Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Still Keeping Up With the Jones..

Remember the story of the Determined Lawn Girl? Well, I have gotten used to mowing the lawn, and yes, I still find it fun. And great exercise. And I can do the whole front in minutes flat (God Bless my chemlawn man who told me not to bag and to let the grass clippings send nutrients back to my lawn. ILY lawnman). AND I am happy to report that the planting is done and almost all the mulching is done. And I can get really really dirty ....

Yeah that's a good 8 hours of 80+ degree hot, sweaty, dirty me! So gross Daughter came by and said, "Hey mom, clean up. And I don't mean the House. You're disgusting..." THANKS FOR NOTICING!

NO that's not razor burn, razor stubble or razor anything. It's a giant scratch from the new rosebushes. I don't remember getting it - my body looks like I was attacked by a CAT! My arms, my legs. cool. And that's dirt where a white sock and shoe once stood.

Now when I pull up to the house, there's a happy basket on my pole and flowers all around. And leetle tiny alyssum growing growing growing....



The boxes of wave petunias on the catwalk are starting to cascade after only 2 weeks! and there are 2 new rosebushes (but I didn't get a closeup and I don't have photoshop to draw funky arrows...). And mulch. and containers by the front door of (gasp) yellow (not pink!) petunias!

And finally, 3 flats of impatiens around the cherry tree in the back. plus pots and containers of flowers. And a freshly blown off patio free of debris, sticks, mud, etc. Love that blower. Just some mulching around this tree and I. Am. Done. Oh, then I get to start attacking the weeds, planting some grass seed, clipping the hedges, painting the iron furniture that's rusting....


But you know what? I DID IT MYSELF (daughter did help with some initial planting a couple weeks ago). And I love that. So Much. maybe next summer I'll be looking for help, but this year, it feels so tremendous to JUST. DO. IT. and not have to explain why or ask permission or any-thing...

8 comments:

dkuroiwa said...

When I was living in South Texas, my roommates and I had this HUGE yard that took about 2 hours to mow....I loved doing that!!! There was such a feeling of accomplishment in doing that. And yes, I'll admit...I even liked the grass stuck on my legs, dirty "and those used to be WHAT color" socks, and even that smell of my own lovely self that pretty much told anyone around me "I've been working in the yard dammit!!".
It was so nice to sit on the back patio after it was all done with a beer and just looking at the work I had done!!

Your house is beautiful!!! I love the plants and the trees and that yard!!! Hell, if I had an 'ex AND could live in that neighborhood, I don't think I would mind it so much!! Plus, the fact that you did it yourself...well...get yourself a cold one sweetie...you deserve it!!!
debbie

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

It does feel good to do it yourself. I tore out the whole backyard when my husband was away on business about 10 years ago. I was covered with scratches also.

It's going to be gorgeous when everything starts blooming--and it will be all yours.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I wanted to tell you that I use the Paint program that comes with the computer to do my arrows and text on photos.

Unknown said...

Nice job all around, it looks great! I wish I had the dedication to that with plants and flowers in my parents' yard, but considering I've been cutting the grass and raking the leaves for them the last 15-20 years, it hasn't left me much time or energy to try the flowers thing. If I may add one suggestion, even if it is 80+ degrees out, I always wear pants to prevent the scrapes & scratches you proudly showed. I've got so many scars it's not funny. Anyway, keep up the good work.

DF said...

Ditto on what "jenn" said about using MS Paint to put circles, arrows and annotations on jpg photos. It is primitive, but works nicely. Just open the picture file that you wish to edit. Before making any line or circle, make sure to choose the line width. The Edit>Undo command is very helpful if you do make a mistake.

The Girl Next Door said...

DF and Jenn thanks for saving me. As my cousins know, I am still very much an infant in this whole computer world thingy - ironically, I have just been put on a litigation team for a very high tech computer issue and am in charge of working with the EXPERTS to write reports. hahahahahahahaha truth is funnier than fiction, I am telling you!

Suzanne said...

good for you!
The yard looks fab. There is nothing like a good feeling of accomplishment.
I did not do as much as you today...but I was in 95 degrees (already in FL) and I was sweating buckets in 15 minutes of doing outside chores.
I must try to save that crap for the early morn or late evening....heat stroke could happen easily for me.

Lisa Wheeler Milton said...

I'm so impressed. Dirt and all.