Now that we are finished with our major remodeling work, we are in a position to set some new habits. We started one yesterday.
Our very expensive bikes (actually trikes) have been silently sending me guilt messages because the tires needed air, the vehicles themselves have been little more than occasionally dusted this season, and my energy to do anything about the situation has been low. That changed on Monday.
On that day I took the time to pump up all three tires on the trike. Rick did the same for his bike so they would be ready to ride on Tuesday. On that day, we took a "maiden" ride around the neighborhood. I did not know how my muscles or my energy would respond, but I was nicely surprised when we toured the neighborhood with no pain nor trauma. Granted, we only went a couple of miles, but it was good to rediscover those leg muscles that have not seen much use beyond walking.
Today we again went out early while the weather was cool. We followed our "normal" route up the street, through the park, down a boulevard, and finally onto the Pinellas Trail. We were a bit surprised to see how busy it was. I guess everyone was taking advantage of the cooler morning temperatures to get in their workout for the day.
We did not push it too much, going our normal route a bit north and then south onto a street that connects back to our neighborhood. We rode about 4.4 miles. Nothing astounding, but a good beginning to a new exercise habit for both of us. We'll see what happens tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Monday, March 27, 2017
Odds and Ends
For the last couple of days, we have been busy with many little "odds and ends" jobs to finish before we go north.
We are trying to get the grass to grow, so Rick ordered extra seed and we pretty much reseeded the entire back yard. We took the burlap off the areas that were still covered. Yesterday we spent most of the afternoon just moving the sprinkler around the yard and really letting the lawn soak. We are WAY behind in rainfall this winter, so the earth is parched in this part of the country. I hope that we have a wet summer so everything gets the moisture it needs.
The grass seed is starting to germinate in most areas, so with a little luck we can get something to cover the dirt before we leave for the summer. Even weeds are somewhat appreciated as they are green (thank you, God) and they keep the dirt from blowing around.
In the yard maintenance department yesterday, I took some insecticide and sprayed both the bougainvillea and the gardenia tree in the corner. The bougainvillea definitely has something munching on the leaves, so the insecticide can't hurt. I need to fertilize it again in the next couple of weeks and once more before we leave. Then I just hope it rains enough to keep it going for the summer.
The gardenia looks a little weary with few leaves, but since this is early spring, I am hoping that water and bug resistance will help it leaf out again. It did have one flower yesterday with buds for two more, but today the flower is already gone; the buds, however, remain to promise more beauty.
While I tackled some inside jobs today, Rick put on paint clothes and finished the necessary painting. He gave the patched soffits in back a second coat and painted the the front porch wall where the crew had splattered new concrete when putting in the sidewalk.
Sadly, to protect the shutters, he used painter's tape and plastic to cover them. When he took off the painter's tape, part of the green paint peeled away also, so he ended up repainting the shutters, too.
Three of the windowsills needed attention, so they got a bit of scraping, sanding, and a fresh coat of paint. Ah, the joys of home ownership. The work really never ends.
As we were cleaning up the garage today, we decided to hang the wagon up out of the way. In lifting it, Rick caught his finger between two metal joins. He cut up a good flap of skin at the end of one finger that is going to remind him of what happened for quite a few days. We got a bandage on it right away, but he probably should have had a Steri-strip on it to help it heal. Of course, he was too stubborn to go to the doctor.
By that time we were past noon, so we took a break for lunch and then finished cleaning up. This afternoon is a good time to rest (and heal!), and that is just what we intend to do.
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| The shoots of grass are starting to germinate and to promise a green lawn someday. |
We are trying to get the grass to grow, so Rick ordered extra seed and we pretty much reseeded the entire back yard. We took the burlap off the areas that were still covered. Yesterday we spent most of the afternoon just moving the sprinkler around the yard and really letting the lawn soak. We are WAY behind in rainfall this winter, so the earth is parched in this part of the country. I hope that we have a wet summer so everything gets the moisture it needs.
The grass seed is starting to germinate in most areas, so with a little luck we can get something to cover the dirt before we leave for the summer. Even weeds are somewhat appreciated as they are green (thank you, God) and they keep the dirt from blowing around.
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| The bud is fat and ready to open... probably tomorrow. |
In the yard maintenance department yesterday, I took some insecticide and sprayed both the bougainvillea and the gardenia tree in the corner. The bougainvillea definitely has something munching on the leaves, so the insecticide can't hurt. I need to fertilize it again in the next couple of weeks and once more before we leave. Then I just hope it rains enough to keep it going for the summer.
