More and more [and even more] I’m discovering that I love a good BARGAIN.  And nothing feels better than a bargain that also includes something that’s been recycled.   Not only am I saving money, but I’m saving the earth, right?!  (I know…it makes me feel giddy knowing that I just saved the planet.  I’m like Superman.)

But seriously, earlier this week my co-worker told me about something called a “Pre-Demolition Sale.”  This is something I’ve never heard of before, but apparently there are people who buy extremely expensive homes and then tear the whole thing down to rebuild something new.  And well, their loss is our gain, right?  Today’s sale involved a large stone home on the Main Line.  Nick and I went out there with tools in hand and managed to get two truckloads of slate flagstone, which included the walkway [shown below] and about 20′ of two-inch thick large slate capstones.  All for $250.  This will come in quite handy when we want to do our backyard project next summer.  (We’ve also decided to do a retaining wall in the front with all those capstones.)

Anyways…we’re both really tired from digging out flagstone and carrying it all day.  I’m thrilled about the new discovery of these sales though.  If you live in Philly and are planning on some home makeover projects you should check out their website for the next one.   I think there’s another one next week.

And p.s., yes, they are going to tear down this house.  All that stone will be gone for good.

Yesterday I invited a few friends over to help demolish the deck…so our friends Audrey and Michael came over to lend a hand, and it was actually a huge amount of fun. The demolition only took about 45 minutes with the four of us. That was one seriously rotten deck!! The posts weren’t even secured into the ground with concrete. It’s amazing it had lasted that long! Anyways…here are some pics.

Mid destruction

Post destruction. Then began the bbq-ing!

One of the reasons I wanted to move from my old house to the new one is that I wanted more space for the dogs. However, my backyard turned out to need a lot more work than I originally figured it would, and the dogs and I haven’t been able to do much enjoying yet. (Isn’t that always the case with every house project?) I’ve only lived in the new house since March, and already I’ve had to:

1. Prune the 65′ mulberry tree (Turns out tree pruning is expensive!)
2. Deal with the poison ivy growing in the lawn
3. Get the outdoor drain unclogged due to silt draining into it and causing an impasse.
4. Throw down grass seed to try and get aforementioned silt from running off into the drain.

All this and I still can barely even use it. So the next big thing I’m going to be doing is ripping down the rotten deck. It’s going to be an exciting 4th of July. But why wait, you ask? Why not start tonight? (Actually I did.) However, N’s dad is letting us borrow his truck to haul away all the debris so this weekend makes most sense. It should be interesting. Hopefully soon it will be nice enough to actually spend some time back there.

I just saw this post over at Charles & Hudson, and am in LOVE. I’ve always had a serious fondness for brick walkways, stone streets, etc. Unfortunately neither in my new place (or my old one) do I have a place to use this idea. It doesn’t matter though because I’m totally in love with it.  I’m going to have to store this one away for my future cottage home in the woods.  Hopefully you’ll be able to use this idea NOW. 

Go here to buy the mold.