Thursday, September 11, 2008

~~~ SURPRISE ! ~~~~

This morning I was rudely awakened by barking dogs. Now it's not like this has never happened before. But it is definitely not our normal pattern. Usually my wake up call comes as incessant pawing on any reachable body part. This ceremonial pawing ritual generally results in toe nail furrows carved into my flesh, which results in me dragging my butt out of bed to take the offending flesh carver out to do his business. But this morning the routine was suspiciously altered. When the barking reached a crescendo I fell out of bed and shuffled over to the window..........


OH BE STILL MY HEART...could it be? Could it actually be our long awaited Landscapers? The guys we hired 4 months ago and have been waiting for ever since! I pinched myself to see if I was still asleep...and then looked again..... OH Glory day! Those dump truck drivin' dudes are coming up my driveway!! HOORAY!! In mid leap ... my blogmind kicked in .. and I about had a cow....WAIT A MINUTE I NEED A BEFORE PICTURE!!! I scampered like my butt was on fire, trying to get to my camera. AWWWW BAT CRAP I'm in my pajamas. I'm pretty sure if I run outside in this getup...waving a camera around...those boys are gonna hit the gas and leave my property faster than they can speed dial 911 and report a lunatic sighting! So I scramble into jeans and a t-shirt and scuttle down the stairs. Forget about make-up or hair combing...this is a blog emergency!

Whew....I GOT IT...the BEFORE SHOT.... You will notice this failed attempt at a patio. We wanted an "earthy" look and decided to create one with large pieces of slate. My hubby and I built this abomination last spring. It didn't take long before we realized there was a reason we didn't "hard scape" for a living. So hence the hiring of professionals!

Oh gee....lets all wave BYE BYE to this hideous excuse for a patio. I watch it dismantled without a single tear in my eye! WOOT WOOT! Here comes the big guns!
At this point I'm pretty sure these guys are thinking..."If this camera obsessed woman is gonna sit here and take pictures of us all day...the price is GOING UP!"

Because my budget could not absorb a price increase for the "annoyance factor" I scramble back inside. Of course...I run upstairs to gawk at them out the window...hey they don't get off that easy! And ya know the two Busybodies had to keep track of the doings too!

Look at it....in all it's chocolate brown loveliness....


OOOH go ahead and sweat you big brawny Gods of the dirt....because with every drop of your man sweat I'm that much closer to a REAL patio that doesn't have to be mowed!





Back to window lurking...........

I just want to go on record as saying...the next picture was not snapped because they had their shirts off....REALLY it wasn't!!! The day ends......I would have made them work long into the night and not leave until they were finished!
But the little buggers think they deserve food! And sleep! Sheeesh a bunch of Girlie men!

Just to make sure they come back tomorrow...I'm holding their back hoe and all their tools hostage! The depressing thing is I have to work tomorrow. So not only will I not be here to photograph their progress....but I'm gonna have to wait all dang day .... going crazy....before I can come home and see the end result. One things for sure....It's gonna be waaaay better than the way it was!

45 comments:

Picket said...

Hey Nikki...great looking patio...it will be a beauty when they get thru! I wish my side walk was made out of pavers...I love that look! I just wanted to come by for a quick visit ( I am so far behind in blogland!) but I have to let you know how much I appreciate you coming by and checking on me and for all the prayers and encouragement for me & my family this past week....thanks girl...it has meant so much to me...take care and I can't wait to see the finished patio!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures (wink wink) Ahem.... Nice work!!!
Diane

Anonymous said...

How FUN, Nikki! What a turn-on ~~~ (the PATIO, not the men-without-shirts!!! Then again, hmmmm... I may go back for a second look, "just in case"! Grins!). Oh the JOY! The ANTICIPATION! The FUN of it all!!! Just THRILLED for you, and I NEEDED some "happy news" today, so I'm reeeally glad you shared!!! Hugs, Linda

nikkicrumpet said...

Hey mom....What's wrong? I hope all is well in your world...but it sounds like there might be a hitch?

