I tried to do some more yard work today, and it was a bit overwhelming. So many areas needed attention... flowerbeds, sitting areas, ugghh. I have a massive rose bed, and it was looking AWFUL, as was many of my formerly beautiful areas within the yard. I was working in spurts... very slowly...

My son showed up to help, because I had told him I would need help operating the bucket loader. I had TREES growing in areas they were not supposed to be... I needed to pull them out, and a few of them were far beyond the "sapling" stage. I do know how to operate the loader... Shane taught me years ago. It has been a while, though, and I wanted a "refresher". My son worked with me, but alas, due to my still "touchy" leg where they had to put a plate and screws, I was having difficulty holding down the little "button" for the positraction (it is on the right side and you have to hold it for a while as you maneuvering the monster of a tractor. My son took over... but at least I had tried. While all of this was going on, my son's girlfriend, two of my friends, and one of their sons showed up... they all just started working. I nearly cried.

Shane and I have always done everything ourselves... I did not ask for or expect these people to work so hard to get my yard back in order but it was amazing. I still have plenty to do, but it seems a lot more manageable.