Finally a work day

So I finally got a chance to get some work done. Today my friend Dan brought over his backhoe and we dug out stumps. OK, that doens't really put it into perspective very well. The first stump was so huge it would take three folks holding hands to get their arms around it. It took a while. I was gratified to see that there was good reason to take the tree out. 2/3 of it was really rotted down to the roots, and it was the bit that woulda fallen on the house. Then we moved over and tore out the stump that had a root 6" in diameter running right under the garage. It was wrapped around lots and lots of concrete, took almost as long as the big one. Then we went and scooped out a bunch of lilacs where a parking lot is gonna go. Lilacs are really easy to take out with a machine because the roots are wide and shallow and you can dig the blade under and take out a whole slice at once. Then I leveled and raked the dirt in the yard. That looked so good I cleaned out the side behind the garage so that it's easier to get through.

It feels really good to have gotten some stuff done. I'm still working to try to get to the studio build in June. It'll be close but I might just make it. Just about have the fencing up at our home so I'll not have anything pressing to take time away from the studio work. We'll see how the race to the starting gate falls out.

June. Setting my sights on June

I have a plan. :) This is no small thing with a very large task. My present plan....... The remainder of the month of May will concentrate on our residence. The yard is a mess, there are spots that need to be cleaned up inside as well, I have fence posts to reset and sturdy up the whole fence, and there are raised beds to build and fill. Heck I still have a trench left from replacing the sewer last fall. SO, do that for the month of May.

June.

1) Finish ripping out the bad plantings that have gone to seed and prepare for the parking lot to come.

2) Frame out the studio in the garage this consist of:

a) firring out the walls two inches for better insulation.

b) moving the gas and electric meters out to the exterior walls.

c) removing the siding between the house and garage to get to the plumbing and wiring underneath.

d) plumbing in a sink and or bathroom and boiler

e) wiring the garage for kilns, clay mixers, pug mill and general lighting and wiring

f) insulating and drywalling

g) installing cabinets, wheels and the afore mentioned machinery

h) walling off one garage door and installing a garage door in the other open hole.

Then I can make pots. Sounds like a pretty full monty. We'll have to see how much I get done and if the offered help arrives. :)