It was cloudy. I started coffee then whipped out 55 sit-ups. Once again, I decided to skip push-ups until Monday giving my right wrist a much needed break. However, worried that my arm muscles might atrophy, I did 20 curls with 20lb dumbbells with each arm. Not only was it cloudy, but it was chilly again too. Only 37 degrees. Expecting a high near 50 later in the afternoon. Supposed to clear up some too. We deserve more spring-like weather.
I sipped coffee and played on the internet for quite a while. Before heading out on my run I downloaded the Todd concert photos and edited a handful of blog entries. Around 930a I forced myself away from the PC, dressed for a run, completed a stretch routine, then headed out the door. I ran my typically Saturday run, just 3 miles. No problems.
Back at home by 1010a, I slipped out of my new running shoes and removed my hand and ear covers then put on an old pair of tennis shoes. I headed out to remove the Thule from atop the Honda and stow it in the shed. It took less than 10 minutes to do the deed. I knew that would make Mindy happy.
With the suspension straps already in hanging in place, getting it up and out of the way was a breeze. While in the shed I decided to start the tractor. It’ll be grass cutting time here in a couple weeks. Uh-oh! Weak battery. Wouldn’t start. Add a new tractor battery to the list. I took it in stride. It’s 6 or 7 years old, and overdue to be replaced.
I got out the spreader and hose caddy, too. I planned to spread fertilize in the next day or two. Inside, Mindy was finally awake. Said she’d been up since 1015a. Came downstairs at 1030a.
We spent the rest of the morning lazing around the house. That was nice. We had dinner plans with Ben & Ryan. Supposed to be at their place at 530p. I offered that we go to Lowes together that afternoon to look at new kitchen faucets and replacement patio cushions. Mindy agreed.
By the time we both showered and were ready to head out it was close to 1p. We looked at replacement patio cushions first. I showed Mindy the set I liked. But I didn’t want to buy just yet, at least not until she saw the comparable set at Home Depot. We headed to the kitchen faucets next.
There was a sales associate assisting another customer as we walked up. The sales associate was just telling the customer that Delta has the best warranty – for life. Hearing that, I felt compelled to chime in with my recent faucet troubles and just how frustrating it was to have to spend more money on another new kitchen faucet after just 3 years. They both corroborated with my misery. However, the sales associate offered that we should call Delta customer service. He guessed they would replace it provided we still have the sales receipt. I know I threw the box away after install. Not sure about the receipt. Mindy chimed in that I had to have the receipt somewhere. “You never throw that stuff away.” She’s probably right.
We looked at a couple newer models but decided to hold off on buying a new faucet until we at least looked for the receipt. Who knows, maybe we could get a replacement. That would be cool, and also fair.
While there, we looked at new lighting fixtures, pretty much picking up where we left off about a year ago. And actually, we’ve been looking at upgrading (changing) some of the brass lighting fixtures in the house since Mindy moved in. Just haven’t found something we both liked enough to pull the trigger. This time was different. We both set our gaze on the dark metal tiffany hanging light fixture for over our dining table. Mindy pointed out that they had a matching ceiling fixture that we could put in the entry foyer. A couple minutes later we had two lighting fixtures in our cart. We picked up a hanging basket of purple pansies too. Those would be a gift for Ben & Ryan.
We left Lowes and headed north a mile to the Home Depot. We entered through the garden center where we perused fountain accessories and outdoor fire rings. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had pond lighting kits, in a single or triple version. On closer inspection it looked like they had the same wiring format as our current pond pump and spot light. Our spot lighting fixture is toast, and I had tried unsuccessfully to find a suitable replacement the last two years. We carried one inside where the replacement patio cushions were stowed. While Mindy looked over the cushion choices, I went for a cart.
Mindy agreed with me that the replacement cushions at Home Depot, while similar in color and pattern, were a little nicer than those at Lowes. We decided to buy them then rather than risking it and finding them sold out come May. We picked up a new black 9’ patio umbrella, too.
As we contemplated which checkout line to use, a friendly sales associate walked up and offered to check us out right there at the return counter. Cool! She commented how much she liked the cushions we selected and how smart it was to get them now, or before they’re gone. We laughed. Our thoughts exactly.
