Stats and Musings

During the crew's lunch break, the discussion of just how much material has gone into this project, they arrived at the following numbers:

900 85-pound block (20 pallets)

7 loads of stone

4 pallets of block cap

180 more block (4 pallets)

2 more pallets of block cap

1 load of traffic bond

A whopping 133 Ton of Materials!!!

It started as a small retaining wall. Now the crew is wondering if this is going to be something similar to the Winchester House.

( www.winchestermysteryhouse.com)

It's a story about a woman who continually added on to her home after the death of her child and husband. There were stairs that led nowhere. Hidden doors and rooms. Continual building for 38 years until she died. Could this happen here????

We are all wondering....

Terry said, "Do you think this is how the Great Wall of China got started?"

The "Man Iron"

To prepare for the pavers, which will be lovingly placed in the area between the 2 walls, yet another piece of equipment is rented - the Wacker - or as the guys call it - The Man Iron. For any novices out there, it's a vibratory machine used to tamp down the traffic bond.

Terry and his Wacker. What a wild BEAST!

The Troops Receive Supplies

4 More pallets of block were delivered this week.

Of course, the 7am delivery of stone arrived and a load of traffic bond.

Yes, we can continue!!!

What is missing in this picture? What's been added?

The back yard seems to be getting bigger.

Now we'll have room for a pool or hot tub - next year's project???

Becky adds the caps to the top of the lower wall.

Mable supervises the back-filling process.

Now Becky may not be the tallest drink of water, but check her out against the wall!

Running out of Block

850 Block and we're not done???

It's getting there, but running out

of block towards the the end of the day!

Finally, Terry dons his SAFETY GLASSES!~

It's a family affair! Cindy swings by to help out!

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."

The Steps

One word describes the steps: Majestic

The end of day - do these guys look proud or what ???

Projects

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!

The Vision Master with Jason and Ethan - I think this is called "hard labor". This would make anyone want to stay out of jail!

Jason might have been out late last night (note the sunglasses), but he can still lift a block!

Minor Inconveniences

Why is it that every Saturday morning, when the stone is delivered, it has or is raining?

This is the 5th load.

This time the truck really got stuck in the ruts. The Vision Master knows exactly how to get him out. It's called traction. Next time they may need to bring extra stone to make up for the nice stone path we now have...ON THE LAWN!

Damn gutters!!! Happy Father's Day, Vision Master!

The Pig is Back!

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. :)

It's all about measuring and pitch. Russ, with his sprained ankle and broken wrist can still lift those block with one hand!

Supervising

It's a tough job to be a supervisor. Just check these out!

Supervising...

Supervising...

Supervising from the "The Watchtower"

WORKING!!!

Just another day with the Vision Master, Rusty and Ethan. Followed by a disgustingly decadent dinner at a Chinese restaurant. And a big Happy Anniversary Ethan and Ellen!

Driving with your Cell Phone

Dear Vision Master,

Please do not attempt to drive the Bukota excavator on the side of the hill while chatting on your cell phone. You are paid to work with 2 hands - not one.

Finally - I get to try the Vision Master's toy.

Okay that was fun. Thanks for not making me lift those 84 pound block. Digging in the earth is much better. Did I mention I spent the entire day planting flowers, too??? A little too much earth-iness for me today.

60 Degrees and Windy

Ahhh...life on the lake. If you actually LIVED there and not just parking your boat at your friend's dock it would be good. And if the plug in your boat wasn't leaking...well, yes, life would be very good. But mostly if it wasn't cold and windy and you didn't have to spend 2 hours in the water, (WITH fellow LAKE PEOPLE WATCHING) you RESCUE your water-logged craft...yes, life on the lake would be real nice. Right, Rusty?

It's not ALL about the....

The Retaining Wall!!!

First there was Rebecca's bridal shower. Girls RULE!!!

Sam, Rebecca, Alyssa and a little bit of mom-to-be, Katie.

Then there was Sue and Bobbie's birthday party. A good reunion of family!

(Okay, I haven't figured out how to make my new camera take pictures inside!)

The Vision Master and Russ worked on the wall all day.

At 5:00 they finally got a well deserved break!

It's MY Parade

This morning we woke up to a beautiful sunrise. But clouds closed in on us and the rain started. The Vision Master consulted his IPhone Weather and saw the storms approaching. He was dejected - I need to work on my wall! An hour or so later the sun peeked out. It stopped raining. And the Vision Master's favorite quote spewed forth:

"It's MY parade! It doesn't ever rain on Terry's parade!!!"

Guess he was right, cuz the 3rd load of stone was delivered and the guy didn't get stuck this time.

The Vision Master gave Becky a project: Paint this thing I welded together to hold the wood for our bonfires.

Then gave the poor kid another project: Stack the wood. Poor Becky worked harder I think, than the men today!

Guarding the wall???

Holding up the block???

Okay, so the guys really did work hard. Shoveled out the hill by hand today, shoveled more stone and laid another load of block.

Where did they get the energy?

The Wedding Planner Arrives

Becky and Jason have selected a wonderful caterer for their wedding. His name is Dan and about a year ago he opened a great new restaurant in Brookfield called the Haute Taco. He arrived Wednesday night for a site visit for this September's outdoor soiree.

It was raining and muddy. When Becky told him she was getting married in these beautiful woods, I don't think this is exactly what he had expected!!!

Now Dan looked at the site and the space and began discussing ALL aspects of the event. From parking, to noise, to tents, seating, space planning, and everything in between. Lots of good advice and thoughts. Who sent this great dose of reality and reassurrance to us???

We learned that previously Dan worked for the Pfister Hotel handling - you guessed it - Catering and Weddings! He is the ultimate wedding planner! How lucky could we be???

If you're looking for a great place for lunch or dinner - you gotta go to Haute Taco. Authentic Mexican Food with a flair. The braised short rib tacos and the pineapple pico salsa on the calamari tacos were my favorites. And you have to try the black beans. Ummmm!

http://www.hautetaco.com/

The Pig

Russ stopped over after work with the boom truck. It contained something called a "Pig". I thought we were having pork for dinner. I soon learned that the Pig is a machine to move really heavy things to save the crew's back.

I think they should make little ones called "Piglets" to move each individual block into place, don't you???