So here's something amazing that happened: One of our long time blog readers (yes, that's you, Austin, and we love you!) hired our oldest son Kai to help her with landscaping work. Since Kai grew up on our homestead and knows how to work hard, efficiently and fast, this was a dream come true for her - and a great job for him!
Austin asked me to consult on a place owned by a family who runs an Air B and B. The owner ended up hiring me and Kai to make an ugly, weedy hillside into something nicer looking, and I came up with a plan to transform it. I made a rock garden and chose plants that help stabilize and prevent erosion, as well as deer-resistance and drought tolerance.
When I posted pictures on Facebook, more people asked me if we could help them, and voila, our new business was born:
Smooth Sailin' Landscaping and Garden Design! (<-- You can click on that link to take you to the web page I made for it)
I am still working as a transformational life coach for women, but now I don't just transform lives, I also transform gardens and outdoor living spaces. I chose this very intentionally, because I've been sitting on my ass in front of the computer all day, and now I also get to use my body and muscles working outside.
The best thing of all is that I get to work with my sons. Both Kai and Luke are incredible workers, have great attitudes and love being a part of the tangible results you get from transforming a patch of weeds into a gorgeous spot.
Kai just graduated from High School with a two year degree of college under his belt, thanks to a program called "Running Start", where smart, dedicated high schoolers take community college classes. His time is hugely freed up. Here he is, hard at work:
So if you're local-ish, check out our website and have me come out for a consultation, and if you're not local, we can still talk over zoom.
What are your dreams for a garden?
You guys are so amazing!! Love the before and after!
ReplyDeleteI just love your energy! I am so glad you have found a way to get outdoors again because it seems to me it's really in your blood and you are talented at it! The bonus is you get to do it with your BIG boys! I can remember when they were knee-high to a grasshopper. I have a similar project for our desert back yard. Nothing there except dead grass, sandy loam soil and yucca. The rabbits come out every morning and evening to eat the dry grass. Its a true Tabla Rasa (not for the rabbits. For me). It's going to be a many many months project. First drip lines then soil amendment and fencing. Oh la la. I hope I'm up to it. I keep thinking "I'm 70!" I hope to read some blogs about rehabbing landscape some day. Maybe one of your boys could write it.
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