Thank you all so much for your responses! You guys are great. A few things before I respond individually. Our HOA has ridiculous rules about landscaping. Every house must have two trees out front: a pine and an oak. So unfortunately, removing them is not an option. Trimming them helped a ton and you can now at least see the house. Sunnyca, I know what you mean about creeping fig. I just love it so much. *sob* And the houses around here that have it are freaking adorable. I know how much work they are (as does DH) and I even tried to talk him out of it yesterday because I know it can be damaging to the mortar. KarinL, I know exactly what you're talking about re: outer space. It's something I hate about this house too. Worse yet, it's closer to the street than my neighbors so it looks even more awkward. (In case any of you are wondering why we bought such a house; we moved here for DH's job and chose this suburb for (a) the school [we have four kids] and (b) the commute. This house was probably the 70th we looked at and the layout inside is perfect for us which was more important to me than the exterior.) Catkim, the Sago was removed because we simply don't like them. I know that's somewhat of a sin in the landscaping world! The windowbox with the yellow flowers was one I googled. I'm not going to be using yellow in the box. Possibly geraniums with maybe varigated vinca vine. We can definitely grow lavendar and salvia here. Nandina, that's an exceptional idea. I'm pretty sure they'd allow it. Another poster suggested that when we replace the lantern to have it hang lower to that space between the door and the window. Thoughts? Inkognito, we're definitely painting the motifs above the windows. They're so "hey look at me!!" the color that they are. We actually might mix some water with paint and use it as a stain. laag, we were hoping to build a pergola/arbor/trellis (whatever they're called) in front of the garage with something like clematis or mandevilla growing from either side. My only concern about whether I want to pretend the garage isn't there or just celebrate it, kwim? Not "celebrate it" but just incorporate it since it's obviously there and there to stay. Also, I'm pretty sure once we paint, it's going to inpsire my neighbor to do the same. Her landscaping is fantastic and her taste inside her home is nice. You've all given us plenty to think about and I'm anxious for DH to read this thread. Thanks again!

Touching your hands ......having lost a parent and a child many years ago the loss is hard to grasp...but I will share with you what was said to me " take the very best of what he was about, make it your own and pass it on "..it is the gift of that person and is what all of us are about charlotte

(((Gabby)))) My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours along with any others in "Ike's path". Just talked to our sister In Sugarland/Houston.... they had windows taped with mattresses up against them and had spent the day trimming tree branches. They were outside with most of their neighbors watching the sky. She mentioned tornados are a concern. I could hear the wind howling as we talked. I think this has convinced her to sell and move to Nevada!

If they didn't tell you to come back to have a stitch removed either there isn't one, or it's self-dissolving. YEA! One little nose, all normal from now on! Good to have that behind you.