Where'd The Money Go?

 As everyone knows, we have a lot of projects planned for this house. Deciding what gets priority has been a challenge, especially because so many of the things we want to do/need to be done cost quite a bit of moola. That being said, our first big ticket item: The driveway.

Initially our thought was just to finish the unfinished part. The pictures below are from a year ago when we first moved in. However, the whole driveway was in need of help, especially because the current drainage system was A. Not working, and B. Just a bad idea to begin with. So we decided to bite the bullet and redo the whole thing.

To our pleasant surprise, when we returned from Colorado Springs, construction was well underway.

Progress came in stages. Once everything was torn out they were able to bring in lots of leveling dirt and gravel to pack in. 

Once that was done, Ryan went to work on the new drainage system. I don't have a good picture of what it was like before, but I'll do my best to describe it in case anyone cares. Unfortunately, our driveway does angle down toward the house which is not a great thing when it comes to rain. The existing answer was to dig maybe a foot down right in front of the garage, put in some gravel, and then put a grate over it. Okay, so at least there was a place for the water to collect instead of pooling into the garage. But from there, there was no where to go. It just seeped into the soil and sat right against the foundation of the house... which isn't typically a very good idea. So after lots of discussion, Ryan and Nick - the concrete guy, decided to do a sump pump system. Ryan bought the parts and did the digging. Now the water will run into some drain pipe, which is several feet away from the driveway, and then run into a container in the ground. Someday in the future we will get the pump to actually pump it out to the street, but for now, at least it is away from the house.

One day while Ryan was down working on digging the pit, Pierscen was watching him from the deck above. I was working in the kitchen and popping my head out periodically to see how P was doing. He loves to hang out on that deck. While I was inside, I thought I heard Ryan call my name, but couldn't quite hear him. I held still and listened closely. This time I heard my name much more clear. I dashed outside to see what the matter was.

In the corner of the deck, there is a hole in the lattice. It really isn't that big. However, Pierscen wanted to be down with dad so badly that he turned himself around and tried to crawl off the deck backwards through it. From that spot, the drop would have been disasterous. I ran out to see Pierscen stuck halfway out the hole.

Ryan was standing beneath him, but he couldn't reach him. I am so grateful that Ryan was there though! I can't even bring myself to think of what would have happened if he hadn't been there. As it was, I believe that we definitely had help from the other side. There as no real reason for him to get stuck. Had he not gotten stuck, Ryan wouldn't have even known he was coming. He was only alerted to him because he started crying when he got stuck. I was able to pull him back through to safety and that hole is now covered. I am so grateful to our Heavenly Father for protecting him!

Once the hole was dug for the water basin and the new draining pipe was put in, they were able to set up the grid for the cement poor. Ryan covered the drain pipe with duck tape to keep the cement out. The driveway runs down to the drain pipe and then ramps back up a bit before you reach the garage. That way the water runs to the pipe instead of toward the garage. Much, much better.

Pierscen was able to put his hands in the cement. He thought this was great fun. I knew after we did this that we would need to try extra hard to keep him away from the cement because he would want to do it again and again.

They poured in sections a few days apart. Each day I had to go out every few hours and hose it down to keep it from drying out too fast.

One evening before the project was complete, we got hit with a crazy rainstorm. It was incredible. Unfortunately though, since the curb hadn't been poured yet, there was no gutter for the water to run down. It found the lowest point, which happened to be on the side of the newly poured section where the retaining wall will be eventually, and pooled down to the bucket. This would have been fine, but there is no sump pump in it yet - so it is just that. A bucket. There was so much water that our garage was almost flooded.

Even though we weren't really supposed to be walking on the driveway yet, we had no choice but to grab a few extra buckets and start bailing water. We ran most of the water to the street, but toward the end, Ryan started tossing it over the wall, which runs down a small hill to the street anyway.

Pierscen naturally thought this was awesome. Lots of puddles to splash in, fun rain, and mom and dad running around like crazy trying to fix things. :)

He tried to help, but mostly just chased a ball around and dipped it in the water puddles.

Ryan grabbed a small pump he had for a different project and tossed it in the sump bucket and started pumping out the water. It's not ideal for long term, but in a bind, it does the job.

Much, much better. Ryan was late for work that day because of it, but at least our house didn't get flooded.

At long last the curb was finally poured. The curb cut was what added quite a bit of cost to the project, but it was worth it. When they originally poured for our property, I think they must have just guessed where the driveway was going to go because the curb cut is underneath the flower bed. Trying to get into our driveway almost required 4 wheel drive. The new section is so much better!

We kept the stakes and tape they had up for several days to make sure the driveway was solid. The final product looks so good! I can't wait until the retaining wall is up because it will look amazing. It's so much better already!

