Tales From The New Home {Week 16}

After a few weeks off, I can report we are back in business. We have a few in progress projects. We were at a stand still for a while because of so many factors. The weather was unbearably hot. Our schedule was crazy. And we were living on one income. Now everything is coming together. The weather is amazing lately. The next few weeks are (partly) unbooked. And I'm back to work. We very fortunately are expecting company at the end of November. Company always tends to light a little fire under ya! The office which has been my catch all needs to become a guest bedroom by Thanksgiving. Which means deciding paint color and buying furniture. Exciting, yet nerve wrecking! I have to make decisions... by next Sunday. 

Our main focus has been re-seeding the back yard. And by our focus, I mean my husband's focus. I've been pumpkin patch-ing and Las Vegas-ing while he has been Home Depot-ing and well heck, he went to Vegas too! But he did all the hard labor when it came to the back yard. I give him credit. He tilled the whole space and planted grass seed. Everyone warned him to cover the seed or the birds would eat it. But he is hard headed and wouldn't hear it. He didn't cover his grass seed for about a week. Sure enough, we had new birds coming to visit us the entire week and inviting all their friends. I even caught our resident hummingbird feeding off the ground. Yes, they were right again. Cover the grass seed! The birds will eat it.

Here is a break down of what has been happening. Husband took out the pavers to expand the backyard another two feet. The palm tree in the corner still remains but needs to go. Our friends are taking them but we have to coordinate the when of it all. Two men in charge equals a year of humming and haa-ing. You all know it does! Women just have a way. They really do!

We put the boys to work picking up the broken pavers. They hate it but I like it. I just don't think kids get taught the responsibility of house work anymore. And I'm as much to blame as anyone. It really has to be a conscious decision for me. I tend to let my kids be kids but the philosophy doesn't help them much. Honestly. High demand, High reward. It gives you the best results. I promise.

We added a little yard over there and lost some here. The old pavers which could be saved went to the opposite side of the yard. We have a row to add but it's coming together. Not a finished project but soon.

Someone loved that my husband didn't cover the new grass seed right away. He was lounging in that nasty pile of dead grass for a week. Dogs are weird!

We also took a day and organized the garage. "Nicole" style. We took everything out and put it all back in. Greatest feeling ev-vah! We bought a great industrial shelving unit from Costco and it made a huge difference. I wish I had taken a picture after. 

I know you are all digging that deer head. It's great when I get to explain it to young children who randomly pass by. In some states, the dead deer head hanging in my garage wouldn't catch much attention. In California, it is a different story. You will never know how much I tolerate over here with this guy! 

Even his precious baby had to get out of the garage.

 We finally got grass. I hope the HOA is happy. Our wonderful neighbor loves to fill us in on all the gory details of the HOA police. I guess the citation lady is pretty active in our community. Which makes me giggle a little. Have you all seen the Over The Hedge movie? I'm picturing the crazy HOA lady in my mind. My neighbor tells us as long as you write your apology letter (we did) then you won't have to pay (we didn't). However, when you skip the letter you will pay the fine. Noted. Gotta love a neighbor who has the dirt!

I should be back next week with all the details of what has happened after this weekend. We are in need of a major house clean. I'm not sure it needs it. I think it's more my preference. The older I get the more obsessed I am with having a clean organized house. Sadly, it doesn't happen easily. Other than that, I have plans to hang with my family and get ready for Halloween. Which probably means a trip to Target for Trick or Treat candy. Yippee!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

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