Pool Progress

Hey Blog Friends!  I thought I'd share the progress on our swimming pool.  I am sooo excited!  We are making great progress!  Since we are installing a pool with a vinyl liner the construction goes fairly quick.  It is likely we will be swimming by this coming weekend if not sooner. I just cannot wait especially since it seems summer has returned in full force here after a slight break in the temperatures over the weekend.

So, let's take a look!  Sorry ladies,  I am going to take you trough all the steps before showing you where we are today.  I am doing this because I want to document this too.  Feel free to just enjoy the pics if your not to interested in reading about how.  For the rest of you, here's how you construct an inground vinyl pool.

Be prepared for a mess!   We interviewed three contractors who we requested come out to our house to give us an estimate due to the fact that we have a sloped yard.  We are using a contractor who does all the work himself except for pouring the concrete. After figuring out where we wanted the pool to be our contractor brought in one of these to dig the hole.

He was recommended to us from someone who goes to church with him who said, he is a good man, so I took a chance and called him.  She was not exaggerating!  He has been in the business for 25years now but is not like the larger pool builders who have many crews working for them doing several pools at once.  He is practically local to us from the next small town over.  We met his wife and they took us around to meet all the other local families he has built pools for too.  She and I have clicked well and she's been by a few times to see the progress on our pool as well.  This is just the type of contractor we prefer who works with you to get things exactly the way you want them.  I had no idea we would ever find a pool contractor like this, as it is a rare thing (in our area) indeed!

 I feel so blessed that we have found him!

In no amount of time, he brought over the pool and that's when it really started to sink in.

Never mind that the big tractor was quickly tearing up my yard.

Then up came the steel walls.

And my steps were attached.

 Here's my steps!

 First a concrete footer was poured around the outside, then all the pipes for the jets, skimmer and drains could be installed.

Then he brought in the mixing equipment for the bottom.

And installed a mixture of vermiculite and concrete on the bottom.

Next, it was time to install the liner.  This is his son who came to help him out with this on Saturday.

My husband and our contractor, Eddy are looking at where he wants us to fill the pool with water.  We were only to fill enough water so he can then cut out the drains on the bottom.

This was how it was done.  He climbed into his tractor and cut them out from above because he didn't want to walk on the bottom of the pool due to the vermiculite still setting.  We were given instructions to leave the vacume running as it keeps the wrinkles out and begin adding a small amount of water just up to the level where the stairs needed to be cut out from the vinyl.  Unfortunately, since we are on a well, we have a whole house filtration system that our outdoor hoses are also connected too and we had a snag with our filter becoming clogged.  We had to shut the water and vacume off on Sunday.

As you can see the wrinkles started to come.

But he told us not to worry, he would be back on Monday and straighten things out with the pool.  Meanwhile, we headed to Home Depot and stocked up on new filters.  We think the sediment from the bottom of the well must have been stirring up from having the water running for hours and clogged up the filters.  My whole house started gurgling inside before the water stopped coming out of the hose all together.  So glad that was all it was because I thought we had drained the well completely and we had'nt even started filling up the pool yet.  Whew!

True to his word, the wrinkles came right out with little effort after the vacume and water resumed on Monday.  He also is very particular, thank goodness and got in to straighten everything out as well.

And the painfully slow process of adding the water has begun again.

Our next milestone to reach was getting the bottom of pool filled all the way up to the shallow end so he can cut out the steps which are covered.  Doing the cutouts this way insures an accurate cut in the vinyl where it needs to be.  Little did I know that adding the water was going to be the slowest part.

Watching a pool fill with water is like watching grass grow, especially when you are on a well.

But watching is what I am doing none the less!  I just can't stop!

The area around the pool has been filled in for the most part.

With the exception of the back here where my husband is going to install the light. 

The concrete to go around the pool will not be poured until about 4 to 6 weeks so the ground can settle.  Our contractor is very adamant about that and we are pleased to oblige.  Installing concrete too soon can result in a sidewalk that cracks and looks horrible and we certainly do not want that.  Besides, we have plenty to keep us busy like installing a small retaining wall, building new steps and railings, sodding the yard, etc.  

And here we are today, waiting on a few more truck loads of dirt that we are bringing in to landscape the back corner, and waiting on the water to fill up our pool.  I picked up these plastic adirondak chairs from Home Depot on Sunday and went back to get two more yesterday, so now I have four.  They were on sale for the end of the season and will make all the waiting a little more comfortable, don't you think?

Thanks for stopping by today!

What do you think?

Have a great day!

Mary

Gratitude is an Attitude!

Good Monday Morning! It's been awhile since I've posted a Mary's Meditating Mind post so I hope you won't mind that I just had to share these thoughts with you today.  I thinking it's quite appropriate at the start of a new week as well!  

