XoozLand — Works in Progress!

(I make no apologies for the size of the pictures on this page...)

Redecorating the Bathroom...

• XXXmas Holidays, 2002: It's been almost five years that I've been here at Xoozland! One of the things I didn't do when I first moved in was to paint the bathroom. Well, it's finally time to do something about that!
  
  

  Outside Looking In: the view from the hallway
  Before... (work in progress) (Okay, so I started peeling the wallpaper off.)	After! (I'm still not sure what to do with the sink and vanity.)
  Inside Looking Out: the view from the bathtub
  Before... (work in progress) (If you think that's bad, you should have seen the wallpaper that got taken off!)	After! (Nice colour co-ordination, eh?)

Building the New Deck...

• November 16, 2002: With Winter Weather on the way, it's time to the end construction for the season.
  
  
  Phase One: The Upper Deck is almost complete, and half of the Lower Deck is finished. Temporary stair treads have been installed so the Upper Deck can be used, giving access to the house through the new back door.
  
  
  Phase one: Closer view of the Upper Deck. Patio furniture is stored underneath the Upper Deck; The barbecue (under the green and white stripes) wouldn't fit... it was less than one inch too high!
  
  
  The remaining work, which will have to wait until Spring, includes:
  • the rail caps on the Upper Deck. (There's a chance this may be completed soon if we get another day or two of warm, dry weather before Winter finally sets in to stay!)
  • the last deck board on the Upper Deck. This is the board right up against the house, and needs to be custom cut to fit the space.
  • assembly and installation of the custom stair stringers for the corner of the Lower Deck. These were measured and cut last weekend, but it rained for a few days and I wasn't able to complete the operation.
  • the stair treads (and risers) on the stairs of the Lower Deck.
  • install the remaining deck boards on the Lower Deck, trim and treat the ends.
  • the last segment of railing on the Lower Deck, between the stairs to the Upper Deck, and the stairs to the driveway.
  • the rail caps on the Lower Deck.
  • assembly of the bench along the fence side of the Lower Deck.
  • possibly staining and/or sealing the exposed areas. The deck is built with pressure treated wood, so while there's little risk of deterioration over time, I would like to be able to walk on it in my bare feet without fear of arsenic poisoning!

Winter comes to Xoozland!

• November 17, 2002: The first snowfall of the season arrives.
  
  
  The back yard, as seen from the house through the new back door.
  
  
  The Deck Project, Phase One: Under a blanket of snow! No more work is to be expected until Spring!

Watch this space for further news!