February 18, 2007
Through the week, I picked up more blocks and more mortar. Time to add another couple rows.
And, I come up 1 block short of completing the 3rd row. This should be fine. If you read any good how-to online, they pretty much all have you building a pyramid on the corners and eventually filling in the middle as you get to it.
When I first blew the whistle at game time, I quickly found out my mortar was too dry. Then, I loosened it up with some water and over did it with the water making it harder to work with because it was too loose.
After it's getting more 'dry' or cured, there is a little spoon shaped tool you use to make the crack lines all pretty. Scrape off any excess mortar.
My newly growing problem is block availability. I'm unsure if Home Depot 8x8x16 blocks would mix fine with Lowes of the same size. They probably all contract locally for the blocks. One home depot is about out now that I bought 40 of these. They're kept in the 'garden center' which is technically closed until I pry the door open and get myself some blocks. The pallet is empty. I doubt the computer will kick in a 'restock' order for me. The other home depot has a few, but they are under a foot of snow.
I'm going to get a few bags of 'cement' and start filling the holes with some rebar inside to make sure this thing is stiff in the end.