Demolition Plans

Back home, safe and sober. Next-door neighbor is complaining about my yard again, so I've had my Mom's yard person out to give me an estimate. He said it would take him a week, and cost $700. Ouch. That's a damn expensive haircut.

So I've decided to get into debt again, and do the job properly once and for all. I'm tired of working and working and working, paying and paying, for something ugly and difficult and out-of-control.

Right now I'm looking at a three- or possibly four-year plan:

• Year One -- Raze the existing yard, take care of drainage issues, and do whatever is necessary to get me through winter.
  
• Year Two -- Replace back fence with taller, better-conditioned fence. Basic plantings. Possibly begin flagstone work.
  
• Year Three -- Continue replacing lawn (yuck) with stone (yum)

I'd eventually life to add a hot tub in the back yard. Maybe. If I can do it without some money-eating deck. I'll put money into stone and concrete, but not into wood that needs constant maintenance.