The Removal Of The Pool

The chronology of the pool removal, more or less.
Take off the rails:

Fold up the liner as best we could.

Pull the siding down.  Kev did a lot of it, but he had an assist from Mister Wind Gusts.

Pull the siding and the liner out of the way.  See those posts?  They're connected to each other side-to-side by a 1/8" (or so) steel plate / L-bracket that goes under each post - and under the sand (and therefore the pool).  Each one is also connected to the one directly across the pool from it by a 1/4" (or so) steel BAND that runs entirely under the pool.  And the sand.  And some clay.  I don't think it needs to be said that THOSE were a pain in the butt to get out.

After the removal.  Pool all gone!

Closer - North side:

And south side.  Yes, we did keep the pool ladder as another method of accessing the deck.  Deck retention is still in discussion, but we're planning on keeping at least some of it.

The yard sure looks different now.  Jeremy's enjoying it, since he has SO much more room to run & play in.  Plus, we have more opportunities to throw his ball up on the deck, over the deck, under the deck, etc. rather than just around the north side of the pool or around the south side of the pool.

How To Remove A Pool, Part 1

Step 1: Take off the rails.

Step 2: Roll up the liner.

Step 3: Let the wind knock it down.

Closeup of the North End:

Closeup of the South End:

Closing the Pool

We're taking out our swimming pool, and selling off all the cleaning equipment. Filter, pump, vac, hoses, skimmer, everything. If you know of anyone that could use these, please send 'em our way. http://fortwayne.craigslist.org/for/2961234843.html The filter is practically new - we only got it a couple years ago! This is a steal for someone if they need one.

Calling

One of the members of our congregation died yesterday. I was asked later on last night if I could play the organ for the funeral. I agreed, and I started thinking about it. People have different callings. Some to be teachers, some pastors, some cooks, some parents, etc. The organ, and the playing thereof, is one of mine. And it's important to me - not just The Playing Of The Organ, but the making sure, whenever it is possible for me to do so, that grieving families don't have the added stress of a VERY limited selection of hymns / music for the funeral. Making sure that they don't have to make do with "canned" music. As I told Pastor: "Not if it is within my power. NOT. ON. MY. WATCH." It's important to me that the families have "live" music. Evidently...that is my calling.