The gardenia looks a little weary with few leaves, but since this is early spring, I am hoping that water and bug resistance will help it leaf out again. It did have one flower yesterday with buds for two more, but today the flower is already gone; the buds, however, remain to promise more beauty.
While I tackled some inside jobs today, Rick put on paint clothes and finished the necessary painting. He gave the patched soffits in back a second coat and painted the the front porch wall where the crew had splattered new concrete when putting in the sidewalk.
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| The wall and shutters have a fresh coat of paint, and my Queen Kalanchoe plant adds a splash of color. |
Sadly, to protect the shutters, he used painter's tape and plastic to cover them. When he took off the painter's tape, part of the green paint peeled away also, so he ended up repainting the shutters, too.
Three of the windowsills needed attention, so they got a bit of scraping, sanding, and a fresh coat of paint. Ah, the joys of home ownership. The work really never ends.
As we were cleaning up the garage today, we decided to hang the wagon up out of the way. In lifting it, Rick caught his finger between two metal joins. He cut up a good flap of skin at the end of one finger that is going to remind him of what happened for quite a few days. We got a bandage on it right away, but he probably should have had a Steri-strip on it to help it heal. Of course, he was too stubborn to go to the doctor.
By that time we were past noon, so we took a break for lunch and then finished cleaning up. This afternoon is a good time to rest (and heal!), and that is just what we intend to do.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Three Tasks
The weatherman promised a chance of rain today, but we learned by watching the morning news that we will be lucky if we see one drop by later this afternoon. That gave us the entire day to get some small tasks completed.
We started with the south side gate. Like most things old, it had begun to sag. Rick had sent for a crossbar piece of fencing to fix the problem, but of course it was hollow and thus incomplete. To have a surface into which we could attach it to the door itself, Rick cut and then inserted a 1/2 inch thick piece of PVC board. He cut the corners to match the gate, and then we drilled holes through the entire door and brace. On the outside, all one can see is four more screw heads. On the inside, we have washers and nylon lock nuts to keep everything in place. Will it last forever? Who knows. For now, the gate is once again square and much more solid than it was when we awoke this morning.
The second task we wanted to do today was to attach a latch to the gate so it would stay open. Our lawn service always accesses the back yard through that south gate, and until now Chelly just propped the gate open with a large paver brick. In doing so, however, we were really starting to scratch the bottom corner of the gate.
While we were shopping yesterday for the bolts and nuts for the brace, we also purchased an old-fashioned gate hook. With a few well-placed screws, we now have an easy way to keep the gate open without further damaging the structure. We will have to be gentle with it since the screws are not imbedded in anything other than a few layers of plastic fence, but it should serve its purpose if handled correctly.
Our third task of the morning was to move the Areca palm that we planted a couple of weeks ago. It was too far back in the corner, so we decided to transplant it before it got any larger and before it really took root. Thankfully, we were able to move the root ball of the palm with no damage. Now we just need to water each day so that it will be somewhat established before we leave for the summer.
Oh, and speaking of watering... how much faith do we have that we will see any rain today? Well, we have been watering our new grass in the back yard all afternoon long. Enough said.
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| While screws hold the top of the brace in place, tape secures the bottom section until Rick can drill it from the other side. |
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| The finished south gate with brace actually is level and square. My picture is off! |
We started with the south side gate. Like most things old, it had begun to sag. Rick had sent for a crossbar piece of fencing to fix the problem, but of course it was hollow and thus incomplete. To have a surface into which we could attach it to the door itself, Rick cut and then inserted a 1/2 inch thick piece of PVC board. He cut the corners to match the gate, and then we drilled holes through the entire door and brace. On the outside, all one can see is four more screw heads. On the inside, we have washers and nylon lock nuts to keep everything in place. Will it last forever? Who knows. For now, the gate is once again square and much more solid than it was when we awoke this morning.
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| Our new hook will keep the full gate open when needed. |
The second task we wanted to do today was to attach a latch to the gate so it would stay open. Our lawn service always accesses the back yard through that south gate, and until now Chelly just propped the gate open with a large paver brick. In doing so, however, we were really starting to scratch the bottom corner of the gate.
While we were shopping yesterday for the bolts and nuts for the brace, we also purchased an old-fashioned gate hook. With a few well-placed screws, we now have an easy way to keep the gate open without further damaging the structure. We will have to be gentle with it since the screws are not imbedded in anything other than a few layers of plastic fence, but it should serve its purpose if handled correctly.
