Just Call Me 'Landscape Goddess'

I'm not very helpful inside the house during this renovation, so I've made myself useful on the outside. I decided to tackle the front flowers to create curb appeal which this house desperately needed. At one time, the landscaping was remarkable with various flowers, hedges, trees and a goldfish pond to greet you upon arrival. But when the house sat vacant for nearly a year, nature took over. A lot of TLC has gone into the front yard. Cody did tackle the patch of yard in front of the circle drive. There were tons of short pine shrubs and native grasses plus a million and a half rocks scattered and buried in the dirt. Cody tore all of that out and cut down a few trees. Cody and I tackled part of the backyard underneath the balcony off the upstairs 'man cave'. A chain link fence that kept dog houses and various outdoor supplies was overtaken by two giant trees which were growing into the balcony. We didn't really need the dog houses or outdoor supplies. And the place really needed to be cleaned up. It took us two days, 6 trips to the city dump and a cable strapped attached to the Nissan Titan to get it all down and out, but it's gone. Then I took my turn on the flower beds. So many leaves had blown in. The trees were overgrown. Monkey grass had multiplied. Weeds took control. And it just needed a face lift. I now hate monkey grass and am beginning to hate rock. I have never in my life pulled, yanked, cut, sawed, hacked, tugged and cussed at something so fiercely. I have learned I have a strong will and determination to finish something despite the heat. And that I can be an early riser to beat the sun, but will work with sweat dripping, no running, down my face, neck and back. Every rock, every plant, every piece of mulch was laid by yours truly - minus one enormous rock which Cody helped me move. Needless to say, my arms are now ripped and my tan is a golden brown. (Not really.) I haven't completely finished all the beds. There is still a small patch of monkey grass taunting me. And black mulch needs to be laid. The heat is getting to me. We've been lucky to only come across one snake - which was a teeny baby and not poisonous. Every time I work in the yard, I just pray 'No snakes, God.' That would ruin me. And hey, if you EVER need landscaping rock, don't go to a nursery to buy any. Just give us a call. We have a million. Literally. Enjoy the BEFORE/AFTER slideshow below of our progress.