I like to have things to do that help out my family. Laura did not disappoint. There are always big and small projects to do.
This time I came to mainly work on a cement paver pathway.
"Well the paved project has begun. I cleared away some stones and attempted to smooth out the path so the paved blocks would sit flat. Lily and Ben wanted the help. I was moving some old pavers and had to pry them out of the ground. I knew that I could easily do it myself but these two really wanted to help. So I had them help me pry them out. It was easy but because they pulled on the pry bar with me we did it together. I was proud of my two helpers. Laura in the meantime had started moving the 80lb bags of cement mix. Man, that is heavy work. I broke open the bag, put in water and mixed. That is heavy work also. Finally I shoveled cement into the form and then when done lifted the form off and smoothed off the surface. It was a bit dry but okay. The next one was better since I added a bit more water.
Since it was so hot and still I suddenly started vomiting and feeling a bit weak. I had become dehydrated. I staggered into the house, laid on the floor and Laura helped me cool off. I freaked the grandkids out I believe when they saw me laying on the floor. They wanted to know what was wrong with grandpa. Then they brought all their toys to me and sat next to me. I love my family. Laura was so calm and helped me. Lily and Ben wanted grandpa to be alright. I am a lucky man."
"The paver path project is finished. I ended up working in the morning and evening so I could stay out of the heat of the day. The first block didn't turn out too well, It was too dry. After that more water made the blocks smoother. The hardest part of the project was dealing with the 80lb. bags of cement mix. That about killed me off. Thankfully Laura moved 1/2 of the bags. So once the water to cement ratio was figured out the project moved right along."
It turned out pretty nice.
I replaced the weatherstripping around a door. That took 30 minutes. Then I helped prepare some pendant lights for Laura to hook up in her entryway. Nothing too hard.
The biggest deal revolved around getting tattooed.
"Daughter Laura and I decided that today was the day. So we went to a local artist a few days ago, set up an appointment and put down a nonrefundable deposit so we wouldn't wimp out. I had to go first. Chad was great. He has been doing this for 20 years."
""Some have wondered if this adventure into tattoos was real or whether it would wash off since I don't do needles. Well, it is real. I have been thinking about it for some time. So has my daughter Laura. So we decided to do it. Laura has decided that if they have any more kids the names have to be short.
Chad explained to us everything we needed to know about how things would go then it was my turn. Chad shaved the spot on my shoulder and cleaned it off with antiseptic lotion. Then he took my chosen design and placed it on my wet shoulder where it left on outline. Then once we agreed it was placed right he sat me down and got his equipment ready. All the while he worked we talked. I don't do needles is not strictly correct. When younger I would get light headed when getting shots but honestly I had a shingles shot some months ago and hardly felt it. Well getting a tattoo is not like getting a shot. It was more like getting scrapped with a sharp object. The needle goes so fast it feels like a continuous scraping. It was a bit uncomfortable but not really painful. In about 30 minutes he was done. He then placed a bandage on my shoulder and then a young lady explained how to care for it. So, it is real. It won't wash off anytime soon and I am sure it will be my one and only one. If my son Matt can get a tattoo and parachute out of a perfectly good airplane I could get a tattoo. So there, all you doubters out there."
Chad explained to us everything we needed to know about how things would go then it was my turn. Chad shaved the spot on my shoulder and cleaned it off with antiseptic lotion. Then he took my chosen design and placed it on my wet shoulder where it left on outline. Then once we agreed it was placed right he sat me down and got his equipment ready. All the while he worked we talked. I don't do needles is not strictly correct. When younger I would get light headed when getting shots but honestly I had a shingles shot some months ago and hardly felt it. Well getting a tattoo is not like getting a shot. It was more like getting scrapped with a sharp object. The needle goes so fast it feels like a continuous scraping. It was a bit uncomfortable but not really painful. In about 30 minutes he was done. He then placed a bandage on my shoulder and then a young lady explained how to care for it. So, it is real. It won't wash off anytime soon and I am sure it will be my one and only one. If my son Matt can get a tattoo and parachute out of a perfectly good airplane I could get a tattoo. So there, all you doubters out there."
We went to Evergreen, CO for a picnic and a walk around a mountain lake. We went to eat at the Cheesecake Factory and the Rio. To get to the Cheesecake Factory we took the lite rail. The grandkids really enjoy it and it sure is easy.
The final day of our visit involved a few hours at a park for BJ, the grandkids and I. Laura & Cindy went to look at a house since we will be moving in a few years. It was a great visit.
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