Projects, projects, projects...

So this weekend we thought we were only going to have one project to get done...it turned into two projects...

Number one on the list was to buy a security door and install it ourself. I know...we're brave...or crazy...either one is probably true. So we go to Lowe's and pick the door we want. While talking to the salespeople our heads started getting gumbled...we wondered if we were up to the task but didn't want to pay someone to install it because it would cost more for the installation than it would for the door. So we go home and wait for a guy to come over and give us an estimate for our backyard landscape. We decided to have him just install the irrigation system, pour some concrete, and do the curbing for the grass...and we would do everything else. He said he would be able to do it on Wednesday! So that's exciting but then we realized that we need to get some bricks to build a planter so we could get that done before he came so he do the curbing around it.

So project number two was to go to this masonry/rock place we found and buy some bricks. So we did that, came home and decided to tackle the wall first. Kevin spent an hour trying to get the bottom level all nice and level. But to our dismay when we put the second layer on we discovered that it wouldn't work...so then I played around with it to see if we could get it to look a little better. It's not perfect but by this time we were getting frustrated so I guess we'll go out tomorrow and see if we can get it better.

So back to project number one. So the directions made the whole process of installing a security door seem easier than it actually is! We thought things were going great until we got to the point on screwing the door on. The manufacture included what sounds like a great concept but it was executed pretty poorly one-way screws. But installing the screws is a pain in the butt. We had to go back to Lowe's to get a certain tool to install them...only to discover when we got home that the screws were really made poorly so we ended up stripping the screw top half way into installation. Then we had put some towels under the door to help support it because the door was really heaving. And when Kevin was putting in the bottom screw we found that because the towels were under the door that the bar we were screwing in was like an inch away from the wall...so Kevin had to use a hammer to get the bar flush with the door frame...but we kept on having problems with these one-way screws. So now we have a dilemma...we've put in four of the eight screws half-way and are just so frustrated! So we're going to go to Lowe's AGAIN and buy some screws that will actually work...if someone is that determined to get into our house to actually bring a screwdriver/drill to take off the security door and then try to get through the front door than I guess it's meant to happen. So another frustrating project we couldn't get done. We'll see what we can do tomorrow.

And here we were thinking that we could save some money by doing it ourselves!! WRONG!!!!!!! If anyone is ever contemplating on getting a security door let a professional install it!!!