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| The newly transplanted Areca palm now has a little more room to flourish. |
Our third task of the morning was to move the Areca palm that we planted a couple of weeks ago. It was too far back in the corner, so we decided to transplant it before it got any larger and before it really took root. Thankfully, we were able to move the root ball of the palm with no damage. Now we just need to water each day so that it will be somewhat established before we leave for the summer.
Oh, and speaking of watering... how much faith do we have that we will see any rain today? Well, we have been watering our new grass in the back yard all afternoon long. Enough said.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Daily Routine
We hope to get back to our original daily routine of working in the morning and relaxing in the afternoon. I always have been a "morning person," so working when I have the energy early in the morning is always better for me. Rick tends to be the same way, so this arrangement works out well.
This morning dawned clear and warm, so it was a perfect day to get back outside. Rick painted the final coat of paint on the back wall which greatly helped "disguise" the patch job to the stucco. Next year I would like to add some kind of art or visual interest on that wall, but for now the blank wall with the electrical plug will just have to do.
While Rick was painting, I raked half of the back yard. The wind was low today, and what was blowing was blowing away from the house, so conditions were in my favor. I actually had to rake each area twice. The first time was to use a garden rake to dig up the leaves, stones, sticks, and other junk that was clogging the grass. Then I switched to a regular rake to pick up the dead mulched grass clippings and the finer debris. In all, I now have three full black bags of leaves and debris to drag to the curb for Monday pick-up. I still have a little area of the back yard to complete, but since we have other construction debris to take to the curb, I had better wait until next week. If we put too much out, the garbage men refuse to take it all.
After I finished, the back yard looks pretty pathetic. We have more weeds than grass, and more dirt than weeds. Because of that, we ordered more grass seed. We will try to over-seed the entire back yard and see if anything grows.
We removed the burlap from the front yard this afternoon. In some places the grass came in well; other places have some pretty bare areas. Again, I will keep watering what is there, add more seed as needed, and hope that it all fills in this summer.
We were finished by noon today which left the afternoon to do a little shopping, and then to relax with books, puzzles, and other past times. This is what retirement should be.
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| Rick fills in the area around the Florida Room window to complete the paint on the house. |
This morning dawned clear and warm, so it was a perfect day to get back outside. Rick painted the final coat of paint on the back wall which greatly helped "disguise" the patch job to the stucco. Next year I would like to add some kind of art or visual interest on that wall, but for now the blank wall with the electrical plug will just have to do.
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| Raking in the shade was much easier than waiting until later when this whole area is in the sun. Each time I rake, the yard seems to get bigger. |
While Rick was painting, I raked half of the back yard. The wind was low today, and what was blowing was blowing away from the house, so conditions were in my favor. I actually had to rake each area twice. The first time was to use a garden rake to dig up the leaves, stones, sticks, and other junk that was clogging the grass. Then I switched to a regular rake to pick up the dead mulched grass clippings and the finer debris. In all, I now have three full black bags of leaves and debris to drag to the curb for Monday pick-up. I still have a little area of the back yard to complete, but since we have other construction debris to take to the curb, I had better wait until next week. If we put too much out, the garbage men refuse to take it all.
After I finished, the back yard looks pretty pathetic. We have more weeds than grass, and more dirt than weeds. Because of that, we ordered more grass seed. We will try to over-seed the entire back yard and see if anything grows.
We removed the burlap from the front yard this afternoon. In some places the grass came in well; other places have some pretty bare areas. Again, I will keep watering what is there, add more seed as needed, and hope that it all fills in this summer.
We were finished by noon today which left the afternoon to do a little shopping, and then to relax with books, puzzles, and other past times. This is what retirement should be.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
A Day of Relaxation
My last post was entitled, "Easing into NOT Working," and that is just what we have been trying to do.
After a fairly quiet weekend, we took some time yesterday to plant some grass in front of the pavers by the north gate, next to the pavers which border the patio, and across the area in the back yard where we distributed the "extra" dirt dug out to make room for the paver base. We covered the front area and the area next to the patio with burlap. Soon we must remove the burlap that we used in the front yard since the new grass is staring to poke though.
My birthday was this past Sunday, and I told Rick that I wanted to visit certain area attractions -- museums, art galleries, aquariums, and the Tampa Zoo -- as my birthday gift. Today we took the time to visit a couple of those chosen places.
