My Bleeding Pockets

To get my gardening plans kicked off, I needed some supplies. And by "some" supplies, I mean a semi-load. 700 bricks and 4000 lbs of soil, to be exact. Luckily for me, I had recently scored a 10% off total purchase coupon from Lowes. Which meant that, in addition to getting delivery of these 700 bricks and 4000 lbs of soil for $59, I got a great deal on their price. I ended up below budget - well, maybe I'm being too quick to speak here, since I know there will be other things I'll need to purchase before this project is completely finished. But I had estimated that the costs would be about $900, and my total (including taxes and the delivery fee - and a lock box, which is another story altogether) came to $877.02.

Hooray! I came in under budget! And someone else is going to schlep a few tons of bricks and another couple tons of soil all the way to my house, which is, coincidentally, right where I need it!

How's that for a bargain? I am seriously oohing and ahhing over the delivery bit, because that is so much labor - and wear & tear on my station wagon, not to mention gas costs of the multiple loads it would take - and all for $59. Best $59 I ever spent.

My pockets gladly bleed for gardening expenses.

Ghetto Blastin'

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love our neighborhood. It's a hop away from an amazing nature trail that goes on for miles. Our street is not a main drag, so it isn't busy - the streets couldn't be more safe.

But, we have a ghetto neighbor. What do I mean by that? I mean that in the "ghetto blaster" sense, because they are the most noisy, inconsiderate neighbors around. They blast their music from their cars - when they're driving, when they're playing in the yard, whenever. At all ungodly hours of the night, although during the day as well.

Fortunately, the city we live in has fairly strict noise ordinances. I need them today! After the police came and talked to our noisy neighbors, they turned down their music.

For 10 minutes.

Then they cranked it right back up. So I called again - because seriously, that is some major rudeness. I don't know if the police will come back out or not. I hope so, but then again, it didn't seem to do much good last time. But maybe a second visit would convince them to knock it off and be good neighbors.

I know, I know. I'm naive to think that they'll change their inconsiderate ways - especially seeing their reaction to the first cop's visit. But sometimes, all you can do is hope.

And invest in quality ear plugs.

March Madness

Now that we're more settled in our new home, my thoughts are brimming with plans. I'm a planner by nature, and owning a house brings with it so many opportunities for planning different home improvement projects!

This will be the first summer we have a garden. Big plans for that! Tomatoes, onions, peas, beans, pumpkins, squash, peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon, raspberries, blackberries... yum! My dad claims that St Patrick's Day is the perfect time to start the seeds so they'll be ready to put in the ground. I forgot to ask him when exactly it is that they go in the ground. 4-6 weeks later? I'll Google it or give Dad a call (my human Google when it comes to all things grown in a garden)
That will take care of the backyard. The front yard, on the other hand, is a whole 'nother ball of wax. We have enormous, hideous shrubs along the front of our house. Those monstrosities will not be around much longer. Hit the road, Jack! We'll try something else in their place.. maybe sunflowers, or Laura's ancestral peonies, or.. ? No decisions have been made yet for that. Also in the front yard are three trees of varying sizes. I hope that we can get rid of at least two of them, and plant fruit trees in their place. 2 apple trees (so they pollinate) and then maybe a pear tree (if they don't require 2 for pollination like the apple trees).

Also in the works: painting most of the inside of the house, painting the shutters on the outside (from a bland black to a more lively candy red), ripping up the dining room carpet, installing a bathroom exhaust fan, installing a wood stove, and building a tandem, semi-attached garage.


And painting the entire shed.


Whew!