When I make new gardens I do not plow or turn the soil. I lay down about six layers of newspaper right on top of the grass where I want the new bed. On top of the newspaper, if I have grass clippings, leaves, straw, etc. then I put those on. I top it off with a 4" to 6" layer of mulch. So, when I made a garden last spring for my "prize heirloom tomatoes" I used this method. At the same time we were making the tomato bed we were in the process of uncovering the pool. A light bulb immediately lit up in my brain! The leaves from the previous fall were on the pool cover and had already started to break down. Absolutely PERFECT for my new tomato garden so we piled them on! About a week later, I went out to check on my tomato plants and there were at least FIFTY maple trees coming up in my newly planted garden. Then another little light bulb lit up.......along with those maple leaves were hundreds of maple seeds......DUH!!!! I pulled maple tree seedlings out of the tomatoes all summer and they are STILL popping up this year. No wonder the deer did not bother my tomatoes. They undoubtedly thought the stupid woman who planted all those trees certainly did not have tomatoes worth eating!! :-)

My biggest mistake in the beginning was to decorate solely on looks and style instead of comfort and our lifestyle. Silk drapes? - not so great with 3 little boys (ditto to about 1,000 other things when it comes to kids - certain upholstery fabrics, light colored carpets, area rugs under the dining table, etc.). Intricate moldings on furniture or cabinets? Too much dust and grime to keep up with when you live in a windy desert. I *still* make the mistake of Pre Buying - I don't know if there'll ever be hope for me in that area. But at least now I know to get rid of it when it doesn't meet our needs and is instead a major pain in the patootie. Two years ago we wanted to buy a leather sofa and love seat but could only afford one. Instead of saving and waiting , we decided to buy a microfiber set ---ugh, uckk, ick. It was uncomfortable and became stained in a very short time (my kids are well-mannered and well-behaved, but there's not much you can do when they barf on the furniture). Last month I finally got fed up and sold the set and now we have NO sofa or love seat at all.

OMG. It's almost embarrassing. Where to start. But, I'm doing this alone, so I give myself a break. B4 DH bailed, I know my GC husband should have known that among many things, light switche positions need to take future molding installation. I learned never to be rushed. If something doesn't strike me, I'm not buying it. I've learned that just because I think I might be being picky, doesn't mean I'm not right. When grout lines don't match, they're not going to get better later. It's my bathroom I still see with every shower. Someday I'll chip it all out. I keep learning measuring mistakes. I ordered an under my farm sink drawer box, but forgot to take into consideration the drawer glides on the sides. That was a big investment for me, since my money is counted in pennies, by the table. I mismeasured a couple of cabinet doors and am saving the materials for something else. I decided I want crap off my counters, so I bought/made a microwave base cabinet. Now, though, I know I'd like it on the inside of the peninsula where it's not visible from the dining room. I will dig out an installed, CL base cabinet from underneath a countertop a friend built and I'm going to move that cab over there. Another day's project. My biggest, biggest thing is that I didn't know the term "inset" and didn't know that was the look I love and had been seeking! For years. Never really could find something that spoke to me. After (settling) buying and making cabs with default partial overlay, I had an ephifany looking at a dresser and now will eventually work to make and replace all my doors with with an inset style. I regret I won't be able to add a 1/4" bead to the face frames. Oh! I regret I didn't realize how absolutely useless 12" wide drawer base cabinets are. I have 2 sets of a 12 & 36" 3-drawer base cabs, and would have probably been better served with 2 sets of 24", maybe. Don't know. I would have gone with casement windows -- another look I didn't know the name of and didn't know enough to explain -- instead of the windows that have a fixed center window an the two outside slide left and right. Stupid. Only 1 side can be open at the same time. Another Another Days' project to replace them. Be picky. It's yours. You're paying someone. Be specific. Use pictures. Use notes, email & forward text messages to your own email. Be suspicious of someone who starts every reply with "The problem with that is..." instead of "Well, we'll have to consider/do this to make that work..." Ask their opinions. Not necessarily of aesthetics, but of function and impact on future steps in the project. If it doesn't look right to you, say so. Don't wait until later and 10 steps have to be undone because you didn't want to be a PIA. If someone sighs every time you ask them a question, let them know they should get more sleep because you expect them to be sharp when you want information. Not tired. If moving or adding walls, consider the finished (i.e. drywalled) dimensions relating to future cabinet, door, molding, window, etc., installation. If you can plan for standard measurements of those items, you'll save a lot of money. Don't be afraid to whip out a tape measure or level. My eye is (evidently) better than a lot of pros because so far I've never been wrong: they were. FIX IT. If it suits your project, or your tastes, don't be afraid to insist on something being reused. Materials. Cabinet boxes. Windows. Doors. If you don't like something IRL, don't be afraid to change your mind. You'll probably pay for it, but if you don't like it now, it's not going to get better. Negotiate the change order situation. that "good enough for now" or "I'll get it later" translates into NEVER. Don't Settle and don't let yourself be rushed. Hover & ask questions. Be aware that many people come to find compliments prefacing a problem to be condescending and patronizing, breeding resentment. Only offer genuine compliments. Gratitude is different. I've learned with the few people I've been able to hire, that it's better to let them know up front that I am picky. I see level & plumb. I am anal about symmetry. I want what I want and unless it's going to cause the house to burn down, walls fall, doors or windows not close, etc., just do it. You may ask me why in order to accomplish what I want, but it's still my decision. Input is very welcome, but it's input, not final say. I'm sure I'll think of more because I'm learning by more error than trial. Hopefully you'll have the benefit of someone's experience to guide you. I have nerve. The nerve to ask zillions of questions, shop until I am absolutely satisfied, saving for materials I want, and the ability to ask for payment plans. Don't be shy and don't settle.

My main lesson is: Know when you need help and do not be ashamed to ask for it. I admit, initially I found having to hire someone to be a bit demoralizing. As someone who takes great pride in doing all of my own gardening and landscaping, it took a bit out of me to realize I could not transform my front yard 100% on my own. Due to my status as a single working mother of three, a super busy schedule the month I wanted to tackle my landscaping, and a physical ailment that restricts my free movement at times, calling in back up was the right thing to do. By doing so, I knew I’d get my flower bed looking the way I wanted quickly and with less mental stress and possible physical ailment. best regard bestezy