Getting Closer to Completion

Truly excited over part of the concrete (tan) being done:

 More landscaping completed:

Still have to find a place for the other boulders:

 

Quite the wall system, can't wait for the grass!

More Progress

Getting prepped for concrete:

 Completed more of the landscaping:

May not seem like much, but all of this takes a lot of work to prep.  More work today with another drain system being put in prior to the concrete being poured.  I can't wait to see an actual concrete floor around the pool!!  And to have grass, no way, will be so exciting!

A Dog's Day

Bean went to see the vet for a check up and get on a schedule for the rest of his vaccinations, he did well and got on some meds for parasites, which are common in puppies.  He also has to be on L-Carnitine to help with blood sugar levels, guess that's common in small dogs.  Bean now weighs a whopping 1.12 pounds!  He gained 4 ounces in a week being home with us!  He's still a little peanut, hence, he's able to fit into a 16 oz. Cool Whip container, his entire body is inside the bowl:

He loves to play, but then crashes immediately:

He wanted to prove that he is getting bigger:

We love the little Beaner, he's been a great addition to our family!

From Progress? To Progress!

The equipment is in:

 The landscaping has begun:

Yes, we are moving right along...at a snail's pace sometimes as there is still a lot of work to be done.

Progress?

The top of the steps:

 The steps from outside the walls:

The finished cement pad for the equipment:

I can't wait for the rest of the concrete to go in, then it will feel like we are so much closer to getting finished and we will be able to walk around better!  Really trying my patience with this project....

A New Addition to the Family!

This was my daughter holding her new puppy for the first time!  Needless to say, my daughter was very happy, yet very shocked as I had told her we would never have a dog in the house again...never say never....

 I got the call saying I could pick up the puppy at anytime on Tuesday, which was two days earlier than we had planned.  I had two hours to get ready for this new addition.  No supplies on hand, nothing.  So I ran out to the pet store and picked up a collar, the smallest one possible since the puppy only weighs 1.8 lbs!  And a leash, which had to be a cat leash since said puppy is so small.  Ran around to get the food and water bowls and a carrier for the car.  I was going to surprise my daughter after school so I needed a tote for transporting.  My supply list was pretty sporadic: shampoo, dog bowls, collar, leash, tote, and a hair brush.  Luckily I got some dog food from the person I bought the puppy from. 

Once I got home, I had to figure out another resource for a kennel so I got a plastic bin that was in the garage.  Good thing the puppy is small!  He's done pretty well sleeping in it the past two nights.

Here he is in the bin:

We have named the puppy 'Bean' because he's such a small thing!  Not sure what I was thinking when I decided to get this puppy, but once I saw his face, how could I say no!!  Now I am in charge of house breaking him.  Good thing his little piddles are the size of a quarter!  But still, I wish he was trained already.

It's been fun though having him around, he is my little shadow.  Everywhere I go, he's right at my feet. I do have to be careful tho, if I don't remember to look down, I step on him.  Bean has grown attached to me, last night, he wouldn't follow me into my room so he laid on my slippers by the front door until I came out.  How cute is that!  I did get him to follow me into my room this morning, I may regret that now.  At least he hasn't learned how to climb the stairs, we have a lot of them in the house and I don't want to play hide and seek with him since he's so tiny.

So now besides the yard project, I have this new Bean project...what am I thinking?!!  And yes, the yard project is STILL going on....

Shaping Up

 The walls are done:

 The outer wall is about done:

 And the clean up has finally begun:

 

You can just see the top of the outer wall, getting closer to getting done!

Walled In

The walls are in:

 Still trying to get the color corrected on the bullnose coping:

 Soon to be the stairs leading out and down:

 Gate at north wall:

 Equipment area:

Feeling Closed In

Part of the corner wall:

 Huge progress on the south wall:

 Area where the pool equipment will go:

 Notice all the dirt on the other side of the wall that will need to be removed:

 Just a total mess:

I can barely stand to watch anymore...every time it seems like more and more of the yard is being dug up.  Will the wall look good after it is completed? It's one heck of a tall wall, I have yet to take pictures from the other side...I don't know if my heart can take it...

The Mess in the Yard...

The mess is getting worse:

Progress?:

 More mess along the seawall:

 This really is progress:

 With progress comes more mess:

Do things really have to get worse before they get better??

Honoring a Man with a Huge Heart for Our Children

How does anyone show another person how much he/she is appreciated?  How does anyone have the words to convey thanks for giving a chance at life, a chance at happiness, a chance for his/her own family, a chance to create his/her own family?

Dr. David Kim is a person many in the adoptive community still do not know about.  This bothers me.  Without David Kim, the Holts would not have been able to function in Korea.

Dr. David Kim will be turning 80 years old this month, what a huge milestone!  I have the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors with Dr. Kim and I witness every time, David's compassion and dedication to all the children and families of the world.

I want to honor David and spread the word so others may honor him on his 80th birthday.  David is one for not wanting attention, gifts, or accolades, so the best way to honor him is to give to the Dr. David Kim Endowment.

Please join me in honoring Dr. David Kim:   Dr. David Kim's 80th Birthday.

My Patience is Wearing Thin...

Though this is progress:

 The mess is driving me crazy:

 The five foot trenches for the footings:

Now this is progress:

Will I ever get my yard back to normal??