Late yesterday afternoon my husband and I were lounging around at the sailing club beach, when a family came up on their sailboat and unloaded.  Two small boys jumped out running down the docks as their father yelled, "Don't run on the docks!"  They were oblivious to him in their joy and conversation with each other.  As they neared us and walked by they were deep in conversation.  I overheard them as one boy said to the other, "Well, highlight number one today was that I woke up to enjoy a new day!  Because if you don't wake up your dead, so waking up is a highlight right?"  

Yes, dear sweet little one, we should count each new day as a highlight for sure!  How often do we trudge into a new day with the same old ho hum attitude?  We can either spend the day just muddling through or looking for highlights.   Being grateful is often a frame of mind though, isn't it?  Sometimes we are bursting forth with gratefulness then at other times have to work towards it.   One of my favorite quotes is on this plaque on my bathroom wall.  I see it everyday but I am not so sure I "really see it" everyday. 

Monday 7/18/2011

Highlight #1....waking up to a new day!

Hightlight#2...remembering a young boys conversation and attitude of gratitude!

Thanks for joining me today,

Hope you have a great day!

Mary

Ice Cream with Cake

Recently we celebrated my husbands birthday which falls over the 4th of July weekend.  I made him "2" cakes, the lucky dawg!  One to take with us for our 4th of July celebrations and one to stay at home.  

Along with the stay at home cake I bought some ice cream.  Everybody knows you have to have cake with ice cream on your birthday right?  Well, look what I found in the freezer section at the grocery store.

How perfect was that?  I'm not sure how long this has been out.  Have your tried this ice cream from Pet called Birthday Cake?

Just look at this!  OMG! Yall, this is some of THE best ice cream I have had in quite awhile!  It has the best vanilla flavoring with delicious flavored icing and candy bits mixed in.   Yummo!  

 Sadly, in our household I am the only ice cream eater as of late.  For some reason the Mr. and young man at home are not into ice cream right now.   It's really odd because there was a time when they were buying ice cream pretty regularly.  I guess their ice cream eating days come in phases.  Men!  Anyway, since I had plenty of this left, I thought I'd invite you over for a little treat.

I've set up the dining room table to make it easier for all of you too choose your preferences.

First you'll need to choose your dishes.  Colored ribbon adds a splash of color and festive fun.

You have your choice of footed bowls or...

... or footed sundae glasses.  Which do you prefer?

You might want to grab a napkin too, you know how messy this can get!

If your feeling quite adventurous, I've also laid out a choice of toppings for you too.

Don't forget your spoon!

And here's the scoop and a napkin in case you have a few drips.  Let's see here, I've got everything all set.  Now what else do we need?

Oops!  We need the ice cream don't we?  

By all means, let's not forget that!

I hope you don't mind that I've fixed myself just a little before you get here?

This stuff is soooo good you may want to skip all those toppings like me.

Ohhh, Yummmm!!!!

Ladies, you'd better hurry up!!!

  If you don't mind, can you pick up another carton of this please?

  I think we're going to need it!  LOL!

I can't wait to see you!

Please be sure and visit the following parties too, over at;

BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday

and

A Musing Potpourri for the Ice Cream Social.

Let me know if your coming, kay???

Mary

Flattery or Encouragement?

Can you tell the difference?  Often I cannot!  Admittedly there are times when it's very obvious you have either received pure encouragement or pure flattery.  However, I think there are many instances when the lines can be very fuzzy.   Don't you think so?  I sure do, and I find this to be more and more the case in the new wide world of internet socializing.  Have you ever received a compliment online that also included an "atta girl" attached?  As a blogger, I certainly have received my  fair share and given quite a few too!  This got me thinking, wouldn't this world be a much better place if we would all share the gift of encouragement more often?  Not so much veiled in flattery, but pure out and out genuine encouragement.  I  certainly think so!

I found this quote online;

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.”

William Arthur Ward

Isn't that the truth!  I guess that's one way to measure true encouragement from flattery.  Did it leave you with a lasting impression?  Did it bring you courage or hope?  Did it reinforce something in you?  I think sharing and receiving encouragement is very important on so many levels!

I sent a card with this image on it one year to a family member who was going through a rough patch.  She has thanked me over and over for this card so many times.  She says, whenever she feels stressed she often thinks of this, and then of me.  Encouraging those who are struggling is more common and easier to remember to do.  But, what about sending out encouragement daily?

Just look at this vim diagram I found online.  One glance at this and I am quite encouraged to share encouragement.  Seriously!  The benefits of encouragement are praise, inspiration, and confidence, something we could all use a little more of these days. I truly believe many of us are born with certain gifts as well as talents.  While many of us may not born with the gift of encouragement, I think it is one we could all learn to practice daily.  How often do you think about encouraging another?  I confess, it is not something I do as often as I should.  Nor, is it one I receive nearly enough.  

As women we probably get the opportunity to share encouragement more then most.  It always inspires me so much when I see mothers encouraging their children, especially their little girls.  Why?  Because, I also know as women we also tend to "dis"courage each other too.  Way to often, we allow things like jealousy, pride and insecurity to enter into our relationships with each other.  When a young girl has been raised with encouragement she is much better to withstand those negatives.  More importantly, she also learns to give more encouragement too.  

