l2g-jeanineoutfront Seven years. It is surprising we have lived in this little house for so long. In fact, it’s amazing we still have it, through downturns in the economy that have affected our income — and a small house fire a year ago that made me evaluate how I feel about my possessions, my loved ones and my home. Now that we have worked so very hard to obtain and hold onto this property, for me it represents the American dream—the culmination of 17 years of marriage and commitment to the same life goals. I am proud of it.

Although no one was hurt in the fire—not even my terrified kitty or the fish in the tank—and all my things were replaced, the front lawn took a terrible beating. Actually, another terrible beating.

It had been lush until a couple years before, l2g-1housebefore when a public works project that replaced our sidewalks also broke our sprinkler lines in so many places we couldn’t find all the damage. So we stopped using the sprinklers. I’ve tried to water by hand, but I rarely remember.

And the same week as the fire, our sewer line to the street required repair and a six-foot-deep hole was dig in the middle of the lawn to facilitate the work. The sewer situation left a gaping scar that no grass seed has been to root in—although weeds seem to do just fine. In short, our front yard has been looking terrible.

l2g-1housebefore2 Recently, I overheard two neighbors talking about how “they wish some people would take better care of their property” and glanced our way.  I was dying to apologize and explain, “Wait! We are not terrible homeowners! We are folks who have been through a lot.”

As if to make amends for me, the Long Beach Water Department selected us to participate in its subsidized Lawn-to-Garden program—basically, helping us become one of 200 homes across the city that will demonstrate how homeowners can reduce water usage while maintaining the beauty of their property.

We got our official acceptance letter in mid August with the notice that we must take the Water Department’s online course and submit our design for approval within 45 days.

As I said earlier, Mark and I have been married 17 years and have survived some pretty trying times. But I had no idea picking out some plants and hardscape was going to be so controversial. I mean, seriously, when did my husband start being so picky? l2g-1plans

The conflicts over the plans began right away. I had to remind him more than once that I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts—and for those who don’t know, I worked an extra year for the “F” in “BFA;” it is an advanced degree.) Mark had to remind me that—Duh!—he works all day long as a production artist.

So that is how it went. There was some bickering and strong words. But in the end we came up with a fantastic design that suits both of our aesthetics very nicely and it will compliment our little home well.

We submitted our plan and it was approved. We are now on deadline to complete the transformation within 120 days. Wish us luck and good weather on the weekends!