Deckhand

No, this post isn't about sailing.  Think back to last Sunday's post.  You can scroll down or find it here.  You have probably already guessed though given my photos and shamelessly obvious hints.  Yes, I went to the "crazy place" as Amy and I call it and began yet another home improvement project.  Although, I am happy to say that I did finish this one, and in record time - 2 days!  Had I charged my drill overnight it would have been just a 1-day project.  Ahhhh, go ahead, bask in my awesomeness!

See, now that we have decided (well for a while now) not to move any time soon it has been on my mind to do some of the things we always said we would do since we built the house.  Our back yard has always been at the top of my list.  The worst thing about building a house is the lack of trees.  Sure we have the oak tree in the front yard that came with the house (although I swear it hasn't grown an inch in 4 years!) and the pear tree in the back yard (which has grown quite a bit but is nowhere near the size to provide shade) but they leave much to be desired, namely shade.  Full sun makes it extremely hard to grow anything or fully enjoy the back yard.  When we first moved in we put down pavers and stones to make a large patio but it was rushed and we were very inexperienced.  I have been dreaming of creating a fun outdoor space, complete with shade.  Well, that dream has finally become a reality.  

It started with a simple conversation Amy and I had on the way back home last Sunday from the wedding.  We mentioned getting a pergola or something added on.  A quick stop by Home Depot enlightened us to the harsh reality of the cost of that dream.  So we adapted it into something more doable: a gazebo.  You know, the metal frame kind with the covering.  Quite honestly I'm not sure how it got from that to me building a deck, but before I knew it I was heading to Home Depot to purchase the gazebo and building materials!  I'll pause here to give thanks and props to my wonderful wife for putting up with me and my harebrained schemes.  Supportive doesn't even begin to describe her!

Luckily I had been planning and thinking about this for so long that I knew exactly what I wanted and despite my limited (i.e. NONE) experience building things, I was stoked to begin.  2 days and 3 extra trips back to Home Depot (due to my underestimation of the number of screws I would need!) later and we have a deck and a gazebo!

Now, I am no contractor or construction worker, but I must say I am pretty proud of myself and my new found deck-building skills.  I'm sure it's not absolutely perfect, but it is all mine and was built for a fraction of the cost of anything else!  Below of course I will provide "before" and "after" pictures for your viewing pleasure.  The only thing I have left to do is to stain/seal it, get some trim for around the base, and we need to find the perfect patio furniture.  I'm already envisioning all of the outdoor meals, cups of coffee, glasses of wine, and relaxing that will take place on our new deck.  Ahhhh, it's going to be great!

Look at me, first laying tile and now I'm building decks.  Who knew?  :)

All is well, decked out, in Drosche Land.

 Before: Unappealing and not too functional

After:  Totally super awesome!