Front Yard

We've put a lot of time and energy in fixing up the front yard to the best of our ability. So we've tried to use our money wisely to do what we can. We've been chipping away little by little and we're finally finished...

BEFORE

AFTER

What we did:

• Gigantic pine tree removed and palm trees cleaned up
  
• New roof (thanks to the the previous owners, i.e, the bank)
• Seeded the lawn (for about $70! We saved about $400 by seeding rather than sod!)
• Took out concrete and stone work that was done by previous owner
• Added plants, bark (we have a TON in the backyard, so I just moved it to the front) and solar lights
  

Cork Board Makeover

I really needed a bulletin board for my office and we had my old one up in the guest bedroom (A.K.A. the catch-all room for now). So I thought I would go out on a limb and try painting it to go in my new office...turned out pretty good I think...scroll down to see it in my office. I think it adds a little "spice" to my otherwise bare walls until the shelving is completed.

Here are the step-by-step pictures of what I did:

Home Office Re-do

In our family room area, there was a wet bar "room" that we thought would be perfect for my home office. Its right off the family room, so its the perfect spot for me to work while the kids are playing with them in my direct site. Phil, his dad, and Paul helped make this transformation possible. Its not quite finished yet, but I could not resist posting pictures any longer. Phil and his dad custom made the desk and put in the floor. They still have to put in the baseboard and finish the built-in shelving that will go above my desk area for book storage, etc. But as for now, I couldn't be happier with the transformation!

BEFORE

AFTER

Picking Strawberries

The kids and I along with grandma and grandpa went strawberry picking last weekend which was fantastic. For those of you who don't know, where we live is highly agricultural, which I hated growing up, but love now that I'm an adult. I thought it would be fun for the kids to experience picking strawberries. They thought it was pretty cool and I enjoyed the freedom to pick my own strawberries. I think I might just go back tomorrow :).