Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Sick Baby and an Ugly Yard.


Okay, so apparently I needed one more day of Spring Break before I could return. I think I got sucked into the swirling vortex of time because Erin is here. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing- it's really fun to have someone to talk to and hang out with during the day, it's just so out of the norm for me! I am usually just kickin it with Bella all day with not much other human contact. It's thrown me through a loop of unproductivity, but not necessarily unwanted.
Today I am grateful that even when my baby is sick, as Bella is, she is still a good baby, as she is. Erin took this picture of her on Monday with a very snotty nose. Even though she has had a cold for about a week, she still eats and sleeps well, and is generally happy. (Generally- yesterday instead of taking her afternoon nap she cried for an hour and a half. Very sad/disconcerting/frustrating for both of us.) But all in all, I can't complain- she still sleeps through the night which is great.

Here is a picture of our yard, pre-roto tilled. It's a mess. You can see where Timm planted 25 tomato plants last year, and basically all of his trash. I apologize for alarming all of you with Timm's bon fire in our back yard, then not posting the next day. I now realize that could have been alarming! I need advice for our little yard. (square.) It is unfortunate that we are the only ones you have that horrid chain link fence in the back so we have to look at the apartments and parking lot behind us. My friend Mona gave us some Clematis last year that is still growing on the fence, but it obviously is not covering it yet. We also have some Boston Ivy trying to grow on the fence. Timm is going to spread seed (a special shade mix for our shady square) but I really wish we could afford sod. It would only be $100 or less for our tiny parcel, and it would be instant gratification of a lawn! Then I start dreaming and think of what else I could do. I want to make nice flower beds on the back since because of those trees we can't make grass go all the way to the edge. (Maybe Pansies because of the shade?) I don't know anything about gardening since I've never had the opportunity to do it, but I really want to! I think it would be fun to get some kind of equipment for Bella to play on back there, but we have no money! Really- none. I'm dreaming, but then those dreams are quickly squashed by the realization that we have no money to do anything cute back there, and even if we did, I don't know what to do with it! Help with gardening/lawn/flower ideas, even of they are a pipe dream! We will be here for this summer and next, so I want to enjoy it!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is a lot larger than I thought it would be! Do you guys want some compost to till in? I have about two wheel-barrels left, which would probably do about an inch back there. Grass grows really fast, and seeds are really cheap, so I think that is a good way to go. Is the area partly sunny, or mostly shade? I can give you a laundry list of things to plant that work in a lot of different soil types and sun areas. Something simple like pansies/violas and maybe alyssum would be nice. But you have to take into consideration how the roots of the tree are and how you can plant things.

Last year, Mya loved playing with her balls and the sprinkler outside. You will need a sprinkler anyway to water, so just look for one that sprays in a way that Bella could enjoy.

Anonymous said...

Since you are on a tight budget and plants are generally expensive...I would put the word out in your ward (and have your sister and your other friends put the word out in their wards) that you are looking for bulbs/plants/anything that people are wanting to get rid of. A lady in my ward, who gardens quite a bit, gave me a lot of plants (Irises, day lilies, asiatic lilies, violas etc) that she was spliting and thinning from her own flower beds. I'm sure there has to be someone like that near you-someone who wants to thin out or split some of their overgrowing plants. It's a great (and very inexpensive) way to get your landscaping started!
BTW...Timm sounds a lot like my husband Jared. Does he come from a large family by chance? I only ask because of the number of tomato plants you had in your back square! Jared is from a family of 8 children and seems to think we need a garden big enough to feed ten people. Although I have grown to love gardening too, last year we had so many tomatoes and I was trying to can them all when I was nine months pregnant! Salsa anyone? :)

Jill said...

I'm relieved to know Timm didn't burn the house down, I was definitely worried since you'd said your blogging break was over and yet we heard no word from you.

I think your friend Kim's suggestions are very good. Also, those canisters of seeds go a long way so you can have lots of flowers for under $7.

I would look online or check out books from the library about gardening or flowers to familiarize yourself a bit and to figure out what you like. I think it's fun that you have such a little space to work with because a big space can be very overwhelming, especially if money is in short supply. You can make a great, little oasis in your back patch of yard.

Amie said...

I agree with Jill, we have a lot of space and so it seems too overwhelming in every direction, time, money, decisions. Your little space to play will be great. Kids just love to be outside. So nice if it is fenced and Bella can play outside alone. Jessica used to roam our backyard all day. I loved that she couldn't escape.

Our neighbors who have the nicest lawns did seed. From what I hear...then you know exactly what you are putting down and it is 100% that kind of seed so you get less weeds and other contamination. Yea for the cheap options!

Anonymous said...

I think everyone's suggestions were good ones. (I am just starting to venture into gardening so I'm in no position to give advice.) I'm wondering though if your landlord is going to reimburst you for any improvements that you make to the property? It will make it much more appealing to future renters after all. Wouldn't hurt to ask, anyway right?

michelle said...

I was going to mention that Jill bought one of those Martha Stewart seed shakers. They're almost always 40% off. Anyway, she got a ton of nice flowers from that one little expense! I could divide some plants and give you some. I agree that Bella won't need much. A sprinkler, a ball, maybe a tiny little wading pool. And you can always come play on the tramp!

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