Sharing Costs…

My husband came to me smiling ecstatically Saturday.

“I have good news!” he said with delight.

Did he get a job? Did he find a thousand dollars in change while cleaning the couch cushions? I thought.

“The neighbor rented an industrial size rototiller and if I help him at his house, he’ll bring it over here and we can use it! We can dig up the backyard!” he said.

It has become painfully obvious that my husband and I have differing meanings of ‘good news’.

In his defense, we have wanted to tear apart our backyard for months but we haven’t had the time or the money for a giant rototiller.

I don’t know how you spent your weekend but my hours passed painfully. I followed my husband with a shovel and a water hose while he smiled with glee pushing the manliest piece of machinery our yard has seen. The layer of dust is so thick on my scalp, I’m on wash number two and I can still do a good impression of Pig Pen from Charlie Brown. I may have ‘accidentally’ sprayed my husband’s face with water a few times out of sheer spite but it failed to wipe off his giddy look.

Next weekend our neighbor is renting a cement mixer… and has made the same offer. My husband said, “Sweetheart! We can finally widen our driveway – for FREE!! All it will take is a little bit of elbow grease!”

How is it that in less than a week, the Swine Flu is suddenly looking like a good way to spend Thanksgiving weekend?

Posted by Beks on November 23, 2009 at 5:00 AM in Home Ownership, Saving Money | 7 Comments »
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E.D. responded:
Posted: November 23rd, 2009 at 11:03 am
Just make sure to check zoning regulations so you don’t widen the driveway too close to your property line. Who knows when a neighbor will be renting a jackhammer.
Michelle H. responded:
Posted: November 23rd, 2009 at 11:50 am
This was so funny! I love it – my husband and I also have greatly divergent ideas of “great news”.
John DeFlumeri Jr responded:
Posted: November 23rd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Usually, Beks, it’s the husband complaining about all the work his wife makes him do. You are refreshingly different!

Would you make me a “blogging buddy?”

Happy Thanksgiving!

John DeFlumeri Jr
Mrs. Money responded:
Posted: November 23rd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Lol hubby! That is too funny. I guess it worked out though. Are you planting a garden?
Abigail responded:
Posted: November 23rd, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Well, you can’t beat the price. But remind hubby that next time he gets something for “free” it may cost enough to send you to a couple of movies for the day — you know, long enough so that the WHOLE mess is cleaned up by the time you get back!

Seriously, though, it is a great way to get around costs if it was work you were planning to do anyway. Just keep the dirt cloud away from the turkey!
Beks responded:
Posted: November 24th, 2009 at 12:15 am
E.D. – We’re adding more on the inside of our driveway and moving it further away from our neighbor. Good suggestion though.

Michelle – Yeah, but we still love them.

John – I’m not sure how that works but I’ll try!

Mrs. Money – We’re going to put in some desert friendly plants and some mulch from our local recycling center.

Abigail – Sounds like a plan to me!!
Nicole responded:
Posted: November 28th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Hilarious! I’m glad you’re husband can find great deals to improve the value of your home : )