It's A Dirty Job

Dirt.

So much dirt.

We are trying to get all of the dirt work finished before the weather changes. A lot of the house exterior can be done in the colder, fall weather but the we'd like to have the dirt work finished before the ground freezes as, obviously, the longer the job takes, the more it costs. We thought we might be able to get the siding on after finishing the back framing but a machine became available so we moved on to the dirt work. And oh my, is it dirty, messy work!

Yikes, that's a lot of dirt!

Laying the pipes out for the septic field.

Matt is using the excavator to dig out the trenches.

The machine needs to straddle the trenches which makes it hard for me to watch. I thought we were done with dangerous things after the roof was finished.

And what's at the bottom? Rocks.

So many rocks.

Unfortunately, not all of the work can be done by machine. These guys worked very hard today. The trenches have to have the fine debris removed and be raked level. This was not an easy or a fun job by any stretch. 

Using the laser level ensures the trenches are perfectly level...

...so that the pipes lay perfectly level.

They are then covered with infiltrators to protect the pipes from the dirt so the water can drain out properly.

Phil is attaching the pipes together that connect the house to the septic tank.

Thank you Ben for climbing a tree to get this picture.

Still so many trenches. There is this one that is for the electrical line and the phone line. Thankfully, the one bringing water and electricity from the pump have been covered back in already.

And also this one that will carry standing rain water away from the house and drain into this hole.

Then there is also this trench for the gas line to come in from the road.

Basically, the entire yard surrounding the house is dug up in trenches. You see why we want to do this before the ground freezes!

Mind you, one of the advantages of the ground freezing is that we won't have to deal with this. 

But then I won't be able to see this when I come down the driveway. Isn't it beautiful? Ah, each season has it's advantages and disadvantages. I'm pretty sure by now you know which one is my favourite though and I want to remember this exactly the way it is right now. Before the leaves are gone and the snow arrives.

Riley is in puppy jail. Not really but we want him to be safe around all the trucks coming and going and the machines working on the property and he does not like to be tied up.

The geese are free ranging now and are enjoying the grass while it is still available...

...but they are still curious enough to wander over to check out what's going on by the house.

The cats prefer to find someplace warm to stretch out for a nap, like Ben's bed.

As we prepare for fall and look at our to-do list, we fight the urge to panic that it isn't all going to get done in time. Will we really have to spend another winter in this trailer? Only the Lord knows the answer to that and while it isn't what we would prefer, it just is what it is. On this day when we, as Canadians, observe Thanksgiving, we have so much to be thankful for. A place to live, food to eat, fresh water to drink, clothes to wear and warm beds to sleep in. Family and friends. We are blessed indeed and while we don't want to take these blessings for granted, we are thankful for them today. 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

1 Timothy 6:6-8