There was a reason I waited to rant about the deck. I wanted to make sure it was legit before ranting, and as it turns out, it looks like I needed to wait one more day. The contractor I took out there yesterday, who came very highly recommended by my building inspector, and who seemed quite knowledgeable, said that the deck isn’t as bad as all that. He said that it’s sound, and that after adding extra support under the hot tub, and replacing one rotted beam, it will be fine for a long time. I’m also going to have him build up the handrails on the stairs that are too short, so no one goes plummeting to their death, but I must say it was a tremendous relief to hear that the deck can stay,and the repairs aren’t going to be expensive. He said the repairs can wait until summer, and in the meantime, as long as I don’t have the entire Seahawks team jumping on the one corner with the rotted beam, we’re good. I was hoping to get 5 more years out of it, and he said there’s more than that left.

Huzzah!

What’s left from the money the sellers are offering to fix the deck, should be enough to do most everything else inside and/or in the front. So we may be signing off on the inspection today, pushing us that much closer to finalizing things. If that’s the case, then as I see it, all that’s left for me to be neurotic about is getting our house ready to sell and hoping it sells pretty darned fast once it’s listed.

And I must say, since I’ve had some comments and emails from kind and concerned blog readers and family, the house itself is not moving down the hill at all. It’s 30 years old, and the inspector said there wasn’t even any sign of movement in the chimney, which is a common place to see it. The foundation isn’t cracking or separating. The majority of the drop off starts part way through the deck, and it isn’t a cliff face or anything. There are houses below it, at the property line at the bottom of the hill.

I really appreciate everyone’s concern for our well being. Once we’re in there, I’ll post a bunch of pictures. In the meantime, trust that we’re not making a dangerous or forced purchase. Our eyes are wide open.

What’s this? KNITTING content? Whoa!

Yesterday, I was wanting some simple, stockinette project to knit, as my down time leaves me anxious for some resolution. SO, I might go out and look for some Red Heart today to start on the baby’s Superman blanket.

I was talking to someone about Red Heart awhile back, and they were knocking it, and I told them why I was contemplating it for this project (it’s tidy appearance, the lack of pilling), and she said that it never looks like wool. It always has a plastic sort of look to it.

This is true.

Which is perfect for a cape blanket, no? I mean, I don’t know what Superman’s cape is made of, but it certainly isn’t wool. So I’m thinking my blanket shouldn’t look like wool either.

Also, I’ve started the heel flap on one of the green Austermann socks. But I’m not in humor for tiny stitches and tiny needles right now, so they’re going to be set aside for a bit I think.

The lack of pictures in my posts recently is driving me crazy, so, since I don’t have anything new to show, I’m going to show you another shot of the Mr. Rogers exhibit that is knitting related.

Oh, and a link to the new MagKnits just showed up in my inbox. And I have to say that this is scrumptious. But I’d need to try to do something different on the brim. I can’t picture that on me. The crocheted scallops from Esther Williams might look nice.

Hmmmmmm.