Patio Improvement

This is the first blip of the new sun shade that was installed in the backyard while we were gone last week to family camp. We're pleased with the results. (Ed. I'm told it should be referred to as "pergola.")

We were given estimates from several builders and one just insisted that the cover could NOT be one long structure. He sent me a rather nasty email because he thought he was losing my business. After the less than professional correspondence, he did lose the job.

Then we approached a builder who lives just down the street from us. He has been gracious and wonderful to work with and understood completely what I wanted . . . very refreshing. He built one structure, not two and installed the light fixtures and is making a custom cover (cage) for the roll-up shades; then we can lower the shades and have complete privacy from our next door neighbor.

Next we'll have the ground cover done . . . we are still working with landscapers trying to get one that understands the term "low maintenance." I really want a yard that is as close to no maintenance as possible. Mr. Fun likes a yard, but he does not like doing yard work. Certainly that must have something to do with the fact that his dad worshipped the backyard and no one, absolutely no one, could keep a yard to his perfection. Mr. Fun grew-up with no desire to work in the yard.

So we'll keep working on this landscape/hardscape of the yard and probably finish it in early September because we're planning to do some vacationing during August before I report back to the campus.

Good night from Southern California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol

P.S. I have all but one (woohoo) of last week's family camp blips completed, and my absolute favorite is Thursday's sunrise. Honest, it is worth looking at.

P.P.S. The old patio cover can be seen here and here.