Well, let's just say I tried not to add it up. :) (And he's a bit weird, and isn't good about actually billing me on time, or coming on a regular schedule, though he does good work and is very nice) Probably high four figures, total. Though some of that also includes the strip along the side where he ripped out all the weeds and put down gravel instead. But I will say it was totally worth it, it's adorable and useful. And that includes ripping out all the plants, leveling the ground, building the patio, and adding trees and plants. (This is a picture of the after, I don't think I took any "before" pictures--it was all bushes and weeds:

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Not sure it would be all that more expensive in Boston? But probably less flaky about billing, there!

Looking at what's playing, there are no movies I'm dying to see (or even standing out against other movies) but I'm in the mood to go see a movie. Options include sappy bull-riding love story "The Longest Ride" (potential because yay, romance, and probably country music, negatives for sappy and probably awful), Vietnamese "How to Fight in 6 Inch Heels" (unusual, something about a cheating husband and a wife trying to be a model? Plusses include potential fun makeover scenes, but possibly annoying to read/potentially bad subtitles), Chinese "Let's Get Married" (unclear what it's actually about, though there seems to be lots of romance? see minuses for Vietnamese movie above, also why is the downtown movie theater showing so many foreign films this weekend, it usually doesn't!), "Danny Collins" (aging rockstar tries to reinvent himself? Does have Jennifer Garner, Annette Benning), Jupiter Ascending (bad, but so bad it's good? Maybe?), "McFarland USA" (disgraced football coach teaches migrant worker high schoolers how to be a cross country team? Could be inspiring, could be full of shitty white-savior-ness?)

I need to hire someone to do something to the front lawn, or what used to be the front lawn before I stopped watering it. I am thinking desert landscape , and using my tax refund to make it happen.

I'm another one of those people who is too guilt wracked to take a day off and just rest. To the point that the last time I did was when I was recovering from surgery the day before. And the time before that probably ditto.

BTW I don't recommend it. I think it's a stupid habit that leads to unhappiness and burnout.

The screening call I was supposed to have yesterday afternoon was cancelled by them at the last minute because the person who was supposed to do the call had a doctor appointment. She said she'd reschedule for next week but, oof, yesterday was rough at work. I totally blew up in a meeting (just an internal one, but still). I really am wondering if it would be totally insane to quit without having already secured a new job. Probably.

Tough one, lisah. I hope the screening call gets rescheduled quick and goes well!

Ooh, thanks, meara -- your patio looks great! And you will find positive comments on Jupiter Ascending and McFarland USA in the movie thread, I believe.

I really am wondering if it would be totally insane to quit without having already secured a new job. Probably.

I mean, probably, but if you can afford some significant time off, maybe worth it.

I moved a tree today. Owww... Much bending, much lifting, much digging.

I still haven’t taken a shower, but I had some food and spent a couple of hours doing work for my grad class (sitting on my patio, which is my favorite thing), and I think now I may have enough energy to do a few other odds and ends. I just got new patio chair cushions and need to set them up (and then cover them to protect from dogs). I also need to do laundry. We’ll see if I manage anything else. I should go to the gym. Not sure if that’s going to happen yet.