Tree Insanity

So last year we decided that we wanted to get a pool. I was set on getting it this summer, but that is not going to work out, so we are doing prep work this summer and (fingers crossed) we get the pool next summer. So some of the prep work that needed to be done involved taking down the two trees on the side of our house. So we had some people come and give us bids and I had set up with one of the company's and then our lawncare guy called and said he had another guy to give us. Steve said that this guy had just did a tree at his mom's house and he did a great job and came in a heck of a lot less than everyone else. So I decided to give him a call. He came out and gave us a great bid. Since his bid was so great we decided to have them take down the front sweet gum tree as well. And they were going to start the next day!!! And that is when the craziness began. Here is the house before any work started.

So they got there around 3:00 on Thursday afternoon. Why they choose to show up at 3 is beyond me, but whatever. So they had the majority of the front tree down when I got there. They just had to take down the trunk. It was the owner, his wife and another girl. Our neighbor joked and asked if the company was called Two chicks and a chainsaw. It was quite the scene. They cheered when the front tree came down and started taking pictures. Yes, cheered! What had we gotten ourselves into?!

This is what our front yard looked like for pretty much the rest of Thursday and Friday. Friday they got there around 2:00 in the afternoon. They were working, but not very hard. We were getting ready to eat dinner and all of the sudden I heard screaming coming from outside and the fiance was running around screaming and hitting her behind. I thought she had burned herself on the chainsaw or something. Oh she didn't burn herself she had cut into a nest of fire ants and they were biting her in the behind. She stripped down in our front yard. By that time all of the neighbors were outside staring at the event that was taking place at our house. So she finally quit screaming and was okay and they pretty much decided to quite working after that. So the other girl was helping the guy try to put the trailer on the hitch and the crazy fiance started yelling again that she couldn't help do that because she might be pregnant!!! What?! Seriously?! So Peter was already outside and I see him put his head down and I am covering my face inside, because I just couldn't believe what came out of her mouth.
Here is what the side yard looked like....Do you think she was dressed correctly for cutting trees down?! No wonder she got ants in her pants!

So Saturday came and our yard sure was a mess! Peter was gone all day Saturday at his man day and I had a few shoots, so after the first one I thought I would be seeing them, but I was wrong. That was at 10:30, I had another shoot at 2:00 and they still were not there. I got home around 3:30 and they still were not there! It was really upsetting me that they were wasting the day and leaving my yard like a tornado had hit it. So I called and they said they were on their way and that they had overslept. What?! Overslept!!! It was 3:30 in the afternoon! I left to go to Katie's at 5:30 and no one was there. I ended up having to come back because I forgot something and they were finally there and that was at 6:00. The fiance apologized and said that she was sure that I thought they were unprofessional and boy was she right. So I got what I needed and went back to Katie's. At 8:45 I had a voicemail from them. So I listened and was in disbelief! They were still at our house and craziness was going on. I never thought they would be working in the dark, but they were! And one of the neighbors I guess was tired of hearing the chainsaws so he came over and told them they needed to stop, but in a threatening way. He said, "If you don't turn the chainsaws off I am going to take them and cut you." Well, they didn't like that so they called the police!!! Yes, we had police in front of our house and we were not even home. The police took the report and everyone went home. INSANE I SAY!

So this is a small glimpse of what my yard still looked like Sunday morning! One more tree to go. They got to our house around 2:00 on Sunday and started to work on the 3rd tree. The fiance was not there and the guys dad was there helping him instead. I guess he was feeling the pressure and most of our neighbors were out watching him and what do you know....he dropped part of the tree on the neighbors house!!!!! It knocked their satelite out and messed up some shingles. They finally lifted it off and then it fell on ours!!! You have got to be kidding me. I felt so sick!!! They finally got the rest of the tree down and started to clean up. What a day!!!
They are there again this morning. Day 5 of what was supposed to be a 3 day project. Our lawncare guy went by this morning and spoke with him. I am very appreciative of that. Even Steve couldn't believe how they have left our yard. He felt bad because he was the one that recommended them! So we shall see how it looks when I get home! I have a few of my neighbors texting me updates.
Well I don't have a new picture yet, but when I got home yesterday the yard looked much better, not to the level it normally does, but better and two of the stumps were out. Peter dealt with them and the money and we are holding back the rest until we know our neighbors are taken care of and they were not happy about that, but they were the ones that messed up, so I don't feel bad. The dad was there this morning cleaning and finishing the last stump. So much drama! 3 trees and 6 days later and the fiasco is hopefully over!