Planning 2010 projects

We've started thinking about what we want to get done/fixed this year. One of the top things on our list is the Family Room. It needs basically new everything.

The one thing we have covered is the new Fireplace door. We did that last year. Now we need a new floor, the tiles that are currently in place are chipping and have corners missing. Remove the quarter round molding in every corner of the room...no I'm not exagerating. Okay, I'll give them that there is no quater round along the floor and the bricks of the wall with the fire place. We are also looking at putting in French Doors since the garage door is through the patio door. Currently we have a garage door opener sitting on our kitchen table - the kind you would put in your car - and use that to open and close the garage when coming or going. This is a pain as when you come in you immediately are thinking of putting away the groceries or something and we have forgotten to close our garage. Thankfully one of us is still out and will close it when we get back. The Family Room is also getting the wood panels currently on the walls taken down, and new paint on walls and ceiling.

We are also pricing out furnaces since we were told when we bought this place that the current furnace is probably at the end of it's life. Thankfully it has not given out yet. Knock on wood (knock, knock). We would also like to put in a tankless water heater but this may end up waiting for another time.

Window treatments and new windows may also be coming this year. Window treatments are definately coming this year, it's iffy on the new windows. A few feel like they are not installed correctly or have come away from the opening. Hopefully this will help drown out some of the outside noises too. Let's just say don't go planning a surprise party for one of us while standing in the driveway with the other. The person you intend to surprise will hear everything unless you whisper.

There is also one surprise "project" that will happen either this year or next year. But this is all I'm saying on that subject.

Planning the garden

First step in planning a garden is to find out what you already have. How big the area is, or how big you plan to make it. Measure, use a hose to layout the outline of the garden. See how it looks. In my case, at least this year, I'm trying to identify what the previous owners planted and measuring. It's also important to take note of the soil type - well drained, clay, etc. - and how much light the garden will get.

Next is to think about some possible plants. Make a list of plants you would like to see in your garden. Don't be shy or try to limit the number of plants. Some will surely be eliminated.

Step three is to do some research on the list you just made and then do some shopping. If you decide you don't like how it looks after everything blooms you can change it out next year. While doing your research don't forget to think about if you want annuals (need to plant new every year) or perrenials (come back each year but not necessarily where you want them), or consider bushes and trees. Should also consider water requirements. Can you afford or remember to water every day, every other day, or would it be better to find plants that can go for a while without requiring water.

What is growing in the yard?

After buying a home not only do you need to find the mice that have found their way in because no one has done anything with the home in several months, but you also have to figure what is in the yard and what will go there. Currently there are three different plants coming up in the small flower beds at our home but we don't know what any of them are. Do you?

This one I believe is going to be the plant that looks like a fan, but I don't know what it's called.



This one, is causing some problems. I've tried describing it to a few people and each one gives a different suggestion. Any ideas? Oh, and don't ask for details other than this picture because...I simply don't have them.

This one is a bush of some sort, it looks dead. Maybe it is dead. Or it's supposed to be that color.

The tips remind me of wheat. I'm sure it's not wheat because it's too small. Anyone know what this is?