet will be installed today.
Painting will be whenever Curt gets around to it or feels like.

The patio has it's first "big" party tomorrow afternoon after the
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Finale.
Look for pictures from the cancer walk and the follow-up celebration.

Hiking on Superstition Mountain

Curt went hiking yesterday on Superstition Mountain to Siphon Draw.
It is the "easy hike" to Flat Iron which is the western peak of Superstition Mountain range.
You can see how green it is from the recent rains.
That means all kinds of beautiful flowers in the spring.

The Work Continues

Every job needs supervisors. This afternoon we had four.
I think at one time most of them must have worked for the
government in one capacity or another; don't 'ya think?

Curt is removing the carpet from the back door landing.

The front steps are now complete with the addition of the spindles today.

The back steps are now complete after the addition of the railings and the spindles, today.

The last job today was to apply the Thompson Water Sealer.

The inspector was here and signed off. YAHOO!!!
Carpet, storage doors, siding & painting.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Thanks, guys!

Day 9 on the Deck

Today's progress is very visible.
The railings and spindles on the deck are done.
The storage areas are enclosed, waiting for the siding, trim and doors.

Everything needed to be moved under the awning tonight because rain is in the forecast.
Tomorrow is another work day, they tell me.
Maybe, there will be a second set of steps???

Enjoying the Deck & AZ Winters

The neighbor took pictures of us sitting on the deck last week.
Notice the open doors.
We forget that it is winter here in AZ.

Thanks, Sondra.

Deck, Day 8

The spindles have been added to the railing in one section.
It gives us an idea what it will all look like.

Dennis is working on the steps.

It looks better each day.
I picked out the carpet today.

It was 83º today. Curt is tired but wanted to do more painting.
The spindles will be attached to these 2x4s.

Progress Report

Steps!
They built the steps today. Yes, the steps need some tweaking,
but they are built and usable.

And a well deserved break from the 78º tempertures today.

Deck, Day 6

Enjoying a late afternoon drink while watching the sunset from the deck.
It has a floor today.

Deck Work Continues

This is the deck after work today. There is some deck flooring.
The storage compartments can be seen from this angle.

Curt has started some painting. The railing will be white.
Maybe next week????

The Deck, Day 3 and 4

Dennis checking out his work at the start of Day 3.

Curt and Dennis working on the outside form.

Every good project needs a supervisor. There were four on Day 3.

And this is the end of Day 4. You can see the storage compartments,
the openings for the step in the front, and the posts for the railing.
It's looking good! Work progresses later this week.
Be sure to check back.

Building the Deck, Day 2

Curt hard at work.

Every job needs supervisors. Norm & Herman have accepted that role. Do you think they may have worked for the city or county or state department in their employment days?

Curt is anchoring the deck frame to the cement patio while
Dennis watches and waits his turn at the "big drill".

Building the Deck, Day 1

This is the BEFORE picture

This is the AFTER picture of Day 1

After two weeks of planning, pricing, drawing, and discussions, the deck began on Thursday, January 8, 2009. It won't happen overnight, but when it is finished it will be well built and right.

Watch that first step! It's a doozy.

Insight Bowl Game

Waiting for the game to begin.

Goldie gives him a "high five".

Although the beloved Gophers did not come out on top,
it was a great day for a football game. Kari was thrilled to be a
part of the festivities. It was a welcome break from the cold & snow of MN.

Happy New Year From AZ

Happy New Year from the Ehresmanns in Arizona!