From Messy to Marvolous- Days 2-4 backyard redo!

[jenn D]

 Backyard remodeling update from the PB&J gang:

 

Hello Everyone,

We hope your weekend is going well and not full of surprises (or crazy workers)  like ours is. We are trying really, really hard to get use to the workmen. Mom has been taking us out one by one to meet them. After a few minutes we do start wagging our tails because we see there is nothing to fear. Pickles is the consummate “Mr. Congeniality”.  Even though he is the youngest of our pack, he seems to be the most self-assured with everything. The workers don’t really get to him. Brisby feels he needs to guard his brothers so he is a bit more wary of the men in sun glasses, wide brimmed hats and gloves. Jake, still struggling. Mom is not pushing it with him but is trying to help him get over his fear. So far he’s come around regarding 1 of the workers who is a self- identified dog lover.  This man took off his sunglasses, hat and gloves and sat on one of our chairs in a non threatening way for 15 minutes while Jake slowly made his way to him. After Jake felt no threat he was fine with that specific worker.

Jake’s behavior is interesting because he is not like this out and about. He greets everyone nicely and his body language does not seem to show he feels threatened.  He has no issues with men ‘vs’ women, boys ‘vs’ girls. He is pretty happy go lucky out. At home with strangers, different story.  But we are working on it and telling him it is ok.

Now back to the backyard. Progress is being made. We are on day 4, or 5…its hard to keep track. When we said the backyard wasn’t really our fault we actually were halfway right. Its true, we made a mess of the top lawn but there were other reasons mom and dad decided to take the plunge on this re-do. A brief history: 4 years ago (before any of us were even born!), our oldest kiddo, Grace, was diagnosed with Leukemia. The treatment is 2 ½ years long and Grace was sick most of that time. In addition, just 10 days prior to that terrible diagnosis, our youngest kiddo, Alex, had a pediatric apt. as he was having a lot of physical and mental issues. He was diagnosed that day with cerebral palsy and focal seizure epilepsy. Later tests confirmed. So mom and dad had their hands full with a lot of medical issues and trying to take extra special care of their human kids since that time.  The yard and all of its maintenance was put on the back burner. Priorities shifted big time.  Grace’s first year off treatment (2013) was spent putting back some of the emotional pieces and more the emphasis shifted heavily to Alex to help get him the extra things he needed. Now in 2014 the family is moving toward living again  like a typical family, picking up all those daily and weekly home owner chores and fun activities that there was no time for before.

So progress is being made.  Here are some recent pictures of the last few days:

This is the shed area. Look at all of that trash. Yikes, that’s a lot of non-yard maintenance and broken toys piled up there. Like 3 ½ years worth!

 

 

 Mom and dad collected it all up, sent it to the dump and look at it now! Mom and dad say an above ground pool is going in here after the shed gets moved. They said it was for humans, not dogs. We take offense to that but mom assure us we are getting our own pool area.

 

And here is the new cleaned up lower yard modeled by Brisby. He’s wearing a leash because part of the yard is currently opened to the street during remodel. This is our real grass and play area that will stay the same. The lawn is aerated, things have been weeded, trash picked up. Mom and dad still have to stain the play structure.  Behind him is the deck and pond area. We haven’t gotten to that part yet. It will be weeded but the pond might not get up and running this season.

 

Jake from our teeny area warning a workman that he is on the lookout.

 

And lastly, Pickles on the balcony. He’s showing off the support beams that were put on the doggie shade area where the fake grass will go. The structure is behind him and lower, its currently reddish brown. Its larger than we thought. I guess the humans get to enjoy that space too. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

Here it is from another angle (Grammie thinks it looks like a barn which is freaking mom out a bit). We told mom reserve judgment until it is finished and relax, like we have been trying to the last 4 days!

Hope you all are well! 8 days left to a new backyard and we are getting excited!

Love, PB&J

 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Quite the journey for you and so glad it is on the upswing for your family. So exciting!  Love looking at the pictures.  We did a backyard overhaul a few years back and our then Lab drove the workers crazy.  She would steal lunches and get into the packets of hot sauce!  But it was all worth it as will your new digs!  

[jenn D]

Thank you, doodle friends! Your support is so wonderful and appreciated. As hard as it has been for our family, I believe everyone has difficult challenges in their lives- many harder than what we've dealt with. And we still have our kids alive and getting healthier each day. And we have doodles, you can never forget the doodles! ;)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Your photos are wonderful and your story pulls at my heart. There is nothing harder than watching your children suffer. I pray that Grace lives a long and healthy life from here on out and that Alex's issues are being addressed in the most successful way possible. Also praying for your strength and continued joy for life.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Wow Jenn, you have had your hands full for a long time! Bless your heart.  Happy to hear things are better and I admire you for even starting a project like the yard with how busy you are!  We did some remodeling a few years back and I don't ever want to do it again!  So far all the changes are beautiful and it looks like you are going to have a gorgeous yard, patio, pool and area for P,B&J.  Lucky Doodles!  

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Wow Jenn ~ your project is turning out great! Enjoy!

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Wow, things are never dull at your house!  So happy that your family is getting back to enjoying life and the "little" problems!  Hoping that everyone stays safe and healthy so you can all enjoy the beautiful new yard!