Deck Project - Phase One: Posts / Yard Destruction

As you know I've been dreaming of a deck forever. I am so happy to say that the deck project is underway (yay, yay, yay) and I'm even happier to say (for Alex's sake) that the hardest part is over. We now have four gigantic big-foot deck posts in the ground and the main beams in place. I say "we" like I actually had something to do with all of the work that was done this weekend. While I did shovel dirt, cement, and even drove the excavator for a bit, mostly I was the beer-getter, the sandwich-maker, and the dirt-sweeper. Thankfully Al had his dad and his brother here to help him with the hard labour.

I kind of feel bad that my dreams of patio furniture, container gardens, and cute outdoor cushions has led to Alex working like a slave for 12 hours a day in the dirt on his holidays. But then I Google pictures of beautiful outdoor rooms and decks and then I don't feel so bad. Hee hee.

Like I said, the worst part is over. Alex has to do some smaller jobs before we can actually put up any deck boards (moving the hose faucet, moving the eaves trough downspout, etc.). But, once those are done, we'll be on our way.

Did I tell you our plan for the deck? It will (hopefully, if everything goes smoothly) have two levels, one 16 x 16 upper section as you walk out of the house and a lower level that will be 12 x 20. I'm so excited!

Not gonna lie, when they dropped this machine off (see below), I started to get scared. My poor lawn!

Al and his brother starting to make a huge mess work.

See how I'm smiling? That's how you can tell I only shoveled for 15 minutes. ;)

They let me drive the digging machine! Woah. Can you tell I hadn't had a coffee yet? Holy, sleepy eyes.

And here's one of the actual workers doing actual work.

Did I mention I'm getting excited? Oh deck, I will sit on you all the time (I promise) and love you with all of my heart!