The first place we went to was the Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa. The Museum is part of what once was the lavish Tampa Bay Hotel that Plant built from 1888 -1891. Wanting to have a southern hotel to entice guests to use his railroads and steamships to travel south for the winter season, Plant bought land next to the Hillsborough River in Tampa, Florida.
In 1888, Tampa had only a little over 750 residents, many of whom worked in the vast orange groves that covered most of the area. Plant envisioned a grand hotel and he set about building it. He spent 2.5 million dollars on the hotel, and he and his wife traveled Europe to find furnishings for his unheard-of 500 room hotel. He spent another half a million dollars on paintings, rugs, pottery, art objects, and furniture for the hotel. The place is incredible.
Wide verandas and eleven-foot-tall windows gave guests a chance to enjoy the mild breezes that make Florida a wonderful winter destination. His guests dined on meals created by New York chefs, entertained themselves with hunting, fishing, swimming, racing, bowling, biking, and other outdoor sports. Evenings were filled with first-rate entertainment in his casino (theater, not gambling) and at balls in the grand salon.
The hotel became the national headquarters of the American Army for the Spanish-American War, and afterward returned to being a hotel. However, as the gilded age ended, guests pursued other interests. Plant died in 1899 of a heart attack, and his second wife and his son had little interest in the hotel. They sold the Plant empire, and the city of Tampa bought the $3 million hotel for $125,000.
Today the hotel is owned and operated by the University of Tampa. While the Plant Museum occupies one wing of the original hotel, the rest of the hotel houses the University's administrative offices. However, students may still dine in the grand ballroom, and the Rathskeller downstairs still offers a delightful little sandwich shop.
From that shop Rick and I bought lunch which we shared as a picnic in the park across the street from the Museum. After lunch, we walked across the river to the Tampa Museum of Art. Parking at the Plant Museum was impossible, so we actually parked near the Art Museum and walked across the bridge to get to the Plant Museum.
On the way back to the Art Museum, we came across a delightful surprise in the park: one of Rick's favorite Florida birds, the roseate spoonbill. We walked along a little creek, and it followed us from the other side for the entire length of the park. We were surprised that the bird let us get that close, but he must be used to people since students use the park as an outdoor study/ relaxation area.
The Tampa Museum of Art was not what we expected. It is advertised as "modern art," but the first thing one sees when entering is a permanent exhibit of "the classics," -- mostly Greek and Roman jewelry and pottery from 3000 BC - 600 AD.
The DID have a an exhibit of some modern works, and they also had a collection of sports photography that was interesting. However, their exhibits were far from the "modern art" like we saw when visiting the Museum of Modern Art in London. I guess, though, that the terminology can have many interpretations.
We were home by 4:00 so we could avoid the Tampa rush hour traffic. All in all, we had an interesting, enjoyable day away from Gladys and working around the house. As the next few weeks arrive, we would like to take one day a week to visit more of the attractions that are just across the bay from us in Tampa.
After a fairly quiet weekend, we took some time yesterday to plant some grass in front of the pavers by the north gate, next to the pavers which border the patio, and across the area in the back yard where we distributed the "extra" dirt dug out to make room for the paver base. We covered the front area and the area next to the patio with burlap. Soon we must remove the burlap that we used in the front yard since the new grass is staring to poke though.
My birthday was this past Sunday, and I told Rick that I wanted to visit certain area attractions -- museums, art galleries, aquariums, and the Tampa Zoo -- as my birthday gift. Today we took the time to visit a couple of those chosen places.
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| The Moorish architecture of the old Tampa Bay Hotel made this an exotic destination. |
The first place we went to was the Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa. The Museum is part of what once was the lavish Tampa Bay Hotel that Plant built from 1888 -1891. Wanting to have a southern hotel to entice guests to use his railroads and steamships to travel south for the winter season, Plant bought land next to the Hillsborough River in Tampa, Florida.
In 1888, Tampa had only a little over 750 residents, many of whom worked in the vast orange groves that covered most of the area. Plant envisioned a grand hotel and he set about building it. He spent 2.5 million dollars on the hotel, and he and his wife traveled Europe to find furnishings for his unheard-of 500 room hotel. He spent another half a million dollars on paintings, rugs, pottery, art objects, and furniture for the hotel. The place is incredible.
