All I wanted for Mother's Day was time and help to work in the yard. We've been in this house two and a half years and we bought a home with good bones but in need of some major cosmetic surgery. We've concentrated a bunch on inside and have really ignored the outside (except to mow the lawn and weed occasionally). It's definitely time to do something about our yard. I'm okay with the front yard, but the sides and back of the house need lots of work. As with all things household, one thing leads to another leads to another....
What started out as a basic tree planting has resulted in a landscaping overhaul. I tore up a flower bed, thinned out the hostas, replaced the areas with some new plants and flowers my sister and mom gave me for Mother's Day, and now am in the process of adding edging, mulch, and lights. The old patio blocks came up and a larger area has been dug for a new patio. I planted a vegetable garden on one side of the house. Yesterday, I took it upon myself to load and haul all the old patio blocks to a place that recycles concrete and other material. They were stacked next to my pretty flower bed, and they HAD to go.
I found this place while driving one day, and they recycle all kinds of things...concrete, construction debris, etc. When I pulled in, I had no idea where to go or what to do. I was surrounded by 18 wheelers, huge machines, and lots of noise. And of course, I was the only female in the place. (I should tell you that, upon hearing my story, one of my girlfriends asked me, "ARE YOU CRAZY?" to which I replied, ummm..."yes.") Finally, I found a human being to talk to and was directed to an area where I could unload them. I asked if they had people to help and he laughed at me. Yes, he actually laughed AT ME. Boy, if I didn't feel like a "stupid female." Unfortunately, I forgot my work gloves at home and ended up having to throw the jagged things into this gigantic pile of cement with bare hands. I have several cuts and some soreness today, but hey...they stones are gone! While I was doing all of this, a guy in a landscaping truck pulled up beside my van, and I'm thinking, "Oh, this sweet soul has come to rescue me from my distress and assist me!!!!" Instead, he handed me a business card and said, "I'm guessing you're putting in a new patio?" Gee, was it that obvious?
When I got home and looked at the 12x14 area where we plan to lay a new patio, and when I considered the fact that we have two young children, a husband in school and working a full-time job, and more importantly, when I feel the ache in my back and neck and see my husband laying on the ice pack after a long day of working in the yard, I found that card and gave the guy a call.
He's coming on Saturday and will be finishing the work we started six weeks ago in a day. IN A DAY, people.
What started out as a basic tree planting has resulted in a landscaping overhaul. I tore up a flower bed, thinned out the hostas, replaced the areas with some new plants and flowers my sister and mom gave me for Mother's Day, and now am in the process of adding edging, mulch, and lights. The old patio blocks came up and a larger area has been dug for a new patio. I planted a vegetable garden on one side of the house. Yesterday, I took it upon myself to load and haul all the old patio blocks to a place that recycles concrete and other material. They were stacked next to my pretty flower bed, and they HAD to go.
I found this place while driving one day, and they recycle all kinds of things...concrete, construction debris, etc. When I pulled in, I had no idea where to go or what to do. I was surrounded by 18 wheelers, huge machines, and lots of noise. And of course, I was the only female in the place. (I should tell you that, upon hearing my story, one of my girlfriends asked me, "ARE YOU CRAZY?" to which I replied, ummm..."yes.") Finally, I found a human being to talk to and was directed to an area where I could unload them. I asked if they had people to help and he laughed at me. Yes, he actually laughed AT ME. Boy, if I didn't feel like a "stupid female." Unfortunately, I forgot my work gloves at home and ended up having to throw the jagged things into this gigantic pile of cement with bare hands. I have several cuts and some soreness today, but hey...they stones are gone! While I was doing all of this, a guy in a landscaping truck pulled up beside my van, and I'm thinking, "Oh, this sweet soul has come to rescue me from my distress and assist me!!!!" Instead, he handed me a business card and said, "I'm guessing you're putting in a new patio?" Gee, was it that obvious?
When I got home and looked at the 12x14 area where we plan to lay a new patio, and when I considered the fact that we have two young children, a husband in school and working a full-time job, and more importantly, when I feel the ache in my back and neck and see my husband laying on the ice pack after a long day of working in the yard, I found that card and gave the guy a call.
He's coming on Saturday and will be finishing the work we started six weeks ago in a day. IN A DAY, people.
6 comments:
Ooooh!!! I've been doing yard work too!! Isn't it fun??
Sounds like quite a project. Make sure to show some pictures when it's done:)
Wow! I'd love to see it sometime. I bet it looks great!
Molly
You sure have been busy. I hope you got a chance to have a LONG soak in a hot tub!!!
I envy you so much. The previous owners of our house concreted the ENTIRE backyard. I'd love to be able to dig around and put in a veggie garden!
Would love to see pics once you are all done.
Blogger ate my pictures...so I re-posted them. Thanks for letting me know :)
Staci
My 4-year old and I have been doing yard work too. Of course we don't know what we were doing. We pulled everything, including the growing tulips that we thoughts were weeds.
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/
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