Oh My Aching Legs and Feet

Owen's 4th birthday is Wednesday.  Actually it is his Magic Birthday, since he will be 4 on the 4th.  Since there was no party for his adoption as there was for both Landon and Tessa when they became officially part of the Yaggie family, Hilary and Blaine decided to invite friends and family for an combined adoption/birthday party for Owen next Saturday.  Since we have the Party Barn and lots of room for parking and for the kids to play outside, the party will be at our house.

This summer has not been one where Gary and I could cross items off of our Summer 2019 To -Do List.  Not too many of the improvements happened, and definitely the mowing and trimming was sporadic since Gary was doing none of it.  While we appreciated the time and efforts of Hilary, Blaine, Landon, and Matt, we weren't able to chip away at the edges of the yard along the creek like we had planned and trim things as we wanted to do. 

Today was a work outside day.  Mowing.  Chopping wood.  Cleaning up brush.

My role was weeding the flower gardens. 

At the other house I used mulch to keep the weeds down and it worked well.  However, Gary thinks that it drew termites so he refuses to use mulch again, at least anywhere close the house.  Therefore, the weeds in the flower gardens and I have a never-ending love-hate relationship.  They love to grow and spread out everywhere there is an empty spot.  I hate the look of weeds gone wild, and I hate to pull them.

My garden gloves got a workout today.  I pulled weeds, pulled the roots out and I cleaned out the iron kettles and the other large pot that used to sit on the front step at the old house.  A few times I was down on my knees because bending over too long made the blood rush to the top of my head and my sinuses flow down into my nose (can they do that?  It felt like it!).

After I finished, I raked all that I had pulled, gathered it, and carried it to the burn pile in the fire ring by the gazebo.  Once it dries, we will douse it with charcoal lighter fluid and burn it down.

My knees ache.  I can't get down on my knees and back up again without hurting my old knee and stretching out my new knee in a way that hurts.  My feet hurt.  My ankles were swelling and my old shoes that have been demoted to 'garden shoes' just don't have the support they once had.

I was also dirty.  The garden clothes are in the washer now, being cleaned for another day's wear tomorrow. 

Gary has told me I need to go into the living room instead of sitting at the dining room table typing this.  He suggests sitting in the recliner and putting my feet up.

That sounds like a fine idea.  I think I will take him up on it!