Cookout with the McVey's

I was up and out of bed before 7am. I did my best to be stealthy as I slipped out of the room and downstairs to start some coffee. I enjoyed coffee, internet, and sunshine alone for about 30-45 minutes before being joined by Mindy, who was up earlier than I expected. Once again we hung out on the deck briefly before I declared it run time. For the first time in the past several days I didn’t get my run in before Mindy woke. I think that I headed out near 840am.

It was even warmer than the day before and the sun even higher in the morning sky. It was 73 degrees and sultry when I left the house. Like most Sunday’s, I ran just three miles. While running I contemplated what I hoped to accomplish at home later. For one, I wanted to trim the three deciduous bushes in our landscape. I thought about cutting the lawn too, but with the high expected to reach into the low 90’s I wasn’t looking forward to it.

I promised Bella that we’d go after donuts in the BM’er when she got up. Back from my run just after 9am, it wasn’t long before Mindy and I were joined on the deck by Bella. And she wasn’t up more than a few minutes before she asked if we could go after the donuts. Yep! We left in the BM’er a couple minutes later, but not before I pulled the Accord up along the curb to make backing out a breeze. Bella loves riding in the BM’er.

Tim Horton’s isn’t far, just a mile or so north on Wilson. Inside, we ordered a dozen hand selected donuts then 20 Tim-Bits. As we stood at the counter Bella asked what I planned to do with the BM’er when I “you know, croaked”! Hmm? Hadn’t thought about it.
We ordered at least one donut to satisfy everybody’s tastes. All were pleased.

I woofed down a cream filled donut then headed out to start yard chores. My first order of business was trimming the cranberry bush by the driveway. I cut it way back last fall and only trimmed it slightly early, early spring. Bit it’s grown at least 2’ since. With the excessive slope of the driveway it really makes it hard to trim that bush but I’ve got it figured out. For one, I use a couple 2x6” to jack-up one side of the step ladder. That helps a lot. I trimmed some of the ivy along the walks out front too.

I then made my way around back at trimmed the honey suckle that hugs the ash trees. Like the cranberry bush, I cut it back significantly in the fall. That seems to spawn vigorous spring growth. No exaggeration, I’ll bet it grew 4’ this spring. That took some doing. Had to use the 2x6” levelers back there, too.

I wasn’t done. I still had the bush at the SW corner of the house. I cut it back early, early spring. Like the others, it had really taken off growing as much as 3’. After all the cutting I got out my 9x12’ tarp and raked all the trimmings onto it and then drug it to the compost pile out back. By the time I finished I was a sweaty mess. It was getting really warm.

While I toiled in the yard, I couldn’t overlook the goose damage as well as the plethora of poop scattered about my yard (mostly out back). I allowed myself to become enraged with anger at those pesky rats with wings. I must’ve chased them out of the yard 5 or 6 times already that day. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I raked the crap as best I could out in the back 40. They’ve eaten the grass to almost an inch of length.

I took a few water breaks then headed around front to find about 20 geese grazing now in my front yard and flower beds. I thought I might come unglued. I chased after them with rake in hand. A family was walking by and quipped that at least I’ll get my exercise and also get my lawn fertilized. Obviously a novice. Goose poop is not a good fertilizer. I could only muster a half smile and shared that they were welcome to see the damage out back if they chose. They didn’t and went on their way. 

Mindy was nice enough to make me a grilled cheese while I toiled in the heat. I wasn’t in a good mood at all. I think it was a combination of the geese, the pressured of running out of time, and my 4-day weekend coming to an end.  After a brief break I fought off the urge to get lazy and got out the mowers and cut the lawn. After all, if I didn’t cut it then, it could easily have been Saturday before the next chance presented itself. Yikes!

I spent the next two hours mowing, trimming, edging and blowing. I was thrilled to have that behind me. I’m thinking it was near 3pm when I finished and headed in for a much needed shower. Turned out, Mindy was just heading up for a shower too. She acquiesced to me, however, allowing me to shower first. I was a hot, sweaty mess. Still angry too. After a cool shower I felt marginally better and shared that I was taking the boat back to storage and then stopping for ice and beer. It didn’t take too long to stow the boat having done it so many times before. I headed to the Giant Eagle in Grandview for ice and beer really hoping to get some White Rajah. They didn’t have any though. Instead, I got Avery’s Hop Wallop IPA. It’s really good too. Plus, I haven’t had any of that for a while. Once back at home I took a brief nap with my book. That helped even more. I woke around 440pm and started grilling before our company was scheduled to arrive. Mindy had burgers, brats, and dogs for me to grill.

I let the grill preheat for about 5-10 minutes before requesting the meat. Mindy brought it all out to me. Standing in front of a hot grill in the sunshine would never be my first choice on a hot summer day, but somebody had to do it. We wanted to finish the grilling before our guests arrived that way we could relax and enjoy their company.

It didn’t take long to grill the burgers, brats, and dogs. All done in about 10 minutes. I carried in the cooked meat and placed it in the warmer tray. I then headed out on the deck and lounged in the chaise in the shade until Darwin and family arrived. They showed up around 530pm as planned. Darwin came out on the deck to greet me with his mom and dad not too far behind. Darwin called in earlier asking if it would be OK if his parents came along. They’re in town from NC.

We visited for about 20 minutes before Mindy suggested we come in to eat. Darwin & Connie brought guacamole, chocolate chip cookies, and another dessert. Combine that with everything we made, there was plenty of food. Too much really. I opted for a burger. It was good. Darwin & Connie have four sons ranging from 4 to 17. Jordan, their 17 year old, was the only one not present. The two youngest ran around playing on the deck and yard while Lane, who is the same age as Jacob, played in the tree house.

Darwin’s parents were a hoot. Very animated. They left around 7-730pm to go visit another friend nearby while Darin, Connie and kids hung around. With his parents gone, we did some vacation planning. Darwin suggested we not talk too much about it with his parents around since they hadn’t invited them along this year. As I understand it, they’ve invited the entire extended family down years past and have had about all that they can take. Seemed to be looking forward to a beach vacation with just one other family. Said they more often than not end up eating the entire tab too. Yikes!

For the next hour or so we planned our menu and then created grocery list. Connie had most of the items already on a check list that they use year after year. They plan to leave and arrive a day before us staying in a hotel one night. That way they’ll avoid the dreaded Outer Banks check-in traffic I’ve so many squawk about. I asked Darwin for general directions too. Sounds like route 64 is the route of choice.

The McVey’s hung out until near 9pm. Connie and I both had to be up early for work come Monday morning. After our guests departed Mindy and I did kitchen clean-up. Didn’t take that long, maybe 15 minutes.

Jacob and a few of his friends planned to sleep-out in the tree house. They were already out there even before dark. We doubted they’d make it. Tried once last year but scared after about 30 minutes. Once the kitchen was picked up, Mindy and I walked down to the neighbors who were showing a movie on their outdoor screen. This time it was a kids movie, though can’t recall what it was. Mindy & I hung out for no more than 15 minutes before heading home.

All the girls were going to spend the night at our place but for one reason or another the plan fell through. The plan changed and the girls said they were staying at Emily’s instead. Bella opted to simply stay at home and sleep in her own bed. And just as Mindy and I were preparing for our own bedtime the boys came inside from the tree house. According to Jacob, Cody & Kyle got a little spooked. All the boys, minus Evan piled into Jacob’s room for a sleep over.

I tossed and turned for about 20 minutes before giving up and heading back downstairs to the family room to do some more reading. I might’ve read for 20 minutes before I started falling asleep. Off to bed.