Sunday, October 11, 2009

We Have Projects

This has been a busy week. The weather has been perfect for projects and we tackled several, some big ones and some small ones..


This is our porch. It's very private and comfortable.


The porch connects to the deck which runs all along one side and along half the back of the house. There is a stairway down into the back yard. The deck is about twenty one years old and has been exposed to hot sun and heavy rains over those years. The wood has taken a beating and is in need of some repairs.


What's harder to see is that the spokes on the railing are too far apart. In most places this deck wouldn't have passed inspection. The rules are pretty lax around here, but I have never felt the deck was safe for small children or animals. When Tsar was a little pup he did fall off the deck, but fortunately he landed in the flower garden not the driveway.


Monday morning Rob decided to tackle the deck.


There were several floor boards that were split or warped. He started by removing them.


He replaced the bad boards with new ones. Then he had to do some cutting and shaping with his power saw.


Because the saw is in the garage workshop, he opened the garage doors, turned on a couple fans to keep the air circulating and used his safety equipment. We're both sensitive to sawdust.


A few adjustments to the mask.


Add some hearing protection.


Safety glasses are important.


Work gloves to prevent slivers.


Looks like a creature from outer space, right? But at least there were no trips to the emergency room.


He removed all the railing spokes. He reused the ones that were in good shape. He cut new spokes and set them all closer together .


The lighter colored ones are the new ones. They'll eventually fade to match the others.


The original owner used nails to build the deck. Rob has replaced all the nails with screws and used new bolts where necessary on the major posts. I think it looks so much better and it's safer, too.


Of course, every big construction job needs a supervisor. In this case Tsar volunteered for the position.

What was I doing during all this? Well I did help fetch and carry and measure for the deck, but I had some work inside the house. Most important was practicing with Fudge for our big Rally trial on Friday. We did some practice in the garage, some in the driveway and some in the library.

Here Fudge demonstrates the sit-stay. This week Fudge and I have practiced in front of Lowes, in front of the library and made an attempt at Walmart. Too many people wanted to meet him at Walmart and it turned into a social event, but he did well at the other places with a lot of distraction around him.


Here is a perfect down-stay. Notice that he isn't on his back with his feet over his eyes. This is a big improvement. Let's hope he remembers this on Friday.


When Fudge and I weren't practicing I was able to finish this cross stitch for Nicki's club raffle. I'll make it into a pillow.


This is the start of my baby blanket for the challenge. I didn't get a chance to work on it yesterday so I'm behind schedule, but I hope to get it done by tomorrow.

A little update on the vet appointments the other day. Morgan's toe is healing nicely and I think we can probably remove her plastic hat today. Tsar's tooth was OK, just a little worn and discolored. In January he'll go in for a cleaning and have an x-ray done to be sure the root canal is still in good shape. Sky sheared the top off his tooth but didn't damage the root canal. On Wednesday he'll have a little repair work done to add a layer of composite that will offer extra protection. All in all it was a pretty positive visit and didn't do too much damage to the bank account.

17 comments:

SissySees said...

I woke Sissy up from her nap to show her Fudge's impressive down stay. She was so impressed she left my side and stomped to the other end of the sofa with Gretchen.

Hrmph. She did "DOWN" on Friday, rather nicely. I think it was coincidence, but it made me happy! Gretchen about has sit-stay mastered, with some eye contact.

The deck repairs look great, but your supervisor is my favorite part!

Thor and Jack said...

Sounds like you all are having a busy weekend! Well done with your projects! The deck repairs look great! Good thing Tsar supervising the construction job!
The cross stich and baby blanket look beautiful!
Glad to hear that the visit to the vet went well.

Love,
Thor

Sam said...

Lots going on! I can't help but giggle to think how happy I am that Marge can't see Rob in his work masks and equipment. That sure would scare her!

Best of luck Friday, I really can't wait to hear how he does.

Martha said...

We are very impressed that Bob actually used all the safety gear when he is working.
He certainly has quite a task there!
We loved Tsar snoopervising - we know the job will be done right.
The little blanket looks very sweet.
xxx

Nicki said...

Fudge looks so handsome with his haircut. Even if he did get his "parts" shaved! That story made my day!

Stella said...

Wow, thats a lotta work, right, Tsar?

Fudge is looking very handsome and I bet he will remember everything he is supposed to. Maybe even for the show.

Your baby blanket is beautiful!

I read a book, fed the dog twice, me 3 times, started a knitted hat,
watched a nature thing on TV and thats about it.

Cheers,
Jo and Stella

i said...

Oh wow, all done in a weekend? That's really fast! Your porch sure looks comfy and private. Love the cross stitch work too.

soulbrush said...

what a lovely home you have sue. and what a good man too. he is doing a fantastic job there, and the dogs as always look so well and happy, i am not getting round to my comments every day lately, busy at work and just generally feeling 'blue' xx

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Looks like a lot or work is being accomplished at your house - it's a good feeling to get a job done. Mom has been trying to get our front porch painted but her health and the weather have not cooperated with her.

The baby blanket is so pretty - looks so soft and cuddly. Mom has one started and is also finishing up a hat for the Warming Families project.

Have a wonderful day - keep up the great job of supervising.

XOXO
Piper, Carrleigh and Java

Marjie said...

Tsar is a great supervisor. Did you see my picture of Thor supervising my floor replacement in January? It went well, until the banging started. Getting projects done now, before the cold, nasty weather starts is a great idea.

Good luck to Fudge on Friday. He looks so highly intelligent in down-stay mode! Sometimes Thor does that, too, but then he usually sticks his tongue out to spoil the effect.

Tobi said...

Nice job on the deck and nice job on the sit stay to Fudge.

P.S. Love your wagon! I just got my first one a couple of months ago and the girls are wondering why I ever keps them cooped up in my little bitty two door all those years!

Hero said...

The deck looks great! Tsar makes a very good supervisor. I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing well after their vet visits.

LizzieJane said...

It looks like Rob has done a fine job on your deck. Just wondering, do you rent him out at all???
I can understand why Fudge would attract a lot of people in front of Walmart...he is just so darn cute!
x

Astrid Keel said...

whew... we're glad that the vet visit wasn't too bad!

the deck looks fab! I hope the rally trials go well... :)

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Can we borrow Rob for a few projects here too? :)

That is a beautiful stitch in your blanket - Mom really wishes she could knit - crochet is her thing.

Glad to hear the vet reports were overall not too bad.

Woos, the OP Pack

dreameyce said...

Handymen are such a blessing. Each time I begin to bitch about my husbands annoying idiosyncrasies, I remember, I can't replace floors after a naughty dog digs a hole through it (Cove....), build a loft bed for kidlet, brew luxery beers, and wines, or open most jars...

He's doing good, and it look awesome! Congrats on getting a great one! *G*

Molly the Airedale said...

Rob is doing a great job! Your new deck and railing in just beautiful!
Mom LOVES the baby blankie! It's coming along nicely!
Good luck on Friday, Fudge! We just know you'll do your best!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch