Pool Light Switch

Okay, so when I changed the lightbulb on the pool a while back...it didn't work. It was very frustrating but I had hope that the fixture wasn't bad, it was just a matter of fixing a bad switch. I finally got around to working on the switch this week and it did turn out to be a problem with the switch itself.



The switch before I started working on it. You can see it has four screw holes but only 3 screws in it


After I opened it up, and believe it or not, it still functioned fine, the problem really was that the faceplate was not pulling the switch on and off like it should.


After I connected and installed the new switch to the waterproof box


After placing the new faceplate back on and making sure the seal was good to keep rain out


And finally the light works!!
I was so excited to see that light come on. It cost quite a bit for the bulb and I didn't want to have to replace the fixture too. Of course, right now it is not even close to being warm enough to swim at night but I am looking forward to having it working for next year!!

Bamboo At The Bamboo Lagoon

It is about time...I found these three beauties at the local grower's market and snatched them up. Repotted them today and put them in their new locations.

This one is on the front porch now where I had the purple fountain grass hanging out.

This one is on the front balcony near a new lavendar plant

This one is on the back deck near the reed fence.
Even though these are all clumping bamboos, the third one is a taller, reedier version, and the other two are more compact, and full looking. I am excited to be able to separate them into more plants during their dormant season, and to finally have bamboo!!

Hiccup

So this morning I turned on the sprinkler system to let all three zones run (for the first time in a while), and as soon as Zone 1 turned on, the clamp at the end of the pipe blew off and water started shooting right out. I had to run out in my PJs and see where it was leaking from and then shut off Zone 1. Fortunately, I was able to still run the other two zones so the yard did get watered. I just need to make sure that end of the hose is fixed before it is run again...LOL.

Birdies At The Bamboo Lagoon

Finally got my shepherd's hook and sunflower seed feeder put out for the song birds. It has been a while coming...and I am glad to finally have it out. It has taken a few days for anyone to realize it is there but I saw my first goldfinch on it this morning so it won't be long, I am sure, before it is swarming!

I put it in the backyard on one of the lower terraces so I could see it from the kitchen window. I didn't want it too close to the plum trees as I have a very territorial scrub jay in those fruit trees and I didn't want it to scare away any of the song birds at the feeder.

Cushions For The Pool Chairs

We have two long white plastic lounge chairs on our pool deck. They are super grimy and cleaning them is on the To Do list for sure but since it is coming up on the end of the season, thought it might be a good time to try to find cushions for the two chairs on discount somewhere.

Lucky for me, I was able to do just that, and amazingly enough, they fit absolutely perfect. The blue pattern fits with the pool and the eventual blue and grey table and chairs that we will have up there. I used one of the chairs to relax in the sun the other day after the purchase and they are definitely comfortable.

Now to just get the chairs cleaned up....

Pool Deck Lighting

Last week, I started putting in some cable lighting around the perimeter of the pool deck. I didn't want to go completely around it but at least enough to give it some nice ambiance. The light socket that the lighting plugs into needs to be replaced (and it is on the list) but I wanted to get a shot of the lights lit up for the blog.

These first pics are of the fencing (to keep kids and animals from drowning) around the pool deck before I got all the strands of lights strung. I was able to find 4 strands for a great price at Big Lots. I think the cable lighting will work well for being in the weather and strung in and out of the chainlink.

It took some work to screw in the clips along the trellis and on the pumphouse, but I got some good use out of my new Makita cordless drill. I have tiki torches for the back side of the fence but those are already put away for the season.

I hope to get the light socket replaced in the next week which will make turning on the lights much easier and much more consistent.

Now you can see how cool the lights look and how much light they provide (minus the reflection in the water). This will definitely do until I can get the pool light fixed itself.