Light Up My Life

Done sleeping by 730am, I quietly rolled out of bed and headed downstairs. I don’t think Mindy heard me, but can’t be sure. Downstairs I prepped a pot of Starbuck’s then leashed up Ykraps for our morning walk. Since it was Sunday, I didn’t plan on doing calisthenics. It was another beautiful morning but quite chilly. In fact, there was an appreciable amount of frost covering the lawn. While we walked I reviewed the day’s agenda. After my run I planned a trip to Target for more Xmas lights. And since the weather was superb, I planned on putting them up later in the afternoon. Lastly, I planned to finish winterizing the yard. I got to spend a decent amount of time alone enjoying coffee and updating my blog through Thursday. It was 9:20 when I finished. By then, Mindy and the kids were up and getting ready for church. I readied and headed out for my run just before 10am. I gave Mindy a hug and kiss goodbye before leaving. She planned to pick-up Rocky & Landon on her way home. After six days in a row of running four miles, I ran just three, which has become the norm for Sundays. I felt really good and finished strong. The sweat barely had a chance to dry before I organized my things and headed out for a quick trip to the Hilliard Target. I planned to get some large multi-colored LED lights to string along the front roof line to add a little color behind the white icicle lights that I bought last year. I also wanted to get more icicle lights for the shed and an outdoor electronic timer. I found what I wanted quickly. It’s good to have a plan. I also picked up a green outdoor 15’ extension cord and the DVD, Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell. I spent $120. yikes! At home I woofed down my leftover Chipotle from Saturday evening. Then, I changed into jeans and my old tennis shoes and prepared to spend the afternoon on the roof hanging lights. However, before stringing the first set of lights I mounted all the plastic roof clips. That went well, and took no more than 45 minutes. Keep in mind, I had to do all of the work directly from the roof, not from a ladder. From the garage, I stretched out and tested the new LED lights sets. The first was perfect, but the second set had an obvious wiring flaw preventing it from being used. I wasn’t pleased. There’s just absolutely no way anyone QA’s these things. It was literally in a loop at one end. Mindy and the kids got home just as I was swearing at the second light set, realizing I’d have to make a return trip to Target thus stalling my progress. But Mindy, God love her, volunteered to go in my stead. By the way, Landon chose not to make the visit, I guess for fearing we would keep him. J I asked Mindy if she would pick up a third set of Led lights while there. It became obvious that two sets wouldn’t quite reach (2.5 sets would’ve been ideal). While she dashed off to Target, I unwound the icicle light sets from last year. The dangly parts are always a challenge getting to hang correctly. Out of a 1000 or so bulbs, I had to replace maybe three, and only one set had a problem section. But I fixed that with a bulb replacement. Not bad. Since I planned on adding the colored LED lights along the upper roof line only, I went ahead and strung the icicle lights along the garage roof. So far, so good. Mindy’s timing was perfect. I tested the two new sets (one replacement - one additional) and both were good. I was able to string the beefy LED lights rather easily. However, I knew the icicle lights would present a bigger challenge having hung them last year. Crawling out to the roof’s edge is a daunting feat, even on a mild sunny day. It appears much higher given the 10’ drop in elevation from the house to the street. Plus, I have to reach over the edge quite a bit to get the icicle strands to hang correctly. I took my time and got all 3 sets in place after about an hours work. The next task was to run the power up behind the gutter. While high up on the extension ladder Mindy came out and asked if I wanted a Viking update. I said, “honey, I’m high upon a ladder.” Before tie wrapping the extension cord, I gave them the ‘go – no-go test’. GO!!! Wahoo! BTW – The Vikings were winning 21-0. While both ladders were out, I hung the lighted wreath too. Mindy kindly assisted by wrapping it with a new set of lights. Last year’s strand wasn’t working. She also added a new ribbon/bow. The previous fell apart after roughly ten years of faithful service. Design achieved. But I’ve have to wait for night fall to measure the true beauty. The one thing I didn’t consider was how the white icicle light would over power/drown out the more spaced out LED lighting, which already wasn’t as bright. But still, a job well done! Again, while both ladders were out I caulked a small gap between our chimney flashing and the brick. I really want to caulk the actual chimney cap but I wasn’t prepared to be so daring alone. I’ll tackle that task come spring with help (someone to hold the ladder securely against the chimney from the sloping roof). Lastly, I placed the remaining plastic roof clips along the shed’s roof line, but ran about 5 or 6 short. I’ll take care of that later this week. Before calling it a day, I got out my blower and blew all the leaves from the front yard into the street’s gutter. Afterwards I gathered them into a tarp and drug them out back. Before ending my work, I collected both hose reels and stowed them in the shed. I made sure to blow all the water out first. I know I’ll need to use a section of hose a couple times through the winter to top off the hot tub. Chores finally complete, I joined Kenny, Rocky, Jacob, and Jake playing football. That ended up being a huge mistake. Rocky left the game almost as soon as I joined, then Jake and Jacob got in a tussle. Neighbor Jake complained endlessly about my poor quarterbacking. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but it was all him. He struggles with getting open and then catching the ball while moving. I eventually suggested we switch all-time quarterbacks. I’d do Jacob and Kenny, Jake. I wasn’t expecting our Jacob to go ballistic, but he did. He threw a fit about me being his quarterback and ran off home throwing his receiving gloves in the trash can. Jake ran off the field once too. Good grief! Jacob came back out after only being gone about a minute saying he was playing. The only problem was he was complaining once again. Having heard/seen enough, I whacked him on his behind and sent him to his room. He ran inside. Kenny and I asked why we put ourselves through this about once a week. The kids never seem to have fun playing football but always want to. Inside, Mindy already had the Jacob version of the story. I’m never one to want or feel like I have to explain myself but simply explained that he was being disrespectful and I whacked him on his butt. I promised I would do it more if his rude behavior or talking back continues. Mindy agreed. I left Jacob stew in his room for a good ten minutes while I was away walking Ykraps. I used our walk as a good opportunity to check out our freshly hung Xmas lights. It was almost dark, but still not completely. I took a couple pictures too. They looked great. Mindy had our Sunday meatloaf dinner ready upon my return. I probably failed to mention she’d been working on it for most of the late afternoon/early evening. I went up to Jacob’s room to discuss his backyard rant. He expressed sorrow. I told him that I loved him and let him out of jail. The meatloaf smelt great and tasted even better. Everyone had more than their fair share. Rocky ate especially well. The kids enjoyed cookies Mindy baked for dessert. I ate a couple pieces of Halloween chocolate. We have tons left. Our kids just don’t eat it that much of it. Mindy agreed to drive Rocky home while I stayed back with Jacob and Bella. By the way, the Vikings won big over the Seattle Seahawks earlier in the day, 35-9. Brett Favre threw four touchdown passes. The highlights were pleasing. I fully cleaned the kitchen while Mindy was gone dropping Rocky. Mindy wasn’t gone long. When she returned she shared that Lindsey informed her that all the girls along with their children and ex-Kelly would be doing a family TG dinner at Ashley’s on Saturday. That pretty much put the kibosh on our plans to host something similar at our home that very day. But on a brighter note, we agreed that it would certainly make our TG weekend easier. After putting on our PJ’s we watched SNF on NBC – Chicago versus Philly. Mindy watched only the first quarter then retired to bed. I figured to stay up at least until halftime but ended up watching through the third quarter. At 11pm I headed up for bed. I felt really good about all I had accomplished over the weekend. Short of a few loose ends in the yard, I got everything done. On top of my individual success, the weather was superb, the Buckeyes beat Michigan, the Vikings won, and my wife seemed happy.