Yard Work and Opening the Pool

Earlier this week I started getting outside and pulling some weeds. One day I started with weeds in the front yard and the next thing I knew I was digging and resetting bricks.

I had started pulling weeds in the rocks and when I got to the corner I tried to reset one brick that was laying on its side. When I tried to put it back in, it wouldn't fit, so I had to pull out the next brick. Then it just continued.

I got a shot halfway on the brick work.

Milo kept getting in there sniffing around and just so curious. I had to dig the brick out, pull it, and then fix the dirt underneath so it would be even and higher up. The higher up I went, the more difficult they were to get out.

All done and I poured water on the dry dirt to clean it off.

The area of rocks I pulled weeds.

Looking up the line of bricks I reset. It was just the ones going up the driveway, well all but the first one.

I did more weed pulling the next day on the other side of the driveway continuing to work in the rocks and then around our big tree. I didn't get pictures that day. Milo was out there with me both days. He did so well being off leash in the front yard and there wasn't much traffic, so that helped. Our neighbor came over to give him a treat and Milo got all defensive and scared. His hair raised up and he barked at him, even after getting the dog treat from our neighbor, Paul. I didn't think we would have that problem with him because of his breed but I guess we haven't gotten him out enough in public. I definitely don't want him to be like that unless it's someone breaking in or hurting us.

Yesterday we started the day by Curtis, Charlotte and I waking up early to go help a couple in our ward who are in charge of a fun race that brings awareness to people with blood clot disorders. It's called "The Clot Trot". Sam Smith (who is our elder's quorum president) and his wife Bonnie were the couple that were in charge. Sam had asked Curtis if he would be able to come out to help but Charlotte and I came along also. I helped check people in who had pre-registered for the 1-mile race and get their shirts. I also helped hand out prizes afterwards. Curtis and Charlotte started with handing out shirts but then left to go hand out water on the 5K race trail. We had a good time and Charlotte says she wants to do it again next year.

When we came home from that we got going on our projects for the day. Curtis wanted to open up the pool and I wanted to dig out some bushes that I didn't want anymore. I had trimmed the rose bush and the red bush down the day before. I had wanted Curtis and the boys to help me dig them out, but they ended up doing the pool and I was on my own for most of the digging up. Curtis came and helped me when I got the stumps dug out to where he needed to chop the big roots to get them out. My reasons for getting rid of the rose bush and the red bush is because they have put holes in our pool inflatables. We don't want that to happen anymore. I don't know why they were planted in the pool area to begin with. Thorns and inflatables don't mix!

This is the red bush that is close to the pool and has pokey leaves. Trimmed off the branches on Friday.

Trimmed down to the stumps.

I had to clear the rocks away first. Then dug. I kept finding more stumps the more I dug and then a beam where the bush had grown on both sides of it right next to the fence.

I was so tired, I had to stop and take a few breaks. Eventually Curtis was able to help me finish but cutting the beam to get it out and the cutting the roots as far down as he could. It was a tough spot to work in. He poured salt around roots and dirt to hopefully prevent it from growing again.

All done and it's gone!

The rose bush. Again, it's right by the fence.

Trimmed down and ready to dig it out.

All gone and hole filled in. There was another hole that has been there that Curtis filled in with sand from our pool filter. He dumped out the old sand and bought new sand.

This plant just looked sick, so I decided it needed to go. 

It was close to our flag pole. Curtis helped me with this one since he was done with pool stuff by then.

Done and gone. We will have to fix the rocks later.

I think it's a little early to be opening up the pool, but Curtis and the kids wanted to do it now. This year we did it ourselves now that Curtis knows how to do it. 

The cats will just walk across the canvas cover. This was right before we took it off. Last chance until Fall, Sage!

What a difference on what it looked like this year compared to last. Last year it was black on the bottom because it was covered in algae and it hadn't been opened for two years. 

Working together to skim the top. Everyone is excited to have the pool open again!

I also had the boys mow our lawn that evening. It was a long day but so glad for what we got done! Curtis even cut off a couple of dead branches on the two trees in the back yard. They needed a saw.  It feels good to be getting stuff done outside again. Slowly we'll get this place looking good.