Bonding in Las Vegas

Whether the teen and near-teen grandchildren want to admit it or not, Grandpa really looks forward to putting them to work for a couple of hours while they visit. They should be thankful we don't live in the country or have a farm. Of course if that was the case they probably wouldn't come to visit for fear of all the work expected of them.

The Allen's were in town last week and I invited Mac and Alyssa to help in the dreaded "tree" project. They have never done it before and didn't know what to expect. I was up early walking at 5:30 am, cuting down limbs at 6:30 am and we finally finished about 9:30 am. Mac has only used power tools in the past, so I had to teach him how to use a "hand" saw and he got very good.

Mac and Alyssa were a great help. Once we got Alyssa involved
the work went twice as fast. We just needed someone to stuff
the trash can - and she did great!

Once done with the hard work we had lunch and off shopping that afternoon. By the time we were all done I was exhausted, even if they were just getting started. It was a fun day with my grandkids, daughter, and spouse. It was a lot harder shopping then trimming the tree.

Not as many bags as usual, but that's because we are getting
into a rhythm of accomplishing the work. And bags are bags!

Wordless Wednesday following Baggy Saturday

Two weeks ago the Hansen's showed up for Spring Break, which also means, Baggy Saturday - helping Grandpa prune the trees and shrubs. This year we set a record with 16 43-gallon trash bags. I'm not sure the boys will be looking for another year, but we are getting quicker each year. It only took about 3.5 hours to do this and it only represents 2 trees!

click on the photo to enlarge

Role Reversal

Almost 3 weeks ago JoAnn had surgery on her foot. It was out-patient surgery and the stitches were removed in two weeks, but she has to walk flat-footed for 6 weeks. The first few days she spent on her back and after the first week she sat up more and has become increasingly more mobile. Suzanne was here for the first 5 days and that was incredibly helpful.

After Suzanne left I was pretty much responsible for keeping things going. I don't need any snide comments girls! The first morning after Suzanne left I did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen counter, put stuff away, got clothes going in the washer and drier, and tried to get everything as clean as JoAnn does. After about 2 hours I was beginning to understand why she doesn't get started on projects until about 2 pm. Since then, I've gotten better and quicker, and JoAnn has been more mobile and also helped out. Today I even vacuumed the floors and while I've done that occasionally, I'm like Whisper, when I hear her open the door to the vacuum closet I run and hide.

There have been some behavior patterns I really wasn't ready for. Last Thursday as we got up from lunch she walked over to the recliner and sat down. I looked down at the remains of lunch on the table and realized that I had just experienced a role reversal. I do try to help out in the kitchen and we do more and more together in the kitchen, but I suspect I'm AWOL pretty frequently. Now I know how JoAnn feels after preparing dinner, setting the table, and then being left to clean the table and kitchen. I also thought this was a 1 time role reversal experience, but it's becoming a habit. Not all the time, but more frequently. I think there might be a little payback involved here and I probably deserve it (once again, no comments girls).

I'm just anxious for JoAnn to make a full recovery - and she is doing very well - so we can reverse our roles once again, but with behavior change on my part. I have felt over the last several years that I was doing my part, but I realize now I wasn't, at least not enough. All those old rationalizations pretty much have to be thrown out with yesterday's garbage. They aren't even recyclable.

Wordless Wednesday - Helping Grandpa