Almost done!

With the spreading of the landscape rock and contouring the ground around the saguaro in the front the landscape is done to this point. Anything beyond this point isn't even a thought to ponder at this time. A little more work on the inside of the house and then I will declare victory!

Landscape Rock

November 15/16, 2007
The landscapers started spreading the rock in the back of the house working toward the front. It took almost two days to wheelbarrow all this rock into place and the spread and level it. In the middle picture you can see a different color blending into the rock. That's the 1/4 no minus granite to eliminate mud when whet and dust when dry' It's about four inches thick and was 33 tons of the total 73 tons.

Landscape done

November 15/16, 2007
The landscape rock was spread over the entire yard. 73 tons plus two tons of dirt for a small mound in the front right side near the large saguaro. Pictures taken after sunset to avoid shadows.

Front landscape

October 7, 2007
This is the result of last weeks endeavors. We transplanted the two larger cactus and the two ocotillo's last Sunday and I planted the rest on Monday. Friday I brought the rock down and placed them around the yard. Hope it looks OK. Next step is to get the crushed stone to finish of the project. It should look a Little better with the stone.

Mesquite coming back to life

September 25, 2007
A couple of long views of the new flagstone patio. I've got the boulders pretty much where I want them and check out the mesquite that went into shock after it was planted. It's coming back to life.

Flagstone patio in and around the fountain

September 25, 2007
The flagstone patio goes right up to the concrete of the covered patio. Until I get some landscape rock down it will help to control the dust and mud when I wash off the patios. I was tracking so much dirt into the house that I had to move quickly to cover the dirt.

Building the fountain

September 13, 2007
This is the work that was done on the fountain on Tuesday morning. It was ready for start up the next day. The two trees in the background are Palo Verde and the one with no leaves is the Mesquite that went into shock. Hopefully it will bloom again before winter.

Fountain after startup

September 13, 2007 The fountain after start up. It's in the rough or the dust bowl as I call it. I put a carpet remnant down to walk on temporarily to control the dust and mud. Ugh!
As time goes on it'll get to looking better and better. The trees in the background are a Mesquite and the one furthest away is a Texas Ebony.

Latest photos of the inside

August 26, 2007
I've posted these photos of the inside of the house. It's coming along but there is a ways to go before I'm done. Some of the window coverings I have in mind will have to wait until I sell the other house. Still some furniture, picture and mirrors still left at the other house for staging purposes. At least you can see the progress so far.

Den and hobby room

One photo of the hobby room and some of the den.

Master bedroom

Some master bedroom photos and a photo of a picture I had made from Chris, Susan and Jennifer's high school graduation photos.

More indoor shots

More kitchen and great room photos.

Indoor shots

8/26/07
Breakfast nook and some shots of the great room.

In the kitchen

July 22, 2007 I had the walk through on Wednesday and will have the closing on the house on this Wednesday. The house was very clean and the A/C was on during the walk through. We found lots of blemishes that will be fixed by Wednesday. I went by today and it looks like the inside was done but the outside had a few things to be repaired.

Roof tile done

July 22, 2007 This is the first update since I returned from Tulsa. The roof tile is done around the entrance way and the house was ready for final inspection from the City of Mesa. IT PASSED!

Masonry done

July 2, 2007
Today is Elizabeth's 15th birthday. We had a little party for her this evening. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH!

The masons are done! I went by during the day to avoid the shadows I usually get when I take these photos in the evening. The last of the roof tiles need to be installed around the masonry work and the outside of the house is virtually done. We're getting very close and the closing for the house should be on July 24. I'll be in Tulsa from July 4 to 11 visiting Chris and his family. Susan and her family will be there also so we'll have a little family reunion, so to speak. More updates to come after I return or maybe while I'm in Tulsa. who knows?

The masons get with it!

June 28, 2007
The masons are making progress as can be observed. When I went by to check on Wednesday they were going through the entire interior, caulking, inspecting and repairing every blemish, all the seams and joints around counter tops and vanities were sealed. Also all the windows have been caulked and sealed from the inside. All these areas will be repainted at which point the bedrooms can be carpeted. It looks like I will close on the house at the end of July.

The mason shows up!

June 26, 2007
As you can see the mason got started! The redone wall has been stuccoed today and the stone trim around the windows has begun. Hopefully we'll see steady progress on the masonry work until it's done.