PAVER PATIO ADJUSTMENT

Two years ago I extended a 3-foot deck into a 7-foot deck using 12" x 12" red pavers. After building a cement mowing strip, which also functioned as a frame for the pavers, I filled that framed space with sand, screeded it and tamped it down before installing the pavers.

I was satisfied with the final product, but over the past couple of years the pavers nearest the original 3-foot deck have settled, leaving about a 1-inch drop from the cement deck to the pavers.

Most people haven't even noticed it, but I have. And it has really bugged me. So, I decided to remove all the pavers, add more sand, screed and tamp the sand, then reinstall the pavers. That's how I spent most of today. I almost completed the project, but I ran out of sand.

I'll pick up a couple more bags of sand and probably finish the job next weekend. But already the patio doesn't bug me anymore.

The pavers nearest the cement deck sunk about an inch since they were installed two years ago.

A view closer to ground level shows the drop more clearly.




This is what has been bugging me.

The 2x4 spans the space between the cement deck and the mowing strip, showing how the pavers have settled over time.

Out come the pavers.

Almost all the pavers have been removed.

Time for a break before adding sand and replacing the pavers.

Adding sand to raise the level of the pavers.

I built a screed board for leveling the sand that supports the pavers. The 4x4 post is longer, spanning the distance between the mowing strip and the cement deck. The 2x4 is shorter, dropping into that space for screeding (or scraping).

The screeding begins.

After screeding, I use a tamping tool to pack the sand before reinstalling the pavers.

Adding sand, screeding, tamping, installing pavers, adding sand, screeding, tamping, installing pavers.

This is as far as I got today before running out of sand.

No more 1-inch drop and I'm not bugged anymore, but my back hurts.

A CARD FROM GORDON AND JOSIE

When Josie came over yesterday to pick up Makiah, she brought a card to give to Debra and me.

Front of card.

Inside of card.

EXIT INTERVIEW

Before Makiah returned home after an overnighter with us, we needed to ask her a few questions.

The interview can be heard in its entirety, approximately 30 seconds of questions and answers, by clicking here.

OVERNIGHT GUEST

Last night, Gordon and Josie wanted to go out on a date without any kids. They asked if we would watch Makiah for the evening. Not only did we say "Yes", but we kept her overnight.

As soon as Makiah entered our house, she proudly announced that she was wearing her "Dora the Explorer" pajamas.

Friday night included taking care of a baby.

Nana and Makiah draw pictures on the Fisher Price Doodle Pro before Makiah goes to bed.

This morning Makiah, still dressed in her "Dora the Explorer" pajamas, watches Dora the Explorer while waiting for breakfast.

After breakfast, Makiah helps Papa sweep the pool.

Taking advantage of a rare warm and sunny March morning, the three of us head to the nearest park.

Swing powered by Nana.

Swing powered by Papa.

Swinging while visiting.

More swinging while visiting.

The swinging continues.

Tree sitting.

Sliding.

Climbing.

MY LATEST GIG AT WORK (PART 2)

Last week I started moderating our department's Biggest Loser challenge at work. We had eight contestants and I assigned a secret code name to each, using the last eight 2-digit prime numbers in our numeric system attached to the word "Agent".

But this week we had a ninth contestant join the challenge. Therefore, I had to change everyone's secret name to protect the anonymity of each participant.

Since we now have nine competitors, I thought about using the names of the nine planets in our solar system, but that posed two problems:

1. Pluto was officially stripped of its status as our Solar System's 9th planet by the International Astronomical Union in August 2006. Pluto is now officially classified as a dwarf planet.

2. Nobody wants to be called "Uranus".

Therefore, we went in a different direction in assigning new names.

MY LATEST GIG AT WORK

Eight of the employees where I work, or approximately two-thirds of the department, have decided to participate in a department Biggest Loser Challenge. They have asked me, a non-participant, to record weekly weigh-ins, to post the percentage of weight losses or weight gains each week, and to assign secret code names to protect everyone's anonymity. Only I know everybody else's weight and I'm not telling anyone.

The results are posted beside an anatomical chart on a wall in a room above a counter where cookies, cakes, cinnamon rolls, candy, chips and other snacks are kept. Each participant has contributed either $5 or $10 and the winner, after twelve weeks, confiscates the complete collection of contributed cash.

This week we posted our first weekly results.

The participants are know only as Agent 79, Agent 73, Agent 83, Agent 71, Agent 89, Agent 67, Agent 97 and Agent 61. These eight numbers form a very unique group. If any number is removed from this group and then replaced by some other number, the uniqueness that defines this group of eight numbers will be destroyed.

If any of the eight "Agents" is able to reveal what makes this particular group of eight numbers unique, I will add an additional $5 to the winner's prize.

CONVERTED TO INSULATIONISM

Last September, September 6th to be exact, we finally decided to do something about our skyrocketing energy costs. We bought some insulation for the attic and blew it in ourselves with a machine loaned free-of-charge simply for purchasing the insulation material from Lowe's.

The insulation cost us $227.40 and it took about three hours for Debra and I to complete the project.

The results of that project have been impressive.

Our heating bill in October was $160.00. "Comfort Level Amount Due" means that the utility company averages out monthly expenses and then bills you for that average amount.

Our heating bill in January had dropped from $160.00 to $139.00. That was after the coldest December we've had in the ten years I've lived here.

Our heating bill this month dropped again, this time to $119.00.

Not only has our heating bill been dropping consistently, but the utility company actually sent us a refund check in the mail today. Debra was excited at the amount. She was even more excited when we decided she can have it all.

I believe in insulation.