We finally started it. Well, we had actually started it months ago, but that is they way we do things lately. to be more accurate, I should say "there is no going back now". The yard was divided in half by a chain link fence and the "field" (as the kids call it was full of "pokey balls and sharp stickers" (again, a scientific term used by the kids). we had decided to make both yards into one, this means that the fence, all the bushes, a few trees and lots of junk had to get removed. We did this over the course of the last few months and the TRACTOR came this past weekend.

A family friend offered to come and disc the ground and get rid of the berm of dirt that separated the two yards. It was exciting and a bit overwhelming at first. The size of the yard is freaking me out a bit. it will be a lot of grass to maintain and the planting beds that will surround the grass against the fence will be a great source of weed pulling punishment for the kids. But as our friend said tonight, "just think of the wiffle ball games you could have back here!" That abouts sums up why we bought the house. we wanted the kids to have a place to bring their friends have FUN and still be around to keep an ever watchful eye on them.

Now that the tractor is gone, I have a few things to do. I have to drag the yard and level it, rake out the debris, trench and install the sprinkler system, plant the grass, plant some trees, and the list just goes on and on.

this post is taking along time to write because I can't type. I smashed my finger today while building the drag for the yard.

IT HURT! it is amazing how sensitive your finger tips are. The picture really does not show it well, but the end of the finger is a nice shade of purple and swollen tight. I can't even blow on it without being reduced to a sniveling baby.

I just realized that this is the same finger that almost one year ago to the week, while shopping for new homes at a builders office, the finger nail was completely ripped out by a door that had blown open in a strong gust of wind.

a screw on the latch plate had caught my finger nail as I tried to grab the door before it slammed open. That hurt, but I don't remember it hurting as bad as todays mishap.... I will lose the nail again i guess... who needs them anyway....