It's time for another house update. Over the past few weeks we've almost finished the framing and the plywood sheeting. It took a little longer than expected because we added four dormers (you can see them sticking out on either side of the new construction in the pic below) to the second story. We figured it made sense to put them in, since it adds a lot of useable space and makes it possible to put windows in on the second floor. Now, of course, the house is going to be even bigger than planned, which was already bigger than we needed. I think we're going to rent out the upstairs. In fact, we may have to rent out the downstairs too with what this is costing us.
The other reason things are taking a little longer than planned is that I get bored with cutting 2x4s and find other fun projects to work on. A while back I decided to put in a circular driveway with some plants in the middle. Simple, right? But then I thought, what would be really cool is to use that old trailer as a planter. And maybe use that old well pump as a fountain. And hook up that old pool pump to make the water flow. And have a series of wine barrels for the water to cascade through. And end up in a little pond, with a nice little fountain. So the circular driveway project turns into this (note that there's still no actual driveway).
Here's another pic of my glorious accomplishment. Sure, it doesn't really serve any useful purpose, but that bubbling sound is so soothing, and it sure looks good. In fact, the same could be said of the fountain. The other interesting thing about this pic is that Climber is hiding in it somewhere. Can you find him?
Here's one of Mrs. Diesel, expressing how she feels about me taking pictures from our roof. Have you ever seen someone express disdain so effectively from a range of 200 yards?
And another one of the fountain. Dammit, how did those loafers get in the pic again? I need to invest in some leg irons.
And finally one of the infamous treehouse. I decided it wasn't quite dangerous enough, so I added a slide.
That's all I've got for now. Remember to vote in the caption contest, if you haven't already. I'll be announcing the winners tomorrow!
Humor-blogs.com is dangerous enough even without a slide.
The other reason things are taking a little longer than planned is that I get bored with cutting 2x4s and find other fun projects to work on. A while back I decided to put in a circular driveway with some plants in the middle. Simple, right? But then I thought, what would be really cool is to use that old trailer as a planter. And maybe use that old well pump as a fountain. And hook up that old pool pump to make the water flow. And have a series of wine barrels for the water to cascade through. And end up in a little pond, with a nice little fountain. So the circular driveway project turns into this (note that there's still no actual driveway).
Here's another pic of my glorious accomplishment. Sure, it doesn't really serve any useful purpose, but that bubbling sound is so soothing, and it sure looks good. In fact, the same could be said of the fountain. The other interesting thing about this pic is that Climber is hiding in it somewhere. Can you find him?
Here's one of Mrs. Diesel, expressing how she feels about me taking pictures from our roof. Have you ever seen someone express disdain so effectively from a range of 200 yards?
And another one of the fountain. Dammit, how did those loafers get in the pic again? I need to invest in some leg irons.
And finally one of the infamous treehouse. I decided it wasn't quite dangerous enough, so I added a slide.
That's all I've got for now. Remember to vote in the caption contest, if you haven't already. I'll be announcing the winners tomorrow!
Humor-blogs.com is dangerous enough even without a slide.
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You need sod. Lots and lots of sod.
Your family is beautiful! The house is looking GREAT. Wow. Good job!
Looking good! I can't believe you are wearing a Superman t-shirt, how can you betray Spidey that way? Your kids must have a great time, and they must get just filthy with that fountain and all that dirt. That's my kids' favorite pastime, getting dirty. If my kids ever see what you built (well, what you set up) in the tree for your kids, they'll be begging for something like that. Our trees are too small, so no chance of them getting it.
Disdain at 200 yards?
Yup, that is a woman after my own heart.
Nice job on the fountain and I'm so glad you added the slide, it was just what the treehouse needed.
Where is the slide on the big house?
power of a womans tapping foot and crossed arms has no distance barrier.
when we are mad, we are MAD
pee ess
please don't fall off the roof.
PLEASE
I want to know what that warning-looking sign says that's in front of your house. Perhaps something like Trespassers will be shot! - Or at least required to help lay sod.
The fountain rocks! You are an ambitious man. I would expect nothing less from someone who owns a Superman shirt. (I own one as well, but mine is red and probably more appropriate for Supergirl.)
the fountain is totally worth the delay on the driveway. Caliche would be a good cheap alternative to paving.
I didn't know Superman lived in Cali.
Very nice place!!!!!
Shoot me an e-mail before June 7 and I'll give you some info on how to contact me when you are in my neck of the woods. I will buy you that beer I promised you. I'm out of school on the 7th and so will be out of touch with humanity thereafter.
LOVE the slide. LOVE. IT.
Pretty fountain.
well there's nothing NOT completely charming about any of these pictures. lovelovelove the house -- the fountain (yes, i see that adorable Climber peeking out from under your arm) and the gorgeous Mrs. Diesel shooting you a... look of disdain from 200 yards. somehow, you've managed to capture the essence of "the good life", something i wasn't sure could be achieved in Central California. needless to say, i'm impressed.
hope this marks the beginning of a fantastic Memorial Weekend for you, my friend. xox
Curiosity.killer - I'm going to be seeding it in a few weeks. Right now I'm watering it every day to get the weeds to grow. Then, just as they're peaking their little heads up, BAM! I shoot 'em with Roundup.
Theresa - I have a Spidey shirt too, but I'm not really feeling the Spider-love after the Spider-Man 3 debacle. I should take a pic of the kids right now. They're covered in mud.
