Working on the Big Dig

I'm taking the week off to focus on building the forms for the concrete footers for the back patio wall.  So far I am about 60 percent there.

This may look simple and straightforward, but these forms need to be straight and square and level - and getting them that way is hard work!  I'm using 2x8 lumber for the framing, and none of it is perfectly straight.  I'll be satisfied if I can get it all level and straight.  Tomorrow I hope to have the forms done, but I'm complicating things by planning to step up 8 inches to allow for a change in grade, and that's going to take some extra effort.