yard work.

As previously mentioned, my dad recently had open heart surgery.  Because he isn't able to lift or push or pull or do anything that resembles work, I have been mowing the lawn.  Check that.  Henry and I have been mowing the lawn.  I push the John Deere mower while he runs all around me with his lawn mower.  It's a great system...some of the time.  The first couple times he kept himself busy all around me the entire time I mowed.  Today was a completely different story. 

First let me describe mowing when he isn't with me. 
Zip.  Empty bag.  Zip.  Empty bag.  Zip.  Empty bag. 
I can usually finish the entire front and back yards in just over an hour.

This is mowing when Henry is here.  You should know that every time Henry needs something I have to turn off the mower so I can hear him.
Zip.  Empty bag.  Zi...

Henry: I want to play in the sandbox. 
Me:  Okay go ahead.  Do you want me to take off your shoes?
Henry:  No I want my shoes.
Me:  Okay.  If you change your mind, you know how to take your shoes off, you can just take them off.
Henry:  Okay.

Zip. 

Henry:  Mom-mom!   I don't want to wear my shoes.
Me:  You can take them off.
Henry:  I want you to take them off.
Me:  *taking off his shoes* Do you need anything else while I'm stopped?
Henry:  No I'll be in the sandbox. 
Me:  Great, you know where I'll be if you need anything.

Zip.

Henry:  MOM-MOM!!!!!
Me:  Oh my God what's wrong?!
Henry:  I need medicine for my bug bite on my knee.
Me:  Can it wait?  This bag is almost full and then we can empty it and I can take a break.
Henry:  No I need it noooooowwwwww
Me:  Okay my first job is taking care of you, second is the lawn.  *find the bug bite cream and bring it to him*  Okay buddy, which knee is it?
Henry:  This one...
Me:  Nooooo, I don't see a bite on that one, I think it's the other knee.
Henry:  Oh.  Okay the other one.
Me:  Does it really itch so badly that you need medicine?
Henry:  No.
Me:  Well, I'll put some on now and that way you'll be all set.  Do you need anything else? 
Henry:  No, I'll be in the sandbox.

Zi...

Henry:  MOM-MOM MOM-MOM MOM-MOM!!
Me:  Oh Jesus H. Christ for the love of all that is holy, how can I help you?
Henry:  Frank the Combine is coming to get you.
Me:  grrrrrr....
Henry:  I love you, mom-mom.

etc.

It took me almost 3 hours to finish mowing today.  I can't feel my right arm because the starter on the mower hasn't worked since I don't know when so every time I had to start it I had to use the pull-starter thingy.  Sometimes it's nice to be needed.  Other times it's nice to mow the fucking lawn.