The deck project

Since today's the first truly warm day we've had in awhile — temps in the 70s at last! — it seems an appropriate occasion to chronicle the latest step in my domestication: With the first warm weather in early April (50s, which at the time seemed quite warm after the unfairly extended winter), I began having recurring thoughts of deck furniture. But never having shopped for such stuff before, never even seriously considering it possible before...well, to say I hadn't a clue would be an understatement. I didn't know what was possible, let alone what I liked. I didn't even know what might be suitable for my means, environment or lifestyle. I mean, after a year and a half here I've barely inhabited the house's interior; inhabiting the exterior hadn't extended beyond mastering mowing the lawn & planting 2 peony bushes last summer.

Naturally, the place I started my research was online. The LLBean newsletter & spring catalog sported a fair amount of Outdoor Living items, mostly featuring wood Adirondack-style furnishings. Hhhmmm, very attractive (& very trendy) but way too heavy & large for my modest deck & self, not to mention pocket. Metal mesh furniture seemed too austere & cold. And 8-place dining tables with large umbrellas (or enclosed inside a rather vast lawn tent) were waaay too large. But seeing what was available there (& a few other online sites) was a start. Then came treks up to the Muskegon Target & Lowe's & Walmart & Menard's & even Bed Bath & Beyond, as well as to Meijer & Home Depot here in town. And a lot of contemplation. Everything seemed either too large or too expensive or too heavy or too flimsy or too florally outrageous for my taste. But I was learning....

Meanwhile, I bought deck hangers & the baskets of hanging flowers to put on 'em. And somewhere in the last couple of weeks, I was able to narrow down all the choices & finalize my preferences: A glass (or heavy plastic)-topped round table would be sturdy & stable, while chairs with metal frames & synthetic woven fabric would be weather-resistant as well as comfy, and all of 'em would be relatively easy to clean. Ah, but the question remained: would I find all these things in something that was small enough to fit my space? And rattling about in the back of my mind was the convenience of portability.

But I took a break in the search — after all, there was still time before summer arrived.......

So last week, when I was buying birdseed at Home Depot, it seemed serendipitous to notice what seemed to be the perfect glass-topped table with neutrally tan metal frame in just the right not-too-big size. Displayed with a matching umbrella. Hhhmmm. But the price! The price was an unbelievable $99. I assumed it was a mistake; it must be just for the umbrella or table, 'specially since it was barely on display, appearing in the midst of being unpacked, with no info tags at all. So I passed on by. But over the weekend I couldn't stop thinking about it, more & more it seemed just the thing to suit my space. And it would be worth it, even if it was just the table (then I could get individual somewhat matching chairs). If only it was for real. Maybe it was for real....???

On Monday I was drawn back to the store, only to find the item now properly displayed & including 4 folding chairs with matching synthetic woven fabric! And the whole thing was a package deal, Now on Sale (just for me?!?), at the even more unbelievable price of $75!! After all my careful research & consideration, it was not only staring me in the face but it was a steal!!!

After enlisting the assistance of my generous & invaluable neighbor Everett (& his truck) to pick up the set, we managed to get the tabletop securely onto its legs after only an hour's worth of wrestling. And voilá, my outdoor living experience was one step closer to complete!

Now if I can only get my flowerbed planted & flourishing..............