What Have I Done?
Last fall a good friend of mine suggested that we offer our yard (and home) for the local historical organization’s box supper. She assured me that we would not have to worry about anything. The historical organization would take care of all the food, beverages, tables, chairs, set up, and removal. I would provide my yard for the supper, and my house would be open for tours. The event would be held in June. I definitely needed some inspiration for fixing up my yard, so in early January I agreed to hosting the June event.
“What have you done?!” exclaimed my Mom when I told her. She immediately launched into the laundry list of everything I need to do to prepare the house and yard. Of course, the event would affect her as well since our yards are joined, so she also talked about what she needed to do. I reassured her that everything would be fine and that I could take care of the multitude of tasks.
Of course, all this sounded fine and dandy in January. I wasn’t worried about the overgrown shrubs, fallen limbs and trees, weedy patio, crumbling front and back steps, sunken stepping stone front walk, filthy fish pond, neglected vegetable garden, sagging/leaking roof, etc. After all, we signed the contract to have our roof replaced back in October. Surely, it would be done in plenty of time for the event despite the nasty winter (thank heavens for tarps!). I finally had some back up at work, so taking time off to prepare wouldn’t be a problem. I could do it all!
Winter dragged on, my back up person at work resigned, a large work project needed a lot of my attention along with a multitude of other projects, and before I knew it, April was well underway, and I had not taken care of anything on my list.
What have I done? A few weeks ago, I asked myself the very question my Mom asked in January… What have I done? I really thought I had everything under control, but somehow life had a way of happening. I wasn’t expecting to be so busy at work, and I wasn’t expecting my husband to be buried in work. I wasn’t expecting all my fish in the pond to die (another story for another day). I wasn’t expecting the roof project to be so delayed. I wasn’t expecting to have lost so many limbs in the winter ice storms. As usual, a lot of the unexpected happened, and time marched on. What have I done?… not much!
I’m frugal, and I like to think I can do everything, but I finally had to break down and admit to myself that I needed help. Fortunately, I have been able to find some help, and in a matter of two weeks, things have started to shape up. A local handyman/contractor and his crew have mortared the front and back steps and stabilized the handrails. They also cleaned and sanded the brick patio and hauled away fallen limbs. A local gardening company has cleaned out the fish pond, planted around the fish pond, cleaned up my veggie garden, knocked down some honeysuckles, and trimmed the front bushes. I also got reassurances from the roofer that our project will begin the first week of May.
You know you’re a grown up when…
A trimmed hedge is exciting…
A stable handrail matters…
You admit that the moss isn’t taking (my mossy experiment did not survive the winter)…
A freshly-sanded, weed-free patio is beautiful…
A tilled veggie garden brings joy…
Though I wanted to do all of this myself, I must admit that coming home to find these tasks accomplished by professionals has been a huge relief. I might have less money in my bank account, but I have the peace of mind knowing that everything has been done correctly. Preparing the veggie garden alone would have taken an entire weekend for me, but it only took the gardener part of a day. I enjoy gardening, but when a deadline looms, it’s good to have people around who can help relieve the pressure. I am grateful for the work that has been done over the past couple of weeks. Of course, there’s more in store, including a real front walkway, actual fish in the pond, spring plants, and updates on my rehab plants.
