You might think this is horrible, but Madison never did have a sweet 16 party. If it makes you feel any better, I was a super duper party giver when the kids were little, but I guess I figured the BIG party would peter out as they got older. Also, I gave parties like THE ARTIST PARTY or SNAKE PARTY, not the text and hang party. I'm not good at hosting texting and hanging. How do you host that anyway?
Madison kinda, sorta wanted a party. She'd bring it up now and then. But I wanted her to drive the project and she was busy and undecided. And time marched on...but she and I both agreed that when the pool was finished, she would have a HALF-BIRTHDAY/BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY. Phew. At last.
So. Tonight's the night. Sure, I've been up since 5. But whatever. I don't need sleep. Really. Like, as in, never sleeping again.
While we were tidying up the back yard for the party I took a few pics for my Aunt Rebecca. She needs a big picture view of our current improvements. Marvel not at the complete and utter lack of landscaping. I'm aware, but with the current weather (drought) and wildfire conditions (raining ash) in Texas there won't be any attempts at landscaping until next Spring. But I'm already thinking...don't you worry.
Here we go Rebecca:
The covered patio. That entire roofline is a recent addition. They did an amazing job of making it look like it was original with the house. Sterling was adamant that he didn't want more than two posts, so they used an engineered beam and then tied it into the house itself (right by the gutter). I'm glad he had that vision because I was all like, "Eh...post, schmost." But now I'm grateful, especially because he had them line the posts up in a way that you can't really see them from inside.
As an aside? Check out the banner I made for Maddie's party. I cut out all of those triangles last week, but never had a spare moment to sew them together. This afternoon, about 4:30, I got a wild hair to finish it up. Such last minute endeavors are why a) my dissertation is a wreck and b) I'm really, really, really tired (and grouchy). But still...cool banner, right?
Here's the spa, and you can see a part of the stacked stone along the back of the pool. It curves pretty much the entire length of the pool. I'm hoping for some landscaping to cover up the ugly fence. It's either landscaping or large concrete sculptures. I'm still deciding.
So...there you go. I'm thinking we will see lots more of the Ellis clan once Karen moves to San Antonio. We can't wait!
P.S. You know I was joking about the concrete sculptures. Right?
