rented mule

[petey]

Today, Marvin worked me like a rented mule (the thought being here that when you rent a mule you don't care how hard you work it because you're going to give it back to its owner).

Here's what happened...Marvin always did the yardwork in our family before he got sick.  Then, in 1995, I had to take over that job.  Well, Marvin and I have VERY different theories on yard work.  Marvin believes our yard should look better than any other yard in the neighborhood, and he always worked, worked, and worked to make it that way.  My theory of yard work is ... as long as the grass is short enough so you can still see the house from the road, it's fine.  I have to admit, I didn't spend one minute more in the yard than I absolutely had to.

Last summer when we started home hemo, Marvin took back over the yard work (and he didn't get a fight from me).  He took care of the yard until winter set in.  But, then he got sick and spent most of Dec., late Jan., and Feb. in the hospital.  When spring came in here (about a month ago), I started cutting the grass again even though I didn't want to.

Lately, Marvin has been feeling great.  Yesterday, he declared today as our "yard day."  He was so excited last night he almost couldn't stand it!  He woke me up early this morning (my one day to sleep late!  ).  Marvin cut the grass and gave me "jobs" to do.  I had to pick up some small limbs and twigs that had fallen, pick up pine cones, and rake up gum balls (from that damned sweet gum tree that I've always hated).  Then, I had to sweep off the deck and do all the weed-eating.  Then, I had to sweep the sidewalk and the driveway!  Then, I had to trim some hedges and bushes that Marvin thought needed trimming (I didn't think so, but I did it anyway).  Our yard is about 3 acres -- but only 2 of them have grass (the other is "natural" with lots of trees).  Marvin rode and rode that riding lawnmower and had a ball!  He said it felt soooooo good to be in his yard again.  I rolled my eyes behind his back!  After it was done, he did take me out for supper, so I did get something out of it.

It was good to see Marvin so happy working in the yard.  I'm glad he feels like it again, and our yard does look awesome (best in the neighborhood!).  But, I'm pooped!  This is one rented mule who will sleep good tonight!

[mikey07840]

I'm glad Marvin feels so well. You were wonderful to help without complaints to him. 

[boxman55]

I have always loved to do the yard work. This spring I won't be able to. I can mow because I have a rider but all the other stuff I will have to find someone. I too want the best in the 'hood...Boxman

[Romona]

Oh, the yard. I am not allowed to do anything out there. Grass is mowed using a secret method so you can not tell which direction it was mowed. Then it can not be mowed in the same direction for so many mowings. Then the weed eating, yet another classified ritual. I am with you Petey. As long I can get to the car from the house, the lawn is good. I think it is a man thing.


Hey did you ever see someone using a shop vac on their lawn? I saw a guy doing it once and couldn't believe what I was seeing. He was getting gravel out of his grass.

[rose1999]

Hey Petey would Marvin rent you out to me?  This is yet another example of how we use different words - in the UK a yard is a concreted or paved area (usually at the back of the house) and what you refer to as a yard is our garden.  But you can call it anything you want just as long as you'll mow my grass and cut down the brambles. 

I am so glad to hear that Marvin enjoyed the day and despite your complaints I know you were secretly overjoyed to see him feeling so good. Bless you both 

[Sluff]

You are a good sport Petey. 

[del]

I'm with Marvin and boxman I want my yard (garden ) to look the best. I usually do the mowing although hubby does take his turn. I do all the flowerbeds , the weeding, planting, fertilizing etc.  I just love being at it!!   Most days in the spring and summer you can se my  sticking out of a flower bed. Ilove that      Come to my place petey - I'll put you to work too and we don't have a ride on mower!!

[Ohio Buckeye]

My husband used to do the lawn and it looked great - roses and such.
Then when he became ill and went on oxygen, then passed, I was doing it and my sons, now I sort of rely on my sons to do it and I'm just happy if it is cut occasionally.  I can't be concerned with much else.  The couple across the road is a young couple who work
in their yard day and night and spend a lot of money on their yard.  They make me look real bad.  Maybe some day again..................
I haven't ven been at the house to see it in months.