I have always received tons of encouragement from my mother, but not so much from other women.  I was in my very early 40's before I actually heard another women tell me, "I deserved it!" in a very complimentary way.  I cannot remember what it was now that I had done but what I do remember is the fact that because this woman was able to reaffirm that for me, it was very encouraging at the time.   She didn't just offer up a compliment, but offered praise which gave me encouragement and led to more inspiration and gave me more confidence.  That was quite a gift!

This gift was given to me from a friend at a time when it was so unexpected too.  I was not struggling or in great need of this encouragement but soaked it in like someone who was starving none the less.  That's how much we all need encouragement.   Everyone wants affirmation and encouraging others shows you care.

A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.”

William Arthur Ward

I don't know who this author William Arthur Ward is, but I love his quotes! 

Have you given the gift of encouragement lately?  I have!  Will you take it, and share it too?

I hope so!

 I am sharing this with you today early for my Wellness Wednesday post, because I don't even want to talk about my waistline today.  Now, that's an area I could really use a whole lot of encouragement on, heck, I'll even accept a little flattery on that one!

LOL!

Have a wonderful day friends, and thanks for the read!

Mary

Can I change blogger in draft background?

Anyone else struggling with seeing the new blogger in draft layout?  On my last post I briefly mentioned how this change was something I would need to get used to.  But, I think some of you may have thought I was talking about my own blog background which I recently changed too.  

I was talking about the new draft layout after you sign into blogger.  Since it is all white now I am struggling to scroll through my reading list before clicking on a post.  Does anyone know if we can customize this page with a background color?  If so I would love a shout out.

Thanks!

Mary

Big Updates!!!

Wow!  Things sure are changing fast around here!   How about this new blogger background, y'all?  Pretty different, huh?  I have to say I am a bit taken aback, but think I'll adjust with time.  What a difference.  It would'nt bother me so bad if my shift key wasn't also sticking today and driving me nuts as well.  I hate when I get all out of sorts.  LOL!

Speaking of being out of sorts and changes, I wanted to update you on our 4th of July weekend.  Remember my cookie disaster?  Well, they turned out just fine with everyone!  Saturday we cooked out at the club and I brought a homemade (box) butter pecan sheet cake with cream cheese icing for the dinner.  I also made little pig in a blankets along with the firecracker cookies for the boat.  We all rafted up fairly early after dinner to await the fireworks and swam in between boats.  Because the water was so choppy by rafted up by similar sizes.

We had these two smaller boats rafted up behind us.

And the larger size Catalina 30's were more in front of us to the left.

We had two boats that rafted up to ours, shown in the bottom corner of this photo.

Here is our newest club member with his arms up wide.  We had 6 teens who watched the fireworks from the water that evening, and I was only able to get them out of the water with the promise of my cookies.  They went wild over them and begged for more.  Seriously!  So, yeah, I'd say they were a hit after all.

NOW!  For my biggest update of all!  I am finally ready to reveal our project to you that I have been hinting about for several weeks now.  

On Sunday, my husband and I finally settled on a contractor and signed the contract.  But before he could begin we had to scramble to get a few more things done.  So by Monday before noon, the morning of the 4th, we had the following things completed.

This tree here to the right had to come done.  It was a big old gum tree leaning to much in the yard.

Then all the steps and platform from the hot tub was all removed and cleared away.

We took a break then since it was the fourth and went sailing to enjoy our new sail and roller furling that the Mr. ordered for our boat.  It's fantastic, but more on that update later!

 Then Tuesday, this arrived.

Then Wednesday we took down one more tree that used to be here in the back near the fairy ring.

Do you see now, why it had to come down?  No?

How about now?  

I bet you've got it all figured out now!  I am soooo excited!

Yesterday, our contractor came and started digging our new pool!  Woohooooo!!!!

This is part of the yard that is going to require a retaining wall because we have a sloping lot.  He got quite a bit done yesterday then stopped and guess what happened last night.  Of all the times, now, we finally get rain!  

Our contractor came back this morning and tried to do some work.

But it was a bit too muddy to work and needs a little time to dry.  He's coming back again later today to see if he can do some more later.  In fact, he's already been back twice to drop off a few more things.

Things like all this.  That's my pool y'all!  

I am beyond excited and cannot believe we are putting in a pool.  This has been such a long awaited dream and that's exactly what I still feel like.  I feel like I am dreaming, so please do not wake me up!  

And no, these are not dream photos.  I took these out of our very muggy doors this am.  Look who showed up to check out what all was going on.  They were walking around looking like, what the heck?

Now I know who the fawns belong too, my sweet mysterious new friend.  She wagged her tail at me again, before taking off.

Well, I've got to take off too.  I've so much to do right now!  Things are changing fast but I'll be back to share more updates with you as soon as I can!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Thanks for dropping by!

Mary