Tiny Tasks and Observations

We worked yesterday on getting the rest of the grass dug out from where we want to build the shed, and in spreading the dirt around so the foundation would be level.  Our conclusion was obvious: before we can proceed, we need to get a truckload (literally!) of dirt to fill in the low spots around the boards that will hold in the concrete for the slab.  If we don't add many more stakes and lots of dirt around the outside, the boards certainly will blow out.  That would not be good...

After church today, we took a look at the roughed in area for the shed.  We both think that the location is good.  It will have its back to the south, effectively blocking off our view from the house of the tops of the neighbors' sheds.  Our shed will be far enough from the house not to interfere with our "living space" in the back yard, but still at least five feet away from the back fence so it is out of the easement area.  That will make the shed "legal" in this city.  Its planned roof will be pitched low enough to avoid flying off in strong winds, but it still will have enough pitch to shed the torrential rains we often get in this state. Being 10 x 10 should give us enough space to hold all of our goods and tools while affording us the chance to actually park our car in the garage. I wish that I could snap my fingers and have it all done.  That, of course, cannot be.  For now, I will be happy if we can get the slab poured before the weather gets too hot outside to do such work.

Shade from the south fence covers most of the area on which
we want to pour concrete as a base for our shed. 

 We really cannot do more until we get dirt on Tuesday.  I am discarding the idea of getting dirt tomorrow because rains are supposed to arrive by 8:00 a.m. What we could do today was to go to Lowe's to get the re-bar, the re-bar spacers, the re-bar ties, and the tool with which to twist the ties.  My heart almost stopped when the woman announced our bill as $77.00.  "How much was the re-bar?" I asked.  I learned that it was only approximately $5.00 each, so that accounted for $40.00.  The other tools were no where near that expensive.  When we questioned the bill (since Rick had the same reaction I did), we learned that the woman had charged us for 50 re-bar spacers instead of the 15 that we had in the cart.  A trip to Customer Service resulted in money being credited to our account, but I think that the damage to my heart was already done.  I cannot take too many more surprises this winter.

We want to get the slab poured before Stephanie comes for a visit at the end of the month.  Since the rains may delay us tomorrow, Tuesday and possibly Wednesday may be our only work days this week.  Rain is predicted for Thursday also, so we may have lots of plastic over our new cement if we get hit with hard storms.

To make matters even more interesting, February is "fall" in Florida, and the live oak tree in the back yard is starting to drop leaves all over the area that we just cleared for the shed.  The fun never ends.

After lunch we hauled out to the curb all of the junk that we cleaned from the garage.  The magic curb worked again!  By 2:00 p.m., all of the metal pieces were gone as was the jewelry box kit that Rick bought years ago but never made, and the large and ancient storage bins.  What is left is mostly old boards, and I suspect that they may end up in someone's fire pit before the garbage men come around tomorrow.

Tomorrow, Matt is supposed to arrive to finally fix our shower so we can use it.  Please note that I still am not holding my breath.

This afternoon we took our second bike ride.  I wanted to go around the block at least three times, but my legs ached today after the first loop, so we once again only went around twice.  Rick is having trouble with his knees (rather than his hamstring, oddly), and my thigh muscles are letting me know that they are one of the major muscle groups that was damaged when I became ill.  We'll just have to take this biking slowly and build up to longer and longer rides.  The bikes were too expensive not to use, and I am too young not to exercise and to enjoy them.

We learned from a neighbor yesterday that the house behind us will soon be auctioned off.  The man who used to live there died three years ago this February, and the house has been vacant since that time.  Apparently, the family abandoned it and the furniture has been sitting in there getting moldy and rotting ever since.  I would not want the house, but I will be happy to see someone purchase it and fix it.  It seems to sad to watch it just deteriorate in the sun.

Today is a beautiful, typical February day; temperatures are in the mid 70s and the sun is shining.  Winds foretell of rain to come, but for now, we have all of the windows of the house open to bring in some fresh air.  This weather is why we chose to live in the state of Florida.