Lots done today. I built up the retaining wall at the back of the new cement slab. I then painted the cement block wall gray to match the house. Then I ran the stringers for the steps that go from the driveway level to the deck’s upper level. Of course, I miscalculated the height of the retaining wall and had to change that on the fly to accommodate the stringers. Then I framed in the sitting level of the deck. All in all it was a very productive day.

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Listening to: Stabbing Westward – Haunting Me
via FoxyTunes

Again, not much was done. There was rain all afternoon, so the progress I made was in the morning… after an early rain. I made the most of the 3 hours without rain, though. Got the primer coat on the wall that was previously covered by dirt and got a number of the floor boards down on the upper level. I’ll have to get the retaining wall back in place before I finish the upper part as I fear I’ll be dropping dirt on my new cement pad and don’t want dirt where the bottom row will be.

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Listening to: Tom Cochrane & Red Rider – Big League
via FoxyTunes

What a rotten day. It rained off and on all day, so not much was done. I put down the deckmount (check the photos to see what deckmount is). I also cleared out an area and put the pavers saved from the old patio bench area there to act as a landing for the steps off the deck. I did remember that I have a canopy; I won it at a trivia night a while back. That helped as I could work in a small area (6′ x 6′) and be protected somewhat from the rain. Tomorrow I should be able to get the upper level deck floor in place; then we’ll have at least a serviceable front door!

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Listening to: Apocalyptica – I’m Not Jesus
via FoxyTunes

There was a lot going on today. I ordered and poured ready-mix concrete and poured my little slab that will be under the “sitting” level of the deck and under the steps. I also framed the upper level of the deck. It will be a few days before I can build the retaining wall at the back edge of the concrete and then do the steps and the “sitting” level. But tomorrow I should be able to put the “floor” of the upper level down and maybe even do the steps stringers to the ground off the upper level. Here’s today’s progress:

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Listening to: Cage The Elephant – Aint No Rest For The Wicked
via FoxyTunes

Well, I’m calling it Day 3 anyway. Yesterday was a lost cause on the deck. Today, I planted three other 4×4 posts; after digging a 3 foot deep hole and dropping the post into it I used Dri-Crete to anchor it in the ground – these posts aren’t going anywhere. Also, I saw that there was a lot of dry rot on the joist plate beneath the front door, so I removed that from the house and replaced it with weather treated wood. Here’s the pictorial progress:

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Listening to: Stevie Ray Vaughn – Pride and Joy
via FoxyTunes

Nothing much to report. I did a lot of dirt moving last night. My hands and shoulders are kind of sore from being on the business end of a spade. I believe it’s ready for the small slab of cement to be poured. I’ll be doing that Sunday as it will take several hours and also take some material I don’t currently have. Tonight will be planting more 4×4 treated posts in the ground – ugh!

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Listening to: Styx – Lady
via FoxyTunes

Well, I removed the retaining wall and the pavers some time ago to get started on the front deck. (I’m calling it a deck, KC is calling it a porch) I had been waiting to have the concrete removed. I know that 20 years ago I would have jumped right in and rented a jackhammer and removed the concrete myself, but I just don’t want to work that hard any more! So I hired out the concrete breakup and removal. Plus, with the equipment the guy had I had him move a bunch of the dirt from the area so I can pour a new slab for under the deck and steps.

At the end of day one (yesterday) I have placed an outside corner post and temporarily mounted our mailbox on it. Doesn’t sound like much but it is dark when I get home so it’s kind of tough to do much of anything. Here’s the day’s progress:
    

Yeah, I know it looks like a bunch of dirt right now, but as things go you’ll see just how cool it’s going to be!

We all laugh with Jeff Foxworthy when he tells the “you might be a redneck” jokes. This is a little different than his typical lines that make you laugh…

• You might be a redneck if it never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, ‘One nation, under God.’
• You might be a redneck if you’ve never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.
• You might be a redneck if you still say ‘ Christmas’ instead of ‘Winter Festival.’
• You might be a redneck if you bow your head when someone prays.
• You might be a redneck if you take off your hat, stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem.
• You might be a redneck if you treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have.
• You might be a redneck if you’ve never burned an American flag, nor intend to.
• You might be a redneck if you know what you believe and you aren’t afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.
• You might be a redneck if you respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same.
• You might be a redneck if you’d give your last dollar to a friend.

Boy, in these cases I’m GLAD I’m a redneck! (Thanks, Ron!)

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Listening to: Prism – Spaceship Superstar
via FoxyTunes

Happy Birthday, Grant!

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Listening to: Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Last Goodbye
via FoxyTunes

Happy Birthday, Brenda!

I can’t believe it! I missed it! My blog’s birthday was November 5. I’ve come a long way from the first entry. Anyway….

Happy Birthday, Blog! You are now 7 years old!

He didn’t like the casserole
And he didn’t like my cake,
He said my biscuits were too hard
Not like his mother used to make.

I didn’t perk the coffee right
He didn’t like the stew,
I didn’t mend his socks
The way his mother used to do.

I pondered for an answer
I was looking for a clue.
Then I turned and smacked the shit out of him…

Like his mother used to do.

(Thanks, Ron!)

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Listening to: Fabulous Thunderbirds – Tough Enough
via FoxyTunes