It's a whole different kind of yard waork than what I'm used to. Normally, I use a rake, hedge-trimmers, and lawn mower. This weekend, it was time to break out the chain saw!

 

If anyone ever tells you the saw does all the work for you, tell them they are crazy. Cutting down the trees are only a smal part of the job. Limbing, sorting, splitting the logs are hard work. Toting logs and limbs works up a sweat and is probably some sort of cardio workout (I wonder if I'm onto a new exercise craze here).

 

I only managed to cut down 2 out of the 11 Locust trees I need to remove. I am opening up a view to the south of the home, so these trees and 4 big pines need to be disposed of. One of the winter storms took down 3 large limbs on one of the pines earlier this year. I chopped them up for the most part and moved the remnants out of the driveway, but there was still a big mess to clean up. All of that is now sorted into a pile of logs to be split and a pile of limbs to be burned.

 

The wind came up and the temperature went down on Sunday, so we didn't get to the burning part yet. Luckily, I was able to drop the 2 closest to the wellhead without hitting the well itself. That would have been a mess. The plan is to drop the other 9 Locusts before the guys come to do the final grade when the weather warms up. I'll more than likely have them take out the 4 pines then. I don't want one of thos big boys falling on me. This will make a very nice spot for a firepit and/or volleyball court. Being just south of the house its perfect for a nice view from the deck.

Finally! Woke up this morning around 8am and saw the snow coming down. Ran into town to grab groceries and gas - just in case. Wonderful sitting in front of the fireplace, drinking coffee (note to self: need an espresso machine here), playing Halo 2 with my son, and watching the snow come down. Nice thing about having a wall full of windows is the large view of the outdoors.

 

Looks like our painter is just about done. She got the Home Theater all patched up from the electrician's work installing the sconces. Still lacking a piece of chair rail in the 4th bedroom that needs to be replaced.

 

The plumber got all of the fixtures put back into the basement bathroom. Looks great! I'm getting better at this tile thing. The grout turned out nice.

 

Looks like all of the exterior stain is done as well. The rest of the logs in the front (around the front door), the porch beams, railing, frame around the garage door, and the wooden blocks behind the coach lights downstairs - everything looks good.

 

So I am heading back to the cabin now. Had to get these pix uploaded for the folks in Florida sweltering in 80 degree heat today.