The wall is now finished. All that is left is to skim coat the block so it is not so prison like, but that might be a project for next winter. The photos show half way, completed with the wooden access for work to be done in the backyard later on, and also an area where we will have our small firepit.

So we finished trimming out the openings in the patio and the cinder block wall is almost done.

At the end of the day yesterday a couple of guys showed up to remove the stump from the front yard. It was sad that the tree had to go and it was worse looking at the stump that was left behind. It took them longer to get the CAT off their truck than to get the stump removed.

Greg finished putting up all the old fencing inside the walls of the patio. We still have to trim out the openings, but you get the idea.

Yesterday we got our permit to begin work on the new cinder block wall. It only took a couple of hours to remove the old wooden fence. We were careful so that this wood could be reused inside on the walls of the patio structure we built last year. Lining the walls will be done by end of the day. The cinder block work will start on Monday.

We made it back to the desert yesterday mid-day. It’s been a busy 24 hours cleaning all the dust that seems to find its way in. Spent the afternoon washing all the rugs. Now we can at least not feel like everything has a layer of dirt on it.

After two long days if driving, staying at my parents in AR, then spending the afternoon wondering around Canton, TX we finally got to sleep in a little. Now we can take our time. I think we will try to make it to El Paso tonight.