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| The veranda offers a cool place to rest after a day filled with activities. |
Wide verandas and eleven-foot-tall windows gave guests a chance to enjoy the mild breezes that make Florida a wonderful winter destination. His guests dined on meals created by New York chefs, entertained themselves with hunting, fishing, swimming, racing, bowling, biking, and other outdoor sports. Evenings were filled with first-rate entertainment in his casino (theater, not gambling) and at balls in the grand salon.
The hotel became the national headquarters of the American Army for the Spanish-American War, and afterward returned to being a hotel. However, as the gilded age ended, guests pursued other interests. Plant died in 1899 of a heart attack, and his second wife and his son had little interest in the hotel. They sold the Plant empire, and the city of Tampa bought the $3 million hotel for $125,000.
Today the hotel is owned and operated by the University of Tampa. While the Plant Museum occupies one wing of the original hotel, the rest of the hotel houses the University's administrative offices. However, students may still dine in the grand ballroom, and the Rathskeller downstairs still offers a delightful little sandwich shop.
From that shop Rick and I bought lunch which we shared as a picnic in the park across the street from the Museum. After lunch, we walked across the river to the Tampa Museum of Art. Parking at the Plant Museum was impossible, so we actually parked near the Art Museum and walked across the bridge to get to the Plant Museum.
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| The roses spoonbill strolls across a park path. |
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| The spoonbill was not shy and shared our walk in the park. |
On the way back to the Art Museum, we came across a delightful surprise in the park: one of Rick's favorite Florida birds, the roseate spoonbill. We walked along a little creek, and it followed us from the other side for the entire length of the park. We were surprised that the bird let us get that close, but he must be used to people since students use the park as an outdoor study/ relaxation area.
The Tampa Museum of Art was not what we expected. It is advertised as "modern art," but the first thing one sees when entering is a permanent exhibit of "the classics," -- mostly Greek and Roman jewelry and pottery from 3000 BC - 600 AD.
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| Rick flirts with some new friends at an outdoor exhibit at the Tampa Art Museum. |
The DID have a an exhibit of some modern works, and they also had a collection of sports photography that was interesting. However, their exhibits were far from the "modern art" like we saw when visiting the Museum of Modern Art in London. I guess, though, that the terminology can have many interpretations.
We were home by 4:00 so we could avoid the Tampa rush hour traffic. All in all, we had an interesting, enjoyable day away from Gladys and working around the house. As the next few weeks arrive, we would like to take one day a week to visit more of the attractions that are just across the bay from us in Tampa.
Friday, March 17, 2017
Easing into NOT Working
We have been trying to take it easy this week, both to recover and to remember that coming to Florida does not mean that we have to work every day.
I have been really tired lately, so Rick did all of the backfilling around the pavers earlier this week. We still need to smooth things out a bit and to plant grass, but that will be the last step in this whole process.
I have spent part of the last two days just deleting photos from my computer and putting the rest into albums so that I can easily find a specific picture if we need it for reference. I am the type of person who takes pictures of wires or plumbing hanging in open walls, or who takes shots of a tape measure showing how far the drainage pipe is buried from the driveway. One never knows when odd pictures like that become valuable. Hopefully, our days of opening up walls in Gladys are behind us.
Today we tackled the garage. That actually is an easier task than it sounds since we only have a one car garage. Limited space means we could only store so much stuff until something had to go. Since we hopefully are finished will all of our major projects, we can get rid of some of the left-overs that we know we no longer need.
We took down a lot of crap from the top of the garage and have it bundled and ready to go out to the garbage on Sunday night. The 2x4s that we have been using for various projects now are cut into 4 foot lengths so they can hit the curb. Chris suggested that someone might want the wood for their fire pit since wood is so scarce down here. I hope so. I would love to see it all go. Still, we probably will have to limit how much we put out each week, but it all should be gone before we head north in another five weeks. Pray for garbage scavengers on the lookout!
Gladys is finally to the point we envisioned she might be when we purchased her. We started the hard work in 2011, and we have worked each year since that time making the changes necessary to make her a good home.
I have been really tired lately, so Rick did all of the backfilling around the pavers earlier this week. We still need to smooth things out a bit and to plant grass, but that will be the last step in this whole process.
