Delivery and Installation

A few days later a crew came out to deliver and install the pool. It took just a few hours. We filled it up and went swimming the next day!

Digging the Hole

We thought about an in-ground pool. Well, we have for years. We thought about joining the Y. We thought about driving up and down Dale Mabry to get to the Y. We thought about how hot the summer is going to be. We thought about our neighbors who have pools but don't invite us over. We thought about the price and time involved. We thought about above-ground pools. We went to Mr. Pool and bought a big, giant 26-foot round pool. And presto, they were out here digging the hole. Sad part is, our turtle went missing the night before the hole was dug, and we still haven't found her.

Tree removal

The last of the big oaks was removed earlier this year. It was diseased and weak. After this, Jimmy and I started clearing out a lot of the overgrowth you see here. Clean sweep week came just in time!

Old pavers at dusk

Original pavers leading out the backdoor, at dusk. 

Earlier this year, I set out to weed the once beautiful planter to the left of these pavers.

Azaleas

Used to be that one of the few times we went into the backyard was to see the azaleas bloom every March. Here are the kids this past spring.

New House, New Project

In our 'new' house for 2 1/2 years now. My new year's resolution was to fix up the backyard. Jimmy joined the effort and together we've transformed it from a 'mow and avoid' situation to our own oasis of relaxation! Now that it's done, I'm ready to share the photos.

What's done is done

We bought this house 11 years ago. It has been a good house. I could go on for hours about how much happiness this house has brought, how it has seen us through good and bad, how it has allowed so much... and it is all true. This is a good little house. But when 'we' moved in, 'we' were two adults and a cat. Now 'we' are four people, two of whom are growing at a rapid pace, and a cat and a dog.

This year-long remodeling project brought into clear focus how impossible it would be to remodel the main house, how long it would take, how much strain it would put on the family. And, yes, it helped us realize how much things cost when you are paying for the paint and the caulk and the dumpster and the people to drive out and then NOT be able to work because of rain... and all those little things.

We bought a bigger house. Yes, we did.