I think I will become an EMT

So the plan was to move rocks. In order to do that some prep work was needed in the places where rock would be spread. So we started trimming back the ivy, picking up the ceramic figurine remnants (previous owner LOVED yard ornaments!), scooping up what Carmel "drops", and removing some of the plastic that was originally placed under the rocks to prevent weeds from growing. The surrounding tree roots have grown and ripped the plastic in many places.

In our preparation process we decided to move the blue birdbath from its current location to a better spot, out of the main walkway. This had previously been used as a planter so all the dirt had to be removed first. Then we tipped the top "dish" section on its side to hose it out. We found that there were large chips and stress fractures in the structure. After the top section was cleaned and set aside Ken attempted to move the pedestal. Nope. Not budging. Ok, so we started raking and shoveling the rocks from around the base. We discovered the the pedestal had been partially buried in the rocks. After more shoveling and raking we found that the pedestal wasn't going to move. It appeared to have been affixed to a cement slap as well! This thing would have survived a tornado!

Out comes the sledgehammer! No longer are we dedicated to the preservation of the big blue birdbath! Cressalyn was given the rights to the first swings! She did well at chipping away some of the top edges of the pedestal but it was too difficult to continue. She was demoted. Ken took over the sledgehammer.

One whack! Two whacks! On the third whack Ken hollered very loudly and dropped the hammer and grabbed his hand. Blood was already flowing quite a bit! Cressalyn ran to turn the hose on and I grabbed the end of it to wash the wound. There was a deep gash in Ken's pointer finger just at the first knuckle! Cressalyn brought rags and then returned for keys and wallets and we were off! On the way to Urgent Care I called Ken's mom, the Davis family guru of all things first-aid, and in discussing the situation with her we decided to try whatever CVS could supply us with. So we got butterfly tape, finger tube gauze and a splint. We returned home and performed first-aid.

My thought was that Ken was finished for the day and the kids and I would clean up what we had done and that would be the end. But no.

Ken felt the need to go back outside and "supervise." Nathan began relocating large rocks to the very back of the yard. The bottom of the fence is not in the ground and Carmel may one day discover an escape route. While Nathan was toting rocks Ken got distracted by the stump of a tree we had knocked down last week. He got the hatchet and shovel and he and I removed 3 stumps. I went inside to begin dinner.

Now that they were completely UNSUPERVISED, Ken and Nathan decided to take the chainsaw and remove a tree that was split in the base. Neither one of them have done this before but being homeowners now, we are all stepping WAY out of our league on many projects!

They cut the tree which then got hung up by the top in the neighbor's tree (behind our house.) I was summoned to give my "expertise" as to how the tree should be brought down with as little damage to the fence, shed and the neighbor's tree as possible. From where I stood it looked like a simple "pendulum" theory. Nathan would support the trunk of the tree from underneath while Ken cut about 4 feet above Nathan. The theory was that gravity would then take the top part and swing it completely into the neighbor's yard and miss the fence. The bottom of the tree was under Nathan's strong control so we went for it.

Oops.

As the chainsaw cut through the tree the weight of the trunk fell completely on Nathan, crushing his right hand and sending him to the ground in a heap. The top part did NOT swing like a pendulum and dropped like an anvil onto Ken and the fence.

I took Nathan inside for evaluation while Ken tried to "pull" the top of the tree back into our yard. I forgot to mention that the tree was about 18 inches around and 30 feet tall. We are stupid.

After another phone call to our favorite medical advisor, we concluded that with the mobility in his hand, Nathan did not need to be checked by a physician. Ice and rest have relieved some swelling. He doesn't have full strength and grip, but all the joints function.

Ken and I cut the remaining tree parts and pulled them into our yard. The fence is fine, the shed is fine. After dinner we went and carried the debris to the front yard for pick up. As we finalized the clean up Ken noticed that the neighbor beside us was removing tree debris as well. Upon further investigation he realized it was OUR tree that had fallen into their yard during the nasty storm last week! Ken then assisted them in removing THAT tree, too!

With all that we have accomplished today, not a BIT of the piles of rocks were touched! We are also finding the being a homeowner is very hazardous to Ken's health! He's had a nail go into the side of his nose (no, he wasn't trying to pierce his nose!), he slit his wrist with a putty knife (no, he doesn't need counseling!), and now he has smashed his finger with a sledgehammer.

Is this covered by our homeowners' insurance?