Some Results

So, here is a 3-D graph of the surveyed yard. Units are 6ft distances.



The graph is ugly, but it is the best I could do with Excel and 1st-order approximations of the points I actually measured. I'll post the measurement sheet tomorrow.

Surveyed!

Last weekend, I did some invention. I have to draw our yard, and then draw what it should look like with some retaining walls. Then I can submit all of this to the engineer at the concrete block place and he'll tell me what I did wrong. I'll get the results up here another time, complete with error propagation analysis, but I will spare you today.

What invention did I do? To survey land usually requires two people and some specialized equipment. I used a method that required neither. Witness!


As can be seen in the image above, the innovation I introduced to the world was incredible. Here is my secret formula: 1 six-foot martial arts staff, 1 two-foot level, and the handyman's secret weapon, duct tape.

The first step was to place my highly calibrated device -- wait for it -- on the very earth I was surveying. Note that there was a stick pressed into the ground to mark the point I'm measuring.


Next, I had to make sure the instrument was lined up with previous sticks stuck in the ground -- i mean, I had to align it with the existing calibration grid.


Once my scientific apparatus was in place, the next task was to raise the pole until the level read level. I then used an adjustable-length scale (commoners know it as a tape measure) and determined the height of the ground six feet away relative to the current point.


Using proper laboratory method, I then recorded my observations for later analysis. And I got bitten by mosquitoes, and worked on my farmer's tan. All in all, a good afternoon.

Putting in a new exterior door

Tonight, I may put in an exterior door. I hope it works out.

-Justin

Surveying

Having visited with an engineer at the materials place, he instructed me to draw out our yard and include drawings of where the walls should go. I think Back to the Basics has an entry on surveying, so I might take that up. I hope I can finish this afternoon! Then it might be contour maps and integrals for the rest of the evening.

Proverbs 27:23 - Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [and] look well to thy herds.

Retaining Wall Status: Planning

I have lamented our drainage situation on here many times. Recently, I posted about the trench I dug, which is working pretty well. However, we want to terrace the backyard and install drainage that is professional grade. So I'm going to talk to an engineer for a concrete block company about what it'll take to make that happen. In like, twenty minutes.

It's been a while

Lately, we've been pretty busy. Let it be known, however, that we did put in new light fixtures for the bathroom and the kitchen, the which light fixtures are very pretty. Also, we have a threshold that Annie has been staining this week, which will bridge the gap between the kitchen and the living room. I'm about to go home and work on the lawn!