To officially break in the driveway, Ryan and Pierscen pulled out the sidewalk chalk and went to town. Watching them together scribbling and drawing away was pretty priceless. I love these two!

We are really happy with the way things turned out. Yes, it was a hit to the bank account, (time to save up again) but I think it was a huge improvement and it adds some great value to the house. Never underestimate the power of curb appeal!  :) Can't wait to see it all completed.

And Then I Was Dog Bait

 The day after we got back from Colorado Springs, I was taking Dodger for a walk before church. We were about two blocks from my house approaching a house I have passed a million times. For the first time ever (since we have been here anyway), they had two dogs outside - both rottweilers. One full grown, and one pup. As we reached their home, I heard the owner saying, "Uh oh."

That's never anything you want to hear... but it's also a little difficult to know what to do. Turn and run? In retrospect... probably. But as it was, I have learned that when approached by dogs that I don't know and that seem aggressive, if given the chance to actually smell the other dog, they do okay. In fact, I've heard it said that if you have a dog on a lead and you are approaching another dog, it's best to try and keep the line slack if you can. If they can feel that you are tense or nervous, they will be too. (This has proven true for Dodger anyway.)

Well, in this case, we didn't get a chance to test any theories. The full grown rottweiler saw us coming, rushed their wall (the house is actually set down a bit so you have to go down a few stairs to their side walk) and jumped said wall. Without any hesitation, it attacked Dodger. 

I can't say there was much of any thought process that went through my head at that moment. It was just response. I held tight to Dodger's leash and started lifting. This is one reason I love having him in a harness. I can lift him up into my arms without strangling him. This has saved him from many not so friendly dogs. The rottweiler continued to attack, even as Dodger was flying through the air, slowly rotating his way into my arms. Dodger was yelping and crying. At last I had him secured in my arms and the dog jumped again. This time her bite missed it's intended mark and instead buried itself in my arm.

At this point I the rottweiler retreated a bit and I was able to turn and start going the other direction. I knew I needed to let them know that she had bit me, but I had to get Dodger away. It's not like I could have a conversation with the owners while their dog continued to try and eat mine. I got home, snapped a picture (because let's admit - it was pretty awesomely gruesome at the time) and then went and found Ryan, asking for his help cleaning it up. 

 Covered in iodine

He was very upset that it happened, but also a little frustrated that I had just run away from the problem. So we put P in the car and drove the two blocks so we could go talk to the owners. 

According to the owners the rottweiler had never bitten anyone. (Although just a few weeks previous to this event, the owner had gotten between the rottweiler and another dog as they fought over the baby rottweiler. The other dog had bitten the owner and actually broken her arm. Yikes!) We chatted for a while and the owners promised to get us the vaccination records first thing in the morning because they didn't have them on hand.

As promised, she called first thing Monday morning to inform me that the dog was indeed - NOT vaccinated. Truth be told, I was not worried about rabies. But infection is another matter. So we had a choice. The owners knew that Ryan worked for the health department and that he works with Metro all the time (the animal people). The first thing that would happen if I reported it was that since the dog was not vaccinated, she would have a mandatory 10 day quarantine, either in the home or at a vet. Beyond that, I guess I could push to put her down.

 Enter my dilemma. Oddly I found myself siding with the dog (just a bit) knowing that she was, in fact, NOT trying to eat me... but my dog. Not that that is any better. Of course I worry what would have happened if P had been with me. Or if it had been any other kid. That is REALLY scary. But at the same time, I imagine having to put down my dog and the thought just kills me. 

Of course I want to do the right thing and keep others safe. But it still wasn't an easy call.

We decided not to report it. However, the owner did say she would do whatever we wanted and that if I wanted her quarantined, she would do it. So I had a really frank discussion with her. If I decided not to press the matter, what would she do to make sure it never happened again? Without hesitation she swore the dog would never be out front again unless she was chained. Well, I am going to hold her to that. It's been two months now and I pass the house on a regular basis. (Never on foot - I'm still too chicken for that.) But she has kept her word. 

 I can't say if I made the right decision. Honestly, I don't understand why people want dogs that are, traditionally speaking, so unpredictable and often really mean. I get it - everyone knows someone that had the sweetest, most loving pitbull/rottweiler/doberman/etc. I know. And I have known plenty of sweet ones too. But the truth is, it's in their nature and you just never know when they are going to turn.

So let's just hope for the best. I hope nothing ever happens to anyone again. If it does, I will be blaming myself for being such a softy. And trusting people. But I know how much an animal can mean to someone and I am just really hesitant to tear that away. Especially after someone has had said animal for 6 years without any issues. Sigh..

At least I got a cool scar out of it. I told my brother it's free advertising for Nike. He responded, "It's more of a Nike check mark than a swoosh, but that's okay." Haha. I don't mind scars. Builds character, right?