Day 52 - Mistakes

Making mistakes is a specialty of mine. Whether it be lack of patience or just plain distractions, I tend to make mistakes pretty regularly when dealing with house projects. Please don't ask my wife about my toddler-esque tantrums when dealing with unforeseen electrical issues. The old motto “measure twice, cut once” is often reversed in my attempts. Sometimes, my overexuberance to get started on a project overpowers the need to actually plan it out in a  way that is sustainable. 

With so many projects ahead of us, I was forced to slow down and think things through. That didn't stop the mistakes though.

We very much appreciated having help with projects.There were many skills and bits of knowledge I was still figuring out so having helping hands was essential. However, there were projects I felt comfortable tackling on my own. 

Until I actually started them. 

I felt comfortable planning out a vegetable garden. However, the sheer space available and rocky fill made that initial creation trickier than expected. Even after I created some garden beds out of old pallets and repurposed boards, I didn't make them deer proof. I essentially created a wildlife kitchen.

I felt comfortable planting fruit trees. However, the moisture in the wetland soil kept the soil wet (and frozen) throughout the first winter, destroying the roots. I essentially planted sticks.

I felt comfortable transplanting prairie plants. However, without a real plan, I basically just put plants in a temporary new home with hopes of creating a more diversified butterfly garden in the future. I essentially created random scatterings of plants. 

I felt comfortable. Until I started feeling uncomfortable. My excitement and energy got the best of me. My body was two steps ahead of my brain. My mistakes were not serious, but if I wanted to be more effective and efficient with my time, talents, and treasures, I needed to slow down and use any and all resources available to me.

After the rollercoaster of an experience we had with the move, My wife and I were pretty set on never having to move again, so we had time on our side. 

We also had a lot of helping hands.