Last Day of Spring '09

Regardless of the day or circumstances, I consider waking at 8am sleeping late. However, we didn’t get to bed until well after midnight Friday, so the extra sleep felt good. Mindy stayed in bed as expected. I headed downstairs and started some coffee, then began my exercise routine. Ykraps and I headed out for our morning stroll. It was already sunny, warm, and steamy – 72 degrees. The lawn looked great but would most likely need cut again sometime this weekend, even after cutting it only 1.5 days ago. While walking, I reviewed my mental project list. Nothing huge yet several things I wanted to accomplish, most in the yard. I sat at the PC drinking coffee and updating my blog for the next hour or more. I decided not to force myself out for a run before 9am like I most often do weekends. And even though I didn’t head out for a run until 9:30am, Mindy still wasn’t up. It was a nice, sweaty run. I finished strong. Mindy was just backing out the drive when I returned from my run. She had Bella in tow, too. The plan called for a quick stop at Dr. Craig’s office since Bella was still showing signs of a possible ear infection. Afterwards, Mindy planned to visit The Anderson’s to pick-up food for Sunday’s Father’s Day event. I started tinkering almost as soon as I was back home, but woofed down a day or two old cinnamon roll first. The first thing I did was trim a peep hole in the Ivy growing over the front door sidelights. Next, I trimmed the huge Salvia bushes in the east front bed since some of them are falling forward and covering up my lovely petunias. Doing that required that I pay close attention to the numerous bees swarming about their flowers. Next on the agenda, I moved to the backyard where I cut two new legs for our vandalized flamingos. However, before replanting them in the flower bed, I gave both a fresh coat of purple spray paint to counter the dulling affect the pond water had on them. Next, I repotted the impatiens from the vandalized pot into the new purple pot. I knew that would make Mindy happy. In the garage I decided no time better than the present to finish repairing the boat cushion that I’ve had at home for almost three months. I’d already removed the rotted base and had the treated sheet of plywood ready but still not cut to size. I used the rotted piece to trace out the pattern then cut it with a jigsaw. That took but a few minutes. After drilling five weep holes, I spent the next 20 minutes resecuring the marine vinyl to the new base. I was thrilled to have that done. It was one of those pesky little tasks that’s been lingering in the back of my mind since I winterized the boat last fall. Time to work on patio bench repair. I fetched the materials from the Trooper and then carried the kids patio bench to the garage where I made the repairs. I had to do a simple cross cut, but also sand the sharp edges off the 1X2” board before mounting. It didn’t take too long to finish. Mindy got home around 1pm. Bella did indeed have an ear infection. She needed to go fetch a prescription of antibiotics soon after. I stayed busy in the yard, backfilling and seeding some of the minor damage left behind by the irrigation crew. But I still wasn’t finished. I pulled the BM’er from the garage and gave it a much needed bath inside and out. Leaving the top down in the garage has allowed the inside to collect mucho dust. I haven’t driven it for a good month. I had it washed and put away in less than an hour. The last thing I did was water the pots and baskets. It was about 2:45pm. I headed inside to shower up for the DeWood’s annual volleyball party. We left for the party around 3:50pm. Mindy took along hot dogs and a tray of sweet finger desserts. I really could’ve used a nap. The DeWood’s annual party is an event that’s been part of Mindy’s life since she was very young. They used to be neighbors in Holly Hill. Now the DeWood’s live in Oakhurst. Many of the attendees are fellow Crossroads parishners. There were plenty of eats, and as always the event was very organized. One doesn’t have to look too hard to figure out that Bob DeWood is a neat-nick, and certainly more so than I. I appreciate that about him. I sat alone eating in one of our camp chairs while Mindy & the kids chose to sit at a very crowded table bumping elbows with others. I couldn’t help but think the party would be much livelier if there was alcohol. But probably best that there wasn’t. We finally played some volleyball after an hour or so. I think I played about 6 or 7 games all totaled. It was fun, although the teams were too crowded – often nine per side. Yikes! Jacob played on my team. He might’ve been the youngest competitor. We started making preparations to head home around 8pm. I was eager to get there knowing too well that Ykraps needed a walk. I was also looking forward to an ice cold beverage – beer! I also held out hope that our neighbor’s, Kenny & Crissy would be home from the Myrtle Beach. We arrived home around 8:30pm. They were home. Bella ran down to see Makayla straight up. Mindy & I followed while also walking Ykraps. Kenny was already out washing the car. Said they’d been home less than an hour. Neighbor Mike stopped over while we were chatting and invited all of us over to his place for food and fun. We accepted the invite but finished walking Ykraps before heading over. There were several folks already there and lots of kids jumping on the trampoline (I’m talking like 12 kids). We hung out at Mike & Teri’s until 11pm or midnight yucking it up and drinking beer. Mindy headed home about 30 minutes ahead of me. I joined her already in bed. She wasn’t yet asleep.