Crepe Myrtles

I think it's a southern thing.  At least I, had never seen a crepe myrtle until we moved to GA.  We had a lovely white blooming one by our driveway.  Our new home has two Giant crepe myrtle.  According to the guy who planted them (who now lives across the street), they haven't bloomed in awhile, because no one has trimmed them since they moved out.  Since they moved about 5 years ago, I guess it was time.  So, that was one of my Saturday projects.  It was me, a ladder and a mini chainsaw type tool.  2 hours later and this is what I have to show for it.

Hopefully in a little while it will look like this (or some other color):