[willieandwinnie]

petey, can I borrow YOU . I do yard work only because I have to. We have a riding mower (thank God), but that weedeater kicks my ass and makes my arms hurt for days. We too have one of those gum ball trees. I paid my grandson a penny for everyone he picked up (can you believe I owed him 10.22 when all was said and done), I couldn't believe it. We have had such a windy winter here that there were limbs and twigs all over the place, along with my neighbors stuff that blew in our yard (one of the not so great aspects of living in a subdivision). My back (which I have had surgery on twice) was not to happy about all the bending I was doing and let me know about it the next morning. Len has recently rode the mower while I weedeat but he has always hated doing our backyard because of all the trees (so I almost always do it). Our son came and put weed and feed down and now it seems like every other day the yard looks like it needs cutting. Oh, one important thing, you Cannot, I repeat, Cannot cut the grass to short, or you will get a sermon about it. Should be thankful I'm doing it, but to keep peace, I don't cut it short. We are as I am typing getting a good thunderstorm and rain so I can see myself doing the yard again shortly. Petey......... Help. I'm glad that Marvin is getting his strength back and feels like doing stuff. When you do that Honey Do List up, you should put the lawn on it so it's done when you get home from school. There's more then one way to skin a cat. 

Hey del, your welcome to come join in the fun of doing my yard work and flower beds. I'll even feed you and when you are done you can get in the hot tub for a soak. You too petey.

[kitkatz]

That is just too funny. My hubby has called me his "little mule" ever since his accident.  I have lifted and toted and done things that we both know I probably should not be doing, but who is going to do them? So I know how you feel!

[jbeany]

Ewww - yard work.  I hate raking leaves, but that's my project for this week.  I've got to call the lawn service for my gram - she insists on keeping her 4 acre yard mowed, instead of letting some of it go back to wild meadow.  I'll rake my little half acre patch, but I'm not doing hers!

[kitkatz]

Hubby hired the local person who walked by looking for work the other week to do our yard.

[petey]

Ewww - yard work. I hate raking leaves, but that's my project for this week. I've got to call the lawn service for my gram - she insists on keeping her 4 acre yard mowed, instead of letting some of it go back to wild meadow. I'll rake my little half acre patch, but I'm not doing hers!

For goodness sake, jbeany, don't tell Marvin where your gram lives -- he'll drive his riding mower over there and make me go with him!   

[thegrammalady]

i'm safe, my asthma won't let me mow the lawn. sent marvin and his riding mower to my house. glad he's enjoying himself so much.

[monrein]

Wow,  I'm a huge fan of gardening and I usually do a lot of it.  These days I'm so worn out that I'm looking for a couple, no make that a team, of mules.  So sorry you don't live near by Petey...I'd allow frequent breaks and snack stops.  However it sounds like you are already too busy.  My husband really dislikes any form of yard work so I worry he's going to build a couple of tennis courts.

[KT0930]

My husband and our neighbor came up with an agreement around Easter. She mows, and he trims and edges; they each do they part they like best, and I get to stay my happy  in the house working on keeping it clean. The only yardwork I have to do is with the pooper-scooper!

[paddbear0000]

Oh, the yard. I am not allowed to do anything out there. Grass is mowed using a secret method so you can not tell which direction it was mowed. Then it can not be mowed in the same direction for so many mowings. Then the weed eating, yet another classified ritual. I am with you Petey. As long I can get to the car from the house, the lawn is good. I think it is a man thing.


Hey did you ever see someone using a shop vac on their lawn? I saw a guy doing it once and couldn't believe what I was seeing. He was getting gravel out of his grass.

I had to laugh when I read this! My husband and I were using the shop vac a week ago to get the mounds of pine needles out from between the stones we put down last year for a patio under the pine tree. We want to plant moss or something so it fills in the spaces, but there were so many pine needles, we couldn't get to the dirt to plant.

So yes, I have heard of this! 

[petey]

Hey del, your welcome to come join in the fun of doing my yard work and flower beds. I'll even feed you and when you are done you can get in the hot tub for a soak. You too petey.

Hey, I've got an idea ... del can do the yard work and flower beds at your house, willieandwinnie, and I'll be the cheering section --from the hot tub!!!   *oops!  you missed a spot, del....somebody bring me another iced tea and a cigarette*

[willieandwinnie]

petey, I like the way you think girl. Come on del, the yard needs to be cut today and the hot tub is clean. Waiting for you. 

[aharris2]

The couple across the road is a young couple who work
in their yard day and night and spend a lot of money on their yard.  They make me look real bad.  Maybe some day again..................
I haven't ven been at the house to see it in months.

Ya know, they don't make you look bad, it makes them look bad. Far more attractive would be their yard a little less well cared for and the neighbor's yard looking good too, because they cared enough to help out. Where has that sentiment gone? That would be something that the young couple could really take pride in. Just my 

For me, time is short each day, so I am thrilled when a neighborhood kid rings the bell and offers to mow for $20 (probably $25 this year (fuel surcharge))