Hey friends!!

It's been nearly 3 weeks since I've posted. That is absolutely terrible of me! I have been keeping busy with school starting for 3 of my kids, then college starting for my oldest. Also, my daughter that is a senior in high school is a Dual Enrollment student meaning she goes to high school and takes college courses as well. So things have been hectic with that and my clients! It's all good though. I am back. 

We are on the final day of August, approaching September. Fall is in the air - so is the rain from Hurricane Ida. I feel for the people being effected by the hurricane because I lived in MS during Katrina 16 years ago. It's scary to think that Ida came through 16 years to the day of Hurricane Katrina.  If you can, friends, please donate and help the disaster victims. Everything helps! Thank you in advance for what you can do! Here is the donation link { https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/ } 

As for locally - COVID is getting crazy & there may be another mask mandate, at least in schools. We will see what ends up happening with that later this week.

Below is an article from BreakThroughBroker about how to restore your deck into something more updated, modern, and warm. Honestly, to each their own on the decorating of a deck. Deck chairs, tables, plants, lightings. There are so many options. Take a quick read below.

Hanging out with your family or hosting friends on your old, dingy deck is not very appealing. Lucky for you, refreshing it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Try your hand at the makeover ideas below!

Restore your decking. Depending on the shape it’s in, sometimes all your deck needs is a little love. If it’s still fairly new, your deck might just need a deep cleaning and a new coat of sealant. There is a multitude of deck finishing and cleaning solutions on the market to choose from to achieve this. However, if it's more worn down, the rejuvenation process may be a bit longer, including searching for larger repairs, tightening any hardware, giving it a good cleaning, applying a stain, sealant, and paint, and more.

Add lighting. Ambient lighting can completely transform your outside space into a relaxing, cozy oasis. Consider adding solar lights that don’t require a plugin or battery replacement. The lights turn on automatically when the sun sets, making your deck come alive. You can also consider paper lanterns, rope lights, mason jar lamps, or small twinkle lights, depending on the style and mood you’d like to set.

Build a privacy screen. Privacy screens come in all styles, shapes, and sizes. Consider purchasing and installing bamboo fencing or lattice panels for a quick and easy solution. Or, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, you can build a wooden frame and grow climbing plants or vines or stretch outdoor fabric in between. Whichever route you end up choosing, make sure you get the most out of your efforts by evaluating all lines sight before building.

So, what would it take to make your dream deck? For me, it would be fairy lights (white and blue), a table with some comfy chairs, big bluetooth speaker, and a grill. 

Fixing up the deck can help add some value to the home, if done right. With the weather gettign colder, decks won't be used as much so it's the perfect time to update and work on them! At least in my opinion..

I hope that everyone has the most wonderful end of August and the best beginning of September.

til next week!
<3 Ruby
865-236-1348
rubydoesrealty@gmail.com