I laid the first layer of gravel for the patio. It may not be thick enough and it’s definitely not level, but I put down a pallet’s worth, so it’s not nothing. I also tried to level out all the dirt piles in the big depression in our yard. I think I did about a B job on it. It’s a little nuts that all that patio dirt still doesn’t make that area flat. But… it’s better, so yay. Two birds with one stone and all that. It’s starting to look like something.
Category: Patio Project
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May 31
Phase 2 of the patio project is done. Next weekend I’ll spread my first layer of gravel and then I’ll be ready to start compacting. Once that’s done, I start laying pavers and the whole thing will start looking real. I think at this point I’m looking at Labor Day to be totally finished, decorating and all. That’s kind of perfect timing. I’m pretty proud of what I’ve already accomplished. I’ve come further than I thought I could and I’m still enjoying it. Other than this, Robin got her hair cut, we went food shopping, and I did laundry. I don’t really want to go back to work tomorrow, but so it goes.
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May 24
I thought I finished digging out the patio this morning, but YouTube says I need to dig another six inches around the whole perimeter. Looks like one more week before I get to play with the compactor. Robin went to the mall with her friend Alejandro and Christina and I painted pottery while they wandered around getting lost in Belk. I thought this was a buffalo, Siggi thought it was a yak, Christina says it’s a cow. It’s a yakowalo.
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May 3
My hole is getting pretty impressive and starting to take shape. I measured out the footprint and for the first time I got a sense of what it will look like when it’s done. It’s going to be enormous. But I also think beautiful. I think one more weekend of digging and then I’ll be ready to lay gravel. Then the part I am most worried about, compacting. Billy doesn’t think I can manage a compactor. He might be right, but if I don’t do it, I will be compacting by hand for months. And then after that, I start putting down pavers, a little at a time. That will be the moment of truth for my measuring abilities. Then seal it up, and the fun part: putting up the tent, getting seating for the fire pit, setting up plants, and otherwise making it beautiful. It’s possible I could finish in time for my birthday. If it’s not 100 degrees that day, maybe we’ll celebrate on the patio this year. We’ll see! I’m inching closer.
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April 27
Today I learned that lemons are a man-made fruit that does not come from a naturally-growing plant. I told Christina she was full of shit when she told me that, but Google says it’s true, so I guess it’s true. I also got the rest of my gear for the patio project. I hope these gloves work out better than the ones I’ve been using. I’m itching to try them out. Also today: Pinot got a haircut and half his ears were chopped away due to matting. He looks like a doofus. I went for a run this morning, which has not been as consistent an occurrence as it really should be. Having to crawl back to my old fitness level is boring, demoralizing, and frustrating. With no upcoming races, I have nothing to work towards, which makes running feel pointless. I’m going to need to find a way to make it interesting. All in all, though, not a bad day.
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April 25
Started digging around the patio today. It was very slow going, thanks to the massive number of roots I had to dig around and pull out. Digging is so much easier than moving 10+ tons of building material. I felt like I could have gone longer, but I’m trying to pace myself. It’s exciting to see something starting to take shape, even if it’s just a small start. I can’t wait to get back out tomorrow.
Year in Photos 