So in the past two days, we’ve had two contractors at the house. What?! I thought renovations were done for the summer? Well, yes and no. Here’s the deal: we found carpenter ants by the old decrepit back deck. It appears that Mother Nature – or more accurately – a horde of ants has decided that we need to do a summer project. Thankfully, this one involves a contractor. Honestly? We don’t have time to do it. (Okay, I do but Darryl doesn’t.) And now it has to be done. So, the whole put-it-off-until-next-year process we’ve been doing for the past 7 or so years is over. The deck is getting done.
At first, I was pretty put out by it. Not only was it another new project when I had sworn off of ‘em for the summer, but I was really enjoying seeing the number click up on the old savings account. Alas, it was a falsely high number – the deck ALWAYS should have been accounted for as a necessary expense. (And this is one reason why you really should take into account depreciation and its overall impact on your balance sheet vs. just your cash position, but I digress.) Further, the more I thought about it, the more I agreed. The deck needed to be done. It was at least 10 years past its prime (maybe 15?) and outside of the main bathroom that still needs renovated, it’s the last of the big renovations. (We still have to add a garage, but that’s not a renovation – that’s new construction.)
So, as much as I really, really, really didn’t want to start a project this summer, here we go. Thankfully, our part of this will likely be just to remove most of the old deck and potentially string the cable railing system. The rest? That will be one of the two nice gentlemen we just met.
As much as I hate the thought of a project, the deck being done this summer whittles the renovation list down even more and at the end of the day, I’ll be super happy this fall that it’s done. Candidly, it is the last eyesore outside as well. Over the years, we have painstakingly landscaped the yard and gardens, cleaned up tree stumps, old hazards such as the stand for one of those extra large satellite dishes from the 1980s and removed boulders the size of wheelbarrows from the yard. We filled in those tractor-swallowing ditches out front and built both a new compost structure and woodshed. This deck, which dominates the back of our house is the last remnant of the old. So, when its gone, we can also largely cross off the yard projects.
So, what to do while I wait? Well, the biggest thing I do – and it helps me to face every project we do – is I imagine what it will be like when it’s done. If I can imagine future state, it’s enough to keep me looking forward and not wallowing in the muck that is a renovation project. In this case, looking forward does open up happy possibilities.
Because we are extending the deck out to 10 feet from 8 feet and running in about 25 feet vs. the 15-or-so feet that it is today, we are going to have a lot more room on the deck and that means a number of good things for my little decorator’s heart. First, I intend to break out the table and chairs I’ve had stored for the last few years and get it on the deck for some outdoor meals. A few new cushions and it will be an inviting place to relax. I’m also considering adding a couple of Adirondack chairs to the deck (complete with the foot rests because my husband loves them) to make another sitting area. Add in a small drinks table in-between and the little seating area will be a great place for coffee in the morning or a drink in the evening.
My final thought? Well, we are wine drinkers and I’ve always wanted a couple of wine barrels. Picturing a wine barrel tucked into the corner with a trailing flower going over the railing and down the deck post to one side seems like a pretty view. On the other side will be a place to set down a glass of wine or to set out a small tray of appetizers. Finally, the deck gets absolutely no shade. That’s fabulous for late fall through mid-spring, but as soon as the temperature outside hits 60 degrees, it’s nearly 80 on the deck. So, I may find a nice umbrella or potential sunshade to help provide a little protection from the heat. This one is going to take a little research because I want it to be both functional and pretty but, honestly, that will give me a little distraction while I go through the pain of renovations.
And so it begins… again. If the deck didn’t need to really get done, I do think both of us would try to push it off for one more year. We’re just always so overwhelmed with work and the renovations. But, if we do get this done this summer, then we will head into fall with just really needing to get the remaining floors, doors and trim done. All of the other projects (outside of the main bathroom) are small. Then, I guess we can really take a one-year break. The main bathroom needs to be done and I do propose yet one more contractor (I think we need a replumb there) but that would be it. The house would be done-done. What will we do with our time afterwards? Only God knows.
I genuinely hate the thought of doing the deck right now, mostly because it will stress out my husband. But, it’s got to be done. And when it is done? I’ll make it a useful, functional and happy space for us.
The Yuppie Homesteader 