Work is underway...

We've finally started work on our backyard...well, not "we" per se but the nice, hardworking construction folk we hired for the job. They arrive before 7am in the morning and by the time we come home from work, they've already accomplished what they set out to do.

The weeds have been plucked, soil compacted, and snake holes closed up. Yes, we've come to determine those sporadic little holes in the ground were in fact snake holes since they were too small to be gopher holes and the air-conditioning guy just found said snake underneath one of our outdoor A/C units. It's one of those garden variety snakes, practically harmless or so I've heard. Neither of us are huge reptile fans. Let's just hope the displaced snakes will find some other hillside to tunnel through.

It gets better.... On the first day of work, one of the guys mentioned there was a dead cat on the hillside. It wasn't on our lot but on community property. Since it couldn't have been more than 12 feet away, the workers were smelling some advanced decomposition and had to cover the remains with sand. Let's just hope:

A. The cat wasn't someone's pet, and
B. It wasn't the snakes that got it.

Everything else was smooth sailing....
The guys built a wooden structure to contain the concrete that was to be poured over the ground.



They moved the drains to the right locations in the recessed pits. In case you were wondering, the pits mark where the dark expresso color Trex composite wood decking will go. (That was quite a mouthful.)



Rocks/Pebbles will line the side of the house and outdoor lighting will be installed.

We are still about a week away from completion, so there will be more photos in a bit. Just not this weekend since we're going to the Grand Canyon and Vegas! No homework for one whole weekend, amazing sights and endless buffets. I can't wait.