The Work Day

We just recently went in on 2 acres of river property for camping with a bunch of family members.
Apparently we are THAT serious about camping.
It was decided that Saturday would be a work day.
Here’s what I was told before we went:
Some people were cutting down tall grass.
Some people were hauling grass and brush to burn piles.
David was going to get started on the electrical hookup.
Yes. Electrical. Apparently we are THAT serious about camping.
As we were getting ready to go, Handsome Dude ran in the house and shouted that me and Sweet Pea needed to get our hineys outside NOW.
Me: I am almost dressed. Can you give me ten minutes?
HD: No! Dad said NOW. Throw a coat on and get out there!
I hate when he thinks he is the boss of me.
So, I threw a coat on over my pajama shirt. I was luckily wearing jeans. I was kind of in a transitional stage of the morning. I threw on my every day boots that are stylish and cozy and ran outside.
David takes one look at me and kind of laughs: Um, you might want to wear work clothes for today.
*sigh*
Me: I am aware. HD told me I had to get out here NOW, so here I am. I will be in work clothes before we go to the property.
David: Sounds good.
So, David had spent many hours and dollars building something for the property. I am sure it has a name, but I know it not. It probably weighs about 700 pounds and he is confident that HD, LD, SP, and myself will be a stellar enough team to help him load it into the truck. (DM was at work)
Me: Can you just use your Bobcat to load it?
(I am the brains of this operation)
David: No because I loaded the Bobcat already.
I don’t understand why we cannot unload the Bobcat, but I hush up and let him tell me the plan. I am a wife worth more than fine rubies.
So we have to pick it up and somehow drag it to the truck. Then we have to lift it up onto the trailer.
David: EVERYONE PAY ATTENTION! SOMEONE COULD DIE HERE!
Well, that’s fantastic.
He goes and gets a variety of jacks and we lift it onto jacks. The word “jack” makes me think of my super tough brother in law, Jack, and his amazingly strong wife, Lisa, who would be en route to the property at that very moment.
Me: Let’s see if Jack and Lisa can swing by and help?!
My suggestion was ignored.
Somehow, we got it up there. No one died. No trips to the emergency room were needed. I was just hoping that if it were to crush any of us, it would crush me and not the children.
That is a mother’s love, I tell ya.
So. Here is the truck and trailer all ready to go for our “work day.”

It felt excessive?

So, we got there and I totally underestimated the amount of work we would accomplish.

David and Jack got right to work on the power set up, including pouring concrete and such.  Everyone else was cutting down grass and making burn piles.

Yours truly operated a DR trimmer mower.  As if yours truly knew such a thing existed.  And I could do a commercial for that thing because wowie wow wow.

Here is a “before” picture:

And some pictures of David putting in the electrical thing.  Of which I do not know the name.

I even assisted him for a bit!  Oh, yes.  I was fantastic.

David:  I need you to help with the concrete mixer.

Me:  Got it!

David:  But be careful.  Do you see right here?  You could pinch your skin and it will hurt.

Me:  Got it!

*10 seconds later*

Me:  Ouch!

David:  Did you pinch your skin?

Me:  Yup.

 

Handsome Dude is getting to be quite handy.  Here he is on the Bobcat creating a burn pile.

And his burn pile:

He even hopped off the Bobcat long enough to put new string in my DR Trimmer Mower.  I feel the need to tell you again:  THAT THING IS A BEAST.

We got SO MUCH DONE and had gorgeous weather.  Here is a picture of the river from our new property.

It will be so nice!

***

Last week, I was on recess duty.  This happens often.  Anyways, I am out there with the other two first grade teachers and 75 six year olds.

Out of nowhere, a snowstorm hits.  Snow.  Wind.   Craziness.

Cue 75 6 year olds running around and screaming.  Almost as if they had never seen snow before.

We usher them inside.

Me to my class:  People!  We must remain calm.  We have all seen snow before!  We live in North ____.  We all know this happens!

No.  I shall not tell you where we live.  I am not sure why, but it is something I started a long time ago, and I shall keep the tradition alive.

***

The other day, I was a recipient of gifts from my pupils.

One boy brought me in a Diet Coke and a muffin.  He was surely proud and I made a big deal of it for his sake.

Me:  My goodness!  Did you just make my day!  Look at that!  How kind you are!

So another kiddo was watching this interaction and he says:

I have something for you, too!  I brought it just for you!

And he goes to his lunchbox and pulls out his ziplock bag full of chips.

Me:  Oh, buddy.  I don’t want to eat your lunch.

Student:  No!  It is for you!  Take it!

So, I thanked him and put it on my desk.  And told him I must be the luckiest teacher in the world.

I put it back in his lunchbox when he wasn’t looking.  Precious boy.

The next day, another girl came straight in and gave me a gift.

Me:  Oh!  Thank you!  What is it?

Girl:  It is an M&M!  Just for you, teacher!

Happy Sunday!