Redneck or What?

I have to ask a question of my discerning friends. My house and yard is slightly difficult to describe. It is the "side" of our house that faces the road. I stood in my neighbor's yard to take this first picture. Technically the part of the house to the left of the frame is the "front" of the house - and the "side" of the house faces the road here. There used to be a road in the front of this house when the house was built somewhere between 80 - 100 years ago, that is no longer there which is why it is sideways. The only porch/deck/entrance to the outside of the house is the two doors that walk out onto the "L-shaped" porch. We finally bought the kids a trampoline to replace the one that we gave away before moving from WV - and put it up today. I had a dilemma - I could put it up in the back yard - in the hot sun, a pretty good walk from the house - OR just to the left of the house, here, which may somewhat appear to be the front yard. I need to know if this looks trashy. This would fall into the category my mom would call "rednecky". The bottom picture is the view from the road. If you look to the left of this picture that was taken from our road - you can see the trampoline behind a large bush and nestled underneath a couple of trees.
I like this placement for a couple of reasons: First, it is in the shade and the kids can possibly enjoy it even on the hottest days. Second, it is a long trek out to the back yard - which would most definitely keep Kullen from wanting to use it on his own. Third, I can sit on the porch and see them on the trampoline, as well as from my desk which is just inside the porch window.
What do you think? Honest opinions. Remember we live in the country and not a curb and guttered subdivision. I know these things aren't that important - and when it comes down to it - I will leave it in the place that most pleases the 5 of us that live here and use it - but I have to know what people think when they see it. Thanks!

The View From My Front Porch

I am sitting in my wicker rocker on my front porch. My mother-in-law gave it to me when we moved into our new house and I promptly painted it black to match my porch swing. The weather is just about perfect – light but not overly sunny. There is a gentle breeze with a mild temperature in the high 60s. I can hear birds singing, and the occasional passing car. My dog Jett has been laying here beside me chewing on a stick for the last half hour, and life is just about perfect for him. At the end of the street where the highway overpass is, I can hear an occasional truck. The house across the street is abandoned. The people put a mobile home on the back of their property and left the house which was in too much disrepair for the elderly people to keep up with. Every once in a while I hear a gull sounding bird, and smell beach air. I know it isn't my imagination because we don't live that far from the Gulf of Mexico. Sometimes I wonder how I got here – and other times I am deliriously happy. I think about the years we will live on and off of this porch. Maybe one of my daughters will be asked for their hand in marriage here. (I will probably sweep before then.) Family reunions, grandbabies learning to walk, small children climbing the rails. I can imagine Travis and I sitting on the swing in our golden years, saying nothing but knowing everything about the lives we've shared together. While sometimes this porch seems very empty, and I wish I could fill it rail to wall with all of my friends, today I am contented to have it to myself. I think my children are making something for my birthday. Sheets have been hung at both entrances to the kitchen and I have been given the "do not enter" speech, but through the storm door that leads to the front porch, I saw flames a moment ago. (YIKES – for real!) I have my feet up and a sweet, hot cup of coffee, and the leisure to blog my little heart out. Life is good here on my front porch!

Ah, the Great Outdoors

We found this incredible park in a neighboring town today, with a playground (even equipped with handicapped swings), basketball courts, a stream, walking path and footbridges. We found it quite by accident, but enjoyed the time in the sunshine. There were pavilions for picnicking and parties. I hope to spend a lot of time there in the spring. One of the nicest things of all was meeting another homeschooling family!
Kullen skipping rocks in the stream - Feb '07