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| Rick had to cut back the yard for a couple of feet since the grass was higher than the walkway or the patio. |
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| The yard around the sheds needs LOTS of grass seed. |
I have spent part of the last two days just deleting photos from my computer and putting the rest into albums so that I can easily find a specific picture if we need it for reference. I am the type of person who takes pictures of wires or plumbing hanging in open walls, or who takes shots of a tape measure showing how far the drainage pipe is buried from the driveway. One never knows when odd pictures like that become valuable. Hopefully, our days of opening up walls in Gladys are behind us.
Today we tackled the garage. That actually is an easier task than it sounds since we only have a one car garage. Limited space means we could only store so much stuff until something had to go. Since we hopefully are finished will all of our major projects, we can get rid of some of the left-overs that we know we no longer need.
We took down a lot of crap from the top of the garage and have it bundled and ready to go out to the garbage on Sunday night. The 2x4s that we have been using for various projects now are cut into 4 foot lengths so they can hit the curb. Chris suggested that someone might want the wood for their fire pit since wood is so scarce down here. I hope so. I would love to see it all go. Still, we probably will have to limit how much we put out each week, but it all should be gone before we head north in another five weeks. Pray for garbage scavengers on the lookout!
Gladys is finally to the point we envisioned she might be when we purchased her. We started the hard work in 2011, and we have worked each year since that time making the changes necessary to make her a good home.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Not Gone with the Wind
After an evening of rain, we awoke to a very, very windy day. I suggested that maybe the wind would not be the best weather in which to mix concrete since it would blow the dust of the bags around. Rick did not think that it would be an issue, so we went ahead with our concrete plans for today.
We needed to clean out a small trough in front of the pavers and to remove the tape that held the sand in before we sealed the pavers. Once that was complete, we were ready to pour a small concrete rim around the pavers to help hold them into place.
We started at about 9:30 a.m., and we were finished by noon. One more part of this project is now complete. Once the concrete dries, we will backfill the area and plant a little grass. Then this job is done. Hallelujah!
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| Rick fills in the area next to the pavers to help keep them in place. |
We needed to clean out a small trough in front of the pavers and to remove the tape that held the sand in before we sealed the pavers. Once that was complete, we were ready to pour a small concrete rim around the pavers to help hold them into place.
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| Completed! As I took this picture, the wind already was blowing the moved sand back over the concrete rim. |
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| We used six bags of concrete mix and had just enough to rim the shed walkway also. |
We started at about 9:30 a.m., and we were finished by noon. One more part of this project is now complete. Once the concrete dries, we will backfill the area and plant a little grass. Then this job is done. Hallelujah!
Monday, March 13, 2017
Clean-Up Crew
Yesterday was a day of rest, and we almost succeeded in making it one.
We did complete one small task. After church (which was very peaceful), we decided to plant some grass in the front yard before we received late afternoon promised rain. The whole chore took us not more than a half hour. While Rick raked and seeded the area, I cut the burlap. Then we staked it down and gave it a good drink of water since I did not believe that we would receive any rain. I was correct.
We chose to cover the areas with burlap both to keep the birds, especially the ibises, from eating all of the grass seed and to keep the cats away from using the muddy areas as their litter box. Since the burlap was undisturbed this morning, I think our plan was a success.
Rick and I generally try to take a walk each day after dinner. We have skipped our strolls quite a few times in the past week because we have been so tired from the paver work. I figure that pure exhaustion is a good sign that I have exercised enough that day. However, yesterday since we did little work, a walk was in order.
We walked in a neighborhood a few blocks from our house. On one corner is a water catch basin surrounded by trees, including the largest and most beautiful bougainvillea I have ever seen. I had to include a picture just to share its majesty.
Steve came over early this morning and helped Rick load the tamper back into the truck. Thanks, Steve! After a quick stop at the hospital for me to get a scheduled blood test, we were off to return the tamper. Traffic was heavy but moving, so we were home again by 10:30.
Rick suggested that we rent a small dumpster to get rid of the extra sand and old patio stepping stones that we inherited from the previous owner. Sadly, when he called to order a dumpster, the man from the city told him that we could not put in cement or sand. The dumpsters were more for "building materials" and for junk that one might clean out of a garage.
OK. Slight problem. Rick then called the place that sold us the sand, and they told us that we could drop off the extra sand along with the patio stones and paver cut-offs from our current job. Oh, good. We would have to move the sand AGAIN. However, just to get it out of the yard, we did so.
We lined the back of the truck with a heavy tarp and then used wagon and wheelbarrow to transport 5-gallon buckets of sand from the back yard to the back of the truck. We decided to use the buckets so we could better control how we distributed the sand in the truck bed. Then, just as the sky started to sprinkle a little of yesterday's promised moisture, we piled the excess patio stones on top of the pile of sand.
