Legally, of course....
Suffice it to say that topsoil, traffic bond and a few heavy rainfalls can cause a settling effect under the newly laid patio.
Can you say: s-i-n-k-h-o-l-e?
On the bright side, grass seed, straw and heavy rain help the new grass to grow. We finally see some little wisps of grass reaching up through the straw.
Literally.
Out of bed by 715, workers arrive at 730, and Terry leaves for work. I put a baseball cap on to cover my bed head. The topsoil arrives at 8am, while the workers invade the interior to tear out the casings for the new windows. I haven't even had my shower. I pay the topsoil guy. I sneak off to the shower. The bricklayers are finishing the columns which means they have made it up to the top - right outside the bedroom window. I lock myself in the bathroom, and as I step into the shower, I realize that I'm naked and forgot to bring clean underwear into the bathroom!
It was not a good day.
Ooooh, not quite happy with the curve. Break time!!! Let's think about this. Ethan - quit listening to the wall - what is it saying today???
Starting to create the mid-level patio area. Measuring, consulting, and making the decisions on the layout of the pavers. Wish I could have been in on the decision making, but I was resting, playing the "breast cancer" card!!! Just kidding folks -the cancer didn't keep me away. My lack of strength and energy in general did. :)
This is one of my favorite pictures. Becky and Rusty. Geez, I love these kids, more than anyone can imagine. What a blessing. They are like Christmas year 'round - Comfort and Joy.
Terry begins cutting the paving stones for the entrance to the grand staircase. It's 8am, cuz he was at Home Depot again at 7am, picking up who-knows-what for the day. I swear, when he doesn't show up exactly at 7am every week, the employees wonder what happened to him!!!
On Saturday, Ethan announced that he heard "the wall talking to him." Now, I'm always careful to be sure that the crew is properly hydrated. Plenty of water and Gatorade. But for some reason, the Great Wall spoke and Ethan listened.
We think this is the spot Ethan became "one with the wall".
So, with the Vision Master's blessing and Rusty's concurrence, they decided to extend the wall with a curvature towards the outside on both sides, making it flow towards the fire pit.
We left for a 4th of July party, but Rusty, Ethan and Ellen stayed behind to go "rock hunting". I swear they hunted all night to fill in the area around the tree. Remember when you were just a little kid, Russ and to get you out of his hair for a while, your dad told you to go pick rocks???
The back yard seems to be getting bigger.
Now we'll have room for a pool or hot tub - next year's project???
Wrappin' it up for the day.
Oh, wait - somebody's gotta clean all the mud off the Kubota!!!
"Don't forget that dried mud between the tracks, Beth."
One word describes the steps: Majestic
Each week, Becky is given a "project" by the Vision Master. This week - pull the pavers from the little patio. Man that girl has gotten some workout's here! Cancel the membership for the gym - your dad is your Personal Trainer!
After working all day, Russ arrives to move more block with the "Pig".
I was well aware this time that the Pig did not mean pork for dinner. We had Lean Cuisines instead. :)
