Something I've learned over the years is that even though I try and I want things to turn out nice like a chicken coop or a bathroom sink, I'm not as patient as Miguel is...or my Dad, or pretty much anyone else working on the project.  When it comes to design work, I'll spend hours in front of the computer looking over every square pixel to make sure the padding is the same on all sides and the pictures are askew just so. But when it comes to labor intensive projects like measuring things and making sure they have enough support, I have to admit that I'm fairly impatient.  I think this is because I like the instant gratification of design where I don't have to wait so much.

This weekend my impatience came to light during the making of our new backyard patio. I had a great time with Sam putting the rocks down here and there and discussing curves and negative spaces, moving them around and basically playing with shapes.  Then came the time to put the level to work and get the rocks solid in the ground.  Removing sand, adding gravel, adding sand, leveling in 5 directions, and all this painstaking SLOW work to get a stinking rock in the ground.  The patio is supposed to be "natural", so I didn't see any problem with a little height difference here and there.  I just wanted to get as many rocks done in my area as possible so I could start to see the finished product.  

By the end of the day, Sam and Miguel took a look at my area and criticized every detail possible.  "This one's a little wobbly", "Looks like this dips down and then back up over here", and "Heather, you didn't lay this one yet, did you?".  I get it.  Fine you guys go ahead, but at least I can see what it's going to look like in the end.  

Sunday I spent the entire time trimming trees and bushes in the yard (instant gratification and no leveling) while Miguel and Sam laid the rocks with the levels.  That was better, for all of us.