Saturday, July 5, 2008

Before&After

Last summer (2007), we decided the old 50 foot pine tree needed to go because it was causing lots of root problems in the front lawn. We planted it in 1968 so it was 40 years old and outgrew it's yard space.
Let the cutting and work begin! Two hired guys came in 100 degree heat and started working at it.
They pulled and pulled; soon it began to tip.
Crash! Down it went with a bang. They hauled it off and were done in about 2 hours.
Then our work began for the remainder of the summer. I never took a picture of the 8 cubic yards of dirt we had brought in but it was big and seemed to grow as we moved it. This picture is from GoogleMaps and they have a picture of our front yard as it looked after we removed all the shrubs and ivy vines from the house front and after Becky and I moved the huge pile of dirt. We needed it to build up the front flower beds and level the area where the tree once stood. New grass was planted and all new scrubs were planted with Becky's help.
Next it's Bernell's turn. He removed the old porch railing and old outdoor carpet. The worst was getting all the old glue off the cement. He spent about a week working with that. Hard on the back and knees!
New vinyl railing was put in, Becky planted lots of pink/white tulip bulbs and daffodil bulbs so we could have a colorful spring.
And indeed we did. This picture is just the beginning of the many tulips that came up for us this spring.
Ahh summer, one year later, and no more yard construction! So glad it's done!

3 comments:

Becky said...

Well, I am sorry we didn't get a picture of that awful, huge pile o' dirt, but I won't soon forget all the work it took to take care of it and the valley fever we got from it.
At any rate, the front yard now looks much better - more updated and something to be proud of! I hope those tulips come back next year.

Natalie said...

It is a beautiful yard. I hope that mine looks that good some day.

Julie said...

Mason was a little confused when we drove up to your house for the first time this summer since it looked so different from the way he remembered!