Still sweating, still gaining equity

This mission of creating curb appeal has taken on a life of it's own. Much like the bushes that haven't seen a good trimming in over 10 years. Who am I kidding. It could possibly be 20 years. I honestly didn't know what I was getting into. And I'm still not done.

I gathered all the branches, then trimmed them to size and bound them with twine. I'm hoping the city will take them curbside. I'm not holding my breath, but at least they'll be easier to load onto a trailer if I have to borrow one. 

It doesn't look like a lot, but trust me... It takes up the entire hellstrip! And my accomplishment was very satisfying. 

Still need to find someone to take out the stumps. 

So then it rained and I did this:

And then it stopped and I thought to myself, "Quit now? Or carry on?"

Apparently, I'm a glutton for punishment because I spotted this little beauty, which I knew was bothering my neighbor. So... Why not!?

And because I don't know when to stop... 
(I think it looks ok...)

I finished my afternoon with these 2 little gems!

My next project is to bundle these branches, take them to the curb and hope like hell my tax dollars cover pick up!

In the meantime... I'm not ignoring this one, but I might actually need power tools to do the trick. 

You'll just have to wait and see!

Sweat Equity

So it seems as though history and weather repeat itself. And not to my benefit.

When I closed on the house in July of last year, we experienced a heat wave with heat indexes of 105 to 108. That was the weekend I had to clear the house out so the contractors could start. It was horrible (no AC at all, just a fan).

Just last week, we experienced another heat wave with heat indexes in the same range. And as I watched the over grown shrubbery continue to grow past the roof line, I knew I was going to have to brave the heat, suck it up and start hacking away. 

So less than a year after I became the owner of my happy little house, I finally saw the front of the house, as it was meant to be seen! It's adorable!! So much potential!

This labor of sweat, tears, scrapes and bruises was a mission of mine. For the past 11 months, I have complained to anyone who would listen that my house still looked abandoned. Honestly, it just really bothered me. I'm sure it bothered the neighbors as well. It looked bad and didn't feel safe. 

Originally, I quoted out the work, mainly because I wasn't sure I could physically do it. But $400 was a bit steep for my tastes. And besides...I have tools. I work out. I could do this. 

And so I did. 3 of the 5 bushes (or small trees at this point) are gone. You can see the house. I've never been so excited (which has increased my motivation)!!

Here are some before and during photos. The official "after" probably won't come until fall or even next spring (or whenever you plant things!!)

Halfway there!

Not to brag (or point out that I don't know how to ask for help) but I did this all on my own! On probably one of the hottest Sundays this summer. In fact, I think it was the first official day of summer!

Now to get this junk hauled off (I did ask to borrow a truck) and get the stumps taken out (I will have to hire that out... maybe). 

Which then leaves one very large lilac and one semi-overgrown lilac. Guess I like to work outdoors!! Challenge accepted!