Filling A Dirt Dumpster

Saturday: (05/16) Ernie called and said a sprinkler was running in the backyard. It started at 0220 and it was 0900 when he called. The yard was quite well watered. I’ll replace the valve when it dries out. I spent most of the day trenching for the gray water extension to the far end of the rear yard. I made a material shopping list for the parts I’m missing and headed off to Ace. Lou reminded me it was the weekend but I went anyway. There was a line outside waiting to get in. Off I go to Lowe's. They are bigger, surely no line. A really long line there. So I returned home. Lou arrived shortly with our dinner from Harry’s Hofbrau. It was to toss up whether to trench or install the forms for the patio edges.We’re expecting some rain tonight so I’ll hopefully get some time off now. Soft boiled eggs for breakfast. Lou’s tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. Dinner from Harry’s, veggie lasagna for me, prime rib for them.

Sunday: (05/17) I headed off a little around 0815 to get some materials. I stopped by my Ace Hardware but it didn’t open until 0900, about 1 30 minute wait. Not me. I headed off to Lowe’s in Sunnyvale. Fortunately no line. I got my rebar, PVC pipe and fittings as well as more cement and a door bottom gasket for our outdoor shower. I unloaded all but the cement. It’s a rainy day today. I tend to leave that kind of stuff in the car until needed or until I need more room in the car. After tea in the yard I looked at my project and the fact parts of the trench were flooded and I spent the rest of the day tinkering on the computer, napping and binge watching Poirot mysteries. Granola and banana for breakfast. Rice, Brussels's sprouts, and ham for lunch. Lou’s chicken soup.

Monday: (05/18) Lou picked up breakfast from A Good Morning Cafe. I ordered my dirt dumpster to arrive tomorrow. My trench was rather muddy so I put a fan on it and relaxed most of the day tinkering on the computer and watching TV. A little after 1500 I got to work and installed the drain line extension and the water line to a new faucet. Tomorrow will be busy backfilling and moving dirt into the dumpster. Leftover lasagna for lunch. Lou made sauerkraut potatoes with apple sausage for dinner. 

 

Tuesday: (05/19) Granola and banana for breakfast. I got outside early and started to backfill my trench. About 0830 I heard the dumpster truck arrive and went out to receive and locate the dumpster in front of the house on the street.. Then I got back to my trench filling until a little after 0900 when it started to rain. Time to go to the “office”. Unfortunately the sprinkles didn’t last too long and I returned outside and finished backfilling the trench. I planted the starts of the good grass that used to be in the front yard into most of the trench. Then it was time to start moving the dirt pile into the dumpster. I moved possibly about ⅓ of the pile before quitting a little after 1700. I made a ham, cheese and hummus sandwich for lunch and had the leftover chicken soup from a couple of days ago.. Lou made some asparagus soup for dinner.

 

 

Wednesday: (05/20) Granola and banana for breakfast. I got out early and continued moving dirt from the pile into the dumpster. By the end of the day the pile was gone and the dumpster almost full, probably about 9 cubic yards. I stopped to attend my Wednesday AlphaAnywhere webinar at 1000. For lunch, Lou made fried sauerkraut potatoes with sausage and eggs. Dinner was some Domino Pizza. I haven’t had any from them in 25 years or more. Actually surprisingly good! 

 

Thursday: (05/21) I whittled away at Mount Donald, the long term dirt pile in the backyard. I had to hide a huge pile of dirt so it has been hosting lots of succulents for years. I had saved most of the succulents and today I whittled away making room for the installation of the concrete blocks for a raised flower bed wall. I finished two sides and almost filled the dumpster. I made egg, cheese and ham sandwiches for breakfast. Leftover pizza for lunch. Lou made Shepard's pie for dinner.

Friday: (05/22) Off early to do some grocery shopping and visit kaiser for some lab work. We shopped at Smart and Final and Nob Hill this time. Different stores different items for variety. After some roast chicken for a very late breakfast and lunch I got to work moving the last of the dirt. Or at least the last that will fit in the dumpster. I still have a yard and a half of Mount Donald left as well as some other sites that will amount to around four more yards. Looks like I’ll have to get another box sometime in the future. I called for the box to be picked up. I returned and finished up the perimeter of Mt Donald so I can install the retaining wall. I moved the last 12 buckets or so into a hole left at the end of the last driveway section. I had covered the hole a couple of years ago when I finished the driveway. I had intended , by now, to have dug out the remaining bad dirt and relocate the good garden soil and install a 10x10’ patio by the side garage door. That has been on hold because Lou is continuing to use the tent I set up for use while Ernie's shed was rebuilt. It’s still there. I finished cleanup from my activity and can take a day off tomorrow. Lou made Shepard's pie again for dinner tonight.