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Driveway Dreams

When I said we would be taking a break I didn't think it would be this long!
Winter + Clay's new job(out of town even more than I thought) + life  + construction funds at zero = a break.
It felt good to take a break.


okay, breaks over!

Clay and I decided that a concrete driveway was in order.
We both want a basketball hoop up for the kids to play and I would like less dirt
(like way less dirt)
 in our daily life here at the Milkbarn.

Without fail, there is always a pile of something somewhere on our property.
 Fortunately, this pile was spread out later for the driveway.


It wouldn't be a project if we didn't get ahead of ourselves and dig up the front walk so we can get pavers down instead of the skinny haphazard sidewalk to the house. 
I'd like a nice curved path to the front door. 
Noone ever knows where the door is!
 I hope the walkway can help guide friends and UPS drivers alike.




Leveling the driveway before the pour with Paul


Clay seems to know everybody and voila, 
 he knew the superintendent on the 36 job.

So, we ordered concrete and had a crew come over to get the job done!!! 
This is most significant given that this is the FIRST time we have hired anyone to do something on the house other than the septic.
And septics are not pretty.
And therefore, I cannot count that one. 

But then again, Clay has to do as much as possible.

Let's pause on another pile of crap in the front yard 
(our old sidewalk from the front is now.... still in the front)
*Sigh


Here is the curved walkway laid out.
Let's see how long this will take...
my bets are an August due date.
We will be using Collins child labor to accomplish this. 
It's gonna look awesome.

okay, okay, back to the driveway.

What is so exhilarating about driving up to the house after this was done was the speed and efficiency of the job. 
I was so excited!!!
 It was amazing to have a tight crew who were so skilled show up and get it done!
 Again, I love people who are truly good at their craft.

And then my excitement started looking at the ditch between the bridge and the driveway....why wasn't it finished?
What happened?

Bad math.
Not enough cement was ordered and the plant had closed for the day.
And for once, I'm not the one who can't do math right.
So the concrete needs to be here....
and here...
the bridge of banging planks will do for now :)


The concrete artist (because honestly, that is what he was) suggested we cut the driveway on a diagonal for a more creative look.
He thought it needed to look special.


chalk lines for the cuts

Clay getting to work. 
FYI, neighbors do NOT like the sound of cutting into driveways.

So if you pour concrete, after it dries you need to put "blankets" on it if the weather gets below freezing.

And rocks and two by fours to keep them from blowing off with our canyon winds. 


So, of course this happened.
Colorado spring storms are not my favorite.
In fact, I begin muttering under my breath about snow and that does not make me popular here in Boulder.

For real conversation with a friend at the store,
Friend: " Isn't the snow just so beautiful. I love it, don't you love it Jennifer?"
Me: silence accompanied with a smile while inwardly conversing
"please stop, I don't understand this conversation"


I will admit, the Milkbarn does look pretty cute in snow though.


Spring has been popping up and out throughout Boulder but still a storm is coming this weekend. News outlets report it will be heavy; breaking branches and utility wires.
And perhaps depressing California to Colorado transplants.

My message to snow: please melt fast, you are cracking my winter resiliency!  
But for now, enjoy these photos Henry took today around the property of spring trying to quietly say hello.







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