Author: Ben Starr
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Backyard Renovation, April 2009
Knowing I’d have to rent a “Bobcat” (a small bulldozer) to grade, or flatten, the backyard, kept me from really starting the renovation. The flagstone sat behind the house, weeds growing around it, bunnies and snakes taking up residence…until some new neighbors moved in several doors down! Tony and Lindsey, a young couple who completely…
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Backyard Renovation, March 2009
The renovation was something of a distant pipe dream until I spotted an ad on Craigslist for flagstone. “We just moved to a new home in Colleyville and our back yard is all covered in flagstone. We have two kids and two dogs, and we really need grass out there. My husband has stacked up…
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Backyard Renovation, part 1
When we bought our house, we renovated it from top to bottom. EVERYTHING was torn out except for the bricks on the fireplace. Carpet, light switches, doorknobs, lighting and plumbing fixtures. Everything. The house cost $131,000USD, which is pretty cheap for an urban area in the US. Something that size in suburban Los Angeles or…
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Brasil, part 1
Greetings from Brasil! (Yes, you’re accustomed to Brasil being spelled with a “z” which is common in the U.S. Each time you see it spelled here, though, it’s with an “s” so I’ve always used it that way.) Christian and I arrived here yesterday. We’re down here for his cousin Pi’s wedding. Right after landing…
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Brasil, part 2
Greetings from busy Sao Paulo! (Apologies for spelling it Sao Paolo yesterday…”Paolo” is the Italian spelling, and Christian’s family were Italian immigrants to Brasil.) I learned that my first email has been bouncing around Brasil, and was even used in an English class, so that puts pressure on me to make certain I’m writing properly. …
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Brasil, part 3
I know, I know…I promised photos today, but they are all on Christian’s computer and haven’t been edited yet, so you’ll just have to wait a little longer. Today was a fabulous day! We slept in because we were so exhausted. Waking up at 10am, the maid, Lucia, had breakfast ready for us. She came…