Another Day of Dirt

I didn’t get outside earlier to take some photos because Isabel and I had to run and do a grocery store run. By the time we got back home, Gino had moved a lot of dirt on his own!

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Looking southwest; have almost made it to the fence…

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But still a lot more to do!
The material on the ground (far right) is to keep the top soil from clogging the French drain that we had installed a few weeks ago.

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In the heat of the day, we take a break to get cool and wet our whistles.

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Drinking the last drops of water.

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Something we haven’t ever seen in Daisy’s 6 years…her laying in the dirt!
Trying to get the best heat…this dog is always cold!

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We are finished! The area not covered with top soil, we are going to leave for something else like cement, larger pavers, bark, or gravel; we just haven’t decided yet.
That area will be for our 3 waste bins; garbage, recycle, and yard waste.

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Enjoying another break in the shade.

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Now all that’s left is some sod and we have ourselves a back yard! Woohoo!

Good Dirt

To get the yard even more ready for sod, we brought in a better grade of top soil then what we had delivered last year. This stuff is high quality dirt! It’s a 3-way mix of manure, compost, and screened soil.

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8 cubic yards of top soil.
Isabel likes to climb the mound on but don’t tell her what’s in there…she won’t touch it!

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Looking south; working around the patio.

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Looking northeast; working our way around to the southeast.

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Looking southeast, we work until 7 p.m. and then call it a day.

Paver Pathway Corner part 2

So begins the day…

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Crushed rock with a bit of cement in the “holes”.

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Followed with a topping of sand.

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Working to make the sand smooth.

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And then the pavers!

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All the while, Isabel and Daisy ran around outside…getting smelly and dirty! With everyone outside, I took the opportunity to mop the pantry, kitchen, and dining room floors. In between drying times, I would run out and see the progress and take a few photos.

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It’s looking good…
I’m heading into the house to give a very dirty girl a much needed bath!

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This is how I found her…
she had been drinking chocolate milk and was running around with a milk gotee!
Got to love this dirty smelly girl! :o)

National Day of Prayer

Today is the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer.

Mission: is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for America and it’s leadership in the seven centers of power:

1. Government
2. Military
3. Media
4. Business
5. Education
6. Church and finally
7. Family

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The National Day of Prayer Task Force (I didn’t even know there was one!) seeks to:

1. Foster unity within the Christian Church.
2. Protect America’s Constitutional Freedom’s to gather, worship, pray, and
speak freely.
3. Publicize and preserve America’s Christian heritage.
4. Encourage and emphasize prayer, regardless of current issues and positions.
5. Respect all people, regardless of denomination or creed.
6. Glorify the Lord in word and deed.

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You can find the history of the National Day of Prayer here.

A quick summery…
1775: The first Continental Congress called for a National Day of Prayer (NDP).
1863: Abraham Lincoln called for such a day.
1952: Congress established NDP as an annual event by a joint resolution, signed into law by President Truman.
1988: The law was amended and signed by President Reagan, designating the NDP as the first Thursday in May.

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Fun Facts…
** The President of the United States has called for a National Day of Prayer every year since 1975. Read what the current President has to say here.

** There have been 134 national calls to prayer, humiliation, fasting and thanksgiving by the President of the United States (1789-2008).

** There have been 56 Presidential Proclamations for a “National Day of Prayer” (1952-2008).

** Gerald Ford (1976) and George H. Bush (1989-1991) are the only U.S. Presidents to sign two National Day of Prayer Proclamations in the same year.

Paver Pathway Corner

It’s the beginning of the completion of the paver pathway that Gino started last year.
(can see the Paver Projects 1-6  under Projects)

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With a bit of leveling and crushed rock; the following day…

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Gino begins the foundation of the the pathway. This corner will be a bit of a step up from the pathway that was laid out last year but will be level with the new patio.

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After much planning, he decides that he’ll pack the “holes” with crushed rock, concrete, and a topping of sand; it’s getting late…more to come…