When Vacation Ends

I was up around 7am. I was pleased to see the sunshine again after only one day’s absence. It was warm and steamy – 74 degrees and 90+% humidity. After a little coffee and internet I was off on my run doing the usual three miles (It would be back to 4 miles come Monday). The run went just fine.

Mindy was up and about soon after my return. We chatted and enjoyed coffee opting to hang inside instead of out in the extreme humidity. I talked about the rotting trim on the half moon window needing replaced. And as we talked we figured out the best way to cut the halfmoon trim to fit perfectly. Almost at the same time we talked about using a string, nail, and pencil like protractor. All I would need to do is measure the radius, that of course, assuming the window is a true half circle.

I was eager to get the measurement then transfer those very same measurements to the faux wood I salvaged from the front of the house where I installed the cedar lap siding late spring. I measured the radius twice and also measured the diameter. The radius top to bottom was within a measured ¼” of the diameter. Cool. I knew it was true.

I laid the faux wood on the ground next to the shed and got out my 29-3/4" string w/pencil and attached the other end of the string with a nail. As soon as I began tracing it out it occurred to me that I hadn't accounted for the width of the trim, or another 5-3/8". Turned out that piece of faux wood wasn't large enough. I'll have to find another solution.
I scraped the project for the time being.

Mindy headed off to the grocery store during afternoon sometime taking the Pilot. While she was away I washed the Accord thinking my efforts would almost assuredly bring rain. :) I detailed the Accord inside and out. And since I had the hose out, I watered all the flowers too.

I left the shop-vac out so I could vacuum out the Pilot once Mindy was back from the grocery. I helped her carry the groceries in then spent a good half hour vacuuming the Pilot. Holy smoke was it ever filthy. Not only was there sand everywhere from the beach vacation, but food crumbs and dirt galore. I took the time to clean the interior surfaces with water and just a tad of Fantastik. It looked great when I was done.

We had dinner around 530pm, but can't recall what Mindy prepared. After dinner we went on a quick family bike ride. I was tuckered out, both from a day's worth of yard chores but also from two weeks of vacation. We headed back to the house after one 2 mile lap.

Mindy decided it was time to take the baby stuff to Lisa that she told her about the evening before during our after dinner visit. While she headed across the pond, I decided to take care of a few remaining chores, including putting the heavy fiberglass extension ladder away. I also cut the thin strip of lawn (about 12') between us and Trena's. It's really the only part of our lawn that still looks springtime lush. I used the tractor. Why not?

Now about 8pm, I was ready to kick back with a glass of ice water and let the vacation end. On one hand I was more than OK with returning to work. On the other, I was sad to see it end. I'll add this, taking two weeks is definitely the way to go. The only thing I would do different would be to avoid work 100% I let that leave a bit of a stain on my 16 days off.

I watched a little History Channel, another one of those Universe programs for the duration of the evening. I headed to bed near 1030pm. I was so tired physically, but my mind thinking about work, and all I needed to get done in the coming days. In kind, it took a while for me to fall asleep.