Thursday, July 06, 2006

4TH OF JULY HNT!

First, I want to apologize for not posting regularly the last few weeks. My life has been on the fast track and either I just couldn’t find the time, or I was too tired. Let me give you a quick rundown of what I’ve been up to.

About June 10th, I started cleaning up around the outside of my house. I wanted to get the place in condition for a 4th of July BBQ/Pool Party for Lori and her kids. Here are a bunch of pictures from the July 4TH BBQ/Pool Party.


It took many hours of hard work to get the place in shape for the party. Here is what my swimming pool looked like last fall.

Here’s what it looked like right after I trimmed the bushes and pumped the water off of the winter cover in June.

Here’s what the pool (and my girlfriend Lori) looked like yesterday at the BBQ.

I started the yard work, like I said, on June 10th.

I went to Rhode Island on June 23rd for the weekend with Lori and her kids. Lori's mom brought us a pancake and coffee breakfast in bed Saturday morning.
Sunday after the graduation party, we all sat up for a while talking. Lori's mom climbed in bed next to Lori while we talked.
My computer hard drive crashed a few days after I got back from Rhode Island. I took it to someone for repair and got it back on June 29th. This set me back on my posts a few days.
Then I spent all day, everyday, working outside. This is a shot of me taking a gin & tonic break from raking.
Lori cleaned the pool, which was no small task. There were tons of leaves and other crap that got in it when the cover was removed and from cleaning up around the pool.
Lori was the first one to christen to pool.
I power washed the deck and part of the back of the house. This is a picture I took today.
Mission accomplished! I finished up about ten minutes before they arrived yesterday for the party. I am proud of how the place is turning out.
I’m not done by a long shot. I still have a lot of things to do. Some of them are:
  • Cut down a small tree
  • Get the landscaper to take away that pile of trimmings in my driveway
  • Finish power washing the rest of my house
  • Power wash the stepping stones around to pool
  • Putting treatment on my deck to keep it looking nice
  • Buy a shed to put away all that stuff my son removed from the garage when he turned it into a clubhouse
  • Get an updated estimate to replace my driveway
  • Get the sprinkler system up and running
  • But before most of that, THE BOAT! This coming weekend Lori and I have to start unloading my boat. I am selling it and need to get it in shape before I put it on the market. Anybody in the New York City metropolitan area want to buy the B.T. Express? (Not me silly, my boat) It’s a 1986, 39” Sea Ray Express Cruiser. One big selling point, the gas tanks are full of gas. With marine full selling for around $4.00 a gallon, those 300 gallons of gas will save the buyer about $1,200! The book price is about $55,000, so make me an offer and I’ll give you a good deal.
Now before I close this post, I want to thank two people. One is my son Brian. Brian has yelled at me a few times, which helped get my mind back on track and start to focus how crappy the place was looking. He also begrudgingly helped me a couple of days outside cleaning up the yard. The second person, and the most important and the most help, is my girlfriend Lori. She has been such a big help to me. She has encouraged me, offered her help and then pitched in and helped me with everything that’s needed to be done everyday she has been here since I started these projects. I could have never accomplished nearly as much without her. So let me say this, “Lori sweetheart! Thank you for all your help and encouragement. I love you baby!”

29 comments:

The Guy in the Back said...

Makes a fellow feel good to just sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor, doesn't it? Great job witth the cleanup. It all looks really nice.

aughra said...

Wow. The house looks amazing, and I love that you have a picture of you in mid-dive. I am so happy that you had a good time, and Lori's mom is ADORABLE!

Happy July 4th, BTE.

Lisa said...

Fabulous job darling!!! Can I come over for a swim??? *~*Happy 4th of July HNT*~*

Jessica said...

lots of half nekkidness!! Looks like ya'll had some good family time! Happy HNT!!

BTExpress said...

The Guy in the Back - It sure does. It's been so long I've almost forgotten how good working around the house feels.

Aughra - Thanks pretty momma! ;-) I had a great time with everything I did. Lori's mom and dad are both terrific people and I liked them a lot.

