You don't own the home, the home owns you...

At least, that's what Neighborhood Watch Al thinks. He's our across the street neighborhood in his mid-70's and strong as a horse. He mows his yard at least three times a week and has an impeccably kept home...most of the interior and exterior work done himself. Fortunately for us we have incredibly nice and friendly neighbors, unfortunately for us our next door neighbor might be a bit too friendly. Robbie came home a few days ago to Next Door Steve washing his car in our driveway. When Robbie got out of his truck Next Door Steve simply said, "Hope you don't mind, this is where I usually wash my car." To which Robbie replied, "Well.....I guess it's okay.....I mean.....I'm not using it." Yeah, I know. So, there might be some boundary issues there to contend with and our first home improvement project of the weekend was to change the locks on the house and the code to the garage doors....'cause apparently Next Door Steve also used to park his car in our garage as well.

Robbie and I went to the City Market on Saturday for a dose of fresh, appropriately priced veggies and while there I bought some herbs to plant. One of those great, instant gratification projects that seems to make your whole day a little better.

My handy husband also installed a temperature gauge on the deck, a kitty door for the kitties (of which they greatly feared and refused to utilize as long as the swinging door was attached) and a new door set for the front door. Oh AND he also got dragged into my pet project of the weekend....the entryway flower bed. Here is a before picture:


As you can see we have nothing but shrubbery lining the front of our house and stairs leading to the front door. The day we looked at this house I thought to myself and everyone within earshot, "Those shrubs must go!!" Seems simple enough, right? Wrong. Thank goodness for our neighbors who honestly, I think, took pity upon us. They brought over their chainsaws, pick-axes and words of encouragement. Five hours later we ended up with this loveliness:
Of course we're not done yet, but I am excited to finally entertain the notion of plants and flowers in my front yard. I've already completed the research and diagram of my vision for this flower bed. I am also thinking of installing some window boxes......










I received a terrifically painful sunburn because I am a complete idiot and applied zero sunscreen on my winter pale torso and face. I spent the rest of the day inside working on some bags I am making to donate to a fundraiser for our American Cancer Society's Relay for Life team. I managed to complete the first bag and hope to spend the remaining day of our long weekend finishing another.



Here's to all Weekend Warriors!

Comments

Laresa said…
Man, do you put my Sunday to shame! I went to NFM and spent an hour or two imagining what things I should (wanted) to buy. . .my new dining room table, complete living room set, and a new headboard/footboard! And then I came home and watched more tv! Do I feel very unproductive now. . .thanks.
11:42 AM
Anonymous said…
You and your Dad make me exhausted. We went to the farmers market in Shawnee on Saturday. Daniel called me at 7 am to see if we were going and he came over and went with us. At first we couldn't find it, ended up at a dog show, then we found it and wished that we'd gone to the Cleveland County one. Huge disappointment...Did you find Penta's. I promise you will love them. Geraniums are another great garden flower and you can dig them up and over winter them. Pentas are annuals but the show they give is worth every penny. Love, Mom
12:08 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Settling in...

Next month marks our 8th Moved to Kansas City Anniversary. Eight years and I am just now feeling like we are settling in. Life is moving along at a steady clip. I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook, but thank goodness it exists or I would never know anything about anybody. Having a small child seems to suck you into this introverted world where all you (feel) like you do is pick up toys, read Little Golden Books and sing The Wheels On the Bus. But, of course, this is only partially true. As disconnected as I feel to the world outside of my home and the Cancer Center, I am that much more connected to my beautiful son. I am learning to accept that "balance" is a myth. Lately, I've spent a lot of time challenging my notion of health and wellness. Robbie and I joined a gym and I am actually committing time to go. In fact, I even made the large investment to work with a personal trainer. I am trying so incredibly hard to hang up my discomfort and unease about my bod...
Read more

I knew I was forgetting something...

Image
Writing and keeping a journal has always been cathartic for me and I think often, "I should jot that down." The many " thats " that have gone by since last July are almost too numerous to count, and frankly, I've sadly forgotten most of them. I love to write and this blog is testament to that. Unfortunately, my time and energy is limited these days and given my OCD nature, I can't just write a simple little update without revision and editing. I've always wanted to be sure I am saying what I mean and mean what I say...and if I can do it eloquently with a little additional thought, well even better. And that's where I struggle these days. It seems my brain power is more focused on the miles of pages that need to be read for class, remembering to pick my child up from daycare and staying on top of a job that, at times, consumes more of my life than I'd rather admit. Needless to say, I'm busy and taking time to sit, think, ponder and write (gra...
Read more

Gaining wait...

The heaviness of a few extra pounds compares little to the heaviness of grief. I'm feeling quite heavy these days and am impatiently waiting for a lighter spirit. The Daily Cancer Grind makes me weary and a little over a week ago Robbie's cousin lost her precious 4 month old daughter, Kate. Attending the funeral did little to ease the grief, but spending time with Kate's twin sister, her mommy, daddy and other caring relatives helped (a little) in redirecting the anger I was feeling. Am feeling. The grief in that home was palpable. It breathed, rattled the walls. We are losing patients, naturally...the holidays are approaching. I saw it in the funeral industry and the hospice industry and now the cancer care industry. People decline this time of the year. Not that the holidays are depressing enough. It's different this time though. I'm losing friends. Some of these women I see more than my best gal pals. I'm watching their decline and wishing on anything, everyt...
Read more