One of the most ambitious projects I’ve ever undertaken was installing a paver patio in the backyard of our new house in MInneapolis in 2012. We bought the raw materials from Menards, found a book at Barnes & Noble, then got to work.

It wasn’t too expensive, especially given the size. But it was before I lost weight and athletically, I wasn’t ready for that much digging.

More importantly, I’ll never do it again. Where as professionals would have completed the job in a weekend, this patio took half a summer. We spent the rest of the summer struggling with what to do with all the dirt.

While the last two bricks were very satisfying to put in, take it from me – hire a professional to install a patio.