So much to do, so little time (or money) part 2

 When you own a home, you have a responsibility to maintain it, inside and out.  While I've been decent (mostly) about the inside, this spring I really let the outside go and it shows.  For the last several years I've been concerned that the euyanumus bushes had greatly overgrown and according to all the yard pros I talked to, could not be trimmed.

Now, something must be done.  I got some quotes and then people backed out of working on it or wanted massive amounts of mula.  I was ready to despair of any work getting done when...  a handyman came to my rescue.

So, on Friday we removed 95% of the shrubs and as much of the damned bittersweet as could be dug out.  And my Francis raked and mowed over the dog's yard.  It was  a great day for the yard and I was exhausted when we finished up.

Then Saturday, he (the handyman) came back and we chopped up and dug out the forsythia bushes in the north lot.  Again, we dug out yards and yards of bittersweet roots but there are probably still more out there. I'm gonna wait a few months and we'll dig out more.  

It's amazing how different everything looks.  I'm very happy with it, and this handyman will be coming back several times to continue helping me with this place.  Sadly, I need the help.

the north end of the front, the giant shrub is impinging on the gutter and awning. also notice all the damned bittersweet growing up by the door and into the hydranga bush.  (okay, I cant spel)

 Next is the south side shrub, and the damn bittersweet is up into the shrub and close to the overhead wires. 

After we trimmed it, this is the North Side.  The bittersweet he dug out too.

And the south side, post trimming

the pile of brush that needs to go:

And it's even bigger now that we've cleaned up all the forsythia.

So much to do, so little time...

For a couple of weeks, I was really sad and dreary.  But I knew that things would get better, I would feel better and yes, that has happened.  It still really hurts, missing those people who meant so much to me.  Almost every day is slightly better, and that's a good thing.  

Meanwhile, the responsibilities are still here.  Yard work, house work, it never ends.  But when you're not home for a month or so in spring time, things can get a little out of control.  They sure did here.  The house is a mess and the yard . . .  well, it's not much better.  

I decided that the den needed complete hoeing out.  The mound on the desk was looking to go critical mass at any moment and I was tired of not finding what I was looking for.  Then you clean and you can't find anything!  Oh, well.  A lot of trash went into the bin, paper to the fire pit or recycle bin and trying to categorize what's left and put things away.  It's been over a week and we're almost done!  

The cable tv bill went up again, to over $300 per month.  That's a no-go for me.  It took me an hour on line /phone to remove everything but the most basic.  Cable claims over 75 channels.  Hahahahaha.  Most of them are shopping or spanish channels.  I'm going to get rid of it all and just keep my landline phone and internet and probably add YouTube TV.  It's around $60 vs. over $70 for those basic channels.

So, there is the house.  When I finish with the den I'll move to the "spare room" where I've stored most of my craft stuff.  It all needs to be re-arranged and organized.  Oh, joy.

Outside, the dog's yard is a mess and needs mowing, raking, and general cleaning.  Then there is the patio, which needs power washing, badly.  Part three is the overgrown shrubs filled with that horrible bittersweet at the front corners of the house.  The shrubs need to be removed, the bittersweet dug out and the forsythia that grew back needs to be managed.  Yup, the yard's a mess.

To add insult to injury, I can't find anyone to come and help with the yard, without spending far too much money.

And then the garage door opener went belly-up.  It's really, really old, so I can't complain, but a replacement installation will have to include the side sensors as this one is so old it didn't have that.  At least the door need not be replaced.  It's lightweight, so opening it manually isn't an issue.

So, I'm staying very busy most of the time which also helps.  I did create a new sign for the front door.  It's wood and exterior paint, so it shouldn't fade or fall off like the posterboard one did.  However, no sparkles.  Sad face.

It's my motto:

Be Kind.

 

heaven knows I'm no artist.  but it gets the point across.