I’m embarrassed to be writing this post and sharing these pictures.
Y’all…i let my back patio get way out of control.
I know you think i might be exaggerating – but i’m not, oh my gosh i’m not.
You see – it gets hot here, like crack your front door and you look like you jumped into a pool hot. the humidity is disgusting, the sun is like rays of death, you want to run into your house after grocery shopping because your eggs will fry.
Since it gets so hot i don’t like to do yard work in the summer.
Most of the time my brother is the one who does anything outside in relation to the yard because i boycott it. Bleh. So…it’s been a long time since i’ve actually entertained on the back patio. {last fall to be exact} Even then – it was disgusting. It hasn’t been scrubbed, cleaned, pressure washed, ANYTHING in a few years. Yeah, years.
All of this to say.
It was frightful back there.
Shield your eyes.
Actually just stop reading now.
…
…
Seriously stop reading.
…
My retinas are burning, are yours?
Triple BLEHK.
One of my neighbors let me borrow their pressure washer – WIN!
I was so pumped to get started, i mean seriously i love pressure washing.
In the summer time my youth group went to a week-long “camp” called World Changers.
We would team up with other churches/youth groups/contractors etc in different locations and help restore houses. We built/repaired roofs, landscaped, fixed floors/windows/etc, pressure washed, cleaned, whatever they needed done.
I went to unscrew the hose off the back water spicket – and it would not come off.
Y’all i tried wrenches, wrapping it in a towel and twisting, more wrenches, pliers, etc.
IT WOULD NOT BUDGE.
I ended up making the trek next door (and it was a trek, two of my gate doors are busted, and the third is just wide open for whoever wants to prance around my backyard {it’s a real safety hazard, but i don’t have the $ to fix it yet}). My uncle dave (long-time family friend) came over and it took him a few tries but he finally got the old hose off.
Then we were able to get things moving! YES.
Did i mention the water spout of the pressure washer was TINY.
I get impatient. Like REALLY impatient. (great quality i know)
I constantly see how MUCH needs to be done that i start jumping around to different parts of the patio without fully finishing one spot. Maria ended up walking over, took the things out of my hand, and got it finished! While she was pressure washing i ended up washing all (but 2 sets) of the back porch windows – that’s another job in itself!
I am so embarrassed by that picture.
It just shows HOW BAD i let it get.
ew.
DOUBLE EW.
When everything was said and done – it looked 10x better than it did before.
Big ol’ thanks to my neighbor(s) for helping me out with this!
{i will admit, i’m fearful of my water bill – this took all day long}
A little before – after action:
WOOHOO!
I mean – it isn’t perfect but it is a MUCH BETTER improvement.
There is still a ton to do out there – but it’s coming along.
+ buy some flowers.
+ finish cleaning porch windows.
+ clean off patio chairs.
+ uh – buy chairs for the table.
+ possibly stain/paint the concrete and seal it.
+ maybe one day build a pergola out there.
+ re-hand my lights.
+ rip off those old shutters. (they are the last set on the house)
+ & much, MUCH, more.
. . .
Can i just say – keeping up a house is hard work…and time consuming. 😉
Woo, girl! It's looking great! I can't wait to see what else you do with it! 🙂
Wow girl! That looks like a LOT of work. But it will totally be worth it when you're all done. 🙂
It looks great, Amy! Way to go! Glad you have great neighbors! 🙂
Oh my gosh, I'm so appalled. ;D
girl….great job!!! i'm way impressed. i wouldn't even have known what to do with a pressure washer! 🙂
Wow! Looking very good! I was wondering as I looked at the pictures whether you can stain/paint concrete…and how it would stay. And is that a fire pit?? We have been wanting to get a fire pit for awhile. Love them!
Good job! It looks great! And I can only imagine how much upkeep a house would be. But just think of all the things you can do! And you do a great job! 🙂
Love that spot! I completely understand the neglect and get sense of accomplishment you're already feeling!!! 🙂 It looks sooo much better already. 🙂
I love how intentional you are about improving your house. I've been hopping around living in apartments the past 3 years, so I don't have the ability or desire to do more than redecorate, but I always admire those who have their own space and make it personalized to how they like it. I am excited for one day when I'll have a house to do that too!
When I was looking through the photos, I thought, ooh I wonder if she's going to paint the concrete. Then I saw your list of desired improvements!
Are you going to do a natural stain or pick a crazy color? I'm excited to see what you do with it!
The cleaned up results look awesome, by the way!
P.S. Let me know how that pergola building goes. 🙂 I want to do that too, but I have no idea where to start.
Girl, if you think your patio was bad I would hate for you to see my garage…gah!! Good job though! Looks great!!!
seriously great job! can't wait to see what all you do out there!
It's amazing how much you're getting done! I'm so excited to see what you do with the patio. I bet it's going to be magical.