These are photos of the Morning Court with cobblestone and the fountain with new tile. We have moved the Morning Court furniture back and set the gargoyle back in his spot on the column.  Technically the gargoyle is called a “grotesqe” because it’s not a downspout.

 Dracula’s Castle with sod. At last, reduced mud.  Under the tarp is our re-tiled fountain. Nothing fancy, but I am convinced that it will glow under a black light. 

 We got the railing for the deck installed today. Jo Ann and I are thrilled. She lived in fear of falling off the deck onto the waiting concrete below. I lived in fear of her pushing me. 

 We finally have the last concrete pour for our front drive and the back patio.  Next comes brick columns for the back deck, which should start a week from tomorrow.  

 We finally have concrete forms, hoping for concrete tomorrow depending on the weather. On an unrelated note, Jo Ann has new personalized license plates on her Mini Cooper.  

 We are getting close to the end.  Below are photos of the interior and exterior of the breezeway, the balconies, the view down the “Keyhole” to the fountain, and the back deck.  We hope to pour a driveway to the Porte cochere week after next, put sod in the front yard, brick the columns on the back deck and install the remaining iron work around the house. After putting stones on the morning court we are close to totally finish, but I am sure I am forgetting something. I suspect we will still be polishing this up the day they take us away. 

 The front stairs are complete. We are getting close to the end of this ordeal/adventure. However I think that the guy that designed the front stairs has been watching too many Highlander movies.

 The stairs are coming along.  This is a view of the front door steps, with a view of the columns where the Browning M2 .50 caliber machine guns will sit.  They forgot to leave a place for the Claymore mines, as instructed.   The underside will double as a wine cellar/nuclear fallout shelter. 

 The front stairs and the Porte cochere are coming along nicely. 

 People were able to work all week. We got the spiral staircase in and got the Trex on the new deck.  

 I am ready for global warming to come back. 

 This is the beginning of the front stairs.  The porte-cochere will be a good place to be in a tornado. And a nuclear war.

 What goes up, must come down.  (Spinning wheel got to go round.)  The temporary back door steps are coming down to make way for the new deck.

 Supposed to be here to start front stairs Monday and Wednesday. And it’s not supposed to rain for awhile. Thank goodness.

 The walkway is taking shape.  Thank goodness that the foundation for the front stairway has been poured.    Weather was giving us fits on that.  Also the pad for the spiral staircase.

 I wish I could post a video. All of these guys working to Tejano music is fun. I need a shot of tequila.