Rain Rain Rain

We have received a lot of rain this past week. Last Friday we had a vicious wind storm, with heavy rain, during which we lost a limb (about eight inches in diameter) from our only remaining silver maple. The limb landed in the neighbor's yard, between their pool and their parked cars. Near miss!

I have continuing concerns about the near term viability of the remaining silver maple. While still healthy, and despite our having it pruned heavily earlier this year, it is showing its age. At least, it is in a location in which its further maintenance demands can be addressed once our construction project is complete. The other three maples, which we removed, would have created much more of an access challenge.

The ground dried out sufficiently over last weekend for Tony ("the best [tree mover] there is") to come in on Monday and remove the three maple stumps. Then it rained (torrential at times) both Tuesday and Wednesday nights. While this rain has helped settle the ground, due to all the excavation and trenching activities, the back yard is now a quagmire. The weather is supposed to be cooler and drier for the next week.

Bob (landscaping) arrived this morning to show us the product of his efforts over the past couple of weeks. Before we even started the review, I told Bob that, although I had not seen the estimated cost, I could tell him that it was two times too much. Turns out that I was closer to being correct than even I imagined. Overall, T was very impressed with the vision and the detail. T got her patio chessboard (each square in the board is 2' x 2'). I got two koi ponds (with an interconnecting trout stream) and my crepe myrtles. After discussing the details for awhile, Bob said he would go back and work on it some more. It will turn out very good. We just need to scrutinize the options and determine how to phase the execution. Bob gave us the following image which looks east from the roof of the sunroom. The northeast corner of the garage is seen at the right.

Please Help Us Choose a Window Design

T has suggested that we solicit input on the window design for above our south entry door. This window will be a Gothic Arch shape and approximately 24" (61cm) along the base and 20" (51cm) overall height. Here are the three proposed designs, what do you think?

A

A

BB

CC

Below are the samples we supplied to the shops showing what we already have in the house.

Do you prefer "A", "B" or "C"? Your input will be appreciated.

Another Quiet Day

Nothing happened today other than a couple of guys came and looked around. One gentleman, who came out at Bob's (landscaping) request, wanted to look at our water supply situation for the irrigation system. The other person just wandered around in the back yard for awhile with one of those distance measuring wheels. He did not come to the door and did not stay long enough for me to go out and talk with him, so we only speculate of what he was doing.

We received a couple of design proposals from Preston Art Glass for the window over the south entry door.

Either would work. We now have three designs to chose from.

Stumps Gone

Tony (the best [tree remover] there is) showed up this morning and began removal of the three maple stumps. Due to the sewer trenching work from last week, and all the rain over this past weekend, the yard was very soft. It was a challenge to gain the proper position without sinking into the soft ground where the trenches were dug. But, true to his reputation, Tony and crew, did a nice job and were very quick. They arrived at 10:00 am and were gone by 4:00 pm. I thought we would be left with some significant craters, but actually, it looks better it did before they started.

Before

First Stump

Second Stump

Last Stump

After

Mike dropped by and said we may see Mark (indoor plumbing) this week to complete the basement portion of the sewer line replacement. We also may see the trenching done for the underground utilities. Mike is still hoping to have the foundations done before the end of September.