Barn On The Way!

The excavator for our barn rang the door bell last Wednesday, a week early.  I was thrilled.  I was hoping he would at least show up this week but wouldn't have been surprised if he was a week late.  Now, however, we have a properly excavated site on which our pole barn can be built.  It required over 30 loads of fill sand.  Twice what was estimated.  That translates into twice the cost. Sigh.  Every project we have undertaken has cost well beyond what we've expected.  You think we would learn by now.

Linus' scary monsters

About 1/3 of the 30 piles of fill sand!

On a more positive note, I contacted the barn builder this morning and he sounded thrilled that he could put us back in the scheduling rotation.  Hoping we will hear from him this week with the news that he'll start on the barn next week.

Speaking of high costs, I also talked with our fence builder.  His rough estimate was so high I think I actually squealed when he told me.  Looks like we are going to have to go with plan B for our fence.  That's right, a DYI project deluxe!  Perhaps a son-in-law or two and a son  and an older grandchild might be interested in assisting? 

I have made progress on my landscaping endeavors.  I've completely planted and mulched the east side of the house and have the front 2/3 complete.  I can't finish the rest of the front until our front porch post is finished with the stacked stone.  Still waiting.  It is the last small piece of renovation work needing to be completed.

One of 7 hostas I planted in the front.

The lovely "Spirit" hydrangea also planted in the front.

I planted the bulbs for these lilies last fall when we had about 3 inches of snow on the ground.  I wasn't expecting them to make it.  I was wrong.  A coworker from Bed, Bath & Beyond had given me these bulbs along with postcard beautiful pictures of her Lily garden.  I'm so glad they survived.  Thank you Wilma!  I hope as they mature they will be at least a fraction as lovely as your garden.

Wilma's Lily 

 Parting shot.  Usually Jinx (the black cat) avoids Linus at all costs.  Linus tends to be a little too enthusiastic for Jinx.

A rare sight.  Jinx was using Linus for cover.  Never could figure out what spooked him.