Over a year ago, I told you about my once-in-a-lifetime blessing. For so long I lamented over our inability to keep up our house. Things were falling down around us.
I duct taped.
I camouflaged.
I washed.
I prayed.
I tried not to look!
Looking too closely was painful. The truth was that our home was fast becoming an eye-sore. I liked the winter season best–though summer is truly my favorite time of year–because it was dark outside and the problem was hidden. In the summertime, the flaws boldly shouted “Why don’t you DO something with this place!” As you know, it takes money to maintain a home properly and, during that very long time, we barely had enough to get by. No frills.
Then things changed. Both of our 85 year old moms passed away within just a few months of each other. We miss them so much. We did inherit some money and, as a result, were finally able to make these much needed repairs and upgrades.
When I wrote that first post, I promised to share the whole adventure with you – and I will -but it is hard to know where to start. We’ll get to the indoors eventually but, first, let’s begin with the NEW PATIO! I love my patio.♥
This “before” picture says it all!
Our sidewalk was like the rest of our lives …ugly and BROKEN! The roots of our maple tree in the front yard had pushed up one section while the other sunk.
It was not safe to walk on.
It had to go!
It was not safe to walk on.
It had to go!
Wo, we searched out the best solution.
Poured concrete was the cheapest but I was longing for something more attractive than that. I was tired of “getting by.” I wanted pretty!
Stamped sidewalks can be beautiful but, interviewing others who had them, we found that they can get very slick when damp – a slipping hazard.
So, we chose to go with pavers and made it more than a sidewalk–it is a patio.
I walked through the displays at a local stone and brick supplier and brought home books. Finally, we picked a stone that was two-toned. The color was called “Oceana”..some are gray and some are a grayish green, like the ocean. The green shows best after a rain.
It is beautiful!
I walked through the displays at a local stone and brick supplier and brought home books. Finally, we picked a stone that was two-toned. The color was called “Oceana”..some are gray and some are a grayish green, like the ocean. The green shows best after a rain.
It is beautiful!
I was so excited as they pulled up with their equipment that day!
See the deck? That had been a concrete slab that was falling apart.
Our talented son-in-law, Steve, and our equally as talented grandson, Sean, put a deck right over it! They made it look so easy.
It only took a good part of a day and voila!
Coming Attractions…
How to get your house ready to “move” when you’re not moving!
Dining Room Re-do
Kitchen Re-do
The Deck
…and more to come ….ssshhh, it’s a secret!
Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. What does that mean? Well, anything that you buy from Amazon by first clicking on an ad, link or using an Amazon search window on Ducks ‘n a Row will, at no extra cost to you, result in a small commission for me. In advance “thank you!” … Sinea