We left Home Depot and headed for the Market District in Arlington, about a 5 mile trip give or take. Not exactly sure how long the Market District’s been there, but every other time it was beyond crowded. This time there were plenty of available parking spots. For a Saturday afternoon, I was really surprised.
We went to the beer department first. I snatched up two rockets of the Brew Dog Hardcore IPA. Mindy picked up two bottles of wine. From there we wound our way through the food court stopping and looking at all the mouth watering delicacies. Holy smoke! Neither of us had eaten much of anything yet. We were salivating as we shopped. We bought a small shaved chocolate cake to take to Ben & Ryan’s. Mindy bought herself a chocolate bismark. It looked awfully good. She asked me at least twice if I wanted to eat there. I was hungry but said no. That might’ve been one of the hardest ‘no’s’ ever!
We made our way by the meat counter and over to the cheese where they typically keep the hummus and pita chips. It took a while to locate the pita chips but we eventually did after getting some help. We wanted to take some of that to Ben & Ryan’s also. After 40 minutes in the Market District, we were finally headed for home.
Now ravenously hungry, I made a leftover roastbeef sandwich while Mindy walked Frankie, who was more than eager to get outside. Boy was that sandwich good. We stowed the new patio cushions in the basement until the weather turns more favorable and then stays that way. However, before stowing them, I took one out to try it on. It fit like a glove.
Inside, Mindy suggested we go ahead and install the new dining room lighting fixture. We had two hours before we needed to leave for Ben & Ryan’s. Why not? But before getting started, I searched for the Delta faucet receipt. I found it quickly. It was in with the granite counter top receipts. That’s why we bought it in the first place. I planned to call Delta come Monday.
We moved the dining room table into the living room and the chairs against the wall. I carried in the step ladder as well as a few necessary hand tools. Taking the old fixture down was a snap. Putting up the new one … a nightmare.
I did my level best to remain patient. Bottom line, following the enclosed assembly instructions were next to impossible. We had to modify the install process to make it work. And I needed Mindy to hold the fixture, effectively supporting all of its weight while I tied in the electrical connections. Getting the chain at the right length and then attached was the most difficult step. After almost two hours of toil, we finally got it right. And thankfully, our marriage survived. :)
I couldn’t believe that it was 5p already. It was time to leave for Ben & Ryan’s. I had to re fix my hair, now a mess from the lighting fixture install.
We gathered the beer, wine, food and gift we planned to take along and left the house near 515p. The kids called while we were in route. I could over hear Bella on the other end asking Mindy where we were going in a very disapproving tone. I was a little surprised at Mindy’s direct response. Yikes!
We arrived at Ben & Ryan’s right on time. In the door we exchanged some pleasantries then cracked open a beer or two. We added the appetizers we brought to the ones they already had out. We might’ve been there for an hour when Ben and I headed up to his music room to listen to some tunes. Ben has an old Pioneer sound system up there complete with a receiver and turntable. We listened to some old LPs while I perused his book collection. Lots of classics. At the same time, Ben scanned a handful of family recipes then printed them out for Mindy. We rejoined the girls downstairs about an hour later.
We enjoyed some homemade stuffed mushrooms (some with feta the others with blue cheese). They were good, but mushrooms aren’t my thing.
Soon dinner was served. It was almost as much a treat watching Ben prepare the meal as it was eating it. It was delicious! The entrée? Steamed muscles and pan seared scallops served in a chorizo/tomato cream sauce. Yeah, it was good!
After dinner, we polished off the rest of the IPA that I brought as well as that which Ben had. We made another trip up to Ben’s music room. The girls came up for a while. Back downstairs, we enjoyed some of that scrumptious chocolate cake that we bought at the Market District. It was to-die-for delicious.
I had a pretty good buzz as the night drew to a close. Mindy agreed to drive home, something I end up doing more often than not. Yes dear, I said it.
We knew that Frankie would need to go out, so as soon as we got home I did the deed while Mindy got ready for bed. That worked out well. She took care of business in a hurry. She wanted some people time. I figured she’d be angry when we headed to bed immediately after heading back inside. As predicted, she barked for about an hour at the foot of the stairs. At some point Mindy got up and put her in her pen and latched the door. Good night moon!
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