Exterior & Garden The Victorian House

I’m So Handy

There was snow on the ground 10 days ago, but since then I’ve been out in the garden every day, all day. It’s looking good!

Mid-April Snow in Chicago

But… I’ve been increasingly concerned that I may have seriously injured my hand. Fun backstory: I had never broken a bone until I was an adult, and when I did, I shrugged it off and didn’t get it checked out until a few days later. (Because I am so very tough? Stupid?) I figured I had only jammed my finger on a bad softball catch, but when I still couldn’t fully extend it after the swelling had subsided and I’d rested the injury, I went in for X-rays and yep. So this is feeling familiar.

I hurt myself over the weekend when I was pounding in the metal fence stakes for some temporary puppy-proofing, but I pushed on. Lots of raking, digging, and planting, and a lot of other manual labor since then (hello, 200-pound planters! You’re cute.) Surprise! My hand hurts more and it has not gotten better! I’m going to the doctor this afternoon and hoping it’s just a sprain.

So, pretty plants and things? Yay!?

Hostas and Heuchera

New weird things for the garden!

Setting plants out for the back yard garden

The garage too. She is lovely.

Scraping old paint off of the garage

Actually, it’s farther along now — there’s a fresh coat of paint on it already! And 75% of the planting is done! Fingers crossed (and unbroken!) that my hand is fine and I can finish things up in a timely manner.

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  • Jennifer
    April 27, 2018 at 4:43 pm

    Can’t wait to see your plantings!

  • kimbydee
    April 27, 2018 at 7:56 pm

    What’s the verdict on the hand? Your plan and plants look great!

    • Making it Lovely
      April 27, 2018 at 8:25 pm

      I have to get X-rays! The doctor thinks it’s a sprain, but can’t be sure. I’ll go soon. I know it’s not ideal to wait, but it’s been this long and I can deal with the pain for now. We have 7 kids in our house tonight because there’s a sleepover party happening, and we’re hosting more people on Sunday. I have to carve out a few hours somewhere!

  • Clara@Model Home Improvement
    April 28, 2018 at 7:15 am

    Hope you get well soon. Waiting for your next post!

  • Peggi
    April 28, 2018 at 7:28 am

    Choosing so many plants: exciting & fun! Doing so much work: exhausting & sweaty (and occasionally injurious!). It’s going to be beautiful, though! I heart heucheras!! (and healthy hands…)

  • goosefairy
    May 1, 2018 at 8:04 am

    Gardening is not for the faint of heart. I ended up having to have two surgeries, both shoulders, rotator cuff injury, which I am convinced was due to over-enthusiastic gardening. It put a halt to any interest I have in doing it now.I salute your dedication.

  • Julie Saldana
    May 11, 2018 at 6:01 am

    I am planning to design my backyard, too. So excited about this. I hope your hand will get better.