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Nikki, I so know what that's like...to wait and wait and finally the day comes...very exciting. Can't wait to see the next day's progress!
:-) Susan

Kathy said...

This is going to look amazing Nikki, those guys worked hard I can see that and all with a crazy lady snapping them, cannot wait to see the finished patio. Kathy

Life on the Edge said...

You have a way of describing things that just makes me laugh and smile! I loved the dogs thinking about burying their bones. Oh, that one fella should NOT have gone shirtless! lol

Your patio is going to look fabulous!

Kady

Unknown said...

Once again you r so funny. I have a request though can the guys keep their shirts off but drink a Pepsi.? Remember that commercial a long time ago the construction guy (who was hot) drank a Pepsi and wiped his sweat while the office girls looked on, Ok maybe to much of a request, but it did bring back memories. lol. And Your music choice is so perfect for every post. How do u do it? mishelle ps. Oh and looking forward to seeing the finished work..

Anonymous said...

oh, how I love to watch work in progress...Can't wait to see the results.

Justine said...

I didn't think it looked bad the way you had it, but I wouldn't consider it a patio. This is going to look wonderful! These guys must have thought you were nuts! I bet they even saw you sneaking pictures from the upstairs window. Now they'll really think you're creepy. It's probably a good thing you won't be home today to stalk them. Can't wait to see if finished though. Your gazebo is beautiful!

Justine :o )

Anonymous said...

Morning Nikki! I thought you were talking about your husband pawing and wasn't sure where that was going!lol Thanks for the heads up on the patio I was thinking of doing with the slabs and grass! I want landscapers too! I'll bet its gonna be gorgeous so I await the finished afters! Have a great day - Sincerely, Jeannette

bj said...

Good morning, Nikki girl...oh, boy, this is really looking great!! I think this is what I want my sidewalk made of...pavers?
Have a great weekend...

Bo said...

Morning Nikki...well, you got my day started off with giggles..love that! Have a great weekend. ;-) Bo

Anonymous said...

Nikki, You really make me laugh. Your text is hilarious. That is why I gave you an award today. Come over and get it.

I can't wait to see the end result of this awesome project. Are you absolutely sure you didn't want to see some biceps??

Hugs, Jeanne

Anonymous said...

Oh I'm so jealous that you get your yard landscaped! My dogs would go nuts if there were people outside all day! Thanks for leaving your sweet comments on my blog! (most people don't take derranged as a compliment--but I DO!hehe)

niartist said...

Oh Nikki, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pavers you chose! Too bad we're not closer, I would have hussled right over there to watch them do it! I need a few "tip's from the trade" when I lay my brick patio! I can't wait to see the finished product - it's looking fatnastic already!

Anonymous said...

You are going to have one beautiful patio when they are finished. I love the color of the stones! I have an award for you. Please stop by.

Darlene said...

I love your post, as usual, too funny. That patio is going to be AWESOME!!! It is already looking great!! Oh gosh, it is horrible that you have to work and can't watch the work in progress at your home. Can't wait to see the finished result!!!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

What a good blogger you are...capturing those before pics! Love it...that is going to be one beautiful patio.

Free Art Printables said...

That is going to look so awesome when it's done!

onlymehere said...

This is going to be fabulous when it's finished! I love it already! You should have left the camera to the dogs and they could have let you know how it went! Too bad you didn't just let the dogs loose at digging it up, you wouldn't have had to pay for the demolition! LOL! I bet they could dig some pretty great holes. Have a great weekend!

Rue said...

It's going to be beautiful Nikki :)

Um... the guys with their shirts off.... not so much... LOL

hugs,
rue

Pam @ Frippery said...

Love it. Can't wait to see it complete. My husband and I are also do it yourselfers but have lately hired the professionals to fix up some hardscapes that were not all we dreamed of. I just received a call from our landscaper (who we hired in July.) They are tentatively scheduled for September 29th. Cross your fingers,P.