Logo - You joke, but I'm seriously considering putting in a zip line that goes from the house to the treehouse. Stay tuned.
bluepaintred - I'll be careful. Promise.
Harmonica - Sodding trespassers, eh?
Sarah - Yeah, it turned out really well. Still trying to figure out what plants are going to grow where (I've killed a few already), but it's shaping up nicely.
Hammer - It's going to be gravel. You can sort of see the huge pile of gravel that I have to the right of my car in one of the pics.
Wreckless - Will do.
Robin - Thanks!
Neva - Thanks! It's my little corner of heaven. :)
The house and fountain are fantastic! I need to fix things up around here, but I'm lucky if I get around to mowing. So much land, so many possibilities... no follow through. *sigh* I have plans though! I DO!
Hmm... lemme think... do you live close enough for me to rent that upstairs space? I mean, a bordello usually is upstairs.
Gorgeous mansion! Sheesh!
Your kids are really cute and that tree house is da bomb!!
Ah, my Gawd,
Kids sure take after their mother (thank the Lord). Geez, this 'aint simple grade 1 carpentery class, is it? Wow, I'm quietly impressed, hubby is still working on how to assemble that flat-pack we only bought ten years back..
Clever little sod, too, eh?
That turned into quite the project, but how COOL! Nice recycling on all the pool stuff, too. ^_^ You really are Superduperman!
I so did not make up Towel Day. I just forgot to put the link in my post. Bet your kids could use a towel about now. ^_^
Yer chitlins are adorable. And I did spot Climber peeking out from behind you. :)
I predict Climber and Speed Pony will use the pond as their own personal relaxation unit this summer when the valley tops out at 110.
I love the bottom of that slide, it looks so sturdy. I sure hope CPS doesn't read your blog! This is Cali after all. You can starve your chained up child, but you better not let them fall off the slide (and certainly don't let them have fun!).
I kid. :)
Lots of progress since the last time I saw pictures, Diesel. Nice work.
A fountain, eh? Listen, I know a Moonshine still when I see one, but for a small share of the profits I'll keep quiet.
Hey Diesel,
My man! Made me chuckle, thanks for watching my back with that ass "Michael" - owe you one, hon. x
What a Ponderosa you've got going on! Love the place, the fountain is ingenious and now at least the kids can plop out of the house onto the slide.
Love the pictures, particularly love the one of the cute little urchins sans shoes by the fountain. And I too saw Climber peeking out between your arm. And 200 yards is just a warm-up distance for expressing disdain.
Good luck with the rest of the work, looks like you've got it under control.
Holy Spider Crap Batman! The addition looks bigger than the house. You must be planning on entertaining lots of super heroes?
Love the view from your roof,with the orchard/tree nurserey?
Circular driveway idea is cool,and sidewalks all the way around the house would be a good idea.
Great family, tell Climber to change the oil in his drawers!LOL
You are a regular Jed Clampett.
And don't listen to curiosity.killer--NO SOD! Save yourself while you can. Go native/natural...plant the yuccas!
I don't get it. I just found you and I'm wondering if this is your blog or a compilation of evidence for your wife to divorce you?
You made her climb the unfinished roof to take pictures of your pond surrounded buy what will IHopeSomeDayWillBeADriveway?
Oh honey, go take that lady out to dinner.
And finish the house already... she's a martyr... sheesh, slide on the treehouse....
But really, it's a great blog and sure to be a fine home.
Kudos.
Savy - Plans are mostly what I have too.
Cathouse Teri - I think my wife would frown on that.
Erica AP - Thanks!
Shrink Wrapped Scream - I don't know what a flat-pack is, but I imagine if I had one it would still be in the box. Oh, and you're welcome. Hopefully I haven't provoked him into coming over here. :)
Candace - Thanks, it was fun. :)
Claire - Don't worry, we have a little pool too. Speaking of which, I should check on the kids....
Al - Thanks. You should come out some time. :)
TDB - I wouldn't drink anything that came out of that fountain.
G - Yeah, aren't they just the cutest little loafers? :)
Uncivil - Yeah, the addition is bigger than the existing house. It's turning into the Monster House.
Jocelyn - You can't play softball on yuccas. Anyway, I'm pretty sure the only thing that grows naturally here is weeds.
Housewife - NO, I'm on the roof. She's down below, expressing disdain. I wouldn't let her up on the roof. She's too clumsy. She might fall. Thanks for stopping by. :)
WOW. Just plain wow.
I'm impressed. All that skill and funny too.
Great looking place.
WOWZERS! Diesel, that is spectacular!! I must, must, must show Hubby these photos now! LOL! He'll be a bit miffed that I'm getting all these ideas now......I LOVE the water fountain!!
PS. That's gonna be one helluva big house once it's all done! I hope Mrs. Diesel is hiring a maid! :)
Wow. That's AWESOME! I wish my distractions resulted in results that were that good. Will you be coming around and making fountains for the rest of us when you're done? I'd like to put my name on the list, if so. (The house is looking great, and the pictures are wonderful. I found climber but hoped he'd be up in the tree, truthfully. Another hope is that he's feeling infinately better after his tussle with gravity.)
LOL! That Climber of yours is a cutie! Love the pic of him with you and Mrs. Diesel! It's like one of those "Where's Waldo" pictures! :)
love the fountain and the slide. what will it take to make you come over and build a tree house?