New Driveway!

Back in the spring Mike's mother sold her house and moved into our basement.  We had always used the driveway that came by the front of her house and onto our property.  However, we had no legal easement.  So, with the new neighbors taking over, we needed to build our own driveway coming off of the highway.  There were lots of hoops to jump through to satisfy TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation) requirements.

Finally we got the permit and learned all of the specifics required to meet standards and we proceeded forward. First, the pipes were delivered.  There was one large one to go into the creek.  You can barely see it peeking out near the right side of the photo above.  The smaller pipe was scheduled to create a culvert coming off the highway. 

Next, a big track-hoe was delivered.  It started to look like a big construction zone all up and down the highway because the gas company was laying a new pipeline on the opposite side. 

In came a big truck with four concrete head-walls.  The two long ones were required by TDOT and the two shorter ones were important to provide stability for the large diameter pipe in the creek.  I watched with curiosity as each piece was unloaded.  The track-hoe operator made moving those huge pieces look simple.

Unloading was quick work and everything was soon sitting on the ground ready to be set into place.

When the truck hauling the concrete left, I went down to get some closer photos to give a perspective of the size of these big head-walls.

The photo above clearly shows the two different styles of head-walls that were needed.  The longer ones on the right side were intended for the culvert coming off the highway and the shorter, taller one on the left is one of the ones intended for stabilizing the pipe in the creek.

There had already been enough gravel delivered to get up to the bank of the creek area.  The photo above shows about half of the pipe resting there awaiting the concrete head-walls be set on either end of it.

The photo above gives a bit of perspective for the size of that piece which would stabilize the pipe in the creek.  I am five-feet-six-inches in height.

Next, a log-chain was hooked to one of the concrete pieces and the front of the track-hoe for lifting and lowering into place in the creek bed. 

It was lowered over the embankment on the north end of the creek bed.

It had to be adjusted a couple of times to get it turned and set at just the right spot.

Then, the chain was looped through the metal loop on the top of the pipe and it was slipped through the head-wall.

The process was repeated on the south end of the pipe.  Then, load after load of gravel was delivered and packed around the pipe and over the top of it.

The gravel size made a huge difference.  The kind that was packed around the pipe was so small and held lots of dust with it.  The concept is that the tiny pieces will pack together and almost form a concrete-like nest to hold the pipe in place. 

The photo above shows the track-hoe packing and moving scoop after scoop of rock to form a tight fit around and on top of the metal pipe.

Next, the track-hoe operator moved his dozier into place and cut out a path for the gravel bed to lead up toward the house.

Again, load after load of gravel was delivered and spread along the pathway created by the dozier to form the driveway heading straight toward the house, then, curving at the edge of the yard and going around the end of the house.

When all the pathway was covered with gravel, I went out to the highway and made photos looking up toward the house.

 The above photo is the view just inside the fence between the highway and the creek.

 The photo above is taken while crossing the creek.  Our vehicle is sitting right atop where the pipe is.

 The photo above shows the gentle curve right at the edge of the yard.  Eventually, we plan to construct a small parking area here and put a sidewalk leading straight to the front door.

Then, there is a short span before another curve leads to the back side of the house.  Getting our own driveway leading off the highway was exciting for Mike and me.  It was quite expensive but we know that it certainly increased the value of our property and it highlights the serene little setting where our house is nestled under the twin oak trees in our front yard.

Saturday Mornings

Since I have been back at school, many of my Saturday mornings are spent trying to catch up on reading/blog-browsing.  I set up a small desk right in front of a window in the bedroom. 

The desk is one that I remember helping my parents construct.  It is made from the wrought iron legs of an old treadle sewing machine that Daddy connected and stabilized with some metal rebar.  Then, we constructed the wooden top from some planks Daddy had at the shop.  I remember my paternal grandparents expressing disdain that Mama would want those old sewing machine legs. 

I was really glad to get it when my mother was dispersing some of her things after she recently moved to her new house.  The table had been placed in my bedroom when I was a young girl to provide me with a desk for studying.  Honestly, I can say that very little studying took place at that spot.  However, I did have a sentimental feeling toward it when Mom said it was up for grabs.

My view out our new windows is a beautiful one peering through the blinds and looking down the driveway toward the highway across the hay field.  Sitting there is also a good place for me to watch our groundskeeper as he is mowing along the creek bank.

 Watching through the slats of the blinds I can see the canvas shade he has attached to his mower bobbing along even when I cannot see the entire mower.  So, I sit and listen for the hum of the mower and glance up every now and again to see the mower or the top of the canvas and I know that he is safe and hasn't slid off the bank and into the creek bed.

Then, in a little while, up the drive he comes toward the house.  Sometimes there will be another couple of hours of mowing around one of the barns and sometimes into the house he comes for dinner.

 Rounding the curve as he finishes off the long stretch, is always a good sight for me to see looking out the window.  I know that he is safe and I know that the area around the creek and fence looks like a well-manicured park.

And I know that lunch had better be ready in a short while!

Happy Birthday, Harris!

Hope number 5 is a great one for you!

Linley Is A Sweet One!

Recently we celebrated the youngest member of our family turning one year old. 

I don't know who was more excited to dig into the cake, Linley or her big brother!  He eyed that ice cream cone with a scoop of cake with excitement!  Linley was just checking out the whole thing trying to figure out what the opportunity was presenting her.

The entire kitchen was a Pinterest Paradise.  Linley's mom had outdone herself! There was a cute banner, balloons that looked like ice cream scoops, a darling skirt for the high chair, precious monthly photos showing her growth from birth, and adorable ice cream cone cupcakes.

It is hard to believe this sweet little one has already been a part of our family for an entire year!

Happy Birthday, Stephen!

Oceans of love to you!