Oh my goodness! I’m exhausted just READING about it! So much hard work! Wonderful outcomes admittedly. Well done you two. Now I’ll just send heaps of good vibes for your poor shoulder. Hugs my dear. (And thank you as always for the poetic pictures you paint with your words. Heavenly.)
Four days rest, a bucketful of Voltaren and I feel as fit as a fiddle, Beth, thank you.
TBH, I never thought we'd accomplish what we did and even now, reading the post, I am thrilled. Just shows, there's life in these old dogs yet! ;) Which is just as well as I have this list you see, of things that 'must' be done before I have surgery...
Oh my lord. I am getting a sore shoulder just thinking about all the work you did. I was contemplating doing a bit of work to open up my spring garden. I am not sure if inspires me or gives me pause. Just kidding…I dislike gardening so I look for excuses. Hope your shoulder feels better soon. Kudos on the huge accomplishment and terrific tale.
Ah! The physics of moving extremely heavy objects! I loved this story's telling and love the end result. What a beautiful place to sit!! You two worked hard! I hope your shoulder heals and you feel better each day.
Oof! The agony and reward of hard, physical work. The lintel as a bench could not be more perfect and the gardens and grounds look lovely. Good for you!
The Egyptian high five and the 80s hair on The Bangles really made me smile.
When's the surgery date. Are you feeling ready (ish)?
Only two more things to do on the list - and I am ready. Although there's part of me that whispers 'No, you're not ready. You will never be ready...' I'm prone to the occasional anxiety attack so some rocky ground may be ahead. I find David Michie's Buddhist prompts such a help.
“I had visions of the crowbar flicking me up through the hawthorn canopy into the cloudless blue as bush ravens cawed around me and the resident pair of wedge-tailed eagles swooped down the slope we call the Ski Run to warn me out of the skies.”
So sorry about your shoulder. 😯 I’m wondering, though - are you sure it’s sore from the hard labour? Could it in fact be from that high five?! 😁 In all seriousness, I hope that a well earned rest from strenuous activity - might I suggest spent sitting on that stunning stone, if husband cares to share his space as you survey your hard work and stunning surroundings - will help to ease the pain.
Sending love! And another (a careful one, mind!) high five. 😘
Rosy, my son and husband have always wanted the farm to look like parkland although this year, the drought rather put paid to that. But we love it, even though the hills are getting steeper every year and the bush runs seem further and further away. Funny about that...
Agony and ecstasy! I'm envious of such a lovely stone garden seat! Loved the high five!
Your wonderful story reminded me that the day before my first mastectomy I carried and spread 57 bags of mulch. I just knew it would be some time until I could do the heavy gardening again and I wanted to get it done. And, in addition, that time in the garden was, as my brother would say, "Mental Floss".
Susan, you've nailed it. There's that list, isn't there, of things you know can't be done later? My mum always said 'don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.' My surgery, like yours, is acting as an accelerant. And yes to the whole mental floss idea. While I'm busy, I can disconnect from the idea of catastrophe. There are 2 things left on my list - both big jobs. There's a new lawn to be laid in our Matchbox city garden. Big job (small area) because the old turf must be cut and carted, new soil spread and then the new lawn laid. And on the coast, two sides of the house must be relieved of beds of agapanthus and new gardens built. That job looks like something to dream of as the anaesthetist sends me to sleep...
Oh Prue! What an amazing bit of hard labour you and your husband have done! And how wonderful to be able to see the evidence and enjoy the benefit of all that hard work. I am glad to hear the recovery has gone as successfully as the work itself. It is thrilling to realise what our bodies are capable of, isn't it? Good for you! And thanks for sharing all the photographic evidence with us. xx
Thank you, Sabrina. The bestest thing was the way the stone just fell into place - the Fates ordered it, I'm sure. Meant to be.
Our son lives on the farm and he's so busy, we just wanted to make the garden as simple and easy care as possible and somewhere that our grandson can really enjoy. And of course, husband wanted a seat to survey the valley...
