Thursday, Week 2

After everyone left for the day on Thursday, and everyone came, I looked out my front window and had to laugh. This was the view:In my driveway was the cement truck. They had been working on removing more dirt, so the bobcat was still in my front yard and the truck with the trailer to haul the dirt away had left with a load only to come back to the cement truck in my driveway, so it was stuck out in the middle of the street. Then the cement guys trailer with all of their tools was in front of the house with the truck they'd come in this morning in front of it. I think there was even another truck that you couldn't see because the cement truck was blocking it from my view. It was a crazy time. Things are definitely happening.

So, onto the progress of the day. The biggest thing that happened was that they got the cement all poured that morning. They also spent quite a bit of time prepping before pouring the cement, and smoothing and finishing after the cement was poured. Because of the cold, two things happened. I learned that our front sidewalk and steps won't be poured for a while. It could be a month or more, but hopefully just a few weeks. Also, they had to tent the cement while it started curing. THAT was an experience. I didn't realize how much I looked out my front windows until all I could see was blue tarp. But it was worth it. It's coming together great. I told Nathan that I feel like they peeked into my head and saw exactly what I wanted and did it. I really feel like everything is coming together GREAT!

Putting the drain into the french drain bucket.Prepping the top of the steps (I was worried about this, but they did beautifully). If anyone ever needs concrete work done, let me know. I know some GREAT people.Finishing up prepping.The site before things started really happening.And it begins.And more.Making sure it gets everywhere.Pouring some more.It's all poured.Working the stairs.Looking down the staircase.I think the top guy's trying to get out all of the bubbles. The bottom guy is still working on the stairs.The top is looking great.Another top shot.And working under the tent.He's moving right along.The top through the kitchen windowAnd through the living room window.The tent!Everything's done. Just waiting for it to dry a little.

Here is my exciting story for the day: Zoey and I went to the store. When we got back, Zoey wasn't done eating her treat, so we stayed in the car. After a while, I glanced in my rear view mirror and noticed a skid steer partially in my driveway. I didn't remember it being there when we pulled up. I looked around and didn't see any guys or their trucks. I just assumed that it had probably been there and I just missed it. A few minutes later, I glanced in my mirror again and saw that the skid steer was almost all the way across my driveway and headed towards our lilac bushes. I jumped out of the car looking for the driver. There was no driver, nobody in my yard, and no trucks anywhere. I ran inside and called the person in charge. It went straight to voicemail. Then I called Nathan. He told me I shouldn't be talking on the phone while trying to stop it. I climbed up in the skid steer (after realizing that I had to go in the front where the door was, not in the side) and looked around for a key. There wasn't one. I did find a forward/backward lever and pulled it back until the skid steer was no longer heading towards my lilac bushes. I backed it up and then stopped it the best I could. I went back inside and tried the head guy again. Still voicemail. I left a message, trying not to laugh at the whole situation. As soon as I hung up, he pulled in in the truck with the trailer attached. He had gone to dump a load of dirt. I told him what had happened (again trying not to laugh too hard). He jumped in and got it under control. For the rest of the afternoon, whenever he left it, he left it parked up against the pine tree so it couldn't go anywhere. It was exciting.

The rogue skid steer.Here's our porch all poured, smoothed, finished, and getting pretty dry, so they took the tent down and wrapped it to keep it warm for a few days. I love that they put our little pedal car down to help keep the blanket/wrap in place.

Wrapping from the front.One more view.