Oops! I'm still learning how this posting thing works. I think I should have added this as a comment to my post from March 22nd. Now, it looks like I started a new thread. I'll get it right next time!

ok, now I know - thx - I will follow your thread.

I'm still in a holding pattern waiting for our gas line to be re-routed. Yesterday, a guy from the gas company came out for the site visit and to mark the new route. He was very helpful, but I have no idea when the work crew will be here. I tried to check with person who schedules the crews, but I missed her 3 times today. I'll try again tomorrow.

Today, Mark who works with Kelly, came out to make sure the new and improved route for the gas line won't interfere with the pool. It was nice to meet him. He was great; we visited for a good bit, and he gave me more tips to remember. The new line gives us plenty of room for the pool. Mark painted the spa onto the grass. He didn't do any more once he saw the new gas route wouldn't get in the way. It's pathetic, but just seeing the spa outline in blue on the grass was exciting (that's how eager I am to get this pool started!).

Since I have this down time waiting for the dig, I'm trying to make progress on selecting all the tile, stone, and pavers. It's so hard.... I thought I was getting a theme going, but then I called LightStreams today to purchase some samples of their gorgeous glass tile. I was able to chat for quite a while with the designer of the glass. He was so interesting. Now I'm wanting more of the glass tile look, but I can't afford to do all the tile with LightStreams. He made some suggestions such as using some of the LightStreams as accent-only pieces mixed with more neutral tile. I can't find any pictures showing that, and it's almost impossible for me to visualize it.

Any thoughts or experiences to share?

Has the big dig started? I bet you are excited!!!

No Big Dig yet :( Still waiting to get the gas line moved; hopefully soon. Yes I am excited and eager to really get started. Our landscaper is coming today and remove half of our breezeway fence so the gas company and Kelly can get through with their diggers. I think they will also move the old swing set out of the way. I'm really looking forward to Kelly coming to paint the outline of the pool. I can look at diagrams all day and still not have a good feel for how much space the pool will take up.

What does your pool schedule look like? Or has yours already begun?

You have been busy! My goodness, 9 trees cut down. I had only 2 taken down. Even though they were declining, I was a little sad to see them go. We planted them when we had the house built 26 years ago. Some of the boys' senior pictures were taken in front of those two trees. But soon, we can take pictures of new memories in front of the pool!

A minor setback today.... I finally reached the woman at the gas company, and we aren't scheduled for the gas line re-route until the 13th!!!! Aughhhhh! The landscaper's crew came and took down half of the breezeway fence and moved the swing set. That sucker was held down by long metal stakes - not an easy job, but now done. You're right, I'm also smack dab in the middle of a waiting game. But what else can you do, right?

Was told today I'm scheduled for the dig on the 15th with gunite on the 17th.. Yeah baby!!!

This is so exciting! I can't wa get a dig date!

Makingbeacon, that's great! I'm happy for you. You get to count the days now. Have you selected your tile, stone, finish, etc?

I heard this morning from the gas line dig crew that they have moved up my re-route to this coming Tuesday, the 7th. I'm happy about that. I will have to see how that goes and, maybe I'll get a dig date, too.

Stone is all done pretty much as I visited MSI and got most that done now, just thinking I may do some LEDs on the bubblers but not certain. Still may end up with sheen after this weekend but who knows lol

You're in good hands. Kelly is the best!

Suz, will you be posting pics of the pool? I like to see progress. I'm waiting on plumbing and electrical now.

Hi Suz. Can you post some pics of your build? I'd love to see how it's coming along.

Suz, we are in Cypress as well and have been having one heck of a time with our PB. May I ask you who is building yours? Two weeks ago I came home and caught the tile guy just about to put in the WRONG tile. He assured me it is what I had picked but luckily for me I had taken photos of the sample and the numbers to the tile. We called the PB directly and I had to read the number to him before he agreed they had sent the wrong tile. Just yesterday, the plasterers came. I only found out when I got home. Guess what? Wrong plaster. So now, instead of chipping it all out, they only chipped out the incorrect plaster just below the water line and are going to bond the CORRECT pebbletec on over. I'm thinking they should chip all of the incorrect plaster out so that we don't have 2 coats w/the possibility of delamination but haven't heard back from them. They're scheduled to come tomorrow. :/ I will never recommend our PB!!

I am so sorry you've had to go through all of this. I don't know much about plaster, but I would be very concerned about a second coat. Have you had time to do some serious research about that? Do you think we are using the same PB? Take care. Suz.

I'm pretty sure we are not using the same PB based on the blue prints you posted. I've read several posts about a second coating of plaster and mostly am hearing it should be alright if they use a bonding agent which I did see them install this afternoon. It will probably not be an issue until it is time to replaster 20 years from now and they will not be able just to replaster over the 2 layers...they will have to chip both layers out to the gunite and start again :/ Here is a photo of the bonding agent and you can still see the line where the wrong plaster is just under the tile/waterline.