Day 31: Full Circle

I thought I would end my 31 day challenge just as I started it... with my grass.

Do you remember this picture? It was taken just one month ago and posted on day 1 of my 31 day challenge.


These two pictures were taken yesterday morning. We are so happy with our grass. It is green, and thick... and we can't even see the seams in the sod. Mike has already mowed it 3 or 4 times.


We still have a lot to do (trees, shrubs, flowers...), but we're off to a great start!!


The winner of my blog/facebook contest is:

Ashley Mills

Day 24: A Job Well Done

Zach came over to work in Grandpa and Grandma's yard yesterday. He is such a good and willing worker. He shoveled dirt, he raked, he pulled weeds. He doesn't complain or think it's too hard... he just does the job.

When we were finished working Zach pulled the heavy garbage can all the way around the house back to where it belonged next to the garage. As we passed by the patio he informed me that he thought it was "cool" that we have tables with umbrellas in our backyard.

I feel pretty awesome that my eight-year-old grandson thinks I'm cool for having Wal-mart end of season clearance tables... and don't forget the umbrellas; in my backyard.

I'm looking forward to Zach coming back and helping me with some jobs inside the house.

Day 6: I've Got The Beach In My Backyard

1 brand new backyard + 1 bottle of sand from the beach house poured into cracks between sod = beach front property... right? Can't blame me for trying.

Day 1: Grass and Gratitude

After nearly 3 years of a dirt and weed infested back/side yard... WE HAVE GRASS!!!!!

Monday night was definitely a family night as many of our family members converged upon us after our call for help. It was an amazing sight to see so many working together in an effort to accomplish this goal for us. In just an hour-and-a-half the job was done and the pizza party ensued.

After a much needed soak in the bathtub and clad in my bathrobe, I went outside and sat on the patio where I relaxed and listened to the now familiar sounds of the sprinklers... at 12:45 am.

I felt so much gratitude that this major portion of the yard was finally done. But maybe even more... I felt so much gratitude for those who helped us in any aspect of this project. I have often heard the cliche "many hands make light work" and Monday night was a perfect example of that. Our backyard neighbor seemed amazed as he inquired of Mike, "is this all family?"

I really do find joy in the simplest of ways. Things said to me that night and the good feelings I felt, combined with the opportunity to work with people I love in a common cause, and benefiting from their service to me; simply... gratitude.

The Grass Isn't Always Greener

When I left for work on Tuesday morning this is how my front yard looked.


When I arrived home from work on Wednesday afternoon the sprinkling system was completed and had been covered with dirt.


A load of topsoil and two pallets of sod had also arrived on Wednesday.


By Wednesday evening all of the topsoil has been spread around the yard.


Shortly after 7 am on Thursday morning Caitlin and I left for USU. Part of the crew were already at work in the yard.


When we returned on Thursday afternoon this is what we found.


Complete with sprinkling system.


This is the first time in my entire life that I have had a sprinkling system? True or false? What do you think the answer is?

Green Thumb?

In answer to the question in the title of this post... NOT ME. I love nature. I love beautiful yards filled with trees and flower beds, shrubs and stone walkways. I love seeing pots and hanging planters filled with perennials and annuals throughout the summer (hey... at least I know those terms AND the differences between them), as well as tulips and daffodils creeping up from the ground in the spring. But alas, my thumb is as pink as it can be.

We are preparing to put in a yard... from the dirt up. Mike has moved rocks, sprayed weeds, plowed dirt, raked dirt... and then done it all again. Archie (thanks Arch) has come over and designed a sprinkling system with Mike; our friend Mike (thanks Mike) came over and designed a wonderful layout for us.

I'm nervous. As long as it sits there undone, we can dream of how beautiful it will be; but the minute we start to put it together, reality will set in. What if we do it wrong? What if our lawn isn't thick and healthy? What if we buy trees and they die? What if, what if...

Well I took a baby step and planted daffodil bulbs. My friend Paula (who has TWO green thumbs and a beautiful yard) brought these bulbs to the "Favorites Party" last fall and Caitlin's name was drawn out. Being a teenage girl, she was happy to trade her daffodil bulbs for a ring I received when my name was drawn out. So here they are. I planted them in the winter (Paula said I could) and they bloomed. I've watched them and thrilled over them every step of the way.

We just need to take a few more of those baby steps. Our friend Mike had a 5-year plan for his yard (which is beautiful by the way). So right now (year 1/5) our plan is sprinklers and grass, and weather permitting we'll be moving forward right away.

As I'm siting here typing, I think I'm noticing a slight hint of green on the tip of my left thumb. I think our yard may turn out to be just fine.