Friday, May 28, 2010

Yard Work And The Hazards Of Being "Industrious"

Dave and I started another project. We haven't even finished our last project. The moulding for the chair rail hasn't been put up. But the playroom is mostly done and I think we were both bored with it. So onto something new! When we moved into the house I can still remember Dave saying it was unamerican to not have a lawn. Crazy huh, we moved onto 8/10ths of an acre and we don't have grass. I think we both thought putting grass in would be the easiest and least costly of the long list of things we want to do around the house. So A delivery of 7 tons of huge rocks and the rental of one tractor backhoe thingy and we were off to modify the yard.
Moving 7 tons of massive rocks up our crazy steep driveway was...well...crazy. That poor tractor. If it had feelings it would be crying. Once we got the rocks up into the yard we began a rock wall. Everything always looks easier then it is. It took us almost all day with both of us working until our arms couldn't lift their own weight to finish it. Even though we were both being super cautious both of us smashed our fingers. I think I screamed bloody murder for 30 minutes (at least). Why does finger trauma hurt so bad! Here it is. My horribly ugly squished and abused finger. It still hurts and it has been a whole week. I have learned to do everything without the use of my pore pointer finger. Typing was challenging at first, but I have gotten the hang of it. The thing I dreaded most was washing my hair. I almost went into Great Clips or someplace similar just have pay someone to wash my hair. Just yesterday I got brave enough to try it myself. I came to the conclusion that I have too much hair. And that water torture is a real viable form of inflicting pain. I grimaced with every drop of water that hit my finger. Not cool.

After we got the rock wall finished we had to come up with enough dirt to fill in the future yard. Perfect - I've been wanting to recess the trampoline. So up the hill we headed with the tractor and the riding mower to start hauling dirt. Another whole day later - digging and hauling in the rain and we almost have a hole deep enough for the trampoline but we are no where close to filling in the yard with enough dirt. So our "simple" project turned into a big one. It seems that is almost always the case. What we thought we could do over a weekend will probably take four. And I have a mutilated finger, loads of muddy laundry and a very dirty "tracked in" house to show for it.

6 comments:

Sara said...

I completely understand about yard work. It took us 4 years and many horrible weekends to get our yard the way it looks today. Our projects always took longer than anticipated. Sorry about your finger. Before you know it you will have the yard you always dreamed of!!!

Familia Bethers said...

Poor tractor? Man up tractor - it's your job! JK

Anonymous said...

That nail is coming off for sure, I bet that hurt a ton. When you finish it you will be happy with it. The memories you are making....
Love
Mom

Anonymous said...

Wow, the yard sure is changing. When Dave is done moving all that dirt, he can come to Tucson and help me with another JROTC project. We have another obstacle course project waiting!
Dad

Rebecca Pierce said...

Wow, that is quite a project! It looks wonderful (now...the second time around, lol). You are amazing!

Anonymous said...

Dave's having the time of his life on his little toy-I'm surprized he gave it back
Sallie