Oh, but this made me laugh - the clever Egyptian "high five," the ham sandwich reference (and thanks for that lol) and truly, your sheer sense of good humour throughout. Like you, I've always been ready to "get stuck in" and help and people have always expected me to get on with it as a fairly slim woman. I once helped shift a 6' fully loaded freezer and I've also supported a marble fireplace insert in a mini-van whilst going up steep hills and valleys!! YOU two did all this (and more!) at a much later time slot in life - I am amazed and impressed. You really capture that exhaustion that creeps up when challenged to do "one more thing" after a full day of grafting! So sorry to hear about your shoulder - I do know the feeling of elation and accomplishment that you describe thought. Such a descriptive and wonderful post as always Prue - and, as you might have expected, I have advanced math dyslexia as well lol.
Sue, after the first day's success, I think we were on such a high for the rest of the week and it kept us going. We also wanted a 'complete' job before our son and his family arrived home from their holiday. It's a milestone year for he and his wife because they turn 40 and they're planning a party and we want the place to look its best.
Re the dyscalculia, of course I knew you'd suffer. You're my alter-ego!!!!
I’m so impressed and absolutely agog at all you and husband accomplished! And in a mere week, when the rest of us mortals would have probably needed 3 months for the job. I’m glad to hear your shoulder has healed up so quickly too!
I loved the photos of your place—it looks like a parkland to me—and so enjoyed your beautiful writing. I laughed out loud at the spot where you imagined the crowbar flicking you into the sky! And the Egyptian physics and high-5 was just priceless. Thank you for this pure pleasure 😊
I'm so impressed reading this story! The fact that you took on all of that work with only the two of you is amazing.
I'm not afraid of hard work either, having done my share, but I was much younger then! I'm more careful now about what I take on these days as I've injured myself a few times. I still have the will, but not necessarily the way! 💪🏼🤣
I'm glad the sore shoulder recovered and neither of you suffered anything more serious. Your property and project look magnificent!
Oh my goodness! I’m exhausted just READING about it! So much hard work! Wonderful outcomes admittedly. Well done you two. Now I’ll just send heaps of good vibes for your poor shoulder. Hugs my dear. (And thank you as always for the poetic pictures you paint with your words. Heavenly.)
Four days rest, a bucketful of Voltaren and I feel as fit as a fiddle, Beth, thank you.
TBH, I never thought we'd accomplish what we did and even now, reading the post, I am thrilled. Just shows, there's life in these old dogs yet! ;) Which is just as well as I have this list you see, of things that 'must' be done before I have surgery...
Oh my lord. I am getting a sore shoulder just thinking about all the work you did. I was contemplating doing a bit of work to open up my spring garden. I am not sure if inspires me or gives me pause. Just kidding…I dislike gardening so I look for excuses. Hope your shoulder feels better soon. Kudos on the huge accomplishment and terrific tale.
I'll do your share of gardening, Alice. It's my psych therapy!
Ah! The physics of moving extremely heavy objects! I loved this story's telling and love the end result. What a beautiful place to sit!! You two worked hard! I hope your shoulder heals and you feel better each day.
Shoulder all well, thanks Mary. And yes, even a week later, it was worth the effort.
Oof! The agony and reward of hard, physical work. The lintel as a bench could not be more perfect and the gardens and grounds look lovely. Good for you!
The Egyptian high five and the 80s hair on The Bangles really made me smile.
When's the surgery date. Are you feeling ready (ish)?
That hair! Those were the days.
Only two more things to do on the list - and I am ready. Although there's part of me that whispers 'No, you're not ready. You will never be ready...' I'm prone to the occasional anxiety attack so some rocky ground may be ahead. I find David Michie's Buddhist prompts such a help.
I'll take extra deep breaths on your behalf. 🥰
Hi Prue and Husband, Job well done!!!
Thank you, Janice.
Oh Prue! Such incredible work, both! Loved this:
“I had visions of the crowbar flicking me up through the hawthorn canopy into the cloudless blue as bush ravens cawed around me and the resident pair of wedge-tailed eagles swooped down the slope we call the Ski Run to warn me out of the skies.”
So sorry about your shoulder. 😯 I’m wondering, though - are you sure it’s sore from the hard labour? Could it in fact be from that high five?! 😁 In all seriousness, I hope that a well earned rest from strenuous activity - might I suggest spent sitting on that stunning stone, if husband cares to share his space as you survey your hard work and stunning surroundings - will help to ease the pain.
Sending love! And another (a careful one, mind!) high five. 😘
I couldn't believe that Google would provide me with an Egyptian high-five. 'Aint technology wonderful?
