I posted as Natvtxn and then could not get back info either. I don't remember a Native Texan. But that's ok! Welcome back.
Kathy

Welcome back! What's the plan?

Glad you are out of your funk. Any thoughts about your "clean slate" possibilities?

Happy to have you back! And yes -- what are your garden plans? It would be great if you could get to some of the garden swaps held at various places around the state. Check out the Exchange Forum for information. You don't need plants to trade. Most swaps accept home baked goods etc and lots of plants are given away too.

Well, my clean slate is interesting... 1.5 acre lot, house facing due south. The southwest corner where the house is located is completely tree covered/shaded (something I've never had before) and the rest is completely open. My long term plan involves no-lawn/shade beds around the house and large perennial/native or adapted beds in the open areas. I see years of work ahead but I am ready to start. My goal is to have 25% or less dedicated to lawn as I don't believe in (or have the budget for) maintaining a "golf course" lawn. My ideas may be bigger than my wallet so I will be turning to you good folks for ideas on how to accomplish my vision in phases on a tight budget. This should be fun.

Welcome back. What region are you in. What is your soil like and what is your annual rainfall? I love natives wuth a passion. I like the shade beds. i think lawns are highly over rated. LOL. I have bunch grasses in the sun and a mixture of plants flowers, cedar sedge, salvias, all sorts of things in the shade. My shade is fairly thin small trees. It is the Hill Country west of Austin.