At the disposal sight, we both got up into the truck and started to throw the patio stones and pavers out. We both tried to shovel the sand out, but there really was not room enough for both of us to do so, so I got down. Then a young man who had parked his company truck next to ours said, "You need a lift truck." We agreed; however, that just was not available.
He looked at Rick doing all of the shoveling and said, "Can I help you just pull up and dump the tarp?" Rick grabbed one corner, he grabbed the middle, and I grabbed the other corner. Among the three of us, we were able to pull the tarp over and to dump the sand out. The helpful man really saved us lots of time. He was young and strong; we would not have been able to dump the tarp without him. Thank God for generous people in this world!
When we returned home, we cleaned up the rest of the back yard and Rick hosed down the truck. It had gotten quite muddy at the concrete disposal sight.
This afternoon, the rains are finally starting to fall, and we could not be more pleased. The tamper is safely returned, the sand is gone, the patio stepping stones are gone, and my new grass is getting the gentle rain it needs to grow. This has been a good day.
We did complete one small task. After church (which was very peaceful), we decided to plant some grass in the front yard before we received late afternoon promised rain. The whole chore took us not more than a half hour. While Rick raked and seeded the area, I cut the burlap. Then we staked it down and gave it a good drink of water since I did not believe that we would receive any rain. I was correct.
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| Burlap protects our newly planted grass from birds and cats. |
We chose to cover the areas with burlap both to keep the birds, especially the ibises, from eating all of the grass seed and to keep the cats away from using the muddy areas as their litter box. Since the burlap was undisturbed this morning, I think our plan was a success.
Rick and I generally try to take a walk each day after dinner. We have skipped our strolls quite a few times in the past week because we have been so tired from the paver work. I figure that pure exhaustion is a good sign that I have exercised enough that day. However, yesterday since we did little work, a walk was in order.
We walked in a neighborhood a few blocks from our house. On one corner is a water catch basin surrounded by trees, including the largest and most beautiful bougainvillea I have ever seen. I had to include a picture just to share its majesty.
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| This bougainvillea towers at least 15 feet tall and equally as wide. |
Steve came over early this morning and helped Rick load the tamper back into the truck. Thanks, Steve! After a quick stop at the hospital for me to get a scheduled blood test, we were off to return the tamper. Traffic was heavy but moving, so we were home again by 10:30.
Rick suggested that we rent a small dumpster to get rid of the extra sand and old patio stepping stones that we inherited from the previous owner. Sadly, when he called to order a dumpster, the man from the city told him that we could not put in cement or sand. The dumpsters were more for "building materials" and for junk that one might clean out of a garage.
OK. Slight problem. Rick then called the place that sold us the sand, and they told us that we could drop off the extra sand along with the patio stones and paver cut-offs from our current job. Oh, good. We would have to move the sand AGAIN. However, just to get it out of the yard, we did so.
We lined the back of the truck with a heavy tarp and then used wagon and wheelbarrow to transport 5-gallon buckets of sand from the back yard to the back of the truck. We decided to use the buckets so we could better control how we distributed the sand in the truck bed. Then, just as the sky started to sprinkle a little of yesterday's promised moisture, we piled the excess patio stones on top of the pile of sand.
At the disposal sight, we both got up into the truck and started to throw the patio stones and pavers out. We both tried to shovel the sand out, but there really was not room enough for both of us to do so, so I got down. Then a young man who had parked his company truck next to ours said, "You need a lift truck." We agreed; however, that just was not available.
He looked at Rick doing all of the shoveling and said, "Can I help you just pull up and dump the tarp?" Rick grabbed one corner, he grabbed the middle, and I grabbed the other corner. Among the three of us, we were able to pull the tarp over and to dump the sand out. The helpful man really saved us lots of time. He was young and strong; we would not have been able to dump the tarp without him. Thank God for generous people in this world!
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| The mountain of sand is gone, and the boards that once held it will be cut up and disposed of with next week's trash. |
When we returned home, we cleaned up the rest of the back yard and Rick hosed down the truck. It had gotten quite muddy at the concrete disposal sight.
This afternoon, the rains are finally starting to fall, and we could not be more pleased. The tamper is safely returned, the sand is gone, the patio stepping stones are gone, and my new grass is getting the gentle rain it needs to grow. This has been a good day.
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