Tax Return Plans

2014 is passing quickly-- and before you know it the tax deadline will be here. If you're like me you have already filed your taxes and you are just waiting patiently for your money, and planning how to spend it (or maybe you have already spent it!)

Obviously some of the money will go to bills/debt, because I am responsible like that, but I want to have some fun too and spruce up the humble abode a little.

Since I moved in, in May I have been washing dishes by hand (cringe); some of you that know me personally may know that I despise cleaning. For this reason I typically wait until ALL the dishes are dirty before washing any of them, this looks tacky-- and makes for a long night. Therefore one of the things I want to do with my tax return is buy a dishwasher and get it installed (which is a little tricky because it will require taking out some cabinets--which I am already lacking).

Here is the space now:

(Ignore the dog food all over the floor Sunday is a very messy eater)

Seeing these cabinets go will mean finding a new place for my trashcan and indoor recycle container:

(Having them hidden away has been great! Sunday can't eat the trash and I don't have to look at them all the time!)

Moving to the outside. I want to get my privacy fence redone. We tend to have some strong winds here in St. Louis, and the last owners did a less than ideal job on my current fence resulting in pieces randomly falling off-- ALL the time.

Here is what the fence currently looks like:

As you can see there are gaps near the bottom (that Sunday frequently sicks her head in-- thank god she's big) The fence is tilted, and it only goes around 2/3's of the yard (although I am sure Weezy will miss talking to me if I enclose her side--Yes, my elderly neighbor goes by Weezy). 

What you can't see are the piece that I have propped up/ taped up to prevent Sunday from getting out-- talk about ghetto.

Finally-- I want to add paving rocks to my back patio. Possibly make it larger, and fix the concrete pad where my trashcans are.

Here is what I am working with for my back Patio:

(I think if I enlarged it-- adding furniture and eventually covering it would be more practical!)

(See How the concrete is broken under the trashcans-- I want to redo it so it is all one slab.

Here is what I am thinking for the paving rock patio (Thanks Google Images!):

If any of you has done any of these projects and has any tips or advice please let me know! Also advice for contractors is always welcome!

Check back later this summer to see home progress--hopefully!