BruceHartman.net

Before I got around to installing the mailbox, I had some catchup work to do on the deck. Mike had attached the posts with nails, but they still required lag bolts to hold them in place. After a run to Home Depot for a tool or two, I knocked that out first thing yesterday morning in between periodic breaks to avoid heat exhaustion due to the humidity.

As I posted yesterday, the most noticeable accomplishment for the weekend was the new mailbox. The post went in relatively easily. I dug the hole with post hole diggers and mixed the concrete in the hole. It took some finagling to the get the post mount into the concrete, but after some delicate persuasion, I got it in and plumbed. The installation instructions said to allow the concrete to cure for 24 hours, but there’s no way I was going to wait. I let it set up for about six or eight hours and then finished the installation. I’m very happy with the result. As for how the painting was done: I printed the design on to paper and then transfered the the design onto the mailbox by tracing over the print with carbon paper beneath it. I picked up some metallic copper paint at Michael’s, and then proceeded to fill in the transferred outline. The paint job isn’t as tight as I would have liked it, but it’s plenty fine and looks pretty good. As usual, I’ll be more critical of the paint than anyone else who sees it.

This afternoon I took a spin through Target’s seasonal clearance section with the hope of picking up a welcome mat to go on the deck, and ended up leaving with the mat and a nice set of solar lights as well. I had been seriously considering low voltage wired lighting, but figured with this was a cost effective compromise. Assuming the lights are as good as the reviews say, I’ll go back and pick up another set. The styling is what piqued my interest and I like the idea that they’re amber instead of the blue/white light from the usual LED solar lights. The set came with a spotlight that I’ve aimed at the mailbox for the time being.

I think the current plan is for Mike to come back Tuesday or Wednesday to finish up the deck. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to tie up all the loose ends with one more trip. I’m really looking forward to the final result.