Front Flower Bed Project

This is my first project for the new year. This "flower bed" has been a mass of weeds ever since we moved into this house, and I've only ever had time to knock the weeds down. Finally this last fall the plum tree that was in the bed died and split in half, so I've decided that the whole bed needs to be redone from the dirt up.
First of all, I need to remove the tree and a bunch of the soil that has accumulated on top the black fabric that must have been laid down as a weed preventer. Now it just serves as something for the weed roots to dig into so you can't tear them out.

Then I need to fix the retaining wall. These blocks are VERY heavy, so I think I'll have to get out my husband's engine hoist to get them back into place. I'll also have to move the bottom stones and reset them. The whole wall is so unstable.

Once these chores are done, I'll be able to plant something. Yeah!