Le chat qui a peur - Thanks! You are welcome anytime you want. If the pool has problems I'll turn on the shower for you. :-)

Jessica - We had a great time. Funny you should mention "family time". Lori's daughter Bethany called it the first "Family 4th of July". Guess they are getting used to me. :-)

lime said...

awesome. that's a helluva lotta work. it sure paid off. things look great. glad you all had a great BBQ and glad brian and lori could be such a help. HHNT

S said...

Your place is looking great, and I'm glad you have Lori and Brian to kick you in the pants, but I also think you deserved to just not do anything for awhile.

You have been through alot and I am so pleased to see your new life, your lovely family, and your beautiful girlfriend, Lori filling your life. It just warmed my heart to see those photos of you having a great time!

HHNT!

(oh, and Lori, you look marvelous!)

HNB said...

Good lord Tony, You've worked like a pack mule. The place looks gorgeous though and it looks like ya'll had one hella good time.

HHNT

alistairandlily said...

It looks like you had a wonderful time and you have a wonderful home.

Happy HNT!

lily xx

Blondie... said...

Wow, the yard is just lovely Tony!! What a fun celebration of new love and a welcoming family party. Truly cute how much you two like each other in the pics too... I think it is so funny about her mom!

As for the boat, perhaps you can list it in a marine trader "magazine"... I don't suggest consignning it to help sell it, the dealership will rip you a new one! Just remember some dealerships that take trade ins will give you a free estimate on your boat and will sometimes buy it outright... after trying to talk you into buying a new boat of course. hehe

Ok I'm going to shut up.

Happy HNT and I'm so glad y'all had such a good time! I find it quite exceptional that Lori is so helpful, what a catch!

Beth said...

Damn! And I missed the party!

HHNT, Sugar!

CozyMama said...

dang bte, you been workin it. happy hnt - wait till you see mine.

MG said...

that was one hell of a recap, thanks for the update, everything looks GREAT...

HHNT

clara* said...

that looked like a GREAT PARTY! i'm coming next year! hee.

MamaKBear said...

Looks like a successful party to me! And man, does that pool look good!

Tommy Gunn said...

Great post Tony. Glad things are smoothing out for you. Loks like you had a blast. HHNT friend.
TG

Becca said...

Wow. I mean wow. Superman indeed. Both you AND Lori...that yard looks FAB U LOUS!!!

The party looks AWESOME, and I *want* some of that chicken!!!

HHNT!

Leesa said...

Wow..looks wonderful! HHNT ;)

Chelle said...

Awesome job on the pool and stuff!!! A lot of work went into that!! Looks like you had a great party!! Where was my invite?? hehe j/k lol

YOu have been a busy boy and enjoying every minute of it..I can tell!!! All the best...

Happy HNT!!! :)

Wenchy said...

I am LOVING your blog. Lots.

Solitaire said...

Awesome! It looks great! You've been very busy!

Have a Happy HNT!!!

Naughty K said...

The house looks awesome and what beautiful girlfriend you have there.
Looks like your having fun.
Happy HNT!!!

No One In Particular said...

Looks like a fun time, after lots of hard work. Glad it paid off in the end. I want to jump in that pool!

Happy HNT =)

Sexy Duet said...

Wow, Im exhausted from just reading what you have been up to! The place looks great. Happy HNT

Ms SD

Mark Leslie said...

Thanks for sharing - what a great bit of effort, but also the fun you had because of it.

Now, I'm inviting myself to come by for a visit, swim and BBQ, k? But I'm going to wait a few more weeks until you strike off a few more chores off that list....I'll mix you a gin and tonic though, and I mix a mean martini . . .

Happy HNT!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cuz,
Sorry to hear you are selling your boat. I always wondered what happen to your boat. it sounds like you had a wonderful 4th. I had to work . You are a lucky man to find Lori. She seems like she is a hell of a woman. best of luck with her.
Cousin John
I still read your blog

Lil Bit said...

Wow!! That was a helluva lotta work to prep for the shindig! Well worth it tho... looks like a fun 'n festive party!! =)

Take care of you & yours, k?
~*HHN4*~ & Farewell...
*hugs* =)

Binsk said...

Great pictures!!!

I want a backyard like that when I grow up! ;)

Sweet post too.

Tish said...

Awwww, such great pics, BT! I'm so glad that things are still going well with you and Lori! Things are still going great with me and Brico too! :)