Hi everyone! I’ve gotten quite a few emails asking if I was alright. Yes, I’m fine – we’re all fine here. Just busy with life in general and still trying to get this property in shape. I’m a little behind in my projects but my husband is taking some time off this month and my daughter has spring break, so I’ll be getting some help with the things that need to be finished up. 
(Those are Primroses above for those of you that aren’t familiar with them.) I’ve been ruthlessly decluttering! You wouldn’t believe the amount of books I just donated to my library. I gave them my whole collection of frugal/simple living books. I think I had every book ever written about frugality and simple living! The only one I kept was the Complete Tightwad Gazette. My library hardly has any books on either subjects so I thought those books would be put to good use there. Also donated tons of magazines.
Let see….I’ve been working outside since it’s been so gorgeous here lately!
I added some lattice that I had laying around to my arbor on one side and on top and moved one of two grapes here. Just have to find a place for the other grape and add lattice to the other side. The grapes are from last summer when I had this garden area in addition to the one you see above.
I took it apart when we decided to sell but I never moved the grapes I had planted along the fence. So they’ve been sitting in the middle of the yard all winter LOL!
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I also weeded and put down some new mulch in this bed. 
Yes, spring is here is Georgia! I’m sure we’ll get another below freezing night before it’s safe to really plant – we always do.
Unfortunately, this nearby bed still needs to be done. Plus last spring I started planting liriope around the edge and never finished because it got so horribly hot I couldn’t stand to be outside (except later in the day but that’s when those horrible little biting bugs are flying around)! So I have to also finish that. Sigh…….
Tried to sell these cinderblocks on Craigslist.
They were from this lovely pond we used to have.(chipmunks made a whole in the liner and it leaked so we dismantled it).
I had a guy who said he wanted them then he never showed. So if anyone in the Atlanta area wants them email me. I’m going to Freecycle them as I’ve got to get them out of my yard.
I have tons (and I mean tons) of various rocks etc. from the pond dismantle. 
In an effort to use some of them, I made this little planting circle. I used a Japanese Maple that we had growing in a pot. Before we list I’ll fill that bed with some flowers and mulch. It was a good way to use up some of those stones and also use the outlet that’s there(it was for the pond pump). I didn’t want to have to dig up the electric line and I couldn’t just have an outlet sticking up out of the ground for no purpose. We already had uplights etc so we have the tree lit at night and it’s really pretty. I did put down some grass seed but I think it all washed away in the storm we had this week!
I painted the ceiling, wainscoting and primed the walls above the wainscoting in the downstairs bathroom.
I started applying the Venetian Plaster that I’m going to use on the upper part of the wall (the walls are in bad shape) but decided that the color I had was too dark for a room with no windows. 
So I had to wait a week to get to Lowe’s to get a lighter tan (we have three people using two cars). I’ll start applying it this weekend and then I need to find a mirror and a new light fixture.
My daughter and I did paint her room. It was a real bright BRIGHT blue and now it’s more of a light gray/blue. If her room wasn’t a huge mess from all her art projects that she’s been working on I’d take a picture…but it is 🙂
I also painted the hallway downstairs (mixed up a nice milk chocolate color with some leftover paints). Anyway, I’ll take pictures when everything is done and just have a blog open house tour. You’ll see the house and gardens as prospective buyers will see them.
I’m sure I’m forgetting something….anyway, mostly I just wanted to let you all know that yes, I’m still here, yes I’m still trying to get my house sale read (want to get “top dollar” ya know LOL), no we haven’t even looked at houses yet but plan to this month and yes, I’m really really REALLY tired and can’t wait to just get on with it!
Be back when I can!
Manuela,
It's so nice to see a post from you.
Both you and I moving at the same time.
I'm moving out of the cottage early, very early due to necessity and will be outta here by the end of March. I had a meeting with the realtor for home buying where we will start looking next weekend.
God bless!
Viola
My goodness girl, you have been busy. We miss you but understand. You go girl xoxoxo Clarice
It's so good to see you posting. I loved getting an update on your yard and house projects. Things are looking great around your home and I'll bet it will sell in no time once you list it.
Wow! You are very busy. I am sure that the library was thrilled to receive your gifting of books. I don't know how your libraries are funded down in Georgia but ours are struggling so much that they are cutting back on hours and books purchased. It is sad but it has made the community get more involved. And that is a good thing.
The Spring flowers in this post were so very wonderful to see.
Your re-use of the stones was impressive!! Love that!
Have a wonderful day. May your projects go smoothly and bring you the satisfaction of a BIG price when you are ready to sell.
So glad to see an update when I got online this morning. I know that you must be exhausted! The prgress is wonderful though, and I know that between the decluttering and your wonderful taste peeking out in what's left, buyers will just have to be wooed.
And then, when you sell, we get to watch you Manuela up the new place.
Sounds like you've been very busy! Best of luck with the sale of your home, that is always a lot of work:@)
Hang in there, Manuela, it will all be worth it! We went up {officially}this week. I have the realtor coming back to take some pictures when I get home from work today. Now I just have to keep everything show ready so that a quick swipe of countertops and I'll be good.
Good to hear from you Manuela. You have certainly been busy!
Loved seeing the daffies. Looking forward to seeing these happy little yellow flowers around here.:-)
Boy you have been busy!! Good luck in selling your house. Enjoy the weather, I just love it!!!
Such a busy lady you are! Everything looks really good. I especially like what you did with the rocks from the pond. So creative!
I also am finishing up getting our house ready for sale & it has been one of the most stressful processes that I've ever been through. I told my husband that we are staying in the next house for at least 25 years! Good luck!
