Before I left for the gym this morning the doorbell rang.  It was a man wondering if we needed any yardwork done (obviously we were likely candidates, given the shagginess of the grass) and also wondering if my bike was for sale.  Bottom line: traded my bike (which needs new cables, chains, etc. - and I showed him that) in return for him mowing the yard.  He also raked under/behind the bushes.  

So the yard looked SO much better when I pulled in to the driveway just now.

In a few minutes I'm off to see the orthopedist, and sure hope he's got some solutions for my thumb/wrist.  That hand is pretty much useless these days, and the pain is getting worse.