So, when we first moved into our house, our yard was a bit of a mess. It was something we knew we definitely wanted to change, but we kept putting it off for other projects and we just never got around to getting it done last year. Last weekend we got really motivated, worked really hard and got it done! Unfortunately, I can't find any pictures of the yard before last weekend! I didn't take any "before" pictures because I knew I had already taken some when we moved in. I'm still sure I took them, but I can't find them to save my life! I'll keep looking and I'll add them when I find them. 

It involved quite a bit of work. First, we had to dig up all our old shrubs and get rid of them. We had mixed types of different sizes.We had 2 Japanese Holly plants that were relatively small, a rosebush and a huge Burberry shrub. The Burberry was really pretty while it still had its leaves, but it looked horrible during the winter. Plus it had thorns. 

I was able to find this picture. It shows the random huge shrub we had. The other 2 were not even 1/4 its size.  This thing was a beast and it was pretty hard to remove. The size was definitely a factor, but the thorns were just as bad! The roots were huge!

Once all the old shrubs were gone, we removed the old mulch , weed blocker and weeds we had (it seems like everything except the weeds died over Winter). We didn't have a border last year and we really wanted one. It is really annoying to have to keep sweeping mulch off the walkways! After considering all our options, we decided to go with brick. It's pretty, it's cheap, and it reminds us of State :-). Win-win-win! We decided to slightly re-configure the area as well. The previous owners had a large area mulched out and we really didn't like it. We would prefer to have more grass. We decreased the size of the mulched area by a few feet. We planted grass there. We already had some grass seed we bought for patching up areas. We planted the grass in front of the mulched area (hence the straw). After spending a ridiculous amount of time figuring out how we wanted to space the shrubs, we planted our Boxwood! We put down some fresh weed-blocker and mulch. It looks SO much better! 

The area beside our front door used to have a shrub. We decided not to put one there this time around. I would like to be able to decorate this area seasonally and it will be much easier without the shrub in the way. Right now we just have some herbs planted here, but we may add a potted plant of some sort. I'm looking forward to being able to put some pumpkins in this space during the Fall and a small tree at Christmas time! The only downside to removing that shrub so far is that it used to hide our water hose. We'll just have to make sure we find something pretty that's large enough to hide it away :-). 

We also cleaned out all the dead stuff from the flower bed, planted some pansies and added new mulch. We're going to replace this border with a red one to match the brick. This is something that crossed our mind after the fact and I don't want to risk ruining the flowers, so I'm fine putting this off again. We will likely plant either Tulips of Daffodils here next time around. We'll just replace the border when we put those in the ground in the Fall.

Red and white Pansies.

All in all, I'm really happy with how this project turned out. There is one major, or maybe not so major change I would have made. We already had some grass seed we bought for patching up areas. Since we already had the grass, we just bought straw to protect it while it grew in. I JUST realized (a week later) that it would have been cheaper to buy the one roll of sod we would have needed to cover the space. Not only would it have been cheaper, we would have instantly had grass (our grass has yet to start coming in) and it wouldn't have been nearly as messy. We'll be picking straw out of our mulch for quite a while. We may still end up doing this if we're not successful in growing grass. From what we've heard from our neighbors, they've all had a really hard time with grass seed on our side of the street. The houses on the other side of the street have really pretty grass, but they don't get nearly as much sunlight in their front yards. I really wish our house faced opposite directions. Then we would have the full day of sunlight in our back yard for the garden, and the sun wouldn't be so harsh on our grass. 

See that straw all over the place?!?

I'll be sure to post another picture later in the season once we have some grass!

Kitchen Decorating

I have been really bad about updating things, especially with the house. We're also really bad at actually finishing projects, so that may have a little to do with it. It's not very exciting without AFTER pictures, is it? Well, hopefully I'll be able to get a few of those up here at some point in the near future.

For my 101 in 1001 list, I wanted to make something to display in our house. I actually have the materials to make at least 2 other items, but I finished my first one back in...Octoberish? Haha. Yea, like I said...way behind!

Remember when we adjusted our cabinets so we could put in a microwave over the stove? Well, that left 2 awkward looking empty spots on either side of the stove. I thought about putting plants up there, but I didn't. Then I decided to put decorative plates up there. I liked that idea better, so I started searching. Everything I found that I liked was a bit more than I wanted to pay, so I decided to make some. I still had some glass paint left over from some of the gifts I made for our wedding party, and luckily, we're decorating our kitchen in our wedding colors. I love polka dots, so I decided to go with that. I used the wrong side of a few paintbrushes (because I wanted  my dots to be different sizes). I use the wrong side so the dots will be consistent in size/shape. It's a LOT harder to do this with the actual brush. Trust me!

I went to Goodwill and found 2 Crate & Barrel plates that I loved for $6 total! The decorative ones that I was finding online that I liked were more like $15+ EACH. Not too bad!

