Troy and I have spent a lot of time on the yard in the past couple of months. It took a lot of digging and just getting in there with your hands and pulling. I dug up plants and relocated them to other areas around the house; we both dug up old block edging, measured and put in new edging and made it STRAIGHT so it looked better; I put in a few new plants; we both measured and laid garden fabric; then we dumped and spread new cyprus mulch. The neighbors got just too curious. They like to stop and talk. I think one neighbor was just very concerned as to what I was doing with the plants and if we were just going to 'destroy' everything.
The previous owner seemed to have a haphazard way of doing things and seemed to like the overgrown look. The neighbor behind us seems to like the 'English Garde/Jungle' look which, to me, is one of those "whatever blows your skirt up" things. It is their yard and if it makes them happy...but not for me.
We worked around the sides of the house first with a little time weeding in the front. The back of the house had some digging done in it and there will be a bit more but we have laid the foundation work for NEXT summer...we want to put in a small paver patio. But this year the big project in the back will be the fence...so the doggies can run and have fun and we get some privacy. Sitting on a corner lot doesn't allow for much of that.
Next summer, also, we will be digging up the old mulch in the front and putting in a small paver area with a bench. The low lying bushes have all died out and I have dug up one of them. The second bush that I dig up will allow room for the paver sitting area. Then the other two I dig up will have to be replaced with something else...I am leaning towards a couple of hydrangea bushes.
On another note...with some help from "Mom", TJ has found THE SCHOOL he wants to attend for his post-secondary education. It is The Art Institute in Mason, Ohio. He can learn what he wants in 6 quarters then get on with his life. He wants to go into film. This place teaches them lighting, sound, editing, camera work, script writing, and some digital animation. They send them off on location to do different projects (which is part of the hands-on learning process). They may work on music videos, movies, TV shows, etc doing the sound, the lighting the camera work, etc. Then they have a final film project of their own to create for graduation...which they use as part of their portfolio. If they do really well, the instructors will set them up with a job in the industry, somewhere, depending on the student interest and strength. TJ likes the idea that it is short-term, hands-on, and still close to home since he is not ready, yet, to just rush off totally on his own.
Bethany is planning on home-cyberschool for this next year. Her struggle with her asthma last year caused her problems with keeping up with some of her classes and she just wants to not have to worry so much about it so that she can keep up in classes and keep up a good GPA. We are going to work on getting her 'well'. She has lots of friends and things they all do to hang out so she will not be cut off. After a year of cyberschool she wants to be able to spend her last 2 years of HS at the CTC (Career Tech Center) working in the broadcasting field. I tried to talk her into the medical field but she turns her nose up. We will see.
I am the only one that seems to be somewhat uncertain of my future. I guess if nothing materializes before Fall I will sign up for substitute teaching and start working on a Masters Degree in Tech Education or Distance Learning. That way I can work my way into Post-Secondary instruction. It is funny the twists and turns life takes.
Anyway...I am caught up now. LOL
