You all know of my documented bout with depression and anxiety that caused me to not be around so much. Thankfully, I can say that that is improving with each and every day. So if that is all over, where the hell have I been? If you're on Facebook, you know, but I'm posting here for the benefit of those that aren't there or aren't friends there. Let's start in the front of my house.

The front of my house was a mess. Stumps, dead plants, trees, English Ivy everywhere. I wish I had a "before" picture, but I don't. Suffice it to say that it was like two mini jungles. The one on the left had edging, the one on the right was just a jungle. Here is what I ended up with after 3 days of backbreaking work...



Another view...



And still another view...



Okay, so that was the front... Next I put lattice around my deck and planted some Azaleas, New Guinea Impatiens and Pansies in a "natural" area in the woods. I also put in a bird feeder and a hummingbird feeder. Sorry, no pictures.

Next up came the guest house walkway. Those Hostas grew across the walk, and they were a pain in the ass to mow around. It was also a pain in the ass to mow under the Japanese Maples...



I figured if I moved the Hostas under the Maples and made a little planting bed, it would make my life much easier...



And another...



So after that was done. I ran into some rainy weather. No bother, I decided to build a workshop. I built the bench, hung the pegboard and bins and was up and running in two days...



A view showing my new bins ($8.99 at Harbor Freight)



And finally the other side, with miscellaneous s**t...



When the rain finally let up, I decided to build a little garden to hide the view of the pool pumps from the road. This area was OVERGROWN and full of debris from the previous owners. Here are a couple of "before" pictures after the garbage had been removed...



Another view...



And the afters...







On Fathers Day, I stopped at my Dad's grave, and I was inspired to build him a memorial somewhere that was not so distant to who he was. I routed the letters and portrait, painted the routing, and stained and polyurethaned the whole plaque. I made the portrait by upping the contrast on a picture and applying the "Stamp" filter. I transferred it using paper, covering the back with graphite, then tracing it onto the pine...



And a wider view with the lights...



Finally... FINALLY... we replaced the liner on the pool and got it back up and running. All that's left is a slight chemical adjustment and reinstalling the top rail. This pool was GREEN a few weeks ago. So green you couldn't see a foot down. I think MuppetMaker referred to it as the "Pool of Doom" or "Pool of Death" or something like that.

Freaking awesome job LB!! I myself have recently had a bout with the Pool of Death. Ain't it grand?

Yeah... the liner was shot anyway, so it wasn't THAT big of a deal that it got that bad. I'll tell you one thing... I will NEVER let it get that bad again.

Amazing work. Hey, I got some hardwood floors that need torn out and replaced with new planks if you're bored one day.

My house could use a painting.

The place looks beautiful, Lee.
You have a guest house? How cool is that? :D

It's actually a garage (I think) that was converted. One side (12x24) is set up like a hotel room... dressers, futon, coffee table, TV, etc. The other side is my workshop and a bathroom. I would eventually like to add hot water (one of those small wall-mounted heaters would do) and a stall shower. Then there is a small room right in the middle with a fridge. Add a sink and microwave and it's a kitchenette. Plans, plans, plans. I'm addicted to work right now. The only thing keeping me from killing myself is budget constraints, but I've found plenty to do without breaking the bank so far...

What, LB is doing free housework? How about you come take down the old swamp cooler on my roof and close up the hole?

Thanks a lot buddy! I'll buy you a sixer when you're here. My treat.

Looking good, Lee.

Also, I'm glad you're feeling better too :D

Ha. I may do this for cash. When people ask who my landscaper is, I'll tell them. My fees for side jobs are pretty reasonable at $25 an hour, and you can't argue with the results. I'm going to do some more next spring with ornamental grasses, and I'm planning on getting a couple of butterfly bushes. They attract butterflies (duh) and hummingbirds. I also like the use of stone or rock in the landscape, so long as it's not overdone.

I'm also going to start building bird houses and bat boxes and putting out food to encourage "nicer" bird breeds (Hummingbirds, cardinals, etc) and pest control (Purple Martins, bats) Aside from a planned weed killer in the fall when I renovate the lawn, I am also planning to go fertilizer and chemical free, or as much as possible

EDIT: Thanks BB, Bingo :)

So do you pay your own plane fare?

As much as my mental state has improved, I'm still not very fond of planes. Hmmm... say I pay for the plane fare, but charge by the hour. Yeah, that works... :p

Oh...forget it.

Great job!!

Welcome back, buddy! I missed you! (again)

Wow, Lee, all this work is AWESOME!! I looked at your pics this am but didn't log in to comment.

You do great work! I think it all looks wonderful, and your father's memorial is very touching. Keep it up. Seems to be doing you well.

I'm in PA, no air fare needed. ;)

Wow, what a great job! If only you were paid by the upvote, you'd be rich by now. *High Five*

You could always go in the van.



The bonus there is you get to call everyone "fool".

Good that you've found a direction for your energy.

LOL! Nice one, Pock!