Salmagundi said...

Love the pavers! Be patient today, and what fun it will be to come home to a finished project. Take care, Sally

Angie said...

Wow, Nikki..It is looking great already! Your backyard looks like such a nice retreat!

~Angie

Melissa said...

Your blog always makes me smile.

Thank you for that.

Happy Friday!

Melissa

Adventure girl said...

Awesome! Funny! Can't wait to hear and see more;)

Anonymous said...

WOW! I can't wait to see the end result!! Isn't it amazing what "professionals" can do???

Have an awesome weekend!

Beth at Aunties said...

Your yard is so beautiful and it will be a real show place afterwards! You crack me up and make me smile when you blog. Thanks for being the 'girl' with your glass always practically FULL.
I would have scared those poor guys away flying out without my makeup and in my PJ's!
Love your enthusiasm!

Deb said...

Hi Nikki, what a wonderful surprise! I can't wait to see the finished product! Deb

ko said...

WOW! HOw cool is that! :) I bet you are thrilled! COOL BEANS!
It is pretty Chaotic here in Texas with IKE.....YIKES..we are supposed to get like 80-100 mph winds...yikes.
Have a great Friday!
Kyley

Debra from Bungalow said...

Looks like it's gonna be loverly...can't wait to see it all done. So glad you shared some before shots. Take care, DebraK

Fifi Flowers said...

FUN post... love watching the progress!
And thanks for reminding me... I'm supposed to be working not blogging... ugh!

The Berry's Patch said...

I have to say, those girlie men look better with their shirts off. I almost pictured the village people singing YMCA. Your a crack up girl!

Also, I have the same kind of mornings...except I usually get tongued to death. :-)

ko said...

i didnt kow your daughter lived in Austin...that mean she lives only about 45 minutes away from me. OK SO IF you ever go visit her, WE BETTER MEET UP@ That would be so cool@ I am shutting the computer down! Don't want to ruin my MAC
Love ya kyley

cherry said...

WE did something similiar as a patio....we did it ourselves and it was a lot of fun. We just did the sidewalk in front...we had leftovers. Your neighborhood looks like something out of NOrman Rockwell........gorgeous. cherry

Michael said...

Ohhh...I can't wait to see the end result!

Now if I could only cram your beautiful backyard and pool around my brick paver patio :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Nikki, that is going to look so good, I love the pavers too, and the color is great. Have a great weekend

Tracey said...

Only you could crack me up doing a post on a patio :)
It's gonna be great when they finish.
Has Crumpet been good enough this year for Santa to bring him a bulldozer? If so you are in big
t-r-o-u-b-l-e :)

Nancy Rosalina said...

Hi Nikki, One more funny post! Only you could do that! I can't wait to see the results! Blessings, Nancy

squawmama said...

Got you site from Justines Blog and am I ever glad... WOW!!!! Great blog... I will be visiting a lot it's really interesting...

Donna

Dawn Gahan said...

I do think Gideon and Crumpet look alike despite being different breeds. We used to have a soft-coated wheaton at our office (we can bring our dogs to work) and he was such a sweetie.

Dawn

Allgrins said...

How exciting! Your yard was already beautiful and now it is going to be spectacular!!!
Also, I think your fall decorations look great. I don't even have mine out yet.
Have a great day! Jamie

Allgrins said...

How exciting! Your yard was already beautiful and now it is going to be spectacular!!!
Also, I think your fall decorations look great. I don't even have mine out yet.
Have a great day! Jamie

Anonymous said...

Your landscaping is beautiful. I am from AZ (mountains), and have to work so hard in the yard to make it brown.....kidding! I'm watching all the steps so when I get home I can start this on my back yard>>>> yea! I will start blogging my home as I make the changes....I just started this and this is better than buying the millions of decorating magazines ...... thanks, Nanette from AZ White Mountains... www.nanettewhiting.blogspot.com

 

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