Hello from an excited Newbie in Bixby Oklahoma!!

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Nectarologist said:
Same here. I told my kids "you don't have to learn to ride a bike if you don't want to, but you HAVE to learn to swim." One thought on the depth if I may (I know you're probably settled on it), the 6' is not a waste. When the grandkids are older but still acting like kids it may come in handy. A 14 yo jumping in to 5 ft may be able to use a little wiggle room. I put a roman end w/ bench in my deep end (6.5') and we utilize the space so much b/c we have a place to sit & don't need to tread water the whole time. You're pool is going to be great! Good luck!
-Chris
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Thanks, Chris! That's a great suggestion!
 
Marlahoutex said:
Denise, my hubby is from Valpo!
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Small world!!!

MarianParoo said:
Western Suburbs. Saint Charles. Where in IN? Near a Krazy Kaplan's?? Hahaha
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Never heard of Krazy Kaplan's- is that a restaurant?

chiefwej said:
Speaking of IL, I spent 24 years with Northbrook Fire Department (Chicago's north shore). Don't miss the winters though.
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Gosh, no! I sure don't miss the cold and lake effect snow from Lake Michigan!

MarianParoo said:
Ha! Born and raised in "old" Evanston. It's not the same anymore... I did my student teaching in Northbrook at Glenbrook North HS. Also was a Girl Scout Exec serving the North Shore and west.
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I'm actually from Highland, In. It's the Calumet Region area close to Hammond, Munster, Dyer, Merrillville, Schererville, and Gary (a little way out). Very close to the Il border by Calumet City, and Lynwood area. We lived in Lynwood after we got married for a couple years and I worked in Cal City, but born and raised a Hoosier. We have been in Ok since 1990, so I have now lived more of my life here than there. My kids are Okies, as they were 2 and 4 when we moved here. It's been a great place to raise a family. Winters can be rough (lots of ice) but they are short.

Our HOA is expensive but so far not super intrusive. Our covenants only list that we cannot have any outbuildings (not sure what to do with my pool stuff) and no above ground pools. We are proceeding without notifying them of anything.

I have been slow to update my thread since I have just had a few minutes here and there, and I have spent it looking at the other builds. Their's are more fun right now :)

I do have some pictures to update with of the PB's display and some of my stone choices.
We have also had some good news in that the Radiant Fusion finish I wanted is only a $500 upgrade, not a $4000 upgrade! So, I'll pick up a couple extra shifts and pay for that. For reference, it's the same plaster finish as Martin Kennedy's build. I'm not sure about the color yet. I like his Regal Blue, but I also like the topaz, and I'm eager to see Tom's in NoCal when his gets done as it is also Radiant fusion but the color is Blue Frost, I believe.

And, I have hubby talked into several mosaic sea turtles! I'll have to work an extra 3 shifts for those!

Now to figure out how I can get the colored concrete and stone on my spa. That's another 10 extra shifts...I'm tired just thinking about it!

Pictures coming this afternoon!
 
Helen203 said:
LOL, you are ready! When does construction begin? We need your pool build to tide us over until spring :)
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PB told me the dig will be 2nd or 3rd week of Jan provided the temp is 36 degrees or higher for several consecutive days. Can't shoot gunite below 36 deg and they would want to shoot it quick to preserve the integrity of the hole. However, we need the electric and telephone lines moved before the dig. Electric co is SUPPOSED to be here 1st week of Jan. I have as yet been unsuccessful in getting the phone co to send anyone out. I'm going to call them again on Tuesday, which is my first day off this week.
 
So, here are the promised pictures. This is actually attempt #3. The first time, my post disappeared. The second time, I forgot to hit save before I closed the page. Yes, I really am a blond...

My PB's display includes examples of different stone; different stamped, colored and textured concrete; a pool divided up into different pebble finish colors; examples of a grotto, waterfall, firepit, outdoor kitchen, pergola and a roofed shelter.
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This is the Radiant Fusion in Topaz. It's full of luminous beads and abalone shells :)
I have not completely settled on Topaz. I'm also considering Royal Blue, which is what Martin Kennedy used in his pool.

