Boring Game?

I was up just ahead of 7am. I could see that it was mostly clear though the sun still not quite up yet. I started some coffee then did sit-ups but skipped push-ups. My left shoulder was absolutely killing me most likely from the 50,000 or so brushes strokes the day before. I took some Advil since I'd be right back at it again after my run.

I enjoyed my alone time sipping coffee and playing on the internet until well past 800am. I decided it was time to go on a run around 830am. It was chilly again, about 52 degrees. I ran just three miles.

Mindy was up a short while after I returned from my run. She planned to go to yoga while I planned to continue staining the deck. I got myself organized for another long day on the deck beginning around 10am. I planned to finish the pergola first, then the skirting, and finally the deck itself. Before any staining I got my music going again, only this time I set up on the deck so not to bother Mindy and the kids. I listened to more Pink Floyd.

I finally tapped into the new five gallon bucket, which needed stirred before I deemed it ready for use. I'll bet I stirred for a solid 5 minutes. The new batch was noticeably thinner, but this I already knew. Because it was thinner it went on easier but still covered really well too. I'll bet I worked on the pergola for a solid hour, and maybe longer. Once it was done I moved on to the skirting. I did the toughest part first, the area below the A/C unit and tucked behind all the Cannas, climbing hibiscus, and maiden grass.

After that the rest of the skirting was cake. I'll bet it didn't take but 30 minutes. By then, Mindy was already off to yoga and the kids off playing with the neighbors. Just before Mindy left for yoga, I asked if she would be willing to stop at Barley's and fill a jug with Centennial. I knew I'd be craving it later. She willingly agreed. Now around 12 noon, it was time to get cranking on the deck's main surface. Before using the stain pad I did the new bench tops and posts with the 4" brush where it would be difficult to maneuver the pad. Kenny stopped over to ask if I would keep an eye and ear out for their kids while he ran off to his grandpa's to mow his lawn. Sure thing! Chrissy was shopping for a wedding dresses with her cousins and sister-in-law.

The stain pad worked well, especially with the 1' long wooden handle I found in the basement. It laid down a nice even coat. The surface goes relative fast, but also uses a lot of stain. I had the newest section of deck (where the hot tub used to reside) done in no time. Looked really nice. In fact, even nicer than I imagined.

As I moved on to the older surface, the staining wasn't quite as easy as the new stuff for all the raised grain, but still simpler than the rail and pergola. The older stuff really sucked up the stain. I used the brush to do the edge all along the stucco and put it on really thick. I had the upper tier completed  after about 90 minutes best guess. While she was still off to yoga, I wrote out a card commemorating the six year anniversary of the day we met - September 17, 2005 @ Bob & Mary Ann's block party. There was a card for me already on the island counter.

I ate a few chunks of cheese but then headed back out for more fun, this time attacking the deck's lower tier. Mindy got home about the time I was working on the large steps off the main deck. She offered to make me something to eat. I asked for more ice water and my leftover reuben. It was delicious. The skies were mostly sunny with only occasional periods of cloud cover. In the brilliant sunshine it was warm.

I systematically moved down to the lower tier leaving the area in front of the stairs for last, that way I could walk off into the yard as I finished not needing to walk across any wet stain. The afternoon went by seemingly in the blink of an eye. It was already approaching 5pm. I had already identified a few thin spots that would need a second coat, but the only area still not done were the steps leading to the side yard.  I was exhausted, and had lost all my motivation to continue. Still, I forged onward, not wanting to stop until the job was completed. 

By then, Trena, our new next door neighbor, had guests arriving for her Buckeye game yard party. It probably took me another 30 minutes to finish the stairs. By 530pm I was sticky and stiff - ready for a shower and a cold beer. I took my time cleaning up, making sure my two brushes were clean and everything of value stowed inside or in the garage. All the deck's regular contents were still in the yard.

I used a coarse wash cloth mitten to exfoliate and remove dried stain from my skin. That mitten leaves my face smooth as a baby's ass. :) I took a few more Advil too. I felt a major sense of accomplishment having completed a chore that's haunted me for two years running, although I still figured I'd spend about 30 minutes Sunday morning on touch up. But for all intents and purposes, the job was done!

Mindy whipped up a batch of chili all afternoon along with some corn bread. Last minute, she decided to take the entire batch down to the neighbors. We ended up loading everything into an empty clothes basket for easy transport.

Everybody enjoyed some chili and cornbread before the Buckeye game kicked off. It was good. Chrissy spent her afternoon decorating the house for Halloween. Early, but hey. We cleaned up the dinner mess still before kick-off. I was sure the Buckeyes would win this one. So sure,  that I bet Jacob $5 after he gave me 4 points.

The game didn't start well. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, we were behind 14-0. But the Buckeyes finally got some momentum and discovered their running game with Jordan Hall, one of the previously suspended players. We marched down the field twice but could net nothing more than two field goals. Disappointing!

We held out hope that the game would be the tale of two different halves with the Buckeyes catching fire and righting the ship after halftime. That didn't happen. In fact, I don't think we had more than 20 yards passing for the entire game. That phase of our game looked anemic.  Just bad! We lost 24-6.

By the games end, Chrissy was asleep as were all the dogs ( our two pugs and Mike & Teri's puppies too). We packed up and headed for home around 1030pm. Mindy and the kids headed directly to bed. I stayed up having a snack and watching a little more football. I headed for bed by 1110pm. Happy six years, dear!