Demolition Post- Better late than never

While this was a few weekends ago, and the progress still continues- this was the Saturday of demolition, complete with a broken sledge hammer, a huge dumpster in our driveway, and some very helpful guys!

Of course we have to start off with the picture of Jimmy using the sledge hammer to break up a slab of concrete that had to go. This is in the backyard, coming out of the back door from the dining room. I'm sure you are just swooning now at his muscles :) Jim! So hot!

That 24 hour fitness membership is paying off ;)

The worst part of the railroad tie removal involved getting these rotting ones out of the ground with the wet soil. There was lots of sweat and pain involved in this one. They actually left 2 in the ground because they were so heavy and pretty much stuck in the ground. After the soil dried up, my dad was able to get them out on his own though. Way to go Rog!! Mike was nice enough to come over and join in on the fun. Jay made his way over eventually to help out. And the Pizza Shoppe that we bought them for lunch- wasn't nearly enough to thank them for their time and efforts!!

Closer view of the steps that used to be railroad ties, that are now mud (which is just SO fun when you have 2-3 dogs running around all over the yard and they want to dig and then come inside and jump on new furniture!), but will eventually be concrete. Soon....hopefully. But in the meantime, I am learning how to be patient and keep a towel at every entrance to wipe off the dogs feet.

A shot of the front yard, that used to have railroad ties and concrete...which is also no more. This weekend's project actually involved my dad and Jimmy starting a retaining wall. They are doing a great job. Also- you can see the front porch which is now completed minus the really cool post covers/sleeves and railing that my dad is DYING to get in from Home Depot. The way he talks about it you would think that he was a kid in a candy store.

The dumpster- this is only about 1/4 of the way full. We filled it to the brim. I'm nervous to see how much we exceeded the 4 ton limit. Hmmm...

Needless to say it was a successful weekend. The projects are moving along. This weekend was VERY successful also. I will take some pictures and put them up later this week because we did nothing but house stuff all weekend- and get some 4th of July celebration in there in between.

PS- Thanks again to Mike, Jay, Jimmy, and my dad for all the work!!! (Especially my dad and Jimmy for their work this weekend too!) So great to have such great people that are so willing to help out!!!