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It would be hard to pick one over the other! I love both of them!

How neat it is that you can increase your income as needed. So you can just say "Hey I want to work ?? extra shifts this week." and they let you?

Kim
 
kimkats said:
It would be hard to pick one over the other! I love both of them!

How neat it is that you can increase your income as needed. So you can just say "Hey I want to work ?? extra shifts this week." and they let you?

Kim
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I really can't go wrong either way. They both have the beads and shells, so it's a win-win (or for you Office fans-- "win-win-win!")

We have a sign up sheet in the office with a listing of shifts that are short staffed, and there are always people looking to get off work for one thing or another. I can also pick up PRN (as needed work) at another facility if the extra work dries up on my floor. The surgery center where I had my cataract surgery done was trying to recruit me during my surgery. The Director of Nursing came and gave me her card while I was in recovery. I'm going to apply/interview with them after I have my 2nd eye done and have recovered. They don't pay as well as my current position, but it's MUCH less work and probably 1/10 the stress.
 
badcrc said:
I wouldn't do Mosaic they can HURT resale. Hate to be that guy.
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I really appreciate the word of caution! We are actually putting in the pool rather than moving to a larger home/different home with a pool. We built this house in 2002, have 15 yrs left on our mortgage, both turned 50 this year and we are staying until the Lord calls us home. My kids can worry about selling the place!
 
It is nice to be able to do things for yourself without having to worry about resale too much. We are in the same situation. They actually shot our gunite with a high of 27 degrees, though with a few precautions.

Exciting times!
 
bmoreswim said:
It is nice to be able to do things for yourself without having to worry about resale too much. We are in the same situation. They actually shot our gunite with a high of 27 degrees, though with a few precautions.

Exciting times!
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Hi bmoreswim!

I have to tell you, I keep looking at your StoneMakers concrete and wishing I could get my PB to do something like that. I think if I keep showing him pictures from the different builds on here, he may fire me (j/k). Seriously though, I just love how your concrete, steps and wall look.

It is exciting.....but I also feel VERY anxious. I'm hoping this is normal. I just don't know (since I have never owned a pool) what all this is going to entail and I have difficulty with "the unknown".
So, I'm trying to focus on how much we are going to enjoy our yard this year and not all the "what ifs" and "unknown" issues.
 
Nursenini said:
So, I'm trying to focus on how much we are going to enjoy our yard this year and not all the "what ifs" and "unknown" issues.
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We all have that challenge with pool building and life in general. Good approach!
 
nini, You are SO in control already with all of the questions you have been asking about everything. It has been a learning experience for me as well!

Build YOUR pool for YOU! Get what YOU want (or I want LOL)

It is SO normal when you are faced with such a BIG thing-big money, big investment, long term commitment.

Just think of all of the poor people who are doing builds without TFP! SCARY!

Hugs! We have you covered!

Kim
 
LET THE DELAYS BEGIN!!!

Today the phone company finally showed up-unexpectedly-no phone call-after 4 weeks of trying to get them out here. Once they realized they were not going to get out of having to move my line, they told my husband the WE have to get ALL the utilities here at the SAME TIME to move their lines because they are almost on top of each other. Now, HOW IN THE WORLD AM I SUPPOSED TO ARRANGE THAT?!? I can't even get people to call me back.

So, tomorrow I will be on the phone again, trying to get people to do their jobs.

The engineer from the electric company called me yesterday and let me know they would NOT be out the first week of Jan as originally projected because her mapping was wrong and it had to be fixed. She said MAYBE the 18th but she wasn't going to hold her breath....

I was really hoping we would have a finished pool in April, so I can enjoy the yard this spring and we can swim as soon as it gets warm in May. I'm starting to see my spring slip away....
 

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