We've got about 80 people coming to the BBQ. This year we're hosting it on a Saturday because John's softball buddies want to party late into the night. Well, whatever the softball guys want, they get, right? So we're starting at 3 pm and who knows when everyone will clear out. I've also been informed that the boys want a band to play, which really pushed me over the edge. You want a band? You go hire one. The nerve. I've was then informed that if the band won't be there, the boys want really good music. OK, peckerheads, now I've really had enough. We always play great music. John's looking into some kind of iPod dock that can go outside and we can just stick our iPods into it. I'm sure the boys will love mine: Barry Manilow, The Carpenters, Helen Reddy.....
Campbell has completed one week of physical therapy for her left leg. The left ACL was done last December, but she has simply not healed well from it. The right knee (done in April) doesn't seem to give her any trouble. So we've got her enrolled at Canine Aquatics. She goes MWF all day and has a couple of sessions throughtout the day. Cami walks on the underwater treadmill and has just started swimming in the pool. I really hope this helps her little leg. It's so sad to see her limping around.
So, back to the house. My Dad has been working feverishly to complete the porch project before the party. What in incredible job he's done! Dad removed the ceiling, removed joists and raised other joists to create an open pitched ceiling. Then he added wainscoting to finish it and painted it white. He added an overhead fan, which is great for moving the air around. We got a swing and a rocker and those really look terrific out on the porch. John hired a guy to install a wood floor over the existing flagstone floor, and that came out beautifully as well. We're just waiting to have the floor oiled, then we're all set. This is what the porch looked like last year before the picnic (the patio and landscaping was the pay off for that party):
We sill have to add the new plants to the planter and add some other "finishing touches," but this is how the porch looks now:
Much better. It seems much more spacious and is certainly more inviting. The swing is really great. Very comfortable and a nice place to relax after a long day. I'll be enjoy a nightly glass off wine out there!
The front steps are still being worked on, so I'll post some photos of them later. If you'd like to see more pics of the porch (and I know you're just dying to) check out my smugmug.
