So my family decided this year we would put an above ground pool up, one of a nice size that was 16' in diameter. However we never landscaped our back yard, and it's uneven rock and hard dirt.
For several weeks my father (retired) worked hard to frame an 18' x 18' section and lay down weed block, and try and shift as much of the dirt around as possible. Because the land is so sloped there was an 11" difference between the top board and the bottom board. Originally the plan was to order some dirt and then sand to fill it all in before we put the tarp and then the pool down. Discovered it was cheaper to just use all sand instead.
Yesterday around 9am we had 4 tons of sand delivered. It was a moderately warm day, but the wind was strong. My father, my 8 year old son, and my disabled mother along with myself, set about moving the pile of sand into the sectioned off area so we could start leveling. 3 hours later we had about three quarters of it finished, but the wind had coated all of us in a fine layer of grit. I was exhausted; I'd done so much shoveling while my mother smoothed and spread out the sand. My Dad and I did a rotation; I would fill the wheel barrow, and he would move and dump it; it gave us both a chance to take a break. We all took hydration breaks, and by 11:30am we all admitted defeat and went inside to eat. I still had my friends property to tend to -- all her animals needed to be fed, and thanks to all the wind storms lately all the waters had to be dumped, cleaned, and refilled.
By the time I got home at 3pm I was surprised I was still standing. To many spoons, I used way to many spoons.
Today I'm paying the price; I want to take my drugs till I'm numb, but I know that would be stupid so I won't. Still, my body is in horrid pain, and the work is not yet done, plus I will have to go feed again today. But it's not like I had any choice in the matter. Was I just supposed to sit there and let my parents do all the heavy work while I did nothing more then try to help level the sand? I did that too just because of my Mom's disability; her legs are her biggest issue. Was I supposed to suddenly be "busy" and leave them to do it alone? Part of the reason they're putting in the pool is so that my mother and I can do physical therapy in the water. And my friend let's me keep my horse at her house for free in exchange for some small tasks; like working with her one horse, or feeding her critters when she's out of town. She doesn't go out of town often, certainly not of late, and normally it's never a problem. This time the timing was just bad. So I ask you again, what do you do when you have no choice?
I just hurt so bad today I don't want to do anything except curl up and cry.