Here is the after picture, and I am quite pleased with the outcome.

I need to do a little finish work, such as add two more boards, finish the sides, and add a step.

I also need to fill in a few more screws on the planks and secure the gazebo onto the deck, but I was anxious to get the gazebo up!! I love it! I just need to add the two little glass tables to the two sides and put the stools together as well. I also want to put lighting around it and across the rest of the patio.

The gazebo takes up most of the deck. I couldn't believe how big it was. Joey helped me get the gazebo put together.

Now I can finish working on the rest of the yard and get that looking decent. In September the yard will be aerated and blue kentucky grass seed blended with the aeration. Right now the grass is a pathetic rye grass and I hate it! It is hard to keep nice. I am also going to lay pavers from the deck and patio to the pool to keep dirt and grass out of the pool and house, and finish my fountain in my pond.

Now that I know the basics of building a deck, I plan on making a deck half way around the pool and extending out toward the house. I got the idea I wanted for it on decks from Home Depot.

Well, Gotta go enjoy my new resting area! Peace Out!!

This is the before picture where I wanted to put the deck for the gazebo. The main reason for doing the deck is so I can have a nice level area to put the gazebo on, have it secured so it doesn't blow up on the roof like the one last year did, and get Scott out of the house more and enjoying some fresh air away from the fear of bugs and mosquitoes.

This area was in pretty bad shape, and was a big frustration for me. I hated to look outside. I wanted a nice back yard area to relax in and entertain with barbeques, and swimming. This was quite the transformation!

The beginning of the frame work for the deck.
Dad helped me do the frame work and attach the frame to the mortar of the house so it was secured. He is putting posts in pits so I can add cement a little later.

It was fun to have dad help me with this and do a "Daddy~Daughter" project, though his handyman craftsmanship is more advanced than mine. I was glad to have his criticism and experience.

I tried to shade as much of the area as possible so I could keep working.
So.... you trust me with this thing?
Figuring out the spacing I want between the boards.
Starting on the top planks.

It's getting there! I would have to work on this early in the a.m. about 7-9 and then go to bed. I got home from work between 4 and 5 a.m. and would play on the computer or work on the Joseph Smith Papers project until it got light enough outside and work until I couldn't stand the heat about 10.

A few times I had to jump in the pool if I tried to work on it in the afternoon, so I could cool off enough to work on this a little more. Hey, you do what ya gotta do, right?

This is the almost finished product. It needs two more boards put on it, screws filled in, the sides covered and a step made. But I was anxious to get the Gazebo put up and get Scott out enjoying some fresh air.

The gazebo almost takes up the whole deck! I will also be securing the gazebo down onto the deck so it doesn't blow up on the roof like the one did last year. I am so glad to get this done in time to enjoy it when the weather cools a little bit, and before the cold and snow comes again!

Now that I have the practice, I want to do a deck around my pool next year, but hopefully there will be a bit more Spring before it gets blazingly hot and hard to work in! Now I can work on the yard and finish it!

Thanks Dad ~ for know how ~ and helping me do this project!