I would love to decorate some other items to match these, I have plenty of space above the rest of my cabinets that could be decorated :-)

50 Questions That Will Free Your mind

These questions have no right or wrong answers.

Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.

1.How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

 I think I would be 25. Right now, I'm at the point in my life where I hoped I would be when I was 25.

2.Which is worse, failing or never trying?

 Definitely never trying. If you try and fail, you know what you did wrong and you learn from it. If you never try, you will learn nothing and you will always wonder what could have been.

3.If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

We do the things we don't like because we're chasing after something we don't have. I think we're all guilty of this to some extent. We think if we work the job we hate for long enough, we'll eventually be able to afford to do those other things we like. In reality, we should just appreciate what we have and do what we can within our means. I'm working on this :-)

4.When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
Absolutely. I'm a talker. Haha.

5.What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
Corruption. It's all over. Politics, individuals. I just wish people would do what is right, not what gets them ahead.

6.If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
The kind where I get to play with puppies and sea turtles every day.

7.Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
At the moment, probably settling for what I'm doing, but I'm working on that :-)

8.If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
I would work less and play more. 

9.To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
Well, I've been given choices, and I've made decisions. I would say maybe about 50%.

10.Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
Doing the right things.

11.You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
Tell them they're talking about my friend, then tell them why they're wrong. 

12.If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
Take chances.

13.Would you break the law to save a loved one?

Absolutely, without thinking twice.

14.Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
Hmmm...nope, I don't think so.

15.What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
Hmmm. I sometimes use my GPS even when I know where I'm going. I like to see if I can beat my estimated arrival time. I'm not sure if that's very unique though.

16.How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Because we don't all want the same things.

17.What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
Own a hedgehog. Money and my puppy.

18.Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
Nope. I don't think so.

19.If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
Well, I'm very happy where I am now so I don't want to. But if I had to choose somewhere else I guess NC because that's where I want to end up (just later). As far as another country, Australia (if the cost of living were only lower :-/ ) because it's the most beautiful place I've ever been. I would love to share that with Josh.

20.Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
Sometimes. Nope, not at all.

21.Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
A joyful simpleton for sure.

22.Why are you, you?

Because my experiences have shaped me to be who I am today.

23.Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
Not always, but I am now, except for keeping in touch. I suck at that.

24.Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
Losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you. You can still be good friends with people who live far away. And one day, they might come back :-) If you grow apart from someone who is near, I feel like you're less likely to have the relationship you used to have.

25.What are you most grateful for?
My amazing family and friends.

26.Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
At this point in my life, lose all my old ones. The moment I lose someone in my immediate family, this answer would change.

27.Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
Sure, or you can at least think you know. Sometimes that's enough.

28.Has your greatest fear ever come true?
No

29.Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
Nope, and of course it doesn't.

30.What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
Probably riding horses with my dad on the weekend. It was "our" time and nothing else mattered.

31.At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
Now. I'm happier than I've ever been.

32.If not now, then when?
When I'm ready.

33.If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
Pride?

34.Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation 

ever?
Best conversation, No, I tend to think of that word literally. Strong connection, yes.

35.Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
Because there's no compromise.

36.Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
Yes.

37.If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
I don't think so. I think I would work part time.

38.Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
More work that I enjoy.

39.Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
No. Today I finished the preparation for the hubby and I to turn our keys in to our first place together (lease ends tomorrow). It was very different. Bittersweet. 

40.When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
Never.

41.If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
Our immediate family with my husband.

42.Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
Absolutely not. I'm married to a man who already thinks I'm extremely attractive and I definitely don't want to be famous.

43.What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
A heartbeat and a soul.

44.When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
As soon as you know it's right.

45.If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
Because no one enjoys failure.

46.What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
Not sensor myself about sensitive subjects.

47.When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
The last time I had a stuffy nose.

48.What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
My life, absolutely. I'm enjoying every moment of it and trying to make the best out of every situation.

49.In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day 

before that?
No. As time goes by, days start to blend together unless something significant happens. I have no idea what I was doing 5 years ago today. 

50.Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
I make decisions myself, but I definitely take others into consideration when I make them.

101 in 1001

I'm a really big list person. I make lists for everything. If you've never heard of 101 in 1001, I'll fill you in a little. Basically, you make a list of 101 present tasks you would like to accomplish in 1001 days (or 143 weeks, or 32.89 months, or 2.74 years). The tasks must be specific with a goal that is measurable and clearly defined. They should be realistic and stretching, so they should represent some amount of effort. 


Why am I doing this? I think it's a great way to keep life interesting. If I don't have tasks, or goals in mind. Life just flies by and I don't even realize it. Of course it will still fly by, but at least I'll be doing everything I can to enjoy every minute of it. This is a great way to document that! 


