So stuff is happening here! I wasn’t going to post real updates until things actually happened, but I guess, if all else fails, I do have an AMAZING pile of dirt. And amazing and expensive pile of dirt. I can fence it in and have a tiny, but nice surface? Back up plans!

Old concrete pad…

Bright and early yesterday morning, 2 site prep guys came and began a day long project.

First the removed an old concrete pad from the site. My husband and I thought about taking it out ourselves, but Michele didn’t trust me with a jackhammer… I really don’t know why? In the end, they offered an inexpensive price AND offered to move the concrete on site. Score!

Old, sad shed.

See, this part of the project WAS intended to be easy. Except, then our existing shed was attached to concrete so they had to disassemble vs haul off ($$ vs $) then there was the concrete pad. Next the site prep guy visited to discover that not only was our area NOT level, but 33″ OFF level (when I mentioned this to the shed removal guys when dropping off a check, the entire office gasped). So, additional plans were made for 72 CUBIC FEET of dirt to be hauled in.

Then there was weather. By weather I mean rain. Rain in the form of massive downpours all weekend. But Monday dawned clear. My husband and father-in-law removed a tree behind the site, and despite all my fears, yesterday morning, everything started as planned.

I was completely determined not to be a pain and bother the guys (all 2 of them) so most of my photos are of the stalker variety. From doorways or windows…

First step was removing the pad. Next they laid of the location and asked if I was happy with the placement. The set it between my pool fence and round pen and parallel to the house. Perfect. Then came the dirt. SO. MUCH. DIRT.

#Stalker photos

For hours the pushed and built with dirt. The dirt was compacted and all that so we shouldn’t be dealing with runoff. They’re pros and that’s what they told me…

Stupid piers! And so much dirt!

Then the piers. 10, 3ft deep pier. The bane of my existence. If I could do this all again, I wouldn’t because of these stupid piers. Piers are expensive! But, their auger was amazing. Too bad I was too far away to take a picture or video…. And I’m pretty sure they were on the last one by the time I realized they were drilling or I’d have walked outside and figured out how to be creepy and photograph.

Then screenings! So much screenings. I believe I have at least 6″ of screenings. Plus a pile of extras because when they offered me the leftovers, who was I to turn them down?

Finally, the concrete truck showed up to pour the piers (one company we consulted was using 60 bags of concrete, whereas in this case, I think the truck was more efficient). Then more smoothing and final leveling and BAM. Done for the day.

I do need to reseed my lawn. But, whatever. It’s going to rain too, so I’m curious how much dirt will wash away. Still, December in the Mid Atlantic region isn’t exactly the best time of year for grass growing…

No discussion of next steps until they happen, but for right now, this big pile of dirt is enough.

SO BEAUTIFUL!