ShareThisIt doesn't take much to inject a little life into your yard. Start small, with one well-defined area or task, like prepping one flowerbed or clearing all debris from the lawn. You might just be amazed at how "big" the impact can be.Alicia on "Dress Appropriately":The most important thing to remember is that you will need to regulate your body temperature as you work. During this time of year, the temperature can change rapidly: If the sun is shining on you, you can warm up fast; if it goes behind some clouds, the temp can plummet rapidly. Also, when you first go outside you may feel cold, but after working for half an hour, you may be hot and sweaty. Think layers of clothing, and add or subtract as necessary.Sarah on "The More the Merrier":There is no reason to feel that you must do this all by yourself just because no one jumped and yelled, "Please let me help!" Get the family together and enlist help in an important project that will be a lot of fun. Create a plan together and let people choose favorite projects, including yourself. The home can sometimes feel like command central, where the plans are kept but the time spent together is minimal. These kinds of projects not only bind the family together but will teach your kids how to care for their own yards someday.A few tips to help you get down and dirty:1. Visualize GoalsSeeing where you are going can get you through the rough patches. When you sit down with other family members, lay out your vision and help them to see it in their minds. What colors and/ or smells will the flowers provide? What games can be played in the yard once it is put into good working order? When can your husband plan his first barbecue, based on when the yard is finished, including the accompanying margaritas? Knowing that there is a finish line worth crossing will help the crew stay motivated and upbeat.2. Remember That This is a CollaborationSince you are asking for physical contributions, be prepared for mental ones as well. Be prepared to modify your plan based on your family's input. You may want a bigger area for entertaining while your kids might want more gaming opportunities.3. Dial Down Your ExpectationsYour yard will not turn out to be perfect for the simple reason that life is not perfect. That's OK. Not every flower will bloom and some projects will not materialize as hoped for. And if you go into it with those expectations, you will not be disappointed. The goal should be to do a family project that gets close to the collective vision, and then enjoy the fruits of your labor for the rest of the year.(The writers are co-founders of Buttoned Up, a company dedicated to helping stressed women get organized. Send ideas and questions to yourlife(at)getbuttonedup.com. For more columns, go to scrippsnews.com.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
Tackling the yard
Submitted by SHNS on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 12:50
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