Tag Archives: Uncle Paul D.

Backyard Clean Up Day #2

Today when I got home from work my dad headed off to pick up the backhoe for the backyard. Yesterday we both took the day off and today we began to get into the preparation for tomorrows all day fence installation. We have 15 6X8 Spruce Stockade fence panels and 16 posts. Why will this take all day and possibly into Sunday? Well this fence is going to be special. First we are digging a 6 inch trench then we are layering in some stone dust. After that we will put in 18 inch high concrete slabs. These will be placed end to end across the entire 120 foot span of fence. We have a backhoe to dig the trench and move the slabs. I didn’t get pictures of that today because I was busy helping to move the slabs but I promise to get someone to take the videos tomorrow. The slabs were moved by wrapping a chain around the slab lengthwise and hooking it under a piece of rebar that was on one side, the other side has a hole, we stuck a lag bolt in the other side for the chain to catch. Then this was hoisted off the pile by the backhoe and then moved to location. We haven’t actually laid any of the slabs in place yet, but rather made a barrier to keep the people in the back from parking right on top of the equipment so we cannot work tomorrow. The was a car out there all day that never moved and it threw a lot of the plans off.

So when I got home, my sister Tara and I set up a temporary fence for the dogs so they could have some backyard to play in this weekend. No way they are staying in the house in this heat. Then dad got back with the backhoe and we each took turns training on how to use it by trying to remove the stump from the half dead tree from Wednesday’s photos. The stump proved a very worthy foe. It was not easily removed.

Uncle Paul D. came by just as we were rigging up the chain hoist for the concrete slabs. That was an adventure, trying to move 300lbs+ slabs with some heavy chain and the front end loader of the backhoe. After we made a good territorial marker we put the equipment to bed and had dinner. Then Dad and I went to Home Depot to pick up the fence that we will need to install on top of the concrete slabs. This should give us about 7 feet of fenced privacy. Can’t wait to be able to use the backyard in peace again.

Here are the photos of progress so far. North Attleboro, Backyard Cleanup ’05

I’ll have video too. Maybe up on Sunday.

Monsters and Marathons…

This weekend Allison and I went to the Cape for Uncle Paul D’s 50th Birthday party. It was a surprise party and he was totally surprised.

Then Allison and I headed over to see Kim and Greg for a Halloween party. It was a great party and Kim and Greg made some great Halloween themed edibles.

Then We went back to the house for the carbo load for the Marathon on Sunday. Tara put together two teams of marathon relayers and she set us up with some candy bags for after the race.

Today I got up and ran the first leg of the marathon relay. Let’s just say that I am not exactly in tip top form for the Disney Half Marathon. But I finished my leg of the race. Now Allison and I are preparing for the onslaught of little monsters in search of chocolately goodness. Have a Happy Halloween!