Pink Rubber Boots and Building Character

Just had to show y'all my new rubber boots! Actually, they are my first pair - EVER - and it only took me almost 40 years to get some. So they had to be good... and cute.... and pink. Well, they didn't have to be pink (that's just a bonus!) They're a bright, hot pink and just too cute for me. We got them, at Tractor Supply, the other day on sale!!!! So I broke them in, yesterday, working in the backyard with my hubby and 2 little-r ones. We're still trying to recover from "the cold" -- thankfully, it's not one of those colds that takes you out -- it's just one that's really annoying. Now, on to the backyard in progress. I'm not going to say much, if anything, about these next pictures. They're pretty self explanatory. I only have to say that the pool and deck were in terrible condition and a major eyesore. My husband has worked almost single-handedly (we've been pretty useless, but we've tried our best when we get out there) taking this down and repairing the yard. This is how the yard looked when we first saw it and trust me, when I say that it looks better in pictures than it really looked. It. was. yucky. Hubby pumped out the water (as much as would come out) and started dismantling. He had to take a portion of the deck down first because they attached it somehow. ???

Eeeeew..... it smelled swell, too.

I think hubby told me that the hole was 16 feet around and about 4 feet deep. It took a whole truckload (15 yards) of dirt to fill it in and we're going to have to get into that other truckload we ordered. I'm not thrilled about that because I really need it for our garden! All I know is that that hole was really big (even though it doesn't look it in the pics) and really yucky.

I just LOVE seeing our little man helping his Daddy. How blessed we are to have such a sweet little one and a Daddy that's patient enough to teach him and let him help.

About 48 hours ago.....

About 24 hours ago.....

The hole is only about half the size it was.

Nope, we don't own a tractor, a backhoe, a front-end loader ..... this was all done with shovels, a rake, a little red wagon, a new little "wagon" hooked up to 4-wheeler (that had to be filled by shovels -- we've nicknamed it "Kermit".) It was hard work but we consider it character building. My "character" is SORE, today. I'm not sure if it's because I'm older, trying to get over a cold, a sloth, or a combination...... but I'm trying not to fuss. I am, a little, but I'm trying not to...

I really think it's worth it -- this is how it looks today.

We've got a way to go but we're just tickled to have come this far!

Okay, I'm off to make a grocery list. I don't have a clue what to put on the menu -- I'm completely thrown. The weather is doing the 65 degree thing (where I'm thinking "fresh" food) and the 33 degree thing (where I'm thinking chili and bean soups.) I just never get used to it....

Many Blessings ~~ Julie