Yard Maintenance - Part 3

As this past weekend was the weekend before Elektra's baptism, it was effectively my last weekend to get big projects done. I had all sorts of delusions of gradeur in terms of the types of projects I'd get accomplished and how beautiful and clean looking the outside of the house would be.

Delusions of Grandeur. Yep. Key words right there.

We took the kids to the Science Center on Saturday morning with Damian, Jenn, and Leo, and while they were napping, I had these grand plans of getting the garage clean and other housework. But you know, when the going gets tough, the tough take a nap. And nap I did... for 3 hours! Hmmm. Maybe my body is trying to tell me something. Needless to say, nothing got done on Saturday.

Sunday, however, was a different story. I organized the kids rooms a little more, cleaned the kitchen some, went grocery shopping and just as I got home, my parents called. They wanted to come over to see the grandkids, but also help with any remaining yard work. Heck, no yard work help needed - just enjoy the grandkids! Their timing, however, was perfect in terms of nap time, so they really could help me with yard work.

Steve was in the garage, organizing it and changing the oil in the STi (again). My parents and I were trimming bushes and killing weeds in the front beds. I spent a few minutes with my trusty shovel digging up a fern at its roots and go figure, I actually managed to break the shovel. So there I was, standing there, scratching my head, totally lost on how to get this stupid fern out of the ground with a busted shovel.... it was amusing, to say the least!

I also borrowed Mary's long extension cord, and retested my hedge trimmer. It worked. I must've either blown a fuse in the outlet I was using the week before or the hedge trimmer reset itself. Either way, that made my life a whole lot easier in trimming the big hedge bushes. They at least look a little neater, even if still huge. Their saving grace right now is that they are absolutely gorgeous azaleas that bloom beautifully in the Spring. There are other bushes in those beds, on the other hand, that won't be spared when I can get a hold of a truck with a trailer hitch and a big old chain ... (e.g. the holly ow ow ow! you're so GONE!). Reseeding grass and making rock beds is a small price to pay for a neater, less maintenance bed that is configured to help keep termites and other bugs away from the house!

Meanwhile, my parents helped shape bushes, trim the ridiculous hosta (I'm so going to dig up most of them next year - they are out of control!!!), and make the beds look a little neater overall. I couldn't have done it all without them! Thanks M&P! And the kids loved seeing you!