ready for retirement

No, I'm not referring to my parents (though they're getting closer to retirement) ... I'm referring to Matt and me. Ever since I have known Matt, he has called himself "Old Man Richards" (and that was back when he was 25). He feels even older now. I'm starting to really believe he's old.

Though I think he just doesn't like physical labor.

Then again, neither do I. I guess that's why Matt and I were like two broken down old mules working outside of our house this past week. I have muscles sore in my body that I didn't even know I had. The ironic part is that my parents did 90% of the yard work and are about 25-30 years older than us.

Here we are in the prime of our lives - aching, stiff, and sore from a little bit of labor. My dad used to sing a little song to my great-grandmother to tease her. The song went:

The old gray mare,
She ain't what she used to be
Ain't what she used to be,
Ain't what she used to be
The old gray mare,
She ain't what she used to be
Many long years ago.

I think this song fits Matt and I very well, minus the fact that we're not gray (yet) and not mares. We sure ain't what we used to be. Then again ... neither of us have been known for our awesome abilities at labor. Ok, I guess that song doesn't really fit us after all, but this blog post made me think of it.

Fortunately for Matt, he had to work (at his desk job) and missed out on the majority of the work outside (which my dad made sure to make note of). He loves teasing Matt (well, everyone else too). I didn't really have a good excuse, but I did get our little garden started. We ran out of time, so it'll have to be finished at a later date. (Pictures to follow later).

So our physical labor experience made me realize we need to stick to desk jobs or retire early. Since our 401K's probably couldn't keep us up for the next 40+ years ... desk jobs it is. (Maybe they'll lower the starting age for Social Security to 35?!).

Oh well. Nevertheless, here are a few pictures from our adventure. (You can click on the photo to see the entire photo if the side margin cuts it off.)

My dad supervising at the moment:



I think when I took this picture, mom was saying, "It'll be obvious who did the work when you're not in any of the pictures." Don't listen to her though (or the photo evidence) ... I really did help!




This last little jewel is for our friends Gailen and Melanie. I think you'll find multiple parts of the photo humorous:



In all seriousness, I am blessed with two great, supportive parents who would do anything for me or my brother. I don't give them credit nearly often enough for their kind hearts and willingless to always lend a hand over and over again. If you know them, you know what I mean. They have sacrificed and done so much to give me a better life than I deserve. I thank God for them and know that wonderful parents is a true gift that not every one is fortunate enough to have. Matt and I are very thankful to both have awesome parents. His parents fit exactly what I said about my parents.

Ok, enough of the mushy stuff. Can't decide what to blog about next. Think it will be food related though. Stay tuned!