The Work Begins!
I purchased a small 8inch blade
chain saw on a long extension pole
to see if I could get the apricot tree
branches out of the electric wires
on the well house.
One thing lead to another
until this old gal kept cutting
away for three long days.
One lesson that I learned was
that even if the chainsaw is
lightweight, when extended out
ten feet it is no longer
lightweight.
Believe me!!!
After getting them out of the wires
they looks lopsided, so I kept cutting.
Here are the apricot trees with
one last limb to cut.
And here they are finished.
Dear friends, my much wiser hindsight
suggestion is to have your husband
do this kind of work.
I was bruised and in pain for
a week after.
I thought that I had fractured a rib,
but just muscle strain and bruising.
None the less very painful.
Of-course I didn't stop there.
After the two apricot trees
I started in on the lower branches
of the pine trees.
I worked for three days.
about 6 hours the first day
and 8 to 9 the next two days.
Now mind you, the pain didn't start
until a day or two after the work
was done. Hallelujah for that
or I would have never finished.
For you with FitBits . . .
first day . . . 19,340 steps
second day . . . 17,941 steps
Third day . . . 23,893 steps
There are weeks
when I don't have 35,000 steps total.
Lots of work and lots of wood
and the purchase of a second small
handheld chainsaw to cut the wood
up into firewood.
This is a photo taken when
cleaning the blade.
Once the blade jamed and came off.
I then learned to fix that problem :)
After 15 trailer loads of brush,
I started cutting firewood.
This pile is all cut . . .
And all of the long horizontal limbs stacked
above the old wood pile, plus the ones
leaning over it and the two on the ground,
will probably be there this spring
waiting to be cut.
Well, dear friends . . .
I'm over the worst of the recuperating pain
and feeling much better,
but not ready to cut any more tree branches
for a long time, LOL
I'll say good night . . .
and wish you all a blessed
and wonderful day tomorrow.
Your blogging sister,
Connie :)
I love my chainsaw one pole! That and my pressure washer are my two fave tools! But it is heavy on the pole.
ReplyDeleteYes it is!
DeleteOh my goodness Connie, what a huge job you tackled! No wonder you were stiff and sore for days. And I imagine that this is the first time you have tackled such a job. Please do have some rest and relaxation and savour your mammoth task, give yourself a pat on the back, and enjoy that firewood when it drys out.
ReplyDeleteI know, I need to start acting my age and maybe hiring a few of these big jobs to be done. I know I'm far from being a spring chicken anymore, LOL, and the pain I feel afterwards proves it.
DeleteOMG Connie! You are nuts! (saying this in a very loving way!)!!!!! I've learned too, that when I do work using muscles I haven't used in awhile, that I dearly PAY THE PRICE 2 days later! Even when I use my leaf blower, and hold it up high to get under the eaves of the house, I pay the next day or the next! You did way too much!!! OMG is all I can say! I love that little chainsaw on the pole. I've thought of getting one, but like you said, even though it doesn't seem heavy at first, when it's on the end of a pole like that, it's HEAVY! I just can't believe what you did. Be so proud of yourself.. but hope next time you take it easier and don't do so much all at once! I can't believe all the steps on your fitbit! You trees all look great by the way!!! Hugs to you.. and take care of yourself!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo Marilyn
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I did all that either, but my aching muscles verify the truth in it. When I started I had no idea that I would do that much, but one step leads to another and there you are, LOL
DeleteYou're going to need a vacation! My husband has been working outside and he is sore from head to toe too. But you've really gotten a lot done. There's really no stopping place, is there? Take care of yourself and give yourself a treat!
ReplyDeleteAll that I could think of was Winters coming and get as much done as you can. That and if I leave it till next year I'll be a year older and probably even more sore afterwards, LOL
DeleteGod love you Connie. I helped Ted cut a lot of limbs once from a storm. I did very well and no pain...but now I am in pain from mowing and weed whacking all in one day. I do believe I need some sturdier work shoes. It's always my feet that hurts. You did an amazing job. I tell you I have moved into one lazy neighborhood. What really bothers me is the worse yards have kids and teens living there. Our mother made the brothers mow with an old mower that was pushing style...no motor. We girls cut weeds with a hoe and scissors. No lazy kids in that home. Either parents aren't getting the kids to work or just don't care. You put them to shame. LOL. Blessings be safe, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean and it's not doing the kids any good to not be taught responsibility and respect for their home and family. Work ethic was a way of life when we were growing up.
DeleteWOW, that looks like a lot of hard, physical work, Connie! Time to put your feet up and do something less strenuous, quilting or baking perhaps? xx
ReplyDeleteOr soaking in a good hot bubble bath, now doesn't that sound good :)
DeleteYou are simply amazing, and an inspiration to all of us in blogland!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I guess there's still a little bit of "get up and go" left in the old gal, LOL.
DeleteExcellent job, Connie. Next time you may remember this time and hand the job off to another!
ReplyDeleteMaybe, or at least get someone to help. I think that's what I should have done.
DeleteWow girl look at you go!!! Good for you!! That is hard work and so many steps!!!
