Milestone

It's my 30th post. Who knew blogging was so much fun?

This weekend we were very productive. We planted a few more plants/ shrubs in the front of the house and started on our bed lining. I also pruned the trees behind our garage so it isn't as much of a jungle back there. Now I just need to cut all of the branches down so that we have our yard back. There is a huge pile of them that is accumulating quick, yikes- I'm just waiting for a another violation for the city. Well, actually I'm not. I think I'm going to post an add for free sticks on craigslist next weekend. Catchy right? I'm sure my phone will be ringing off the hook ;)

We also did some much needed organization in our office. Having an organized clean home feels so good, doesn't it? You're usually either working on the house and have no energy to clean when you're through or you're cleaning with no energy to work. This weekend we made time for both. Hooray.

Everything is looking so good. I took photos of our landscaping but something is not working. So I leave you with a photo of our little babies. Tito chewed up a pair of my nice work shoes this weekend... Little shit. He's lucky he's so cute.

Comments.

Now you can leave me comments even if you are not a user of blogger.com. It'll just post as anonymous.

*Cough* friends and family.

Finally, some curb appeal...

We a planted bunch of shrubs and 2 trees this weekend- about 13 to be exact. Everything went pretty smooth. The most difficult were the sky rocket junipers at each corner of the house. It looks so much better! There is still so much work to do in the yard. Baby steps- right? This weekend I'll be doing our bed lining and putting down more dirt and mulch. I love gardening!

I really wish we could paint the outside of the house. I need to do some stucoo repair 1st and we know that is going to co$t us. I really do miss living in a great apartment, spending alot of money on new clothes, going out and looking great. I don't think I have even bought myself new work clothes not to mention clothes for me. Every extra penny goes into the house- and willingly. That's the scary thing. I love this house and I love making it beautiful.

June bugs are invading our yard. They are about as gross as the palmetto roaches I used to live with in Florida. I think they live in dirt. They come from under the ground. I hope they are called June bugs for a reason. I don't think I'd be able to deal with them in July and August as well.


Here are the plants!


We've got Magnolia trees, Sea Green Junipers, Summer Wine Nine bark, Cranberry something or anothers and rocket junipers.



Because you were dying for a closer look.

I've just opened another can of worms...

So you know how I was painting the front sun porch and I didn't like the color? Well, I changed it. I really like the new color. It's called quiet terrace and I thought that was fitting. It's not as neutral as I usually go but looks good.

So here is what happened. I bought some semi gloss paint to start doing the trim. Well, the paint was all cracked and the fresh coat of paint looked a little less than fresh. I was reading Ranty's blog (my real estate agent for life) and she had been doing some work with a heat gun. Well I got inspired and took on another huge project. I am stripping all of the woodwork of paint in the front porch.

I guess you really can't see too much of a difference in the paint- but I notice it.


I'm almost debating not sanding and staining the wood because this rustic look is kind of cool. Although I like a clean crisp look so I'm sure it'll be stained and sanded.


There are alot more windows to do... Plus I also began stripping the bead board ceiling... Yeah, you heard right. I am taking on the task of stripping th ceiling and returning it to it's natural beauty. This is going to be an on-going project but it's going to look SOOOOO GOOD. Everything has to be done right.

Oops...

Last week I grabbed a ton of paint swatches from Home Depot and brought them home. I planned on picking out a new color for the sun porch in the entrance. After long deliberation, Deanna and Quentin urged me to pick this color.

It looks like S***. I HATE this color. Now with a little sunlight I don't mind it as much


Back to the drawing board. I wanted more of a honey beige or muted, neutral yellow. On Friday I'll be painting again =(. Hopefully this is the last time.

We have completed our walls and ceiling in the stairwell. Here is the finished look.

The stair sanding madness will ensue this month. I'm not looking forward to this at all. Sanding is the pits. We have to have it finished before July 4th so that we can get someone out to do the poly.

We begin planting this weekend!

Our dogs are doing good. They love to fight.

Not feeling so stumped anymore

I called a few numbers on Craigslist to see about getting 2 tree stumps grinded out that are near the front door (the prime area that we need to get plants going). The guy went out there today and removed 2 stumps for $65. He isn't insured so I'm hoping all is good. I've never even met him, just spoke with him over the phone. Hopefully I walk away with deal vs. a problem.

Will report back.

* Update* I got home yesterday to find both stumps removed and looking great. If anyone needs a refferal let me know. What a deal! Next task- rent a garden tiller and buys some plants!

What a great weekend!

I am so pleased with all of the progress we made over the weekend. For starters, I have been dying to get some furniture in the front sun porch, seeing as though it's pretty much useless without it. I went down to Target to check out this set that I've had my eyes on for the last 2 months and to my surprise it was 10% off. Not only that but I had an additional 10% coupon plus I got another 10% off of the love seat. Total I saved about $80-$90. I just had to yap about it because there is nothing better than getting a good deal on something you love. Good thing I waited! The only bad thing is that now I want to begin redoing the front porch.


Onto the big projects. We finally started removing the huge weed bushes that have turned into trees. We removed 2 big bushes/ roots by digging down and using the chainsaw. I'm hoping the bushes don't grow back but I guess we'll just have to attack them as they come. It's already made such a difference by removing them.


We got the landscape design back from the lady @ Indigo and she did an amazing job. We will hopefully begin planting our trees and shrubs 2 weeks from now. There weren't any hostas in her design so, to use of what was already in the yard, I planted a row of them on the side of the house that people don't really see. We also planted 2 trees, one to the right and 1 to the left of the driveway. Everything is really starting to look nice.


The two little white sticks are the new trees


On top of all of this, it was my nephew Luke's 4th birthday today. Nothing like a child growing to make you feel like you're really getting old- or just growing up. Ok, getting old. My nephew and neice are so cute! Why can't they live a little closer.
My baby and I.