Taking advantage of my day off, Jen and I lugged ten bags of mulch to the front yard ($34 delivered to our driveway, courtesy of the local middle school) and raked it around our sad-looking hedges in the hopes that we can bring them back from the dead in time for the wedding. Last year, we had a growth of stringy vines infest the west side of the hedge and expand its way down the street, threatening to engulf the holly tree, small children, and passing import cars on Frederick Road. I waded into the mess and hauled out about six bags worth of leaves, vines, and debris, uncovering three rose bushes and about twenty square feet of bare earth. After eating lunch, Jen peeled off to continue her freelance work and I put a final coat of polyurethane on the floor in the office and blue rooms. Tomorrow, if the floors look dry, we may be moving furniture…!

We also appear to be back in our neighbor’s good graces after the Christmas card fiasco; the Judge appeared on our doorstep this morning with a twinkle in his eye and a covered dish of hot cross buns. Perhaps we aren’t going to hell after all.