We're grown ups now!

Well we did it. Sam and I took yet another leap into adulthood this weekend and made our first joint car purchase. After a TON of research and way too much shopping around, we purchased a 2009 Certified Preowned (restored to factory condition with a warranty) Ford Escape. Several things happened that we never thought would:

1. We bought a Ford. I am a Chevy girl. This is huge.
2. We bought a used car. I vowed never to buy used again, however the certified Preowned made it okay.
3. On Sam's side of things, he bought a newer car than he ever thought he would.

Crazy stuff! Last night we drive it around a bit for fun and feel so spoiled! It is a great car that will be much safer for us on our big trip this summer and also safer for future children. Now we have to decide whether or not to sell Sam's old car or keep it as a commuter. Well see.

The other funny part of all this is that last time Katie came to visit we got married and started looking at houses to buy. This time we bought a car. So Katie has decided that she has to come back again because the next major life event is having a baby! I suppose we will just have to see about that one! :)

But for now, we will enjoy our home and car and hopefully soon a dog. Cheers to adulthood!

Retaining Wall Status: Done:)

 The retaining wall is pretty much done! See those big boulders? First I had to expose them because they were covered with yards of dirt. The term "dirt" is used loosely, as it was mostly small rocks. After I exposed the first two rows, the top row had to be moved into place by hand. There are some good 300 pound+ rocks in there. Luckily I had some much needed help for that.

Behind the boulder retaining wall I left space for cinder blocks. I will sink 4x4 fence posts into the cinder blocks and ground to give the fence more support while giving the yard above us a mini retaining wall as well. Underneath the cinder blocks, Heather and I will put crushed basalt for draining and settling purposes.

At the base of the boulder retaining wall, we will put more crushed basalt for drainage.

The fence will be pressure treated 4x4's for the posts and treated 2x4 for the supports. We will use ceder planks to finish it up.

The hard work is done. Now the detail work begins: leveling off the ground, laying the basalt, putting up the posts and finishing the fence. We still have to do side fencing, but after this, that will be easy-peasy.

It is a lot of fun getting to be able to do this stuff. I am lucky to have a great family to help get the physical work done. Without them, at the very least, these boulders would not be where they are now.

Off to do some more work!

Ciao!
Sam