“Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.
After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water”
A few months ago we cut down a couple birch trees and then chopped them into firewood. This wood has to dry before it is burnable though, and we kept it outside under a tarpaulin, where it should stay for about a year before we can use it. But with the garden landscaping starting in a couple weeks, we had to move it into the garage already. It was only about a twenty meter shift, but I have racked up over 11,000 steps today, and other than a short gym session, haven't left the house.
We have enough wood for the next few years at least.
The other thing that we have to do is find a new home for Smallsteps' playhouse, which she was gifted by the neighbors, but now has grown out of also. It is almost forty years old, so we don't want to destroy it, so my wife has put it onto some marketplace group for these kinds of things and there is a line to get it. Seems they are in demand. However, I don't trust these groups, as people say they will take it, but often end up as no-shows. So, let's see. If it isn't gone by next weekend, we might have to destroy it, if we can't move it ourselves to another part of the yard.
The garden is going to change quite a lot with what we are having done, and hopefully it is going to be more functional, as well as in time, more enjoyable. We are only improving the drainage and putting in a retaining wall for now, because we don't have the money to do more and even this is tight, but hopefully in a year or two, we will built a patio for grilling and enjoying the summer upon also.
This has been a good weekend, as Smallsteps and I have spent a lot of time together, with Friday off together, and most of Saturday just us also. Nothing super exciting was done, but I felt like we were able to enjoy ourselves as well as move some of the things forward around the house. One of the good things with a house is that while there is often a lot to do, doing it makes a visible difference, so there is the feeling of accomplishment. A lot of my work doesn't give the same kind of immediacy of feedback.
Should spend more time in the yard.
Once they start, there will be machines, noise, mud and mess flying about, so I will likely post some kinds of progress shots along the way, but I won't have to do much of the work myself. This is a pleasant change, but it is only because what they need to do, I have no idea how to do, and think it will be more expensive if I actually try, and then have to have them come in and repair my mess anyway.
How was your weekend?
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
It's normal around here to do those large jobs piecemeal. Time or money always puts the brakes on best laid plans. Sometimes it works out for the best as small changes can be made along the way, whereas it would be much more difficult to change something after the job is completed. Sounds like it will be a nice outdoor living space during the summer when it is all done!
First weekend in a while that I didn’t have a fun, out of town adventure planned! Pruned the garden a little, napped a couple times, even took home a ribbon at the fair for our Amber!
Maybe an hour and a bit in the dog park after making a lasagna from scratch and a smoke and a beer to watch some mma and cap it all off.
Sounds like an awesome weekend on your side too and I look forward to seeing the back yard developments!
Congrats!!
That sounds like a fantastic weekend. Well done :)
So much better when we can share it with the #hive team!
The playhouse is actually bigger than I expected. I wonder if you can just repurpose it as a mini shed, or make it bigger to be one. If you have a lot of buyers, I wonder if it will be acceptable to agree to a lot of them and have them come in different days or time. Inform them their place in the list and if the first one doesn't take it, they can get it.
It is big, but not tall enough inside for a storage, as I can't stand in there. However, that is something on the list to get in the future.
Ah, that's a shame. Goodluck on being able to sell/dispose of it.
It was a pretty great weekend for me too. We had some amazing weather with the temps not getting out of the 60's on either of the days for the most part. I spent the morning yesterday playing disc golf and then I came home and mowed the lawn. Last night my wife and I took her dad to dinner and then a concert. Today was a bit more of a lazy day, but the weather is still amazing! It's supposed to get hot again here, so this weekend was refreshing!
What concert did you go and see?
Funny how you want it to stay cooler, we wouldn't mind a bit warmer. However, it has been the warmest year on average ever in Finland, with 68 days above 25 degrees, which is considered a "hot" day. Climate change to blame I guess.
I prefer the mid 70s during the day and 40s or 50s at night. This week we are supposed to see high 80s. It was Jim Croce's son AJ singing a lot of his dad's songs. I'll be writing a post about it eventually.
You have lush grass and a green yard. I like it when there is a lot of greenery.
Over the weekend I came to the big city to visit my family. It's good here, but there is one drawback - there is a little smog in the city for half a day, which is unpleasant while walking.
For half the year, the other half it is either all dead, or covered with snow :)
What is causing the smog?
Air temperature inversion. Car exhaust remains near heavily trafficked roads.
Indeed, it will be more efficient to have the right people for the job.
Nothing much happen in my weekend. Play Splinterlands, watched some movies, play Splinterlands, got a haircut, play Splinterlands, goes to the gym, plays Splinterlands write a post and play more Splinterlands.
Lols - lots of Splinterlands. Any good movies?
Yes, got another 60 energy when I purchase chest earlier. Watched The Crow 2024, was fun bad while Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was an ok film.
Me too. 😁
There are always a lot of things to do at home, and solving them sometimes requires financial planning. However, having your own house and garden is priceless.
Best regards and keep enjoying all the time you can together.
It is funny that we "should" do something, but even though we might know it is good for us, we don't :)
Wow, it sounds really good that you have a productive weekend. I have a wonderful weekend reading and spending lot of time with my family.
A good strategy to store wood for future purpose. In that case you guys alresdy have the ones you using currently now, but do you cut down tress like this and store every year?
Great adventure walking 11000 steps exercising with household chores, congratulations. Also, that firewood looks great!
I'll look forward to seeing you spend more days in the yard, until you get everything nice and a grill on it! Best Regards!
She grew out of the playhouse as in lost interest/think she's too old for it or physically grew too big for it? :O
Yay for having wood for ages!