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Hops at home

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Hopalong:
Morning, y'all --
Missed you this week but figure you are baking like sleepy iguanas in this heat.
I wanted to describe my new patio and realized I've been mostly jamming updates into other threads. Maybe this one will get my head back in better order.

Patio finished. And it's beautiful. Whole process was an absolute dream compared to previous ones. I went out the night after he said they were done but would be back to wash it down the next morning, just to peek, and it is so lovely I cried. They'd covered the windows with quilts in case of flying stone chips so I'd had only glimpses of the process but basically stayed indoors for nearly 2 weeks. It has a wide new bluestone border that glams it up. He re-used a lot of the soapstone and added new pieces as well. The grout is somehow even-width throughout even with completely irregular shapes -- amazing, and the arrangement of the stones is lovely. Just makes your eyes happy. They dug way down, took out everything and rebuilt it in the proper layers, including a rebar-reinforced concrete pad, then the stones on top. They regraded it to drain away from the house, and used extra stones to make a fairy-looking path to the back gate. Regraded the top third of the driveway and created a pattern at the upper and lower patio ends to create drainage there. Tore off the old concrete steps and made a wide, lovely new one from bluestone. It's lower rise and also big enough to set grocery bags on, etc. So much easier coming in that door now. Speaking of which, a new storm/screen door is on the list. Old one's ERRRgly. One thing at a time!

One thing I loved best about the guy is how respectful and appreciative he is of his crew -- especially a Mexican stone mason who did much of the finishing. He treated them with respect and dignity all the way through. I'm smitten with this young man and would probably add a patio or terrace every year if I could just to interact with him again! Wrote him a glowing review online that he really appreciated. All in all it was a GOOD experience, and even though the $$$$$ has been anxiety provoking and emptied my emergency fund, I learned how to transfer funds from my retirement funds to do what needed to be done. No regrets. And giving up the two vacays I'd planned was the right thing -- this patio will feel like a vacay at home and make inviting friends over much much more pleasant.

Other news -- well, I'll put friend update on that thread. Home-wise, I rallied this morning after a few days where I had zero energy and let things get messier again. Been talking to myself a lot about my stasis, and trying to think about it, and about ADD, in new ways. Not much progress yet, but some, and I know that clutter isn't character despite appearances. My home still has its lovely bones and I do make progress. It's just in spurts rather than in an even, organized-adult way.

I'm reflecting on T work as well but will find or found another thread for that. Misss all of you, including those who rarely post, and still think about Tupp and Son every time I'm on -- now worrying about them in the heat emergency there. Hoping Scotland is cooler than where they were.

Big hugs,
Hops

lighter:
Oh, Hops I'm absolutely swooning over your blue stone steps! 

I so agree that investment was worth 2 vacations and I would have cried too!

Hopefully, everything is as it seems and this is further validation of good people in the world doing good things.

Just so happy for you!

Lighter   

Hopalong:
Thank you, (((((Lighter)))))). I appreciate you seeing how much it means. I really love my home and often feel frustrated at not being able to do many improvements. This time I said to myself, screw the savings for hourly home aides 15 years from now. Don't plan to do that again but I've made my peace with the bite out of the nest egg.

I truly don't doubt this man. His attitude, communication and respect for his skilled workers, as well as his design and obvious technical expertise...seemed completely real. I saw his work at my affluent friend's place, and don't think there's any reason to fear a bad outcome later. He gave me much more than I expected.

I think it IS as it seems, a really wonderful job. And it's had a great effect on my morale.

Mentally offering you an icy brew out there, once the temp drops enough!

hugs
Hops

sKePTiKal:
Sounds like a wise decision Hops! Looks like all of us are going to be homebodies more often in the coming years. Lots of pot-luck cookouts, etc. Maybe jello & cool whip will make a comeback? LOLOLOLOL. I don't know anyone who isn't feeling the pinch of the economic slowdown, inflation & high gas prices.

You can even do some container gardening on your new patio!

Hopalong:
Thanks, Amber! Got some tomatoes chugging on it already. My wacky-Brit neighbor brought over some extras and planted them for me.

Yesterday ran the 3 birdbaths run through the dishwasher (ALONE, then disinfected after) and refilled. I had no idea it was safe to do that, but found it on the interwebs. Going out in a few min to dump and refill them. This heat's too brutal on the poor birds. Something else is drinking from the one on the ground, dunno what yet, but it's nice thinking of how during the night various critters come by.

Once the heatwave passes it really will be wonderful to have human friends by, too.

hugs
Hops

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