dsingley (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} dsingley) wrote,@ 2003-04-22 11:31:00 |
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yard (and home) improvement
This past weekend I started installing an exhaust fan in the second bedroom in hopes of helping all the computers stay cool. With Amy's help I cut a hole in the ceiling without making too much of a mess and then I partially mounted the fan and tested it out with an extension cord. I need to frame out a box to attach the other side of the housing too because it was designed for 16"-on-center framing and the trusses in the attic are 24"-on-center. I plan to power the fan from the existing light switch and in the process make the currently switched outlet always be on and add a receptacle in the attic.
And then there was the yard improvement... Shaq came over and we went to Home Depot to get:
(6) landscaping timbers (4" x 4" x 10 feet)
(4) landscaping timbers (4" x 4" x 12 feet)
(24) pieces of flagstone (12" x 12")
(10) 60 lb. bags of sand
(10) bags of mulch
(14) pieces of rebar (24")
And the "Load n' Go" truck. I asked about the truck as soon as we got there but some one was already at the desk checking it out. I got my name on the list. I would later learn that the list isn't very useful when they're not really supposed to call people on the list and expect you to stand in a line and wait at the special services desk. Thinking that all was reasonably well Shaq and I began out pursuit of the items on the aforementioned list as well as a few things for the exhaust fan. Probably and hour passed before we were finished selecting lumber that was true and having them forklift more flagstone into reach so I could pick it over. Shaq had spotted the truck so I checked on my status in the queue which is when I learned that providing them my cell phone number was unlikely to have done me any good. We checked out and then Shaq waited with my purchases which I went home to get my not-yet-valid insurance card as opposed to the expired one I was carrying in my wallet. (I don't know what happened to 12 month's worth of insurance cards but I'm confident I still had (and have) car insurance.) I returned to the store where we continued to wait for the truck to get back. It was finally mine after waiting for almost 4 hours and at least three other people to use it. Shaq and I loaded it up and then drove less than a mile to my house where we carried everything into the back yard. I returned the truck in approximately 50 minutes, well within the 75 I was allowed for my $21.34. My mother had been relocating some ground cover and some flowers I didn't want to behind my back fence. I then dug holes and planted the nandina and three boxwoods (4 of the 10 plants I had) while Shaq took a shower and got ready for Margie's birthday party.
After I finished planting what I had time to got ready and then Shaq, Amy, and I went to dinner at the Chilli's hidden next to the Reston International Center before going to Margie's sisters's condo.
Sunday morning I got up early and planed the remaining three boxwoods and three azaleas before getting ready to go to church. After church Amy and I went to lunch at her parents. Her aunt had made all the food and tons of it so I was obligated to over eat.
This past weekend I started installing an exhaust fan in the second bedroom in hopes of helping all the computers stay cool. With Amy's help I cut a hole in the ceiling without making too much of a mess and then I partially mounted the fan and tested it out with an extension cord. I need to frame out a box to attach the other side of the housing too because it was designed for 16"-on-center framing and the trusses in the attic are 24"-on-center. I plan to power the fan from the existing light switch and in the process make the currently switched outlet always be on and add a receptacle in the attic.
And then there was the yard improvement... Shaq came over and we went to Home Depot to get:
(6) landscaping timbers (4" x 4" x 10 feet)
(4) landscaping timbers (4" x 4" x 12 feet)
(24) pieces of flagstone (12" x 12")
(10) 60 lb. bags of sand
(10) bags of mulch
(14) pieces of rebar (24")
And the "Load n' Go" truck. I asked about the truck as soon as we got there but some one was already at the desk checking it out. I got my name on the list. I would later learn that the list isn't very useful when they're not really supposed to call people on the list and expect you to stand in a line and wait at the special services desk. Thinking that all was reasonably well Shaq and I began out pursuit of the items on the aforementioned list as well as a few things for the exhaust fan. Probably and hour passed before we were finished selecting lumber that was true and having them forklift more flagstone into reach so I could pick it over. Shaq had spotted the truck so I checked on my status in the queue which is when I learned that providing them my cell phone number was unlikely to have done me any good. We checked out and then Shaq waited with my purchases which I went home to get my not-yet-valid insurance card as opposed to the expired one I was carrying in my wallet. (I don't know what happened to 12 month's worth of insurance cards but I'm confident I still had (and have) car insurance.) I returned to the store where we continued to wait for the truck to get back. It was finally mine after waiting for almost 4 hours and at least three other people to use it. Shaq and I loaded it up and then drove less than a mile to my house where we carried everything into the back yard. I returned the truck in approximately 50 minutes, well within the 75 I was allowed for my $21.34. My mother had been relocating some ground cover and some flowers I didn't want to behind my back fence. I then dug holes and planted the nandina and three boxwoods (4 of the 10 plants I had) while Shaq took a shower and got ready for Margie's birthday party.
After I finished planting what I had time to got ready and then Shaq, Amy, and I went to dinner at the Chilli's hidden next to the Reston International Center before going to Margie's sisters's condo.
Sunday morning I got up early and planed the remaining three boxwoods and three azaleas before getting ready to go to church. After church Amy and I went to lunch at her parents. Her aunt had made all the food and tons of it so I was obligated to over eat.
