Thump Thump Thump

I have been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.  I am interviewing landscapers and boy howdy it has been a learning experience.  I am not a gardener, I have a brown thumb but I do know what grows in Missouri.  I have no clue what grows in Arizona.  I have three or four books and I am learning.

What I need is a four stage plan.  Stage one is a fire barrier around the house, which I have but I need a little more gravel.  I have all of the dead stuff already removed.  Second stage I need a new irrigation system. Third stage is creating a level spot in the courtyard for a table and new plants. Fourth stage is removal of the splash pool, orange and lemon trees planted.

I found the Arizona Registrar of Contractors online site and started in.  The first interview I had was interesting.  He didn't have a "plan" but he offered to do it for half price and on weekends.   I want someone bonded, license, insured....  so adios to him.

The second call was with a woman who had a vision.  Vision is good, would be better if she saw the place, but I will take vision.  I explained what I wanted and she said "Great!  I will send out a designer next week."  Okay that sounds like money and major disappointment for the designer.    When I hear designer I am thinking water features, outdoor kitchens, fancy fire pits..... so this woman is going to be really disappointed but I want to hear what she has to say.  Who knows?, she might be affordable.

The third interview was today and I liked him.  Just something about him I liked.  He will be submitting his plan and price in the stages next week.  I need to make a few more calls and line up a couple of more companies.

We have an unusual situation.  The first landscaper I had to find because he couldn't find my house.  There was a second landscaper who said "don't worry I will drive by and take a look, you don't need to be there."  He just couldn't understand that I have a house no one can find.  I haven't seen or heard from him.  He probably drove all over the place and gave up.  The man who came by today came in the back way.  He called and the conversation went like this, "Do you have a man with a black dog living in the house and is he walking into the front door now?"  He took down the no trespassing sign and drove on in.

We have a house, which is for sale, that has been built on the property line.  It is a little to close and we can sit out on the front porch and look right into the house.  Their view is my house, my laundry line, and of course the Catalina Mountains.  I need to put out a few fast growing mesquites out there and block that view.That is the only house that has encroached.  I am sure whoever buys the house won't like looking out on my son's laundry.

The coyote is still hanging around but tomorrow Lu and Fi will be going out with us.  I will just stay with them.  We have a huge flock (or is it bevy) of quail, also a lot of rabbits so it is a great place for a coyote to dine.  I just don't want him munching on my little munchkins.

I will be posting pictures of the house this weekend.