So we started filling the pool Friday night. On our “almost level…kind of…oh it’ll be aight” ground. Needless to say, one side was about eight inches deep and one side was about two inches deep. After a few hours, we decided we needed to drain it and do the work we were trying to avoid. We also decided that since we couldn’t get out the easy way, we may as well work on the other spot we had in mind which gets more sun and has less trees above. Here’s our reasoning. As we stood in our shaded area putting the pool ladder together, we were standing maybe a foot and a half apart. All of a sudden a splat of bird crap lands on the ladder right between our heads. I’m amazed we didn’t end up with poo on one of us. The bird was probably looking down thinking “damn, I missed.” Overall we have a very shaded yard with lots of big trees except right up against the back of the house. So Scott started slinging a pick-ax last night. We got out there reasonably early (for us) this morning around 9:00am and went to work with shovels and the ax. Since the sun shines on this area literally throughout the entire day, the ground is, well, like a rock. As in, it is almost impossible to break up a shovel sized clump of dirt by slamming it repeatedly with the shovel.  Digging with a regular shovel literally was not possible.  After about 30 minutes of struggle, we stood back to survey our work, or lack there of. Scott said “Watch out, get the baby, y’all go stand on the deck.” (Yes he’s still our “baby.”) He went and got his 10,000+ pound Chevy Express work van and drove over the dirt-rocks, backed over them, and drove over them again. We have repeated this process throughout the morning, breaking up the dirt, and leveling, then driving over it. I must say, if you are trying to level the ground for a pool, it ain’t a bad way to go!

125 feet of this later

Why? Because garden hoses can expose you to 100 times the amount of lead considered “safe” for an adult (source).
Nice and clear, right on the front “Drinking Water Hose”

He wore this float all night last night, and all morning, begging to go in the pool, which at the time was nothing but a sad heap in the middle of the yard.

One way or another, I am getting in this thing TO-day.

You can see the original location in the background.  Here is what we slaved over for most of the day.  Those big globs of rocks dirt are what I was referring to above that we ran over.  And over, and over.

We set the pool up in its new location while he was napping and started the water.  I went and got him up from his nap and said, “Guess what is in our yard?”  He replied, “A pool!!” and went running to the window.  We spent the next three hours in it watching the water rise slowly.

Armed and dangerous

The simple joy that is water, a float and an old Brita pitcher.

Comments

4 Responses to “the lazy man’s approach”

    Julie
    June 16th, 2008 6:29 am

    Sweet pictures! I sympathize with the digging. We tried to put up a fence last year, but there are so many rocks that it’s impossible! Great, great photos of your son! I hope you all get to enjoy that pool a lot this summer!

    Jen
    June 16th, 2008 7:18 am

    Cute cute, he looks so excited!!

    That pool seems like A LOT of work… You are like the 3rd person I have heard of who has had annoying levelling issues with it! Looks worth it though…

    Amber
    June 16th, 2008 7:39 am

    love the swimming trunks!

    Val
    June 16th, 2008 2:51 pm

    I always love a good, do it this way it’s easier, story.

    Using the truck….genius!

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