You certainly have been busy. Everything is looking wonderful, but of course I expect that from you.
As a former Public Library employee I thank you for donating your books to your local library. And that way you can check them out when you want to read them again.
Good luck with the house sale and the house hunting.
Hi Manuela – What a creative project to work around your pond outlet. It will look beautiful filled with flowers. Keep your spirits up as you work on finishing up your remaining projects. I'm sure all of your hard work will pay off. Your home is beautiful!
You've definitely been busy. Best wishes on the selling of your home. Good to hear from you though, you've been missed. Hugs
Hi Manuela,
Oh my, you have been busy. I wish you all the best, along with some energy to get it all done.
Love and hugs, Cindy
Everything looks so nice! I'm looking forward to seeing the end result, but also looking forward to seeing how you fix up your new home. Try to get some rest!
Andrea
Hi Manuela, glad to see you! You have been so busy. At least during spring break you'll get a little help. I always have loved your posts about everything. Hope you have a great weekend. Take care.
Sounds like great progress so far! Can't wait to see the first signs of spring here!
I know what you mean, as we're selling our house as well. (Agent is putting the sign in the yard tomorrow). Despite living in the HUGE state of Tx, my father had to move out of state to find work so it's just been my mother and I getting the house ready to sale. It's been so exhausting. I think I'm actually looking forward to moving into a smaller house now. Lol!
Good luck with all your hard work!
Kristin
The flowers give me hope of seeing similar color in our part of the country. We're still at least a month away, though!
You are an artist when it comes to your home. It will sell quickly. 🙂
Glad your back! I missed you! karen….
Manuela, YOu are definitely an overachiever! I am just tired reading you list!
But I can't wait to see all you have done!
Have a little rest this weekend!
Yvonne
Oh my, you have been busy! But with all fun, rewarding projects! Just seeing your forsythia and daffodils made me anxious for spring…it's coming to Ohio..slowly but surely! Next month I'll be out in the yard, too.
It's looking great, Manuela! Good for you!! I'll be so glad to see your whole-house tour. I'm really proud of you–you've worked hard, and all your work will pay off, I'm sure! 🙂
I'm sure the house will show wonderfully, once you finish up all that you want to do. It's work to get a house ready for sale. Looking forward to seeing the fruits of your labor when you're done! Sue
Hello dear Manuela! You are accomplishing sooo much…and doing such good work. I am thinking good thoughts for you to get your goals accomplished and "top dollar" for your house when it sells. Your garden is so lovely…love your lattice additions to the arbor and the use of the old slates?/rocks to create that tree circle…it looks so professional! Been busy on my end too, but nothing compared to your multiple, ongoing projects. Can't wait to see more!
Love,
Tracey
x0x
It's good to hear from you again and to see a bit of what you've been doing. You've accomplished a lot and it will be nice when the house is sold and you are settled in another sweet home.
~Adrienne~
Manuela, thank you SO MUCH for the cinder blocks my hubby picked up! It will be such a blessing to my garden. I wish he could've taken them all!
You've certainly been busy. I can see why you're so tired. My goodness, but selling a house is a full time job, isn't it?
It's wonderful to see the forsythia blooming in your corner. My goodness, you really have been busy. No wonder you're tired. Glad to read that you've got help this month. I think your garden around the Japanese maple is inspired and I know that it'll be relly pretty planted out. I continue to wish you all the best…
Really relly pretty… ;D
Those daffodils – ♥♥♥ them. I also like the arbor in your HUGE backyard. Living in Southern California, I 've forgotten that yards with ample space still exist. Stay well.
I love Primrose, Forsythia and Toile fabric…I love this whole post-ha! K
I have missed you, but I forgive you. I can see how very busy you have been. I hope that everything works out for you!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Glad you're doing well! Love the primroses.
Kelly
Pretty primroses inside and lovely flowers outside! I commend you for donating your books to the library. I think it's a wonderful gift to other readers in your area. I always feel good when I donate to our library. Hope you have time to put your feet up every now and then! Bess
Oh so pretty….I love all the flowers!
sandy toe
You are working hard on your home and garden Manuela! Your efforts will pay off big time. It's all looking so good.
Warmly, ~Melissa
Beautiful primroses and forsythia, Manuela! Looks like spring is there! You been working so hard, I hope it pays off for you soon!
Glad you and your family are ok. Showing a house is so much work, and it sounds like you have been working so hard. I hope you get it all done soon. I can't wait to see the pictures. Your flowers are so pretty. Take care of yourself. laurie
Wow you've been busy. Maybe I need to pretend that I'm going to sell so that I get my projects done! I'm sure you'll have a quick sale. Looking forward to seeing your new home too.
Gracious, you are a busy bee! We're still waiting for some signs of spring to arrive here. It's been very stormy with lots of rain, rain, rain. Best wishes and many blessings as you put the finishes touches on your beautiful home in preparation to sell.
Gracious, you are quite the busy bee! We're still anXiously anticipating some signs of spring around here. Best wishes as you put the finishing touches on your lovely home in preparation to sell.
Best of luck Manuela, that forsythia makes me hope for spring…and soon 🙂
Oh,you are so busy, Manuela! Hope things go as planned and you can get your home sold and into a new one quickly. I look forward to your posts!
That forsythia is gorgeous! How's it going with your home sale? Now that question leads you to know that I don't read everything. I promise to go back and read. 🙂
Wow! I'm not the only one who is tres busy:) Just stopped in for a visit and glad that you are okay. Good luck with selling your home…I will think good thoughts for y'all!