Cement 101

Fred and I have lot's of good intentions like cutting down the dead wood out of the trees on the west, tearing down the old shed to make way for either a new one, garage or the big dream of a swimming pool, more four wheelers, fencing, and curbing. One of our good intentions was to pour a patio. We dreamed of this project nearly 10 years ago and actually had good intentions 5 years ago of completing this daunting task. Fred worked and cleared the grass, moved the sprinkler system and an old tree stump. Then this area sat and sat, it was weeded and tilled over the years. The summers came and went and so did the funds, time and energy. However, this summer we just decided to do it one way or the other. The forms went up, the holes were dug for the fire pit and outside drinking fountain. The pipes were put into place and the day finally came. Our children eagerly volunteered their services and had confidence that their father would guide their every step in this process. They pushed and pulled the cement into place. They learned how to use tools in ways they had never done before. Everything started out very well and then the heat set in and the work suddenly switched into high gear. No problem they could handle it all....until the unexpected extra amount of cement rolled off the truck. Where was it going to go? No problem Fred thought we will just put the small amount on some wood and haul it to the garden area and use it to make some curbing. The cement kept coming and coming. It seems that a slight miscalculation had occured and the pile kept getting higher and higher with no place to put it. What to do? Fred couldn't be in two places at once so he just gave out the orders. The kids did the rest and so did the sun. The cement was setting up faster than it could be finished properly. There are lumps and bumps, lines and inperfections. However, our children are so proud of their project that they don't care. We are not perfect so why should the cement be. Ha ha. We have a patio area to gather at and one lump of a service pad area for washing of vehicles as Josh put it. This week Fred finished his other dream. We now have an outdoor drinking fountain along with a spout to attach a hose to use at the service bay. One day we have the good intention of recapping the service bay area and making it look more presentable. For now it has more lumps, bumps and footprints. It has personality! A great memory for the summer.

(pictures to be added soon, for some reason they don't want to work today)