My shoulder's good now. I gardened all Friday and with no problems, so all's well. And truly, t'was worth the effort. XXXX
I'm so pleased that your shoulder's behaving itself, Prue! It's horrid when parts hurt! 😘
Well done 👏 to you both. What a stunning property and enhanced by all your hard work. It looks beautiful.
Rosy, my son and husband have always wanted the farm to look like parkland although this year, the drought rather put paid to that. But we love it, even though the hills are getting steeper every year and the bush runs seem further and further away. Funny about that...
XXXX
Agony and ecstasy! I'm envious of such a lovely stone garden seat! Loved the high five!
Your wonderful story reminded me that the day before my first mastectomy I carried and spread 57 bags of mulch. I just knew it would be some time until I could do the heavy gardening again and I wanted to get it done. And, in addition, that time in the garden was, as my brother would say, "Mental Floss".
Hugs
Susan, you've nailed it. There's that list, isn't there, of things you know can't be done later? My mum always said 'don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.' My surgery, like yours, is acting as an accelerant. And yes to the whole mental floss idea. While I'm busy, I can disconnect from the idea of catastrophe. There are 2 things left on my list - both big jobs. There's a new lawn to be laid in our Matchbox city garden. Big job (small area) because the old turf must be cut and carted, new soil spread and then the new lawn laid. And on the coast, two sides of the house must be relieved of beds of agapanthus and new gardens built. That job looks like something to dream of as the anaesthetist sends me to sleep...
Oh Prue! What an amazing bit of hard labour you and your husband have done! And how wonderful to be able to see the evidence and enjoy the benefit of all that hard work. I am glad to hear the recovery has gone as successfully as the work itself. It is thrilling to realise what our bodies are capable of, isn't it? Good for you! And thanks for sharing all the photographic evidence with us. xx
Thank you, Sabrina. The bestest thing was the way the stone just fell into place - the Fates ordered it, I'm sure. Meant to be.
Our son lives on the farm and he's so busy, we just wanted to make the garden as simple and easy care as possible and somewhere that our grandson can really enjoy. And of course, husband wanted a seat to survey the valley...
That was truly a gift of the best kind for your son. And the Fates made it perfect for all of you! ❤️
Oh, but this made me laugh - the clever Egyptian "high five," the ham sandwich reference (and thanks for that lol) and truly, your sheer sense of good humour throughout. Like you, I've always been ready to "get stuck in" and help and people have always expected me to get on with it as a fairly slim woman. I once helped shift a 6' fully loaded freezer and I've also supported a marble fireplace insert in a mini-van whilst going up steep hills and valleys!! YOU two did all this (and more!) at a much later time slot in life - I am amazed and impressed. You really capture that exhaustion that creeps up when challenged to do "one more thing" after a full day of grafting! So sorry to hear about your shoulder - I do know the feeling of elation and accomplishment that you describe thought. Such a descriptive and wonderful post as always Prue - and, as you might have expected, I have advanced math dyslexia as well lol.
Sue, after the first day's success, I think we were on such a high for the rest of the week and it kept us going. We also wanted a 'complete' job before our son and his family arrived home from their holiday. It's a milestone year for he and his wife because they turn 40 and they're planning a party and we want the place to look its best.
Re the dyscalculia, of course I knew you'd suffer. You're my alter-ego!!!!
I’m so impressed and absolutely agog at all you and husband accomplished! And in a mere week, when the rest of us mortals would have probably needed 3 months for the job. I’m glad to hear your shoulder has healed up so quickly too!
I loved the photos of your place—it looks like a parkland to me—and so enjoyed your beautiful writing. I laughed out loud at the spot where you imagined the crowbar flicking you into the sky! And the Egyptian physics and high-5 was just priceless. Thank you for this pure pleasure 😊
Cheers and happy days, Susan.
I'm so impressed reading this story! The fact that you took on all of that work with only the two of you is amazing.
I'm not afraid of hard work either, having done my share, but I was much younger then! I'm more careful now about what I take on these days as I've injured myself a few times. I still have the will, but not necessarily the way! 💪🏼🤣
I'm glad the sore shoulder recovered and neither of you suffered anything more serious. Your property and project look magnificent!
Thank you!
We have to pinch ourselves to realise it really was us doing it!