Yard Renovation

It took about a week when the crew finally came to renovate the yard. By then, the weeds were so tall, one of the crew had to cut them down with a power blade.

The left image is the backyard. That's Mollie on the deck. You can see our new patio doors and the pergola above her. The right image is the side yard with the tall weeds that were later cut down..






 The left image is the front yard with fresh sod. The former flower beds have been replaced with large riverstone. The right image shows the side yard with fresh sod.

The left image shows the coarse riverstone used. The right image shows part of the back yard renovation, including some sodded areas and some areas of seeded topsoil. In the background, you can see the bottom of the deck and pergola with metal steps down into the yard.

We did have problems with our contractor, as expected. The problems included a crushed down spout, a damaged back gate, and a broken piece of concrete walk way. He'll not get a favorable testimony from me.

There will still be some work for us to do, including frequent spraying out of weeds in the topsoil that was used and less frequent spraying out of weeds that pop up in the riverstone. But, compared to the pre-renovation situation, we're happy with the results.

Looking for Low a Maintenance Yard

As we age (some of us faster than others), we gradually begin to hate yard work. We soon cannot keep up with the weeds. During the past few years, we give up weed control half-way through the summer. Our beautiful perennials disappear in the tall weeds. And, some of us have young dogs that are poisoned by some of the highly toxic weeds.

Our solution? Total yard renovation. Remove everything, including grass and flower beds, and replace both areas with fresh grass (new sod) and large stones over landscape fabric and crushed limestone rock. It's a bit hard to visualize so I plan to photograph the steps as they are taken over the next couple of months.

Meanwhile, look your last at the trees and shrubs and weeds seen around my grey Ford Escape in the picture above. They'll soon be all gone.

Good Morning ... Let The Stress Begin

Today, we are having some new windows installed.  First, new bedroom windows for Margaret's room.  The old ones are being cut out right now and will be replaced with no-maintenance ones,  One will be used for emergency egress if the need ever arises.  We likely will have to replace the slatted blinds as well because the old ones may not be the proper size for the new windows.

Later today, the deck doors will be replaced.  Hopefully, they will be installed quickly because it is -8 degrees C today.  Tomorrow, the front entry doors will be installed, along with a storm door.  The installer and his helper hope the work will be finished in the early afternoon.  That work will include removal of cardboard floor protectors and tarps and sheets protecting our bedroom, dining room, and entry way furniture.

Mollie, our cockapoo, is not too happy about all the activity.  Gus, our golden retriever, is very happy with everything.  His tail has been wagging non-stop since the crew came this morning.

One thing is certain: the stress will continue for some time.  Maybe, by early spring-summer, it will ease up, assuming we don't have to worry about flooding.