Cedar, Filets, & Oscar

I woke with that same dull headache, now day number four, at 645am. Otherwise I felt fine and was eager to get up and out of bed and start my weekend. I could see that the sky was nothing but blue as I brushed my teeth and glanced out the master bath window. I grabbed my running clothes then headed downstairs being careful not to disturb Mindy, who didn’t budge.

I started some coffee relishing in that glorious feeling of sunny and warm Saturday. I took three more Advil to knock the edge of the headache then headed to my PC while the coffee brewed. I walked out on the deck just to take in the fresh morning air. It was gorgeous. There was a flock of geese taking it easy in the yard (about a dozen). I went for my BB gun and drove them away. Not exactly the way I wanted to start my Saturday.

I sipped coffee and played on the PC for about 30 minutes. I then headed outside with my camera and coffee taking a few pictures in the yard. Man was it pretty! Back inside, I worked on my blog until 830am when I dressed and left for a run. It was nice enough to comfortably run in shorts and a short sleeved wicking shirt. Like most Saturdays. I ran 3 miles.

Mindy was up and sitting on the deck when I returned from my run. I topped of my coffee then joined her. We hung out for about an hour enjoying the landscape, sunshine and blue skies. I shared that I wanted to teach Jacob how to use the push mower out front later that afternoon. Mindy agreed. She asked my plans. I hoped to get the lawn chores done but also the cedar lap siding installed. If I completed both I’d consider the day a success.

Jacob and Bella were soon up and with us on the deck. Jacob was not in favor of learning to mow the lawn. The way I see it, it is my responsibility to teach him how to use power equipment. Not worth the fight right now. It must’ve been about 1030am when I made myself a quick ham & cheese sandwich before getting started on the cedar siding. I organized all of my tools as well as hooking up my iPod and Bose dock in the garage.

Before actually putting up the siding, I had to tear off the old composite wood panel. To do so I thought I’d try using the roto tool I snagged at a white elephant Xmas gift exchange two years ago. The 3’x6’ panel was in with only 8 nails – 3 along the top and bottom and one midway down on each side. I cut the bead of caulk free first. I could only pry it to the nails along the side. I ended up using the roto tool to cut a square around the nails until it was dangling like a loose tooth. I did my best to guide its fall without harming my giant boxwood shrubs.

Next, I spent about an hour preparing the surface, pulling away the remaining nails, cutting back the bead of caulk, and then striking red lines along the studs 16” on center. I checked the opening for square. It was real close, perhaps an 1/8” shorter at the top. I used the shortest piece to rip the overlap for the starter course. I was a little nervous but the work went pretty smoothly. I had only seven pieces to cut and install. The opening was actually 36.5” exactly. I designed the overlap to 1.75” thus exposing 5.25” on each piece of siding. There were a couple bumps along the road but all in all it went up easier than I expected. The top piece had to ripped to 4.75” and was maybe 1/8” short on one end but that I already knew. I planned to use caulk to fill the gap since the butt joint would have to be caulked anyhow.

Gloria came over to go shopping with Mindy & Bella. Not sure the time when she arrived and they all left, but it was just as I was ripping the last piece of siding. The tow things that helped speed things along were the roto tool and my handy-dandy bucket on a rope full of the necessary tools. The siding now up, all I needed to do was caulk all the butt joints and nails. I took a much deserved break before caulking, long enough to suck down some water and a couple pieces of cold pizza. Yum!

The caulking went smoothly. I made sure to caulk the nails really well, which according to Kenny is key to longevity. I plan to use solid wood stain the same color as our house trim paint but won’t be doing that any sooner than Memorial Day weekend. I took a few photos of my handy work before cleaning up. Clean-up too about 20 minutes, not too long. I was careful not to take too long of a break so not to get lazy. After another ice water break, I moved right to the lawn chores.

I cut the entire yard including whacking, edging and blowing over the next 90 minutes. It was really warm, and the grass between the sidewalk and curb was already showing signs of stress particularly around the curbside maples. I turned on the front watering zone after finishing up out front.

I’m guessing it was 4 pm when I finished working on the lawn chores. Next up I planted another dozen cannas in the side flower beds, including 4 or 5 behind the burning bushes just as Mindy requested. Mindy, Gloria and Bella were back home as I finished. Gloria was in her car and pulling away as I made my way around to the front of the house. Mindy complimented the lovely lawn. It did look good.

While out shopping they made stops at Kohl’s and the Market District Giant Eagle. Mindy brought home prime filets and veggie skewers for grilling. Mindy asked where Jacob was. Don’t know. Haven’t seen him all day long. He later shared that he purposefully stayed away for fear of having to mow the lawn. Oh boy!
Mindy fetched me two more Acetaminophen after suggesting I alternate it with the Advil. I headed up for a well deserved shower around 5pm. We started dinner right after my shower. After dinner we planned on visiting the Shultz’s who invited over for a bonfire. I was looking forward to it.

Mindy grilled the veggies skewers, and then I grilled the filets. It doesn’t take but a minute to overcook a steak. Timing is absolutely critical. One minute they’re too rare and the next over done. I am getting pretty good at it, though. We ate outside at the deck table and it was a perfect evening for it. Mindy had dessert inside too, a strawberry covered short bread cake. It looked awfully good but I wanted to save room for beer. I was careful not to over eat. How sad is that? 

Both kids fussed about joining us at the neighbors citing nothing there for them to do. But Mindy held firm that they were going and that was that. I’m thinking that we walked over around 730 or 8pm. I used our Jimindy cooler to tote 4 White Rajah’s and soft drinks for the kids. Bella chose to ride her scooter in the court while we walked around back where everybody was gathered on the screened in deck.

It was Pat, Lisa, their son Max, who works at Limited Brands, their daughter Alena, their oldest daughter Jamie along with her love interest and baby dady, Paul (nice guy), as well s their new son Oscar. Also there was Lisa’s brother Tom, and Pat & Lisa’s niece Sarah. I joked that she was the one married to the older rich guy. I’m not for certain but believe there’s like a 20+ year age difference between the two of them. Go! Last time I saw Sarah she could only have been about 20.

As expected, we had a good time hanging with the neighbors. The kids eventually came around back and hung out for a while. Pat got the fire going near dark, but no one ever really took advantage of it. Mindy and the kids went home to see if we had the makings for smores. We didn’t. Don’t think anyone but Tom spent even a minute by the fire. Instead, we hung out on the screened deck.

Mindy and the kids headed for home around 11pm. I stuck around hanging out chatting with Pat, Sarah, Jamie and Paul. Lisa headed for bed too, but not before smoking from her electronic cigarette. Still not sure she realizes that it’s not real. The end lights up when you draw from it, and you exhale smoke. I asked to photo the episode. Funny!

Sarah must’ve peeled off for her friends place in Victorian Village around midnight. Just like old times, it was just Pat and I. We talked for about another hour, mostly about work stuff. I was quite surprised when I got home and discovered that it was 115am. Yikes! By then I was crazy hungry again, and woofed down 4 or 5 slices of leftover pizza all the while catching up on the Reds/Yankees results. Red won!