The tree is gone

Kevin and I worked in the yard again today. And while there is still much to do, we have reached a milestone in home ownership.

The apple tree is down.

I fear that most lack understanding to the enormity of this event. My heart shudders at our beloved family and friends who have not heard the epic tale of our overgrown yard. For those ignorant souls, a recap:

We purchased our home in 2003, six months after the wedding. While our house has it's foibles, we were and continue to be pleased with our first home. It sits on a corner lot, up high from the road. From a neighbor we learned this lot had laid empty for 50 years prior to our home being built in 1994. Empty EXCEPT for the English Ivy and Blackberry bushes that had taken over, taken over like frat boys at $1 beer night at Kells. It was war, and the plants were winning. And this horrid apple tree hovered at the end of the line.

For the past 3 years, Kevin and I were lacking a plan. As I've said before, we debated and ruled out a towering inferno to take care of the problem. This summer, we started chipping away. Controlled chaos was preferable to rampant chaos. A truck load at a time, a few hours on the occasional weekend, and progress was made.

However, today is landmark. Today we cut down the apple tree. Guest might have missed it, as the blackberry and ivy completed covered its branches. After we cut it down, the tree didn't actually fall over until we hacked off the ivy from its base. That alone took three trips to the dump.

So while it's still as ugly as sin on a stick, the side of our yard looks much improved. Now if ya'll would like to donate a few thousand dollars, we can go for brilliance. Until then, controlled chaos it is.