Front Yard Make-Over

I got a call a while back from a couple who wanted some landscaping done in their front yard. When I went to look at the property, I soon realized it was a little beyond my expertise. She wanted to change all the plants in her front yard and the design would be a little more elaborate than I was comfortable doing. I can do basic foundation shrubs, but getting certain groupings I haven't had much experience. So I contacted my buddy Drew, who lives in Birmingham and graduated from MSU in Landscape Architecture. So we partnered on the job and he did the design.

It took about 3 full days to do the install. The biggest part of the project was cutting and removing a huge crepe myrtle. We spent a good portion of the first day trying to dig up the stump. Realizing we were making no progress, we decided to rent a stump grinder the next day and grind it down instead of digging up. Thinking the rain was going to hold off until the afternoon, we got the grinder for 4 hours and headed to the property. Unfortunately the rain was early and we had to work in the rain. While being pretty miserable, it did complement my attitude toward this stump. Working in a mudhole for 2.5 hours, I got it ground down to an acceptable levels. My aging waterproof jacket is no longer waterproof, so every part of my body was soaking wet by the end of the day.

The next days went much smoother. We got the plants in, beds mulched, and finished a small portion of the rock wall. It was a fun project and a nice change of pace from my usual schedule.

Before Pictures:

 

The Stump before I started grinding.

After Pictures:

Drew's Design

The First 100 - Round 2

One of the most surprising things I learned at the first, first 100, was the number of repeat attenders. First-timers were definitely in the minority. Five, 10, and even 20 was not uncommon. It has become a little club that goes to each of these. I soon learned during the first one, how addicting they can become.

The Pell City Grand Opening came on the calendar soon after the Five Points opening, so I put it on mine. Rebecca also took off work this time. We were able to convince David to come, but Emily being great with child, decided to stay home. As you'll see, we still included her as best we could. Our friend Dave was also attending again and this time he brought his brother-n-law, Brad, along.

I was much more relaxed this time arriving at the store. The forecast called for rain, so that may have kept some people away. They brought us into the parking lot and there were 130 people, meaning a 77% chance of getting selected. So I was hoping for at least 2 out of 3. They started calling numbers and Dave went - #4, Rebecca - #12, David - #51, Myself - #80, and Brad - #104 (1 of 10 alternates in case anyone bails). So all three of us made it, but we were all committed to stay even if only one got picked.

We got set up in our spot. This time we had a lot more gear, and I think we actually used all of it. Dave and Brad were our neighbors, so most of the day was spent under the tailgate tent chatting, playing games, eating, or posing Emily in random pictures. It did rain lightly for a couple hours. We were glad for the tailgate tent, so we weren't stuck in our actual tent. The four boys did participate in one contest. It was a relay and after some rules confusion we pulled out the victory. The prize was a milkshake. Oh yeah.

Due to the weather, the overall mood was a little subdued. After the rain, it got much colder. The sleeping conditions due to the cold (low 40s) were not the greatest, and that's the one thing we weren't greatly prepared. While comfortable, the air mattress is a very cold base to sleep on. So we both were on the egg crate foam and were warm, but couldn't get comfortable. There wasn't as much of a variety of noises through the night as last time, but the wind was very strong and some others decided to stay up fairly late. So I was glad when they woke us up with the bugle at 5 AM.

Fifty-two more coupons for me. Another great time, even though I was very sleepy the rest of the day.

Nothing like a sunrise in Pell City.

Look at that excitement!

Looks like a winner. Brett needs 52 more Chick-fil-a meals.

You can tell she's a first-timer

You got to go outside based on your number being drawn. Rebecca was first out so she got to set-up the tent.

No skipping work here.

Rebecca enjoying her facebook posts.

Our spot for the day.

The ice relay.

David

Dave

Brad

Champions

What a pretty Krystal's

The rain gave way to a beautiful sunset.

Champions with milkshakes.

Intense game of Wits and Wagers

Scary Cold

This tent won for best set-up. They brought a projector and a screen so they could play video games and watch movies.

Lil' help with our portable heater.

Almost bedtime.

The next morning at 5 AM. The fun has worn off for Rebecca.

Free food!

And a free t-shirt.

The whole crew.

Wish you could have made it Emily, but we had fun with your absence.