I started making my list for this well over a year ago. I never really kept up with it. In the end, I just threw things on the list to fill it up. I found the list not too long ago. I don't even want to do half of the things I put on there any more. For example, I was supposed to watch a bunch of classic movies. I don't remember how many, but it was a lot. I should have known better than to put this down. I usually don't care for older movies. Don't get me wrong, there are some I would like to see, but I found myself looking through Netflix, trying to find classics. I would just cringe when I saw the movie posters and things for them (yes, I'm quite shallow when it comes to movies...I appreciate the glam and technology we have today over whatever it is people see in the classics). What would you put on your list?


Start date: 6/16/2011
End date: 3/13/2014


Italics=In progress
Bold=Complete
Red=I didn't do it

Cooking

1) Make a meal with things only from my garden (or mostly, I can use eggs, seasonings, oils, flour...those types of things...otherwise I would just have to make a salad)

2) Compile a cookbook of my favorite recipes

3) Cook lobster at home
4) Try 50 new dishes (3/50)
5) Make pasta from scratch

Entertainment 

6) Go crabbing

7) Eat at 10 new restaurants (0/10)

8) Try a new type of ethnic food

9) Try a new type of food (ingredient)

10) Go to a comedy club

11) Watch all of the Star Wars movies

12) Go to a shooting range

13) Host a Super Bowl party

14) Host a game night

15) Go to a new theme park

16) Go ice skating

17) Drive in DC

18) Go to an Oriole's game

19) Go to a horse race (preferably Preakness)

20) Go to a regular season NFL game

21) Attend at least one home and 1 away NC State football game a year

22) Attend 1 NC State basketball game a year

Financial

23) Pay off credit card debt

24) Pay off student debt

25) Start 401K/Roth IRA

26) Build our emergency fund to 3 months

27) Build our emergency fund to 6 months

28) Start meal planning again

29) Find a way to make a steady supplemental income

For Me

30) Get a massage

31) Have my house cleaned

32) Write a letter to myself to open in 5 years

33) Get a manicure and pedicure

34) Buy at least 5 new outfits that make me feel great (0/5)

35) Make a list of 100 things I love/that make me happy to put in craft room

36) Learn to change a tire (and actually change one)

37) Ride a horse again

38) Take a class on a subject that interests me (fitness, cooking or other hobby)

39) Get a new passport

40) Either sale/donate/or find another use for my wedding dress

Giving Back/Acts of Kindness

41) Donate unwanted items bi-annually  (1/5)

42) Leave a 50% tip

43) Leave a nice note in a library book for someone to find

44) Donate $5 for each incomplete task to charity

45) Send a care package to a soldier

46) Volunteer

Hobbies

47)  Re-vamp the blog...it's been the same since I started it

48) Scrapbook wedding

49) Scrapbook honeymoon

50) Build a piece of furniture

51) Re-upholster or paint/dye an old chair

52) Re-finish a piece of furniture

53) Read 50 books (2/50)
Black Heels to Tractor Wheels
Pretty Little Things

 54) Attempt to make wine/brew beer

Home

55) Update kitchen counters

56) Update kitchen cabinets

57) Make a piece of art to display in our house

58) Add something I love to every room of our house

59) Decorate guest room

60) Decorate living room

61) Find use for empty space in kitchen and utilize it

62) Install functional storage in laundry closet doors

63) Build deck

64) Fence in yard

65) Landscape front yard

66) Establish a cleaning schedule

67) Make a household binder

68) Get a safe for important things

69) Decorate master bedroom

70) Get TV for State Room

Life/Relationships

71) Start retirement or other type of savings plan for Daddy (because he will never do it himself)
72) Create a will (Josh and I)
73) Create a living will (Josh and I)
74) Get supplemental life insurance (outside work)
75) Make 10 cards to send to friends and family (0/10)
76) Take another family vacation

Marriage
77) Take a full day for us to relax together once a month (1/33)
78) Take family pictures at least once
79) Have 2 dates per month (1/66)
80) 50 random acts of kindness for Josh (1/50)
81) Not get pregnant

Mind/Body/Soul
82) Get back to my wedding day weight
83) Run 1 mile
84) Run 2 miles
85) Run a 5K
86) Complete some sort of exercise program (I'm thinking about 200 Sit-Ups)
87) Find a church
88) Answer the 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind


Pets

89) Take Bailey swimming

90) Teach Bailey to put away toys

91) Teach Bailey to "say your prayers"

92) Teach Bailey to bring beer

93) Make and organize a file for Bailey

Travel

94) Go on a cruise

95) Take a spontaneous weekend trip (I'm a big planner...this doesn't happen to me often)

96) Tour Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail

97) Visit 5 new towns in MD

98) Visit a new state

99) Go back to NY

100) Travel outside the country (other than a cruise)


101) Make a new 101 in 1001 list