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Yes, the stucco wall where it meets the sidewalk is 3 feet tall. (That’s the maximum height allowed). As the wall runs back toward the house it’s over 6 feet tall. I wanted to step down a horizon metal slatted fence to add just a little privacy and safety for us and the neighbor. The city said it’s not a walkable space so we don’t need a fence, but also can’t have a fence! We have a three foot planter on our side of that wall so we are going to plant some hedges that will have to do. We have a new fire resistant roof and our vents are protected. We took out Apple, fig, lemon, pomegranate trees, but kept the avocado tree even though it’s close to the house. It’s a producer and I just couldn’t. We ended up planting 35 different varieties of plants (148 total, even put in some Kentucky Bluegrass fescue hybrid) with several repeating a pattern halfway around the house. But much more room to defend if we need it. I’ve seen sprinkler systems but probably won’t get one. The recent fires the wind is usually favorable to us. It blows across us. The danger for us would be wind coming off the ocean but those are typically wet winter storms. So while there is risk I think it’s acceptable. We have hose bibs on all corners of the property and we can pump water out of the pool. GTS… I might join ya tonight.

KC never disappoints but MCO almost always disappoints.

Regular KC9 at Orlando airport. Never disappoints.

Oh wow that is just brutal. Sorry you went through that! Curious about the second fence - was it going to be too tall? Sounds like you are doing the right thing to create more defensible space. Have you heard of Frontline? It's a roof mounted sprinkler protection system. I'll pour another GTS for you tonight.

Goodbye!

Sounds like a new thread catagory. What the F&%_ was I thinking when I got myself into this remodel? Thank goodness for the end results....and still being married.

Good Lord! Nothing is easy, is it?

Beautiful - just unbelieveably beautiful! Many thanks . . . . .

The intention was to remodel the outside 360 degrees. We brought in a landscape designer and hardscape guy. The main purpose was fire abatement, plant drought tolerant plants, remodel the backyard, and better drain system for the heavy rains we get in the hills. The people we decided to work with were recommended by close friends. They ended up having a war on our property that I was having to referee weekly. In addition, we took out 94 feet of mature plants that provided privacy for us and our neighbor. We put up a green screen while the work was being done but they got mad we took out our plants. On day 70ish we had to bring a fence guy in to build a 94 foot fence to keep the peace. Lawyers got involved. We were able to offset that cost a little by mostly only using 1g and 5g plants instead of 15g plants because the new fence provides privacy. We also built a new wall on the other side of the house and I was planning on building a decorative fence on top of the wall to provide privacy. The city came in and stopped us because the fence would bring it out of code. Still in limbo there. I would leave town and things we agreed upon would change. We have more work to complete but I had enough and sent everyone home. There were other oversights that cost us money.

Oh I don't like the sound of that word! What happened?

Looking good. And those surprises usually come with additional invoices. I just got out of a 92 day boondoggle. Good luck!

I don’t name em, I just drink em. But what do you expect from PDX? Gigantic definitely has similar distinguishable notes across most of their ales. It’s typically an auto buy for me because I enjoy their taproom. And I can usually summon characters to have a good time.

Here you go @GeeTen

Haven't poured it yet but I will be reporting back when I do!

What! No picture of the GTS??? You're such a tease . . .

Thanks! My cheap ass is afraid that I'll like it

That's an insanely good price for the rye. It's really good, not $115.00 good, buy a steal at $39.99. Well done!

I think we've all been there. You did the right thing.

I went bottom feeding again today. I bought four bottles of 1792 Small Batch for $17 each in BevMo's Buy One, Buy a Second Bottle for $.05. While I'm not really a regular buyer of this at $34, I do like it, so, at $17 I was all over it. My second purchase was two bottles of George Dickel x Leopold Bros. Collaboration Rye for $39.99 each; marked down from $115! I've never tried it but it got enough good reviews online that I just couldn't pass it up when I saw it on sale at K&L.

Took these home today. I haven't seen a Blanton's pick in forever. I'm sure that I overpaid, ($99.00), but I don't care. I wanted it The OF100 is replacing one that I finished a while ago.

I gotta admit, that while can enjoy several Rocky Patel cigars, I did purchase this one cuz the dressing was so purdy…. Gonna get onto it with a Larceny on a big, beautiful, clear, cube…

I would say so!

It's been a very long week here in the flahute household. We are doing a major basement remodel and this week we had the electricians here for full electrical and panel replacement. As per the usual with remodels you find all kinds of surprises. Such as not being prepared for them to need to trench the drywall upstairs because that was the only way to get a new wire to a particular outlet. The old wire was going straight through the return air plenum and needed to be removed. They started Monday and last photo is late this morning after they left. Acting as my own GC while also being the architect meant is was an exhausting week of problem solving and question answering. I do believe I have earned a big pour of George T Stagg.

Holladay bourbon is pretty new! They are great people. Historic distillery that stopped making bourbon a long time ago and then recently decided to start back up. I believe the first of the new bourbon hit the market in 2023 and widening distribution has been a gradual process.