Monday, December 27, 2021

milestone


one for each decade


Today is Marc's birthday, Marcmas as it's known around here. He finally caught up with me and is now a septuagenarian, marveling at the fact. No big plans, just the usual day to day activity. Curse covid. No movie or dinner out, not this year, maybe next.

For his birthday I suggested we go ahead and get the deck built out front that we talked about doing a few years ago and so we are. Rocky went off to get the materials to start today. A couple of the branches of the big yew tree on the corner of the house will have to be cut off and the deck will be built around the trunk on one side. We're having it built in the front because of our three exterior doors the front door is the best option, that part of the house being on pier and beam and you have to stand on the ground to open the storm door which swings out, it's very awkward trying to come in through the front door. The back door is in the part of the house on slab and leads out to the little backyard, the part that's fenced, which has a small patio and also the three tanks for the septic system so it's unsuitable. And the third door leads out to the garage. There's a small overhang in the front of the house leading up to the door but it's not really a porch so this will give us a place to sit outside and observe the goings on.



My daughter posted this pic of the grandgirls Jade and Autumn on FB the other day. If you are a long time reader you've watched these two young women grow up. Autumn did this last semester abroad in Ecuador, has been in the rain forest working on her 20 page essay required at the end, her topic how indigenous people approached and treated mental health issues, and now that it's done Jade, who just graduated with a degree in actuarial science (math, statistics, economics, and finance) and has a job waiting for her in June in Dallas with AIG, has joined her and the two are vacationing in the Galapagos. Autumn, who still has one more semester, her studies more varied in pre-med and social studies, wants to join the Peace Corps after she graduates. Autumn on the left, Jade on the right.


I did take some preliminary pictures yesterday of the trumpet flowers but I'm not completely happy with them so I'm getting some different light bulbs and giving it another try, might even do it after dark so I don't have to deal with the sunlight coming in from one direction. Now I have to do the hardest part, figure out what the minimum is I will take for them versus what I would like to get for them, double it for the retail price as I only get half from the gallery, and then try to find a balance, one that I can live with and one that will entice a buyer.

Today's progress on the deck. 




18 comments:

  1. Happy birthday to Marc. And a deck is a great way to observe the day! I love mine. It adds the equivalent of a room to the house. Sitting out, reading, chatting with neighbors, it's a lovely addition.

    Your family is glamorous! Also adventurous, good for them. Go getters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And being on the north side it will be usable most of the year. High summer it's miserable even in the shade.

      Delete
  2. Oh Ellen, the grand girls have grown so beautifully! Awesome pair! going out into the world like bosses. Your deck looks very nice, You will love it for sure. and that cake is just the right amount for Marcmas. what is that ominous looking black amoeba on the wall?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have no idea what that thing is. And aren't they gorgeous!

      Delete
  3. Happy birthday wishes to Marc! I'm sure he had a wonderful and celebratory day.
    Your grand-daughters are so beautiful, and I love the life choices they are making. I wish for them both a grand future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are amazing. They both overcame dyslexia and short term memory problems in elementary school.

      Delete
  4. I remember Marcmas from some time in the past -- happy birthday to him! And happy deck. That's going to serve you well.What direction does it face?

    ReplyDelete
  5. German chocolate? The best. Happy birthday, Marc!
    Ellen- those girls! They are absolutely beautiful! Yes, I have watched them grow up and time has flown by too fast. They are going to make a difference in this world! And your spirit- well, I can see it in both of them.
    The deck is a terrific idea and it's going to be a lovely thing to have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We had wanted 13' deep but Rocky convinced us to make it 14' since he had to buy those boards anyway, no point in cutting off a foot. Now that it's starting to get decked, I wish we had just gone with 12' but 14' is what I've got. I'll get used to it.

      I'm just amazed at how confident, capable, and brave those girls are. When I was the age they are now I had been married for 3 1/2 years working retail and in the midst of my divorce.

      Delete
  6. The deck is coming along nicely and it is a great present for Marc's birthday! Your granddaughters are lovely and look like they are enjoying life! I love their colorful outfits!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy Marcmas! I'm glad you're no longer a cougar (just kidding). Your grandgirls are GORGEOUS! Thank you for sharing them with us all these years.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, that deck is coming along quickly! Nice to see Autumn and Jade all grown up -- as a former PCV myself, I hope Autumn's desire to join the Peace Corps comes to fruition! What's that big black blob on the wall behind them?!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great deck - and now say it in my grandchild's NZ accent, where the "e" in deck sounds like a long drawn out "ea" as in tea.
    Happy birthday to your partner and congratulations also to the two very successful granddaughters.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderful the deck idea. Your will have a place to get new ideas for your art while you sip something cool! You young grands are so lovely. Is it not nice that they turned out so well?

    ReplyDelete
  11. That deck is coming along at lightening speed. I think you're really going to enjoy it. Your grand girls are beautiful and vibrant! How wonderful that they're out exploring the world. You must be so proud of them.

    ReplyDelete

I opened my big mouth, now it's your turn.