General Hoke Update.....

So, the last month has been busy. Steve was out to visit and hopefully Heath or Layne will finish blogging about that. They went to the Sand Dunes for a couple of days (I stayed back to work) and since I wasn't there to describe the photos taken, I have asked one of them to do that. After Steve left, school started and things just get busy when school is in. Layne is running track again this year--she didn't really want to but it makes things so much easier when I can pick her up at 5:30 (and it is good to run)!! She is also in her second month of the Olympic Lifting Club!! She has been pumping iron 3X a week and she really likes it. She likes being strong and this past weekend it has paid off. She is also in a volleyball league that I am volunteering my coaching time to. So, very busy!!

Then, in all of that, we have started working in the back yard. This is the time of year when Heath isn't as busy at work and can take some time off. He will be taking his second Friday off and working at home in the yard. We have made some good progress. It will take awhile, since the yard is a complete waste. The first two photos are BEFORE pictures. This was the back yard when we moved in and where the dog kennel was located. As you can see, we had some water drainage issues. We had moved the dog kennel last summer, but the water was still a problem. It seems that our neighbors yard drains into ours when they water. It is great to let the dogs out into the mud!!



Also, notice the location of that spindly evergreen tree (now named Dobby). In the next photo, you will see that it has been moved.




This brings me to my story of Layne's lifting and how it has paid off. Heath spent some time digging a hole and then getting the tree out of the ground. Now it would be time to move the tree and Layne was given the trunk (up high on the tree) and I was going to lift the bottom with Heath. He had put a burlap bag under it and we each had two corners. I just couldn't lift it--but Layne could. She moved the tree with Heath--WOW, it sure made me feel great. I guess maybe I should sign myself up for the Olympic Lifting Club!!! But, great job Layne!! Now she can move stuff around with Heath and I can just direct.

Also, you can see we have moved the dog kennel and then started the rock border around the fence. Heath has also put in drainage tubes to help with the water issues. We got some serious rain a couple of nights this week and it seems to be working!! Very exciting.

The dog kennel is now on the north side of the house, kind of out-of-sight from the back yard. We made it a little smaller and have been leaving the big dogs out during the day. I think they like it better.

This would be the area that Heath is going to tackle next. You can see where he left off and maybe by the end of the weekend I will have some more AFTER shots of this area.

So, for now it is school, weights, track, volleyball and back yard!! That is probably enough??

I wish everyone a great weekend.....

Also, just to let everyone know (not sure if I have) I seem to be back to 100%. There are no lingering effects from the Bells Palsy. I am TRYING to handle stress better and take some time for myself--that doesn't always happen. But I am good and glad it is over!!