J L's space

We took down the pool and started re-leveling the ground.  We spent part of last Saturday and ALL of Sunday digging and leveling.

 

 

We are awaiting a compactor, to tamp the soil and ensure that there is minimal settling.  I was hoping to have it filled again before the boys got back; but we are at the mercy of a friend for the use of the compactor so we can't rush things.  Of course it's hitting 90º the next few days so I would really have enjoyed a dip or two myself.  Turns out that the plastic feet on the bottom of the poles had broken off on the low side; and therefore the hollow poles were just sinking farther and farther into the soil.  I don't doubt that it wouldn't have been too much longer before we had a full on tidal wave down the hill.  I am going to lay patio blocks under the feet to ensure that there will be no additional sinking. 

 

I have been enjoying the gas mileage of my toy....

 

 

Abby calls it the "Zoom Zoom" and loves it when the top is down.  Speaking of the little monster...

 

 

These guys..

 

 

Are here...

 

 

Catch ya later!

 

SO...here I am again about three months behind with this whole process. 

 

Put up a ghetto pool a couple of week ends ago.

 

 

 

Thought the ground was "level" but not so much.  The neighbor (who rarely does more than nod or complain that I mowed) decided to stand there and offer up his opinion on the process the entire time and needless to say I lost focus.  That and the fact that Abby wouldn't nap, the boys are not great workers and Jay had never done this kind of thing before.  Its off...at first by 2 1/2 inches...now by close to four inches and two sides are a lot higher than the front or back.  It holds close to 10,000 gallons of water, so the lean on the back side has us a little nervous.  The plans are to drain it and try again...maybe this coming weekend.  Funny thing is....we put up a pool and we haven't hit  a high of 90 degrees since.  Its even been as low as 57 degrees at night.  Ultimately, if this turns out to be something we use, the goal is to save for an inground.  Perhaps DREAM is a better way to word it. 

 

Abby is growing fast...unfortunately I don't take many pictures but here is one from my phone (yes she is wearing a dress...)

 

 

Andy and Austin will be leaving again this weekend for an extended visit with their dad.  I never look forward to these times away from them.  Work is pretty much the same.  Other than that not much is happening.  Hope all is well with you.

 

 

...that pretty much sums it up.

I am currently preparing my case for court on Wednesday.  I will be representing myself against my ex husband in regard to a petition he filed to modify visitation with the boys.  Without getting into the ugly details of it all, I will go on to say that I am an absolute basketcase.  I have not slept in three nights (and I still have two more to go), and I am getting an Internet crash course on divorce and custody law and the trial process in general that I never intended to take.   I am not saying that all attorneys deserve the fees that they charge; however, it is a lot of work.  I am also learning that there are some things that people in this situation really need to learn up on; its best to arm yourself with as much information about the law as you can even if you are paying for a top notch attorney. 

 

If I manage to get through this alive (he has an attorney and I expect she will try to eat me alive) I can honestly say I never want to do it on my own again.  I would not be, however, opposed to going to law school to be a lawyer (if I weren't already so old and broke) and doing this for a living.  Of course I say this BEFORE the verdict is in....I might change my mind after I lose miserably in court.

 

Wish me luck, pray for me, burn incense, chant, do voo-doo....what ever it is that you do to send good vibes....put it out there for me; I think I am going to need all the help I can get.

 

 

A couple of weekends back, we took Abby to a charity event for our local Children's Hospital.  It was at a local stable/ranch that is owned by the sister of a very dear friend of mine; unfortunately the boys were away for the weekend, but we might look into the trail rides.  (Thanks KM for the heads up on this one!)  When we got there Abby was of course more interested in the barn cat (nevermind that there are six cats at our house) and later spent twenty minutes "discussing" the chickadee that was hanging out in the barn rafters.  Ultimately, she was able to get up close and personal with a horse....

 

 

She really seemed to enjoy it; and of course I had to tease her about not getting "peed and pooped" on if she walked under it; so she thought that was pretty funny.  She held onto the reins, rather than the saddle horn...I was just glad she didn't try to stand up in seat.  She is known to be quite the dare-devil. 

 

 

Hopefully she doesn't ask for one for Christmas...    (Thanks Mrs. Harkness for the photos!)

 

Hope you all have a great day!