Day 5

Just wrapping up day 5. This is my second day off since the experiment began. My parents were both coming home today from separate business trips and I really wanted to see them, but on only 1/2 a tank of gas I was worried, as most young adults are, about going to visit the parents and not being able to leave.

Neither one of them had much of an idea of what this whole thing was about, but when I called and asked if I could mow the lawn in exchange for some gas, my mom was happy to agree. I could hear the nostalgia in my Dad's voice when he said in the background "that's the way it should be". He's a pretty old fashioned guy, and probably the reason I relate to "The Wonder Years" and "Sandlot" so much. I put Sam in the car, along with some laundry, and we were on our way to the comforts of Mom and Dad's. I don't have a washer and dryer, so for the past week I have been washing my work shirts in the bathroom sink. It has been going good so far, but I was appreciative to use their facilities for the larger items like jeans and towels.

When I arrived home, my Mom asked me what it was like asking for charity for a month. I know she was only joking, and she hadn't even heard what the project was really about yet, but the words still stung. I could feel the frustration welling up in my eyes as I tried to explain that I wasn't just going around asking for charity, and that I was really trying to learn and grow through this project. It was extremely tense for a few minutes while I tried to communicate my ideas and reasonings behind the project. When she read an exerpt from the first post, regarding her and my father's relationship with things, I wasn't sure what her reaction would be; It turned out that she was actually very supportive of it all, stressing, like any good mom would, that I not compromise my safety by walking to and from work in the dark.

My Dad filled up the lawn mower and explained the basics. I listened intently and was about to start when I realized there was something missing. Something I usually see in the whole lawn mower scenario. And then it hit me.

"I think I need a beer" I said, and promptly went to the outdoor fridge to correct the problem. I retreived one for him too.

When we got out to the front lawn he acted like an air traffic controller, waving me in different directions, going into great detail with me over how to avoid mowing over the heart shape he had cut into the lawn for my mother for Valentine's Day. An hour and a half later, I was sweating and tired, and a little dizzy, but content in the fact that I had earned myself some gasoline. I went in to help my Mom with dinner plans. We needed to make a trip to Sprout's.

I was hoping for free coffee samples. Sprout's delivered. They also had a wine for sale labeled "Broke Ass" and it was immediately the obvious choice to accompany dinner. We all had a good laugh over this. While we were out I was also able to get my tire pressure checked for free at Costco, and as promised, my Dad filled up my tank in exchange for the yard work.