the back porch has a ceiling

alternately,

GrouchButts Install the Back Porch Ceiling,

because that really would be more accurate.

Neither Tyler or I were feeling great,

and when we headed out to work Saturday morning,

things went from bad to worse.

~

This picture is a few months old - there is a door on the left where the tyvek is torn, and, of course, an actual porch.

We'd decided that our back porch

really needed a painted ceiling.

With the way it's sort of boxed in on the sides,

we thought a light-colored ceiling would reflect more light

and allow more natural light into the house.

(yada yada yada)

Basically,

we were a little concerned 

that our living room

might be darker than we preferred

if we went with the cedar in its natural state,

and there was no way on earth 

we were going to go to all that work,

only to paint it.

Bobby, 

the guy we're working with at Yeagers (lumber company / hardware store)

suggested car siding.

It's a tongue and grooved finished product made of pine

that has a V groove down the center of the board,

and two half Vs on the outside.

when the boards are installed,

they look kinda like beadboard, 

only more substantial.

We figured we'd like that look,

so,

we decided to go with it.

It'd cost 25% more than what our front porch cost,

(and it's half the size)

but zero prep work was required,

and let's be honest,

that was appealing at this stage of the game.

The car siding (that was supposed to arrive Tuesday...)

got delivered just a few hours before dark

Friday night.

Neither Tyler or I went out to look at it.

~

So.

We went out Saturday,

not feeling 100%,

but eager to get this job

marked off the list.

I took one look at that pile of boards,

and 

I

was

pissed.

There was not a pile of pristine boards on my back porch;

there was a pile of crap.

I was expecting a top grade 'finish' product.

What we got

was crooked and banged up,

had chunks missing,

cracks running through it,

and some were covered in mildew spots.

Brandon said, "Yeah.

Donnie (delivery guy) said we'd have to have Bobby replace some it."

SERIOUSLY?!

Then,

I was really ticked.

For the most part, we've been really pleased with Yeagers

and Bobby.

I feel like they're taking pretty good care of us,

and they are as appreciative of our business

as we are of their discounts and deliveries.

And to be fair,

if I were feeling great,

I'd probably have been pretty irritated,

but not thoroughly pissed. off.

Sick or not, though,

I just don't understand sending out a product

that you know 

is not acceptable.

And here's the thing:

there was no time for replacing.

We really wanted to get the back porch ceiling done Saturday.

so it was either use the crap boards,

or don't do the porch.

We used the boards.

(obviously ;-)

We had kids scrub the mildew

and we cut creatively

where we could.

We'll fill the cracks and gouges with putty or some such product

and we'll prime the ceiling

and then we'll paint it,

and in the end,

it will be just fine.

Pretty, even.

But it was not a happy process.

from the living room

But - hey, look;

we have a back porch ceiling.

from the dining room doorway