Patio - Installment #4

Okay, so as I'm sure most have heard...we are not done with the patio yet...We did get a really nice weekend and were able to make a huge improvement. We were almost done and realized that something wasn't right and the patio wasn't squaring up properly so we had to stop and walk away for a bit...Here's the progression:

Saturday -- Lou got an early start on the patio, I went and got my hair done and then ran to Lowe's for a few more bags of paver base and a few more patio stones. Somehow we didn't count correctly for the patio stones. Driving around to two different Lowe's I was finally able to find everything. Shortly after I got home, Rob stopped over to help us for a little bit. Little did he know how much he was getting into. Rob did suggest that we build up the farthest part of the patio since there was about a 6-7inch drop from the highest point. This was something Lou & I talked about, but couldn't decide if we should do. Thanks Rob for the push! So off to Lowe's we go again...more paver base and retaining wall stones!!!

Photos L-R: Rob & Lou working on smoothing out the patio area; Rob's truck backed up between the houses so we can unload; Lou working on taking down the first row of brick and base; the new wall!

Sunday -- Another early start to the day. Rob came over again to help us and to take Lou to Lowe's for yet another equipment run. This time we needed more sand...oh and yes, more paver base ;-) After Rob left, Lou & I really made quite the progress and even started laying the patio stones, only to find out that something wasn't squaring up correctly and after a bit of frustration we decided to call it a night at 7:30 p.m.

Photos L-R: Lou using the tamper to pack down the paver base; Lou laid out the sand on top of the gardener's tarp; Sand is down and we are ready to lay the stones...Look we even have two rows done!

Monday -- Brad came over after work to help Lou square up the patio! I'm not sure what all they did...you'd have to ask Lou for the specifics, but we can now finish/start laying the patio stones again!

Hopefully next week I'll have pictures of the final product. I can't tell you how much Lou & I both want this project to be finished. We've been talking about it for 2 years and have been working on it for 3 weekends!!!! Wish us luck and dry weather!