The front looks fairly decent now that everything's mowed and trimmed. I sprayed for weeds, which should make my life a little easier, and got the front walkway all swept just now. The gate and fence need to be mended in a few places, and they could both really use a painting, but I'm putting that off until I have some energy. I've planted some tomato and carrot seeds, and will put some more in this week or next. I'm moving at least one bird feeder up to the balcony, since I rarely remember to fill the ones downstairs. I'm going to work on the carpets this week or next, depending on when I can get the cleaners and enough energy. I'm also considering setting up the smaller aquarium again, since the cats and I enjoy watching the fish swim. This time, I'll probably get small fish, maybe some fancy guppies. What are y'all doing around the house?
What kind of plans, @Ruby Begonia? Something you post could give us some ideas of things we could do, and vice versa. I like reading about what everyone's doing. If I had the money, I'd be making walkways from the driveway fence to the shed and back porch, and from the porch to the shed, as well. I'm letting the back of the back yard grow into a meadow, since I rarely use it, and it's nice and colorful when I gaze at it from the balcony, which is where I spend most of my outdoor time. My neighbor has a power or pressure washer, and I might borrow that, because i'd like to clean off the front of the house. The side is brick, so I'll leave that as is, and no one goes around back anyway, so if I do borrow it, I'll just focus on the front. Years ago, I'd have started with the back, because whether or not others would see it wouldn't have mattered to me. I would want it all to be equally clean. These days, I pick my battles, since I have limited energy. That friend also has a tree lopper that I'll be borrowing, because the neighbor's trees are getting too close to the balcony again. I'll also use it on the tree out front because when it grows it limits my view, and I like to be able to see the end of my driveway.
Oh Diane, I just can't get motivated! Arthritis kicking up and it's snowing! I will however, hire carpet cleaners, take my drapes to the cleaners, hire someone to clean the oven. I did get one bathroom painted and new lighting and hardware installed. I own a condo, so no garden. Soon I'll be getting a hanging basket for the front and some potted plants for the back deck, but I'm not looking forward to watering them every day this year. If nothing else, I will have a large pot of basil.
I've got a lot of "Spring Cleaning" to take care of when I get home from my beach trip. I will be washing winter things and packing them away while unpacking Spring things and putting them in place in our home. There are walls and baseboards to wipe down, windows to give a good cleaning to, and if I have time I want to take everything out our walk in closet and paint the walls of the closet a bright cheery color...as it is a kind of mud color brown right now that depresses me every time I see it. I also want to add some cheery color to my pantry walls. One thing I'm looking forward to doing is buying some frames for these pictures I'm bringing home from my beach trip and hanging them on the wall in our bedroom. The colors in these pictures will blend well with the colors I've done our bedroom in. I just know once those pictures are framed and hung I will wake up each morning, see them, and get a big smile on my face! After I finish everything that needs doing inside I might go see what needs doing outside...but for the most part my Honey takes care of that for us. So unless there is something I want to add outside like some new flowers, etc...the tough stuff out there will not be something I have to concern myself with.
I like the idea of sprucing up the homestead. Walkways can be made with patio stones or gravel, or even mulch. Depending on the area of country where you live. I am planning on making a small patio using slate rock. My neighbor has some on his garage floor that he wants to get rid of and I have a few big pieces in my yard from an old pool patio. Moving them thou is going to require muscle and a small loader or doily and a shovel. Then I need a few truck loads of dirt to fill in the hole left from where the pool was. Plant grass and I have my yard back. Big dreams and not sure I can find help to get job done. Same ole want and wish list. lol
It's still too cold here to do much outdoors, but my plans include... Making a new compost area to replace the old one that's falling apart. Replacing my back steps, possibly with a small enclosed deck or mud room. Either building or buying a small shed to store my lawn mower and maybe a snow blower.
We live in an apt., so just spring cleaning like some others. It's so nice to have your own place even if you have to keep it up yourself. You can have pets, we can't have pets, so I watch videos on youtube.com to get my fix of seeing pets. They are so cute and some are really camera ready!
@Ruby Begonia It sounds like you're doing a lot, despite the aches and pains . I'm so glad I don't have to worry much about watering. I rarely remember to do it, but thankfully, it tends to rain enough here to satisfy the plants I've had for years now. I have a drought resistant asian jasmine downstairs, and only water that a few times a year. It doesn't flower, so I leave it there, and don't bother transplanting some up to the balcony where my garden is. @Krissttina Isobe I rent a single family, and I wouldn't like not having animals. I've had them all of my adult life and most of my childhood, and I consider them family. It's surprising how many places don't allow them, which is another reason why I stayed here, even when I could afford to move. @Sandy Wood Those do sound like ambitious plans, but I'll bet if you're able to accomplish all of that, you'll be very happy with your yard. Someone here in the neighborhood was selling bricks, but I'd rather slate tiles/stones like you mentioned, although if I stay here and do build the walkways, I may end up using bricks. I probably won't get around to that this year, but who knows. @Ken Anderson Sheds are so useful. We stored everything in the cellar or under the back porch growing up, but after we moved out, my parents finally got a shed, and then they realized how much handier it was to have everything readily available. I hope you're feeling up to snuff soon and are able to knock out some of those items on your To Do list. I used my carrot pot to hold the shepherd's hook, and used cotton yarn to tie it to the railing. Obviously I'll have to plant carrots in another pot, since a lot of bird seed is falling into the pot and the birds are pecking around to get it. I'm fairly happy with using the hook/pot/bird feeder, but I think I'll move it over somewhat, so i can actually see it when I'm sitting here at the desk.
We have been working on the spring cleaning things here at home, too. The days are warm enough now that we moved all of the houseplants outside, and put the hanging basket ones on the front deck where it is shady. If we get one of those really hot summers, some of them will have to come back inside, but for now, they seem to be loving it outside. About time to put away the sweatpants and take out the summer cutoffs, too ! That is always a happy time of year that we look forward to. One thing I wish was different, and that is the pine trees all around on the property and the lot next door. The pine needles fall off year around, and the raking job is just neverending. Plus, even though the shade is nice, we could have more room for flowers if there were not so many trees. The mint that I started last year is spreading, and we are hoping that it actually does help to deter the moquitoes this summer. Mint is one of the plants that those pests are not supposed to like at all, and I am planting it around the area of the front porch and yard.
It sounds like your "Spring Cleaning" is coming along just fine Yvonne. Mine has become more of a step by step thing right now as I started off really well, then got the urge to cook up a storm for my Honey...and now in between taking care of normal everyday duties, my mind is off to research land once again. The good thing is now that's it's just me and my Honey to take care of...I have the freedom to do things a little at a time while enjoying the things I like to do too.
Your room looks very relaxing @Babs Hunt. I like doing things in spurts, as well. That's about how long my energy lasts anyway, then I can rest and take on something less active. Outdoor chores have been on hold, and I'm starting to go through things inside, although at a pretty slow pace. When I'm feeling better, I can tackle it with gusto, and I'm planning to donate some of the things I don't want/need, such as clothing and perhaps a few pieces of furniture.