ReplyDeleteWow that's quite a comment from the queen of steps. Do you have a Fitbit and check how many steps you get every day with your walks? You've always been an inspiration to me.
DeleteWow! You are amazing.I have a "loper" that I love using to trim tree branches... not sure I would attempt the use of a chainsaw! You did a great job and look at all the firewood... it will keep you warm and cozy this winter! Have a great week and rest up!
ReplyDeleteI've rested all day and now that evening is here I'm antsy to do something, so I striped the bed and I washing my sheets. I was going to do it tomorrow but I needed a project, LOL.
DeleteThat sounds a whole lot like myself. Once I start, I don't stop until the job is done! Take it easy, though, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteGrace & Peace,
Pam
I think we just want to see it finished and put closer to the project. There's such a good feeling in a project well none and put to bed :)
DeleteWhat a mammoth task you undertook Connie. I doubt if I would have gone much past the first day! Take care, Mxx
ReplyDeleteI've always been like that and I have a brother that is just like me. His wife would always say if he started a project in the evening he would work on it until it was done, even if that met the next morning.
DeleteWow Connie! That was a lot of work. I'm very impressed - and so many steps!
ReplyDeleteThe steps truly surprised me, I've never had that many three days in a roll. In fact some days I'm lucky if I get 5,000.
DeleteYou are incredible!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Connie, you are amazing! Never mind the large step count; wielding a chain saw and hauling all those branches is a workout! No wonder you were sore. I'm glad you have recovered. Do take good care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of work, but the chainsaws that I purchased were both small. The one on the pole was heavy but my little handheld one only has a 10 inch blade and it was quite manageable. I did have to remember that they are tools and not toys and be very careful. Even a small one can take off a hand or foot if your not careful. I actually did a lot of praying while working.
Deleteoh my goodness that has made me ache all over just reading that! You must be exhausted!
ReplyDeleteI most certainly suffered some major pain afterwards, but I'm feeling back to normal now. I had about a week and a half of pain. I thought that I might have broken a rib at first, muscle strain can be awful.
DeleteMy dear Connie. How incredibly brave you are. You have learned to be so self-sufficient. Your Hubby would be so proud of you. :-) I'M proud of you. I'm glad you prayed your way through all of that sawing and cutting. Chain saws scare the bejebbers out of me for some reason. Lots of steps so now you can just sit and do hand work or something for a few weeks to let the effects wear off. The trees look great and you'll have firewood for those cold Washington days.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and lots of love,
Betsy
It feels good when I look out and see all of that done. I still have a few outside jobs to get done before winter hits. We are suppose to be getting some cold weather and strong winds in a few days, so today I want to get my hammock swing down and get all the cushions off the front porch. Otherwise the swing will be up the tree and my cushion somewhere in the neighborhood, LOL.
DeleteWow that does look like a lot of work, I am surprised you didn't feel the pain sooner but like you said it helped you get the job done. You have a nice stack of firewood there now that's for sure. Glad you are feeling better now. I bet it feels good to know you did all that work so well!
ReplyDeleteIt feels great when I look out at those trees, I love checking jobs off my list and that is one that won't need doing for a long time again. Whahoo!
DeleteConnie, oh my goodness!! That look like waaay too much work for you to do on your own, not to mention incredibly hard!! I am younger than you (60) and there's no way I could've done that. I don't even know how to operate power tools, lol. A chain saw?! That's not happening in my lifetime! About all I can handle is a leaf blower. ;-) Please, please hire out next time a hard job like that needs doing, OK? You've gotta take good care of yourself! I mean, I'm sure you're proud of yourself but being in pain like that afterwards is NOT good. {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it is self confidence or stubbornness but I've always felt like I needed to be strong and never ask for help unless I absolutely couldn't do something myself and the only way you know that you can't do something is to first try. Well, that's always been my thought and I'm too old to change it now . . . of course I do realize that as I age things will get harder and at some point I'll have to except the kindness of friends and also start hiring more things done. There is a sense of accomplishment though when you dig in and get it done by yourself.
DeleteWow, Connie, what a lot of work. When you set your mind to something, you get it done. I admire that and I’m the same way to an extent. This past summer I set a project for myself to go to my storage unit and go through boxes of stuff to get rid of what I haven’t used for the last 5 years or so. I put days and hours into that project and ignored the back pain it was causing. Finally took a break but it took days to get over the pain. So I hear you on the pain from cutting the trees. Now that you are feeling better we can look at all you accomplished and appreciate it! Thank you for sharing your story. Best wishes to you from the west side! John
ReplyDeleteI guess it's what they refer to as closure, I'm not fully satisfied until there is completion. Then it seems that I can take in a deep breath and feel the accomplishment and satisfaction of a job well done. I do realize that at my age I should be pacing myself better and then I might not have as much pain, but this realization is generally found in my hind-sighted vision, LOL
DeleteConnie, I'm speechless. I'm willing to take on a multitude of projects, however this kind of project is not one of them. I do admire your determination in tacking this magnitude of a task. You're amazing! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteWow you had your work cut out for you! Nice handy little saw, we had. To do similar work here. Recovering from hurricane Ian almost back to normal. Something so rewarding after a hard day's work, am I right?
ReplyDelete