Monday, July 28th, 2008 (pool is full)

Well we have a totally filled pool. WOW... I can not believe it only took 2 day, 2-1/2 hours to full 31,500 gallons! We must have a good water well. Knock on wood. We have FTW Custom coming out tomorrow to pour 16 gallons of acid in and we start our two-a-day brushing for the next three days. Then on Friday, FTW Custom comes and fires up the pump and filter to get this bad boy clean.

Tonight we also went for a 1 hour swim. It felt Grrrrreat!!! We wanted to swim before the acid bath so tonight was the night. The jump rock was good, the swim outs were nice, and it just couldn't have been any better.

Anyone thinking of getting a pool I say... HURRY UP!!!... and call FTW Custom pools for what we feel is a good deal.

Sunday, July 27, 2008 (Filler up)

This is the first full day of filling the pool and it looks like it is going good. The water level is rising pretty quick it looks like. We're thinking it might even be filled Monday night instead of Tuesday. Who knows. All I know is that with days of around 104 degrees.... I'm ready for a swim.

Day 13 - Saturday, July 26, 2008 (plaster complete)

We have plaster in the pool and water is pouring in. Other than getting a late start to the day, everything went perfect. We were taken a back by the nasty gray color of the plaster as it sprayed out the hose but were assured that after an acid bath and a bit of scrubbing twice a day for three day that the true colors would come out. Lets hope so.

The pool and spa started filling at 2:00 PM... one hose in each. At 4:30 the 500 gallon spa was full so that hose was then put into the pool along with the other hose. At 1000 gallons (2 hoses pumping 500 gallons of water every 2.5 hours) every 2.5 hours I figure the pool should be filled at around 10:00PM Tuesday night. It'll be interesting to see how far my calculations are off.

After the pool is full Kirk, from FTW Custom comes and dumps 16 gallons of Muratic acid into the water. The 2-a-day stirrings start. After 3 days of that Kirk comes back out and fires off the equipment and we start cleaning the water. Once the water gets clear it's time to go for a bunch of swims. WHOO-HOO!!!!!!

It'll be nice to have my backyard back again.

Day 12 - Thursday, July 24, 2008 (cleanup complete)

The workers showed up yesterday and graded the yard around the pool, finished the rock waterfall, pumped all the old nasty water out, and cleaned inside the pool. All this is in prep of the plaster guys to come out. Looks like that will happen this Saturday morning. Then we start filling er up with water.

We'll keep you informed as we get continue to get closer to startup.

Day 11 - Monday, July 21, 2008 (deck poured)

We came home today and the deck had been poured. Workers were here washing it, smoothing it, and getting it just right. It looks good.

Cleanup crew comes next to get rid of the big mess in the yard and grade the yard.

Whoo-Hoo... one day closer!

Day 10 - Thursday, July 17, 2008 (form it up!)

The good news is... the forms for the deck a in place and ready for concrete.
The bad news is... it may be Monday before we get it. Durn it.
Getting closer to completion every day.

...AND, we have two little birdies looking like they will take the plunge just any day. Man, these birds get big fast.

Day 9 - Wednesday, July 16, 2008 (finished rock waterfall???)

Doubtful.

The wall looks... OK, but I think it needs a bunch of tweaking. It's too flat on top and weak at the right end. Contractor says it wont be a problem to put some more rocks where needed, but wants to do it after the deck is in so we can get an accurate look it.

Deck is suppose to get framed out and completed tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed.

See ya on Day 10.

Day 8 - Tuesday, July 15, 2008 (rocks, rocks, and more rocks)

Work continued today on building the rock waterfall. NO, they did not get done today like we were told. The jump rock has been set and the waterfall should be complete tomorrow.

The deck guy came out and marked off the perimeter for the deck. Of course we wanted it larger and it will cost more, but nows the time to do it while they are here doing it.

Stay tuned pool fans.

Day 7 - Monday, July 14, 2008 (electrical and rocks)

The electricians showed up at 0800 and completed wiring everything at 2:00. Rock guys showed up around 9:30. I guess after missing work on Saturday they figured they would get an early start. All electrical work is complete, spa looks complete, and they have started building the rock waterfalls. The rock guys boss-man came out today and said he would have a couple more workers here on Tuesday and should have everything wrapped up on Tuesday including our big jump rock.

More news as it develops.

Day 6 - Friday, July 11, 2008 (spa work)

Day 6 has the rock guys continuing work on the spa. There's lots of cutting, dry fitting, and mortaring. It's going well. Tomorrow (Saturday) all the flagstone work should get completed. They still have the coping over the spa spillway and the tanning deck to flagstone. Also they have a bit more grouting to do on the tile.

We also have two new additions to the place. Momma bird's eggs hatched and we have two little baby birds always hungry nested on top of one of our outdoor speakers.

Stay tuned.

Day 5 - Thursday, July 10, 2008 (coping & tile)

Well after 7 days of watering the pool (I still have not seen it grow any larger... maybe I should have used Miracle-Grow... HAHAHAH) they started setting the Oklahoma flagstone coping and Verona Borba Turquoise tile. We also have the rocks for the outside of the spa delivered and hopefully 5 tons of Moss rock will follow which they will build our rock wall/waterfalls.

Sure are glad the early morning/late evening waterings are finished.

I'm sleeping in tomorrow!

Keep checking back for further updates.

Day 4 - Thursday, July 3, 2008 (gunite)

After many delays we got the gunite sprayed in. Quite the long day for sure. The trucks FINALLY got here at 6:30 PM and sprayed for 6 straight hours. We finished up and closed the gate at 12:40 AM on July 4th! Long, hot, and dirty, but it's done.

Now we have to do a one hour long watering Friday (July 4th) night and then 3-a-days (water 3 times a day for 20 minutes each time) for the next week. All the while coping, tile, and electrical will get done. Hope all that goes better than the gunite.