Not much happening lately, 'cept our neighbors cutting down trees.

Well, we have not done a whole lot to the house lately. We've done some more clearing around the yard and I finally cut the grass after about two weeks due to the rain. We got an outdoor set so we can utilize our deck. We've also finally taken the next step towards getting some much-needed electrical work done. We picked a company and after some revisions to the original estimate (read - more $$) we're ready to sign the contract and get things started. And oh, I still need to install the air conditioners - can't believe it's July 1st and we haven't needed them yet.

Our neighbors have been busy though - in the last month or so they've removed two very large trees from their yard. There was one in the front that was wreaking havoc with their driveway - the roots were buckling the pavement. The trunk was also right in the way of a low retaining wall they had planned so out it came. That particular one looked to be at least 75 years old. The second one straddled their backyard and the neighbors behind them. This one looked like it may have even been older than the one in the front. Frankly it was quite sad to see these trees go, almost made no sense. We have all decided jointly to clean out out the space between our garage and their proposed retaining wall which is currently overrun with thick brush and weeds. Can't wait for that! See pics below.

In other news, I am now 'working'. What this means is that I go into the shop on Saturdays from 8 to 1 and on Tuesdays for most of the day. After some initial stumbles and an ensuing crisis of confidence, I've finally started to feel a little more comfortable. I hope to be getting more responsibility in the coming weeks as I get more time under my belt. Truthfully I have never really had to climb out of any sort of hole and make something work like I have when I decided to change careers. Hopefully I can continue on an upward arc and start making some money. I guess when I'm able to bring my tool box in is when I know I'll have achieved my goal.

Hope to have more updates in the coming weeks as the electrical stuff gets done. Though it will not really alter the appearance of the house, it will be a big upgrade and should ultimately increase the value of it down the road. Hooray home improvement!

Neighbor's tree - front 1.

















Neighbor's tree - front 2.












Neighbor's tree - front 3.

















Neighbor's tree - front 4.

















Neighbor's tree - back 1.

















Neighbor's tree - back 2.

















Neighbor's tree - back 3.

















Neighbor's tree - back 4.

More yard work and tree trimming

Amy and I have been doing yard work steadily the last few weekends. We're trying to get things to a 'baseline' where we know what's what and how it grows. We're still cleaning everything up too, there's just not enough time to do it all in one shot. We have a lot of yard to cover but we're making progress.

This weekend's adventure in landscaping mostly involved tree trimming. We finally removed the large, overgrown shrub from the front of the house and cut down the branches to a short stump. Our neighbor lent us his sawzall and it got plenty of use.

We also trimmed a bunch of the low-hanging branches on our pear tree in the front yard. We've debated whether or not to get rid of this tree since it's grown all sorts of willy-nilly - the trunks are growing in all different directions and there's still some branches hanging over the roof. Once again our neighbor Dan came through and loaned us a medieval-looking tool to trim branches while remaining on the ground. It's a curved saw blade that looks like a scythe. It's on the end of a long pole. You reach up over the top of the branch you want to cut and start sawing. It works real well, I was able to cut some pretty thick branches that would normally have been out of reach. The long handle flexes and allows for a fluid motion. Cool!

Now that we've removed some of the more unsightly and overgrown vegetation, we've come to the conclusion that we may need to spruce up the outside of the house. The brick is dirty and covered in bird crap and the shingle siding is looking dated. The old landscaping has had it too and could use some serious updating. The azaleas have bare spots and are looking pretty scraggly. The trash alcove looks like and afterthought too. We may look into some new siding and we're likely going to need some new roof trim and definitely a new walk. We'd also like to frame the edge of the yard where it meets the street with some sort of stone perimeter. Perhaps this will all get rolling when the large electrical pole comes down off the peak of the roof. Add it to the list.

As per usual, here are a few pics of the action.

Limbs Be Gone!

















It's raining pear tree branches.












Into the belly of the beast.

















Ye Conqueror of Tree Limbs!












Bloomin' rhododendron












This bud's for you












Bloomin' dogwood