Soggy Week

Most of the week last week was soggy, so I didn't really push to get much done, mostly catching up on sleep and stuff.  Saturday mirrored the sogginess, so I decided to go see the damage for the deck.  I am reviving the debate about whether to build a deck, or maybe try doing pavers and make a patio.  Given that most boards are up about 50% since I last looked, the patio idea is gaining steam just because of the cost aspect.  I basically only need fill and pavers.  It is a lot more work though.  I was lazy and didn't have a complete BOM done yet though.  But at the very least, the deck boards have gone from just under 6 dollars to 10, and they will be the most common board.  

Sunday however wasn't rainy.  Given that it has rained the past week so everything was soggy and it started off chilly though, I didn't get around to doing much until after lunch.  I started off my getting the gasket on.  My set didn't have one that was perfect, but it had one that I am pretty sure was close enough.

 

I started to get the cylinder reassembled.  I will get a hold of Barry and finish getting that reassembled this week.  

 

I also brought out my new laser level, to continue that thought of how bad would it be to do pavers instead of a deck, and started measuring that out, but quickly realized that I can't read the laser at the far end.  Not in broad daylight, it just isn't bright enough.

So instead I grabbed my shovel and started to clean out the trench so it would drain better.

 

I got ditch about 6" shallower.

 

After taking a short break, I also decided to start swapping out the winter and summer equipment.  Much to my surprise, the snowblower started immediately.  

 

I had forgotten that it was leaking gas like a strainer though.  I ran it up the hill anyways.

 

While it was running out of gas, I brought down the chipper and riding mower.  The push mower stayed in the carport all winter.  I got the battery charged on the riding mower, which was surprisingly not that bad.  I actually disconnected the battery for the winter though, which I don't normally do. 

 

While that was charging, I went and checked all the tires in the CR-V since it was blinking TPMS at me on my trip.  All of them were perfect.  

 

While I was packing things away, I realized that the jar I got from Hicks (it had applesauce in it) actually had marks in it for 1/2c, 1c and 1.5c.  Might be worth bringing it along in my minimal kitchen setup for the CR-V camper then since I can use it to store food and I can use it as a measuring cup, which I forgot to bring on my last trip.

 

After the cleaning up was done, I went out and tried to fire up the mower, and much to my surprise it started surprisingly quickly.  It smoked a bit, which is common for the first start of the season, but it fired right up.  I only had about a cup of gas left in my gas can, so it didn't run long, but maybe I can punt the fuel problems to later, since my yard disappointingly already needs mowing (last year I didn't mow until June).

 

While all this was going on, the snowblower was up running itself out of gas.  I noticed that it is running really poorly.

 

I was having trouble sleeping last night, so I took a foray into the backyard, and you can see the laser level lines crystal clear at night.  

I determined that the bulk of the backyard was as bad as I thought for level.  Up by the house was 26" in the picture above, was 22.5" over by where the hot tub would be, and 19" by the bare rock.  7" is an awful lot to make up with just fill.  I do still have a source of fill from Barry, but I don't think there is that much over there.

 

It also becomes a major problem when you get near the rock "ledge" which isn't really a ledge it turns out.  I only measured 10" by the rock ledge.  

I thought the laser made for an interesting picture.  

Available Projects and annual tasks:

• Dunks and bug repellent.
• Clean up yard
• Take scrap metal away
• Finish cleanup on the pile in the back 
• Do something with the trailer.
• Fix excavator
  
• Finish drainage
• Build deck
• Push back trees
• Install concrete pilings
• Install landscape fabric and gravel underneath
• Build frame
• Lay decking
  
• Set up hot tub and pool
• Build insulated platform for hot tub
• Put down pool sand to level spot for pool
• Get water delivered for both
  
• Fix mowers and equipment
• Get tractor serviced
• Build travel station for CR-V/prep CR-V for travel
  
• Move carport
• Build the roof extension over to the rocks
• Fix front stairs 
• Test travel options (rent u-haul and test that, rent trailer and test that)
• Install storm doors
• Build overhangs for windows
• Insulate the water lines
  
• Front yard drainage
• Fix snowblowers (broken grease fitting on big snowblower, gas leak on small one)
  
• Gravel/hardpack driveway
• Fix grade to the shed
• Level a spot for a lean-to up the hill
• Build a small lean-to for off-season equipment
• Make shed mouse-tight 
• Create walking trails (put up markers, maybe put down some gravel).
• Clear and level a spot for orchard
• Build a bridge over the creek
• Build a gazebo or something on the other side